Bukit Mertajam

Bukit Mertajam is a town in Penang State. There are two main express bus stations in Penang, Butterworth Bus Terminal near the ferry terminal and KTM train station and Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal on Penang Island (around 10 minutes drive from Butterworth). Bukit Mertajam is just a short distance away from Butterworth Bus / KTM (Train) / Ferry terminal. To get to Butterworth Bus terminal, take an express bus. Many major bus companies like Transnasional, Konsortium, Sri Maju, Suasana Edaran and Aeroline go to Penang / Butterworth / Georgetown. You can find the express bus schedules at Roadhop. The bus driver will drop you off direct at Bukit Mertajam. If that is not possible, take the ferry from Butterworth Bus terminal to Penang Sentral local bus terminal on Penang Island. When you arrive, take bus 701 and 702 from Rapidpenang for around 2.7RM to go to Bukit Mertajam. These buses do not come often but it is the cheapest way to get in.

Alternatively, you can take the KTM train. There are a number of lines to choose from, for example, Express Rakyat 1 and Express Langkawi EL8. Trains are really convenient if you are coming from locations without express bus terminals! Bukit Mertajam was a major railway hub for both passengers and cargo. If you drive to Bukit Mertajam, you will encounter a surprising number of railway crossings everywhere. There is one coming from the short cut from Permatang Tinggi and two coming from Permatang Tengah. Moreover, the railway station once won the most beautiful station in Malaysia award.

• 🌍 Bukit Mertajam railway station (Stesen keretapi Bukit Mertajam). (updated May 2020)

If you can also take a taxi from Penang Sentral to Bukit Mertajam, but you risk having a high fare because of the traffic. It will cost around RM 30-50 for a day trip or RM 120-150 at night. Ironically, the taxi drivers at Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal actually charge much less and have a fixed price! In Bukit Mertajam, there are local buses connecting from towns like Kulim and Parit Buntar. It is also a short distance away from the beach resorts at Batu Ferringhi.

Most of the car rental places in Penang are located at the airport, so if you will like to drive to Bukit Mertajam, it is better to fly in using one of the budget flights and rent a car.

• 🌍 St. Anne Church. The church was built in 1888. Every 3rd-4th week of July, pilgrims from around the world flock to this church and spend a night celebrating St. Anne's Day. 
• Pek Kong Cheng - Also known as "Tua Pek Gong Biu" to some, is an old Chinese temple with its rich history and existed since the early development of Bukit Mertajam. It serves not only as a place of worship, but also as a central point of the town's major wet and dry market. There are many food stalls located around the temple each with different specialty (operates 24 hours) and it is a popular eating spot for both the locals and tourists. Few of the specialties include silver needle noodles (Niao Chu Hun/Bee Tai Bak), white wantan mee and roast duck/pork rice.