Bus times from Koh Samui to Penang

By joint ferry and bus service the journey from Koh Samui to Penang is scheduled to take 11 hours.

Bus Timetable from Koh Samui to Penang

Click on the Koh Samui – Penang link in the timetable below for more information and to buy tickets.

Departure from Koh Samui

Joint ferry and bus services from Koh Samui to Penang depart from Nathon Pier 3 (Seatran Ferry Pier).

Arrival in Hat Yai

Joint ferry and bus services from Koh Samui to Penang terminate at Bus Terminal Komtar, 2-103, 10000 33, Lebuh Prangin Georgetown, 10300 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.

About Travel to Penang

George Town, on Penang Island, is a major tourist destination attracting around 7 million visitors per year.

Travel by Bus or Minivan

One of the advantages of travelling to Penang by bus or minivan is that the service terminates in George Town itself. If you travel by train to Penang via Padang Besar then you would need to make your own way from Butterworth Railway Station on the mainland across the 11 km wide Penang Strait that separates Penang Island from the rest of Penang State. This additional journey adds at least 30 to 40 minutes to the journey time.

Staying in Penang

Penang is a large island, and George Town is a large city, so there are plenty of options as to where you might stay. Some visitors prefer to stay in Batu Ferringhi or Tanjung Bungah to the north of George Town because both towns have good beaches, however, the vast majority of visitors choose to stay in George Town.

A high proportion of George Town’s tourist accommodation is located in the historic old quarter of George Town, close to the major tourist attractions. This is also where many of the most popular restaurants and bars are located.

Chulia Street

The old quarter covers a large area. The busiest part of the old quarter is Chulia Street which borders onto the vibrant Little India section of the city. Chulia Street used to be the ‘backpacker’ area of George Town with very cheap low quality accommodation and plenty of bars and nightlife. The bars and nightlife remains, however, the low cost accommodation has largely been upgraded so visitors seeking cheaper accommodation may need to look at staying in other parts of the city.

Tourist Attractions in George Town

Towards the end of the 18th Century George Town became an important trading post of the British Empire. A large number of immigrant workers and entrepreneurs came to George Town at the end of the 18th Century and during the 19th Century, first from India and later in greater numbers from China.

As a consequence George Town has lots of historic buildings, some of which are distinctly British, and others which follow Chinese or Indian architectural traditions. Indeed, the city has so many historic buildings, and such a rich history, that it has been granted UNESCO World Heritage Site Status.

Among the popular tourist attraction in George Town are:

• Kek Lok Si Temple
• Penang Hill
• Chew Jetty
• Cheah Kongsi Clan House
• Thean Hou Kong Temple
• Sri Mahamariamman Temple
• George Town’s Esplanade
• St. George’s Church
• Pinang Peranakan Mansion