KBR Airport Code: Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Kota Bharu

If you have seen KBR on a ticket and wondered where it leads, the answer is Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Kota Bharu, the capital of the Malaysian state of Kelantan. KBR is the IATA code used on bookings, bag tags and boarding passes. The ICAO code, used by pilots and air traffic control, is WMKC.

Many travellers simply call it Kota Bharu Airport. In Malay you will also see the short form LTSIP, from Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra. The airport is named after Sultan Ismail Petra, a former Sultan of Kelantan. So when people search for the Kelantan airport code or the Kota Bharu airport code, the code they want is the same: KBR.

The airport is operated by Malaysia Airports. It is the main air gateway for Kelantan and for the north-eastern corner of Peninsular Malaysia, close to the border with Thailand.

Where Is Kota Bharu Airport?

Sultan Ismail Petra Airport is in Pengkalan Chepa, on the north-eastern side of Kota Bharu. It lies roughly 8 to 9 kilometres from the town centre, so it is a short drive rather than a long transfer. Kota Bharu itself sits near the mouth of the Kelantan River, in the far north-east of the peninsula.

The runway is about 2,400 metres long. Airlines use it with narrow-body jets such as the Airbus A320, on domestic routes as well as on direct flights to Singapore and Jakarta.

Kota Bharu Airport International Flights

A frequent question is whether Kota Bharu airport has international flights. It does, although the network is small and the airport is still mainly domestic. There are two international links to know about:

• Singapore, flown by Scoot. This is the main international route from KBR and gives travellers from Singapore a direct way into Kelantan.
• Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta), flown by AirAsia. This direct route connects Kota Bharu with Indonesia's capital.

For anywhere else abroad, the usual plan is to fly from KBR to Kuala Lumpur or Singapore and connect there. Travellers flying internationally from Kota Bharu clear immigration at the airport, so carry your passport and any visa you need, and arrive with extra time compared with a domestic flight.

Airlines and Domestic Flights at KBR Airport

Domestic routes make up most of the flying at Sultan Ismail Petra Airport. Kuala Lumpur has the widest choice, with several airlines on the route:

• Malaysia Airlines flies to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
• AirAsia flies to Kuala Lumpur.
• Batik Air Malaysia flies to Kuala Lumpur.
• Firefly flies to Kuala Lumpur and to Penang.

If you are searching for a KBR to KUL flight, you have the widest choice of any route from the airport, with both full-service and low-cost carriers. Check which Kuala Lumpur airport your ticket shows before you travel, since the city has more than one. A flight to KBR from Penang is the easiest way to travel between the west and east coasts of northern Malaysia without the long road journey.

Compare current KBR flights on Traveloka to see what is flying on your dates.

Sultan Ismail Petra Airport Terminal and Facilities

Kota Bharu Airport has a single passenger terminal handling both domestic and international flights. The terminal has been expanded so that it can handle up to around four million passengers a year. Parking has been enlarged as part of the same upgrade, with a multi-storey car park for drivers.

Because the terminal is compact, getting from the entrance to check-in and on to security is quick. Expect the services of a regional airport rather than a major hub. If you need something specific for your trip, buy it in town before you leave for the airport.

Tips before you fly

• Check your airline's baggage rules. Full-service and low-cost carriers from KBR have different cabin and checked bag allowances.
• International passengers need more time. Flights to Singapore and Jakarta involve immigration checks, so arrive earlier than you would for a domestic flight.

Getting from KBR Airport to Kota Bharu

The short distance makes the transfer to Kota Bharu easy.

Taxi

Taxis wait at the terminal, and the ride into the town centre usually takes around 10 to 20 minutes, depending on traffic and where you are staying. For most visitors this is the simplest option, especially with luggage.

Bus

Local buses link the airport area with the central bus terminal in Kota Bharu town. They are cheap and run during the day, but they are slower than a taxi and less convenient with large bags. Check the current route and hours locally before relying on the bus.

Onward by rail and road

The nearest railway station is Wakaf Bharu, on the other side of the Kelantan River, about 6 kilometres from the city centre. It is on the East Coast Line, often called the Jungle Railway, which runs south through the interior of the peninsula. By road, the Thai border town of Sungai Kolok is reachable from Kota Bharu, making KBR a practical entry point for trips into southern Thailand.

Things to See in Kota Bharu and Kelantan

Kota Bharu is the cultural heart of Kelantan, and its sights are close together, which suits a short stay after landing at KBR.

• Siti Khadijah Market: the central market in the middle of town, a busy, colourful place to shop for produce and local food.
• Istana Jahar: a historic royal building that now houses a museum of Kelantanese royal traditions.
• Padang Merdeka area: the square near several of the town's museums, including the Kelantan Islamic Museum and the royal museums.
• Pantai Cahaya Bulan: the best-known beach near Kota Bharu, a popular spot for an evening by the sea.
• Pantai Sabak: a coastal spot near Pengkalan Chepa, remembered as a landing point at the start of the Second World War in Malaya.

Kelantanese food is a highlight too. Try nasi kerabu, rice served with fresh herbs and sambal, and look for local snacks at the markets.

Ready to explore Kelantan? Compare flights to Kota Bharu on Traveloka and set a Price Alert for your travel dates.