my family wants to travel to penang?

our plan is to buy a 3 day hotel package to penang, then make side trips by train to kuala lumpur and singapore then back to penang for return flight to HK. travel is expected to take around 7 days. i have read a similar query here in yahoo! answers but all respondents seemed to suggest the bus rather than the train. can anyone please explain why? taking the train seems a much better alternative (planes are out of the question)

bus is cheaper

the trains' are rather old. But bus is risky...unless you pick the right bus company.

if u're taking train from KL to Penang, the journey will take approximately 10 hours. Train depart from KL Sentral at 8pm and arriving Penang (seberang Perai) at about 6am.

After arriving in Penang train station, either u need to take a ferry ride to penang island or taxi (which can cost u a lot), it will be too much trouble considering you bringing a lot of luggage.

People are more prefer to use buses due to its faster travel period and it stop at the city centre,
where a lot of cabs available and cheaper in price.
Travel from KL to Penang will only take about 5 hours journey..

However, depends on your preference on comfortability.
Take a train with the executive coach or room for two.
Using lavatories shouldn't be a problem and it is much more cleaner than public toilets at the bus stop station.

take flight, it is faster www.airasia.com

If you are going to stay in Penang Island, taking the train is not so convenient. The train station is located in Butterworth, which is across the mainland. Therefore, you have to take a ferry to Butterworth to catch the train.

You may travel by coach to Kuala Lumpur. There are a few operators such as NICE and AEROLINE that service Penang-KL route daily (more than once everyday) The seats are comfortable, and one light meal is served.