There is a lot of things that can be explored in the two Malaysian cities. However, both Malacca and Penang consists of a thriving cityscape, which is usually loved by most of the visitors. There is a no better way to experience the two cities than by taking a bus to Penang from Malacca.The journey from Melaka to Penang is long, with an average duration of 7 hrs. A bus from Melaka to Penang is the cheapest and more comfortable option than a taxi. Buses are available with luxurious amenities and are more frequent. For a trip from Melaka Sentral ticket online booking facility is open for all. Melaka to Penang bus service starts at 7 am, and the last bus is at 11.45 pm.
About Melaka
Melaka, or Malacca, is a historical city in Malaysia that also has one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country. The town is famous for its heritage buildings and food. Plenty of tourists visit here daily, and there is no shortage of availability of accommodation. You can easily find homestays anywhere in the city for a more authentic stay. The city is well maintained with ample availability of public transportation. The bus terminal connects to most cities in Malaysia, and buses are available day and night. Once you reach Melaka, buses, taxis, and rickshaws are all available for local travel.
About Penang
Penang is an island and a state on the northwest coast of Malaysia. Penang was an early trading centre for the British and later their establishment. The capital of this state, George Town, is named after King George III and has several historical buildings and monuments all around the city. Because of these buildings, the entire town is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourists arrive here to see these monuments and have helped the city be prosperous. Penang is connected to other parts of Malaysia by road and rail. Daily buses are available from major cities to Penang. There are more frequent buses from Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, or Melaka to the Penang bus terminal.
Things to do in Penang
- Visit the Escape Theme Park to try the longest zip coaster and the tube water slide in the world.
- Hike to Penang Hilltop to enjoy the breathtaking view of the city below. Hiking is allowed from 6 am to 6 pm.
- Visit Arulmigu Karumariamman Temple to see the largest Gopuram and the intricate designs on the temple walls.
- Visit the Buddhist temple Kek Lok Si, famous for hundreds of Buddhist statues. Located on a hilltop, it gives some spectacular views.
- Hiking at Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest or a picnic near the waterfalls will be a wonderful experience.
- Go shopping at the Batu Ferringhi Night Market along the seashore.
- Enjoying meals at Three Sixty Rooftop Bar on top of a 31-storied building will be a unique experience.
Best Food in Penang
In Penang, you do not need to look for a restaurant to enjoy the best food. There are plenty of street stalls in the city, and they serve delicious Malay dishes which are unique and specialised. Here are the must-have food items in Penang.
- Pasembur
- Roti Canai
- Hokkien Prawn Noodles
- Char Kway Teow
- Mee Goreng
- Chee Cheong Fun
Places to visit in Penang
- Enjoy the Teddyville Museum for its vast collection of teddy bears. They are displayed here in all forms, shapes, and sizes. You can even take pictures with many of them.
- The Glass Museum of Penang showcases techniques in glass making. It has a spectacular collection of glass items in kaleidoscopic colours. Visit here any day, anytime from 9.30 am to 5 pm.
- Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, a Chinese mansion famous for architecture, is now a resort. A visit here should be one of the best things to do in Penang.
- Penang Bird Park is the largest bird park in the country that houses several exotic and local species of birds. The birds include eight ft-tall ostriches and flamingos. The park is open daily from 9 am to 7 pm.
- Entopia is a land filled with butterflies and insects. They are housed in separate indoor and outdoor sections in this park. This living habitat is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm.
Best time to visit Penang
Most cities in Malaysia experience the same tropical climate with frequent showers and a humid environment. Choosing the best time to visit any city should be around the least rainfall months. For Penang, it is from November to February. The weather here will be pleasant by mid-November and stays comfortable till mid-February. Penang is one of the best places to enjoy Christmas and New Year.
Apart from the main holidays, it would be best if you visited during the festivals. Some significant festivals are Thaipoosam in February, Dragon Boat Festival in June, the George Town festival in July, Hungry Ghost Festival in July/August, Nine Emperor Gods Festival in September/October, and the Penang International Food Festival in December.
Bus Service between Melaka and Penang
More than 25 buses are available for daily trips from Melaka to Penang. The bus ticket from Melaka to Penang costs a minimum of MYR 42 and a maximum of MYR 65. When you use redBus for the Melaka bus ticket online booking, you can get additional discounts and affordable rates with a rescheduling option.
Boarding and Drop-off Points
- Boarding points: Melaka Sentral, Air Keroh, Htak
- Drop-off points: Butterworth, Palau Pinang, and Sungai Nibong
Popular Bus Company from Melaka to Penang
With the Melaka Sentral ticket online, you can travel on luxurious buses with a single-deck or double-deck with more spacious seats. The bus operators offer different amenities in their buses. Some of the best operators on this route are,
- KPB Ekspress
- nice -grassland'>Supernice Grassland
- Quickliner Express
- Kejora Masyhur Sdn.Bhd (Kejora Express)
- Intercity Coach
- Mayang Sari Express
- Cepat Express
- KKKL Express
- Transnasional
