Penang Airport, officially Penang International Airport (PEN), is the main gateway into northern Malaysia. It sits in Bayan Lepas on the south-eastern tip of Penang Island, about 16 km south of George Town, and it was once known as Bayan Lepas Airport. Its IATA code is PEN and its ICAO code is WMKP, and its Malay name is Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Pulau Pinang. Everything happens in one building: the Penang International Airport terminal handles both domestic and international flights, so there is no terminal to choose and no inter-terminal transfer to plan. The airport is run by Malaysia Airports.

Penang is the main hub of Firefly, and it is also one of the busiest cargo airports in Malaysia, working from a single runway. For passengers, the airport is compact and quick to get around. This guide explains which airlines fly from Penang Airport, how to reach George Town and the rest of the island, where to park, what you will find on each level, and what to keep in mind on the day you fly.

Terminal and airlines at Penang Airport

All passenger airlines at Penang Airport share the same terminal, with separate domestic and international departure areas inside it.

Penang International Airport terminal

Domestic and international flights both use this terminal. Malaysian carriers such as Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Batik Air Malaysia and Firefly fly alongside airlines from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, mainland China, India and Myanmar. These passenger airlines fly from Penang Airport:

• AirAsia
• AirAsia Indonesia
• Batik Air Indonesia
• Batik Air Malaysia
• Cathay Pacific
• China Airlines
• China Southern Airlines
• Firefly
• HK Express
• IndiGo
• Juneyao Air
• Lion Air
• Malaysia Airlines
• Myanmar Airways International
• Qingdao Airlines
• Scoot
• Shanghai Airlines
• Shenzhen Airlines
• Sichuan Airlines
• Singapore Airlines
• Spring Airlines
• Thai AirAsia
• Thai Airways
• TransNusa
• Xiamen Airlines

Because there is only one terminal, the real question at Penang is not which building but which departure area. Your e-ticket shows whether your flight is domestic or international and names the airline operating it, which may differ from the one that sold a codeshare ticket.

Getting to and from Penang Airport

All ground transport starts from Level 1, the Arrival Concourse, so you will not need to change floors after collecting your bags. Fares are posted at the counters and on each operator's app or website.

Taxi

Penang Airport uses a coupon taxi system. Buy your coupon at the counter on Level 1 in the Arrival Concourse, then take it to the taxi rank. The trip to George Town depends on traffic over the island's roads, so leave a buffer if you are heading back for a flight.

Rapid Penang bus

Rapid Penang public buses stop at Curbside Lane 3 on Level 1 of the Arrival Concourse. Several routes link the airport with George Town, which makes the bus a good choice if you are travelling light and staying near one of its stops. Check the route number on the bus before you board.

Car rental

Car rental counters are on Level 1 of the terminal building. A rental car suits travellers who want to explore beyond George Town at their own pace, or who are heading on to the mainland.

Parking at Penang Airport

Penang Airport offers a public car park for drivers dropping off, picking up or leaving a car for a trip. Valet parking is also available and is covered by 24-hour CCTV, and there is a premium parking level as well. Rates depend on how long you stay and are shown on the airport's parking page, so check them there before you go.

Facilities at Penang Airport

The terminal is spread over three main levels. Here is what you will find, starting with the topics travellers ask about most.

Lounges

Private lounges are available at Penang Airport, including the Plaza Premium Lounge on Level 3. Access is usually through a paid pass, a lounge membership or your ticket class, so check what your booking includes before you head upstairs.

Terminal layout

Level 1 is the Arrival Concourse, where you find the taxi counter, the bus stop, car rental and the clinic. Level 2 is the Public Concourse and the departure area, from where you go through to the gates. Level 3 holds the lounge. If you remember that arrivals and transport are downstairs and departures are on the floor above, you will find your way easily.

Food and drink

Cafes, fast food and local food outlets are on Levels 1 and 2, both before and after security. That means you can eat with the people seeing you off, or wait until you are past security and nearer the gate.

Shopping and duty free

Duty-free shops are on Levels 1 and 2. The shops on Level 2 sell local delicacies, chocolates and souvenirs, which makes them a good place for a last-minute gift to take home.

Smoking room

Smoking is allowed only in the designated smoking lounge, also called the smoking room. Follow the signs to find it, as smoking anywhere else in the terminal is not permitted.

Left luggage

Left luggage is available if you want to explore George Town for a few hours without your bags. Baggage trolleys and a baggage wrapping service are also listed among the airport's facilities.

Prayer rooms

Separate Muslim prayer rooms for men and women are available in the terminal.

Money exchange and ATMs

Bank ATMs and money changers are on Levels 1 and 2, so you can withdraw ringgit or change currency as soon as you land.

Rest, charging and wifi

Massage-chair rest stations are dotted around the terminal, and there is a not-to-land (NTL) room for passengers in transit. Charging stations are in both the international and the domestic departure areas, and Wi-Fi is listed as an airport facility. A shower is available on Level 2, in the CIC toilet, which is welcome after a long journey.

Clinic and pharmacy

A clinic is located on Level 1 in the Arrival Concourse, and a pharmacy is also listed at the airport.

Families

A baby care room is on Level 2 in the Public Concourse. Children can burn off some energy at the playground by the domestic departure gates before boarding. If you have a very early flight, staying at a hotel near the airport can make the morning easier.

Tips for departing and arriving at Penang Airport

Penang Airport is compact, but the roads to it can be busy. Your airline sets the check-in and bag-drop cut-off, so check it on your booking and plan your journey from George Town around it. At the airport, head up to Level 2, the departure level, then follow the signs to the domestic or international departure area.

International passengers go through immigration before reaching their gate. If you are arriving from overseas, you will clear immigration on arrival. Malaysia's entry requirements, including any arrival card, are set by the government rather than the airport, so check the official guidance for your passport. For the latest departure and arrival times, use the Traveloka flight status page.

Flights and flight schedule from Penang Airport

The fare cards on this page give you fares from Penang to popular destinations at a glance. Further down, the flight schedule tables list upcoming departures and arrivals at Penang Airport by date, with the airline and the scheduled times. They show a selection of flights, not every service, so use them as a starting point for your search.

Pick a route and your dates, then compare airlines and departure times. Flying to Kuala Lumpur? Note whether the flight lands at KLIA or at Subang, as both serve the capital. Set a Price Alert if you want to wait for a better fare, and once you book, your e-ticket arrives by email and in the Traveloka app.

Popular routes from Penang Airport include:

• Penang to Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) flights
• Penang to Subang flights
• Penang to Kota Kinabalu flights
• Penang to Johor Bahru flights
• Penang to Langkawi flights
• Penang to Singapore flights
• Penang to Bangkok (Don Mueang) flights
• Penang to Hong Kong flights

From a quick hop to KL to a holiday across Asia, compare flights from Penang Airport on Traveloka and book the one that works for you.