THE SHORT VERSION
Penang (George Town) to Kota Bharu at a glance.
- Road distance
- About 337 km
- Straight line
- 225 km
- Car time, no stops
- ~4 h 30 min buses take longer
- Return route
- Kota Bharu to Penang (George Town) →
Ready to travel from Penang (George Town) to Kota Bharu?
Check live availability, fares and departure times with 12Go.
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Right place. Right bus. Better start.
Leaving Penang (George Town)
Penang is a Malaysian island whose capital, George Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage city. Buses from Thailand arrive at Sungai Nibong terminal on the island or at Butterworth on the mainland.
- Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal
On the island, south of George Town. - Penang Sentral (Butterworth)
On the mainland, by the ferry terminal.
Arriving in Kota Bharu
Local buses run to Kuala Besut for the Perhentian Islands and to the Thai border at Rantau Panjang.
- Kota Bharu bus terminal
Central station for city, regional and some long-distance buses.
Keep the essentials offline
Save your ticket, the exact meeting point and the operator's phone number before you set off. Follow the check-in time on your confirmation.
- Check land border rules before continuing to Thailand.
KEEP GOING
From Kota Bharu, the road continues.
Other ways to reach Kota Bharu
More buses from Penang (George Town)
GOOD QUESTIONS
Before you take your seat.
How far is Penang (George Town) from Kota Bharu by road?+
About 337 km by road (225 km in a straight line). Distance is an OpenStreetMap routing estimate, not an operator figure.
How long does the bus from Penang (George Town) to Kota Bharu take?+
We don't publish timetables. As a guide, the drive takes roughly 4 h 30 min by car without stops; bus journeys are usually longer. Check the duration of your chosen departure on 12Go before booking.
Where does the bus leave from in Penang (George Town)?+
It depends on the operator. Main options in Penang (George Town) include Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal, Penang Sentral (Butterworth), and many tourist companies collect from offices or hotels. Your ticket shows the exact boarding point.
Is there a bus back from Kota Bharu to Penang (George Town)?+
Yes, 12Go also lists services in the opposite direction. See our Kota Bharu to Penang (George Town) guide.
Where does the bus from Penang (George Town) arrive in Kota Bharu?+
It depends on the operator. In Kota Bharu, services use Kota Bharu bus terminal. Local buses run to Kuala Besut for the Perhentian Islands and to the Thai border at Rantau Panjang.
How do I get from the bus stop to the centre of Kota Bharu?+
Local buses run to Kuala Besut for the Perhentian Islands and to the Thai border at Rantau Panjang.
What kind of bus runs from Penang (George Town) to Kota Bharu?+
It varies by operator and departure. Routes in this region are served by a mix of sleeper buses, seated coaches and smaller limousine vans. Check the vehicle type, seat layout and luggage allowance for your departure on 12Go before you book.
Can I book the Penang (George Town) to Kota Bharu bus online?+
Yes. 12Go lists departures on this route. You choose a date, compare operators and pay online, and the provider issues the ticket. BusConnects doesn't sell tickets itself.
Where can I go next from Kota Bharu by bus?+
Direct buses from Kota Bharu include Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, Mersing, Krabi Town, Johor Bahru and more. See all connections on our Kota Bharu bus page.
Still deciding? Check today's departures, then book your seat.
Book Penang (George Town) → Kota Bharu on 12GoFOLLOW THE INFORMATION
Clear sources. Better decisions.
Route listed in 12Go's public route index (checked 2026-10-09). Station information reviewed 2026-10-09. Distance: OpenStreetMap data via OSRM (approximate driving distance). Listings change and are not live inventory. Confirm the departure, pickup, price and conditions before paying.
12Go: Penang (George Town) to Kota Bharu bus route listing ↗Wikivoyage: George Town (Get in) ↗Wikivoyage: Kota Bharu (Get in) ↗How BusConnects uses sources →