Located just across the water from Penang, the town of Butterworth is a main stopping off point for people travelling from Thailand to Penang and also on to Kuala Lumpur. There is a sleeper train that runs all the way from Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok to Butterworth. Passengers can then change trains at Butterworth station and continue their journey to Kuala Lumpur.

There are also regular ferries running between Butterworth and Penang starting from 5:30 in the morning until just after midnight.

Although few people give Butterworth more than a fleeting glance, the town does have a few attractions to explore and there are some good places to stay if you arrive too late to catch the train or ferry.

If you do find yourself with a little time to kill in Butterworth, head to the Bird Park, which is just a short bus ride away from the Butterworth Ferry Terminal. Here you will find Malaysia’s largest bird park, which contains a collection of more than 300 species of birds, including the colourful hornbill.

As you wander around Butterworth you will be sure to spot the elaborately decorated Temple of the Ninth Emperor God, situated on Jalan Raja Ud. There is also a lush golf course known as Teluk Air Tawar, where golfers can play a round or two and stop off for refreshments at the bar.

Butterworth even has its own small stretch of sand, and this is a good place to relax for a while, dine on deliciously fresh seafood and perhaps indulge in a cocktail or two.

There are a number of different ways to get to Penang. The most direct way is by taking a flight to Penang’s Bayan Lepas International Airport is about 20 km away from Georgetown, the island’s capital. There are two flights each day from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport, and the flight takes less than two hours. There are also flights from a number of other destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Phuket.

Another good way to get to Penang is by taking the train to Butterworth, which originates in Bangkok and calls in at many towns and cities on its way south. There is another tarin that originates in Singapore and travels north through Malaysia. From Butterworth, simply catch the 24 hour ferry to Penang. The ferry toll is 40 sen for adults, 20 sen for children.

Buses connect Penang to a large number of destinations in Thailand and Malaysia such as Samui, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Kota Bharu. Also travelling by road, there is a minibus service from Georgetown to places such as Phi Phi, Phuket, Surat Thani, Hat Yai and Samui.

Getting around Penang is also quite simple as there are plenty of taxis. Many taxis don’t use a meter, so get an idea of the correct fare before starting off. Buses are frequent and cheap, but passengers need to have the exact change before boarding.