Penang International Airport (PEN) – Terminals, Airlines & Transport Guide
About Penang International Airport
Penang International Airport (PEN) is the main gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage city of George Town and the northern region of Malaysia. Located in Bayan Lepas, approximately 10 miles (16 km) south of George Town, it is one of Malaysia’s busiest airports, known for its efficiency and proximity to the industrial free trade zone.
The airport operates from a single terminal that handles both domestic and international flights, serving over 8 million passengers annually. It is a key hub for northern Malaysia, connecting travellers to major cities in Southeast Asia and beyond.
Key Airport Stats
Feature | Details |
Full Name | Penang International Airport |
IATA Code | PEN |
ICAO Code | WMKP |
Location | Bayan Lepas, Penang (16 km from City Centre) |
Terminals | 1 (Single Terminal) |
Annual Traffic | ~8+ Million Passengers |
Hub Airlines | AirAsia, Firefly, Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air |
Official Website |
Terminals Information
Penang Airport has a compact single-terminal building divided into two levels:
- Level 1 (Arrivals): Contains baggage reclaim, customs, transport counters (taxi/car rental), and the arrival hall meeting point.
- Level 2 (Departures): Houses check-in counters, security screening, immigration (for international flights), and departure gates.
- Layout: Domestic and International departures are separated after the initial security check, but they share the same building.
Airlines Operating at Penang International Airport
Major International Carriers
- Malaysia Airlines: Frequent connections to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and international routes.
- Singapore Airlines / Scoot: High-frequency shuttle service to Singapore (SIN).
- Qatar Airways: Direct flights to Doha (DOH), connecting Penang to Europe/US.
- China Southern / Cathay Pacific: Connections to Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
- flydubai: Direct service to Dubai (DXB).
Low-Cost Carriers
- AirAsia: The dominant carrier with massive connectivity to ASEAN cities (Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, Jakarta, Medan).
- Firefly: Operates Boeing 737 jets from PEN to various destinations (distinct from their Subang turboprop hub).
- Batik Air Malaysia: Domestic and regional international flights.
- Jetstar Asia: Flights to Singapore.
UK → Penang International Airport (PEN) routes
London (LHR) → Doha (DOH) → Kuala Lumpur (KUL) → Penang (PEN) — with Qatar Airways + Malaysia Airlines / AirAsia.
London (LHR) → Dubai (DXB) → Kuala Lumpur (KUL) → Penang (PEN) — with Emirates + Malaysia Airlines / AirAsia.
Manchester (MAN) → Singapore (SIN) → Penang (PEN) — with Singapore Airlines.
Manchester (MAN) → Doha (DOH) → Kuala Lumpur (KUL) → Penang (PEN) — with Qatar Airways + Malaysia Airlines.
Birmingham (BHX) → Doha (DOH) → Kuala Lumpur (KUL) → Penang (PEN) — with Qatar Airways + domestic connection.
Edinburgh (EDI) → Dubai (DXB) → Kuala Lumpur (KUL) → Penang (PEN) — with Emirates + Malaysia Airlines.
How to get from Penang Airport to George Town
Traffic in Penang can be heavy, especially during rush hour (7-9 AM and 5-7 PM).
Transport Options Overview
Mode | Route / Operator | Time to City | Cost (Approx) |
Grab (Best Choice) | To George Town Door-to-door (Book via App) | 30-45 mins | RM 25 – RM 40 |
Airport Taxi | To George Town Coupon counter (Fixed Price) | 30-45 mins | RM 45 – RM 60 |
Bus (Cheapest) | Rapid Penang (401, 401E, 102) Stops at Komtar / Jetty | 60-90 mins | RM 2.70 – RM 3.50 |
Car Rental | Self-drive Counters at Arrivals | N/A | RM 80 – RM 150 /day |
- Bus Tip: The Rapid Penang bus stop is located on the ground floor curb (Level 1). You must have exact change as drivers do not provide change.
