Flying to Penang
If you are traveling from outside Malaysia, fly to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) or KLIA2 (serves mainly budget airlines), near Kuala Lumpur or directly to Penang (Pulau Pinang) to the Penang International Airport. The Penang International airport is on Penang Island, just 20 minutes from Georgetown, the capital of the state.
There are several (hourly to half hourly) daily flights from Kuala Lumpur (KLIA/KLIA2) and a number of flight from most domestic airports such as from Johor bahru, Langkawi island (Kedah), Kota Baru (Kelantan), Kuala Terengganu (Terrenggnu) and Kuantan (Pahang), and East Malaysia (Kuching, Sarawak and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah). You can transfer to or from any domestic destinations at Penang International airport or KLIA.
Direct flights to international destination available from Penang Airport are to: Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, hong Kong, Indonesia, India, the Phillipines. Otherwise most airlines flying to Penang will connect you at KLIA/KLIA2 or other airports.
Penang International Airport
Penang International Airport is located at Bayan Lepas on the island of Penang. The best way to get to and out of the airport is by taxi or car, Car Apps ridesharing Services (S.A.Grab) as the airport is only about 20km from the city center of George Town. Taxis, buses and limousines are available between the airport and various destinations on Penang Island.
Buses passes right at the doorstep of the airport, that take you to the city and also the ferry jetty terminal. Counters for taxis and car rentals are located at the arrival hall, to your right, after you pass the glass exit (after the custom check point).
Taxis and limousines operate on a coupon system where fares are fixed according to the zone your destination is located.
Airlines flying to Penang
Airline/ Flights to Penang by Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, Firefly, Scoot, Singapore Airlines, Silk Air, Xiamen Air, China Airlines, Thai International are some of the airlines flying into Penang.
Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has a number of daily flights to and from KLIA (Kuala Lumpur), Langkawi Island, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu. Direct International destinations by MAS to Penang are: Bangkok, Medan, Singapore, Hong Kong.
Air Asia flies to Penang from KLIA, Johor Bahru, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu. Direct international destinations are: Jarkarta, Medan, Macau, Hong Kong, Bangkok (also see: Thailand to Malaysia), Singapore.
FireFly flies from Penang to Johor Bahru, Langkawi, Kuala Trengganu, Kota Bahru, Kuantan and KL (Subang), and international destinations such as Phuket, Bandar Acheh, Koh Samui and Singapore
JetStar flies from Singapore and Perth to Penang daily. Singapore Airlines (Singapore) also connects you through Silk Air from and to Penang Island.
Singapore to Penang by low cost / budget carriers
Air Asia, Jetstar, and Scoot are the budget carriers that have at least two flights a day from Singapore or KLIA/KLIA2 to Penang International Airport. Prices are competitive and fares are very low during off-peak seasons (non-holiday periods or weekdays).
The best option is to fly direct to Penang daily from Singapore. Alternatively fly by Air Asia or FireFly (sub. of MAS) to Penang from Senai Airport, Johor Bahru (JB) - this route is frequented by those in JB and coming from Singapore. It is easy to get a taxi or bus from the JB to Singapore or vice versa. The second alternative is fly via KLIA or KLIA2. There are more flights available on the KLIA and KLIA2 to Penang and Singapore-KLIA routes. Malaysia's other budget airline, Firefly, flies to the island from Phuket and Koh Samui, Thailand.
International flights from Penang
To fly to any destinations outside Malaysia, most airlines can connect you if you depart from Penang. Most international flights take off KLIA/KLIA2 but airlines can connect you to your destination, with your luggage check through.
Most frequent airlines at Penang International airport is AirAsia, MalaysiaAirlines and Firefly.
