some info for future travelers (now that we've done this trip to penang)...
the cheapest way to get from melaka to the bus station at melaka sentral is to catch the local bus at the cost of RM$1.50. the taxi fare should cost you RM$15.
there is one company that does the daytime melaka-penang trip. it has 3 departures in the morning - there were departures at 0830(?), 0930 and 1030. there are a few companies that do this same route overnight with the departures around 2200 which is useful if you wanted to save on one nights accommodation.
our trip to butterworth took about 6 hours and 40 minutes with a toilet break only after 5 hours. the bus dropped us off at the ferry terminal and it was easy to then board the ferry for the $1.20/20 minute trip to georgetown.
Edited: 13 years ago