- Bus 401/401E: Goes to Komtar and the Jetty (Weld Quay).
- Bus 102: Goes via Komtar to Batu Ferringhi (Beach area).
- Parking: A multi-storey car park is connected to the terminal via a covered link bridge.
Airport Facilities & Services
- Lounges:
- Plaza Premium Lounge: Located in International Departures (Mezzanine Floor) and Domestic Departures. Open to credit card holders and paid entry.
- Duty-Free Shopping:
- Available in International Departures. Selection includes chocolates, perfumes, and alcohol.
- Note: Domestic passengers have limited shopping options airside.
- Dining:
- Landside: McDonald’s, KFC, Starbucks, OldTown White Coffee (Arrivals).
- Airside: Noodle bars, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Dunkin’ Donuts.
Departure & Arrival Guide
- Check-in:
- International: Arrive 3 hours prior.
- Domestic: Arrive 2 hours prior.
- Security:
- There is an initial security scan for luggage before check-in for some airlines/routes.
- The main security checkpoint is after immigration (international) or before the domestic gates.
Arrivals
- Immigration: Can be slow during peak holiday seasons.
- Customs: All bags are scanned upon exiting the arrival hall.
- Meeting Point: The arrival hall can get crowded. The best meeting spot is near the McDonald’s or the information counter.
Popular Routes from Penang Airport
- Penang to Kuala Lumpur (KUL): High-frequency shuttle (45 mins).
- Penang to Singapore (SIN): Extremely popular business/leisure route (1h 15m).
- Penang to Bangkok (DMK/BKK): Direct flights to Thai capital (1h 45m).
- Penang to Medan (KNO): Short hop to Sumatra, Indonesia (45 mins).
- Penang to Taipei (TPE): Direct connection to Taiwan (Starlux/China Airlines).
- Penang to Hong Kong (HKG): Daily direct flights (Cathay Pacific).
Nearby Airports
- Sultan Abdul Halim Airport (Alor Setar – AOR):
- Distance: ~115 km North (1.5 – 2 hours drive).
- Best For: Access to Kedah/Perlis or Langkawi Ferry.
- Langkawi International Airport (LGK):
- Connection: Short 35-min flight or 3-hour ferry from George Town.
Airport Hotels Nearby
Hotel | Distance | Vibe |
Raia Inn Penang | 2 min drive | Closest. Sharia-compliant, formerly TH Hotel. |
Olive Tree Hotel | 5 min drive | Modern business hotel near SPICE Arena. |
AC Hotel by Marriott | 5-7 min drive | Reliable international standard. |
Lexis Suites Penang | 10 min drive | Luxury suites with private pools (Teluk Kumbar). |
The Corum View | 3 min drive | Budget-friendly transit hotel. |
Weather Information
- Climate: Tropical rainforest (Hot & Humid).
- Temperatures: Consistently 28°C – 32°C.
- Rainy Season: September to November (heaviest rains).
- Haze: Occasional haze (air pollution) can occur between June and August.
Flights from UK to Penang
FAQs
No, there is no train or metro service on Penang Island. You must take a bus, taxi, or Grab. The nearest train station (Butterworth) is on the mainland, requiring a ferry or taxi ride across the bridge.
It typically costs between RM 25 and RM 40, depending on demand and time of day.
Yes, there are kiosks for Maxis (Hotlink), Celcom (Xpax), and Digi in the Arrivals Hall (Level 1) immediately after you exit customs.
Batu Ferringhi is on the north side of the island, about 35-45 km away. It takes 45-70 minutes by car depending on traffic. Bus 102 goes there directly but takes over 90 minutes.
AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, Scoot, Cathay Pacific, and others to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok, and more.
Short-term: MYR 2/hour first 2 hours, then MYR 1.50/hour; long-term daily max MYR 25.
Rapid Penang 401E to Komtar (every 30 min, MYR 4); shelters on Level 1.
Yes, Muslim rooms in domestic/intl departures, arrivals, VIP area.
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