Direct Flights to Penang
Fly direct to Penang International Airport from cities across Asia — here's the current network, with what to expect on arrival.
Can you fly direct to Penang?
Yes. Penang International Airport (PEN) has direct flights from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Chennai, Shanghai, Yangon, Phnom Penh, and several Chinese cities. From Europe, the UK, and Australia, connect via KL, Singapore, or Bangkok.
Penang International Airport (PEN)
PEN
ICAO: WMKP
Bayan Lepas
16km south of George Town
25-40 minutes
Grab RM 25-40 · Bus 401E RM 2.70
Direct Routes into Penang
Penang's direct network grew through 2024 and 2025 as Penang Global Tourism and the State Government partnered with new airlines targeting India, Greater China, Indochina, and the Greater Bay Area. The list below covers scheduled direct services — routes and frequencies change, so confirm flight times and frequency on your airline before booking.
| From | Airlines |
|---|---|
Kuala Lumpur Malaysia | AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air, Firefly (from Subang) The busiest route into Penang — dozens of daily flights. |
Singapore Singapore | Scoot, Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia |
Bangkok Thailand | AirAsia, Thai AirAsia |
Jakarta Indonesia | AirAsia, TransNusa Aviation TransNusa launched its Jakarta–Penang service in November 2025. |
Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR | AirAsia, HK Express HK Express partnered with Penang Global Tourism in late 2025 to grow Greater Bay Area traffic. |
Shanghai China | Juneyao Airlines, Shanghai Airlines Two carriers added Shanghai–Penang services through 2024. |
Chennai India | IndiGo IndiGo opened the Chennai–Penang route in December 2024. |
Yangon Myanmar | Myanmar Airways International (MAI) MAI launched Yangon–Penang in April 2025. |
Phnom Penh Cambodia | Cambodia Airways Cambodia Airways began direct flights to Penang in June 2025. |
Haikou China (Hainan) | 9 Air 9 Air opened Haikou–Penang in November 2025. |
Routes shown are scheduled direct services from named carriers. Codeshares and seasonal charters may add further options. Always confirm frequency and timings on the airline's site.
Connecting via Kuala Lumpur
Coming from Europe, the UK, the Middle East, Australia, or North America? You'll almost always connect through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). It's a short, well-served hop after a long-haul leg:
- •KLIA → PEN: AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, and Batik Air fly the route dozens of times a day.
- •Through-baggage: Available on Malaysia Airlines codeshares and most oneworld/Star Alliance connections. AirAsia is point-to-point — you'll usually need to recheck.
- •Layover time: Allow at least 3 hours at KLIA if you're switching from a long-haul carrier to AirAsia (different terminal, separate check-in).
- •Alternatives: Singapore Changi (SIN) and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) both offer short hops to Penang and broader long-haul networks.
Arrival & Getting to the City
PEN is a compact, single-terminal airport — usually 15-20 minutes from gate to kerb. The main options into George Town and the beach areas:
Grab (Recommended)
RM 25-40 to George Town, 25-40 minutes. Pick-up zone is signposted just outside arrivals. Download the app and add a payment method before you land.
Airport Bus (401E)
Rapid Penang to Komtar in central George Town. RM 2.70 cash. Runs every 30-60 minutes, roughly 6am to 11pm.
Coupon Taxi
Fixed-fare taxis from a coupon booth in the arrivals hall. RM 45-60 to George Town. Useful if you don't have data on arrival.
Hotel Transfer
Most mid-range and luxury hotels can arrange paid transfers. Worth booking ahead if you arrive late or with kids.
Plan Your Trip to Penang
Got your flight in mind? Build a day-by-day itinerary in minutes — tell us your dates, interests, and how many days you have, and we'll put together a plan with hotels, food, and attractions.
Open the Trip PlannerFrequently Asked Questions
Which airlines fly direct to Penang International Airport?
Penang (PEN) is served by AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, Batik Air, Scoot, Thai AirAsia, IndiGo, HK Express, Juneyao Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Myanmar Airways International, Cambodia Airways, TransNusa, and 9 Air. AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines run the most frequent KL services.
Are there direct flights to Penang from Europe or Australia?
There are no scheduled direct flights from Europe, the UK, or Australia to Penang. Long-haul travellers usually fly into Kuala Lumpur (KLIA), Singapore (SIN), or Bangkok (BKK) and connect on a short hop to Penang.
Do I need to connect through Kuala Lumpur?
Only if your origin city doesn't have a direct service. The list above covers scheduled direct routes into Penang — if your city isn't on it, connecting via KL is usually the cheapest and most frequent option, with Singapore and Bangkok as alternatives.
Where is Penang International Airport?
PEN sits in Bayan Lepas, about 16km south of George Town. Grab to the city centre costs RM 25-40 and takes 25-40 minutes. The Rapid Penang 401E airport bus runs to Komtar for RM 2.70.
Can I get a visa on arrival at Penang Airport?
Malaysia offers visa-free entry of up to 90 days to most Western, ASEAN, and East Asian passport holders. Check the latest rules with your nearest Malaysian embassy. Immigration at PEN is usually quick — under 20 minutes outside peak Chinese New Year and school holidays.
Explore More
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