GETTING TO PENANG

You can travel direct to the state of Pulau Pinag  by air, road, sea or rail

Mode	Means / Transit
Air	Fly to Penang International Airport
Road	By the North-South Expressway
Sea	By ferry from the peninsular or ship and private yacht to Penang Island
Rail	By train to Butterworth, Seberang Perai

(see: Map of Penang)

BY AIR TO PENANG

By Air to Penang   

From outside Malaysia, fly to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) or straight to the Penang International Airport, on Penang Island. The airport is just 20 minutes from Georgetown.

There are several (almost hourly) daily flights from Kuala Lumpur and a number of flight from Johor, Langkawi, East Malaysia (Kuching, Sarawak and Kota Kinabalu, Sabah) and from Singapore to Penang. You can also transfer from any domestic destinations at KL to Penang.

Other connecting air flights available from Penang are to domestic airports are: Langkawi (Kedah), Kota Baru (Kelantan), Kuala Terengganu (Terrenggnu) and Kuantan (Pahang).

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 as the airport is only about 20km from the city centr 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 centre 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

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 (MAS budget airlines) 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

Jet Star flies from Singapore and Perth to Penang

Tiger Airways flies from Singapore

Singapore Airlines (Singapore) also fly daily from Changi Airport to Penang Island.

Silk Air (Singapore) flies daily from Singapore to Penang Island.

Airline/ Flights to Penang by  Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia (Low Cost flyer), Firefly (Low Cost flyer), Singapore Airlines, Silk Air, Xiamen Air, China Airlines, Thai International are some of the airlines flying into Penang.

Singapore to Penang by low cost / budget carriers

Air Asia, Jetstar, Silkair and Tiger Airways are the budget carriers that have at least two flights a day from Singapore or KLIA 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 (Terminal 1 or budget terminal). 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. There are more flights available on the KLIA to Penang and Singapore-KLIA routes. To fly, fly Singapore to KLIA (LCC Terninal), check out and then check in (at the same terminal) to fly on a low cost carriers such as  Air Asia to Penang.

(Important note: Budget airlines are point to point air services, so be sure to have 3 hours interval between your flight schedule, if you have to board another flight.)

Note: Malaysia Airlines's budget airline based in Penang, called Firefly, flies to the island from  Phuket and Koh Samui, Thailand. 

Penang is served with a network of very good roads and it is easy to travel the entire state by road. Most Malaysians travel by car to and around the state. The North-South Expressway cut the length of Seberang Perai ('province') of Penang. The island of Penang is linked by ferry and a bridge to the Mainland.

By Road to Penang     You can travel easily by private vehicle, taxis or bus to the state. By coach/ bus or car, the north-south expressway takes you to Butterworth, Seberang Perai (the mainland part of the State of Pulau Pinang). You can cross to Penang island by ferry or drive through the Penang bridge. The Penang Bridge,  leads you to the south eastern part of  Penang island. It is linked to the North South expressway in Peninsular Malaysia

     There are many express buses from KL, Ipoh, Alor Setar, Melaka, Seremban, Johor Bahru and other major towns in Peninsular Malaysia that goes to Penang Island or Butterworth. Buses are also available daily from Thailand and Singapore (tours or express bus) to Penang island or Butterworth (on the peninsular).

Moving Around on local buses

     On Penang Island, you can go sightseeing by bus. There is a free shuttle bus service for visitors to move around Georgetown. Rapid Penang buses operate to all parts of the island. The main local bus terminals are at KOMTAR and at the Ferry Terminal in George Town

Other bus companies also operates in the island and also takes you from the island to the mainland - Seberang Perai, Butterworth, nearby states of Kedah and Perak, and othe major town in West Malaysia.

Rapid Penang buses

Taxis and Trishaws

Taxis are available at major shopping areas and bus terminals. Unfortunately taxis that operate in the city or on the island do not operate on meters, so be sure to ask for the fare or bargain before boarding.

There are also 'outstation taxis that takes you to nearby towns within and outside the state. These taxis are usually stationed near bus terminals.

For short distances, you can also travel by trishaws in George Town.

Where is Penang?

Free Road Map of Penang & Shuttle bus Map

Penang Bridge

Yap Kongsi and Temple

My Penang

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