Facts checked against live data · 26 Oct 2026

Penang Bridge International Marathon — Bukit Mertajam

Malaysia · Region

Bukit Mertajam

Photo: Christopher Harriot / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

Bukit Mertajam is a mainland Penang trading town built around its railway junction, where heritage shophouses, a buzzing Sunday market and some of the region's best hawker food sit in the shadow of its namesake hill. It is best known as home to the Minor Basilica of St Anne, whose July Novena and Feast draw huge crowds of pilgrims from across Malaysia and beyond.

Getting thereBukit Mertajam's railway station on the KTM West Coast Line is a key stop for both Komuter and ETS intercity trains, making rail the most reliable way in. There is no airport in town; travellers usually fly into Penang International Airport (PEN) and continue by road, typically ~25 to ~30 minutes by car or taxi, or a longer route via bus and the regional Sungai Nibong hub.
How long to stayA half day to a full day is enough to cover the town centre, market and St Anne's Church, with an extra half day if you plan to add the recreational forest or nearby heritage sites.

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Frequently asked questions about Bukit Mertajam

How do I get to Bukit Mertajam?

Bukit Mertajam's railway station on the KTM West Coast Line is a key stop for both Komuter and ETS intercity trains, making rail the most reliable way in. There is no airport in town; travellers usually fly into Penang International Airport (PEN) and continue by road, typically ~25 to ~30 minutes by car or taxi, or a longer route via bus and the regional Sungai Nibong hub.

How many days should I spend in Bukit Mertajam?

A half day to a full day is enough to cover the town centre, market and St Anne's Church, with an extra half day if you plan to add the recreational forest or nearby heritage sites.

What is Bukit Mertajam known for?

Bukit Mertajam is a mainland Penang trading town built around its railway junction, where heritage shophouses, a buzzing Sunday market and some of the region's best hawker food sit in the shadow of its namesake hill. It is best known as home to the Minor Basilica of St Anne, whose July Novena and Feast draw huge crowds of pilgrims from across Malaysia and beyond.

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