Flights from Penang Airport (PEN): Where You Can Fly

Most people who look up Penang International Airport want to know one thing: where can I fly from here, and how? PEN is the gateway to northern Peninsular Malaysia, and its route map mixes short domestic hops with direct flights across Asia and connections to the rest of the world. Here is how the main searches play out.

PEN to PVG: Penang to Shanghai

Penang has direct flights to Shanghai Pudong (PVG). Juneyao Air, Shanghai Airlines and Spring Airlines all fly the route, giving Penang a direct gateway to mainland China. The flight is a long one for a narrow-body jet, close to six hours. Shanghai Pudong is also a handy connecting point for other cities in China and North Asia.

Penang to Beijing (PEK)

There is no nonstop service between Penang and Beijing. Travellers heading to Beijing Capital (PEK) usually connect through Shanghai, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. Searching "Penang to Beijing" on Traveloka shows the one-stop options together, so you can compare total journey times.

Penang to London (LHR)

Penang has no nonstop flights to Europe, so a trip from PEN to London Heathrow (LHR) involves at least one stop. The Gulf carriers are a popular choice: Qatar Airways links Penang with Doha, and flydubai links Penang with Dubai, and both hubs have onward flights to London. Other travellers connect through Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, which have long-haul services to the UK.

Penang to San Francisco

Flights from Penang to San Francisco also need a connection, since there is no direct service to North America. Common routings go through major Asian hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong or Kuala Lumpur, where you pick up a trans-Pacific flight. Allowing a comfortable layover makes a long trip like this far less stressful.

Penang to Osaka and Japan

There are no regular nonstop flights between Penang and Osaka. Most itineraries to Japan connect through Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or another Asian hub.

Airlines at Penang International Airport

A wide mix of airlines serve Penang. Firefly, the turboprop and jet airline of the Malaysia Aviation Group, uses Penang as one of its hubs, and AirAsia has an operating base here. Malaysia Airlines and Batik Air also fly from PEN.

Domestic routes

Kuala Lumpur is the main domestic link from Penang, served at both Kuala Lumpur International Airport and the city's Subang airport. Firefly runs short flights to holiday and regional destinations such as Langkawi and Kota Bharu.

International routes

Singapore is well served, with Scoot, Singapore Airlines, Batik Air and AirAsia all flying between Penang and Changi. Indonesian cities are popular too, with direct flights to Medan and Jakarta. Beyond Shanghai, Penang has direct links to Hong Kong, and Qatar Airways and flydubai connect the island with the Middle East. Routes and frequencies change through the year, so check current options on Traveloka for your travel dates.

About Penang International Airport: Codes and Names

Penang International Airport, often shortened to PIA, carries the IATA code PEN and the ICAO code WMKP. In Malay it is Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Pulau Pinang. Many travellers simply say Penang Airport, and older signs and locals sometimes still call it Bayan Lepas Airport after the area where it stands.

The airport opened in 1935, when Penang was part of the Straits Settlements, and it has been expanded several times since. It is owned and run by Malaysia Airports, the company that operates most of the country's airports. The surrounding Bayan Lepas area is also home to one of Malaysia's long-established free industrial zones.

Where Is Penang Airport?

PEN sits in Bayan Lepas, at the southeastern tip of Penang Island. It is about 16 kilometres south of George Town, the state capital. The airport is right beside Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, the main road through the island's southern suburbs and free industrial zone.

By car, the drive from George Town usually takes around half an hour, and longer at peak times, when the coastal expressway and the roads around the industrial zone get busy. Because the airport is on the island itself, you do not need to cross either of the Penang bridges to reach George Town, Batu Ferringhi or the other main tourist areas.

Penang Airport Terminal and Facilities

Penang has one terminal building, divided into domestic and international sections. All flights arrive and depart from the same building, so connecting passengers can walk between the two parts. Arrivals are on the ground level, and departures and check-in are upstairs.

Services in the terminal

• Wi-Fi: free Wi-Fi is available across the terminal.
• Money: ATMs are on the arrivals and departures levels, and there is a foreign exchange counter.
• Left luggage: a left-luggage office operates in the arrivals area.
• Prayer rooms: Muslim prayer rooms are provided in the departure areas and in arrivals.
• Health: the terminal has a medical clinic and a pharmacy.
• Shopping: duty-free shops and gift stores sell local food products and handicrafts.
• SIM cards: telco counters in the arrivals area sell prepaid SIM cards for visitors.

Lounges

Two Plaza Premium Lounges serve Penang, one for domestic departures and one for international departures on the mezzanine level. Both are open to any traveller through pay-at-the-door entry, prepaid passes or lounge memberships, and the domestic lounge has showers.

Parking and car rental

A parking area sits in front of the terminal, and car rental companies have counters in the arrivals hall.

Getting from Penang Airport to George Town and Beyond

Rapid Penang buses

The public bus stop is on the outer lane outside arrivals. Rapid Penang buses 401 and 401E run from the airport into George Town, stopping at the KOMTAR bus terminal and continuing to the Weld Quay jetty, where ferries cross to Butterworth on the mainland. Bus 102 also passes KOMTAR before heading up the north coast to Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang, close to Penang National Park. Buses 102 and 401 stop at the Sungai Nibong express bus terminal, where long-distance coaches leave for other cities in Peninsular Malaysia. Drivers expect the exact fare, so carry small change, and tell the driver where you are going when you board.

Airport taxis

Official airport taxis are booked at a counter in the arrivals hall. You give your destination, pay a fixed fare for the ticket and hand it to the driver waiting outside. A surcharge applies to rides between midnight and early morning.

Grab and other e-hailing

Grab works at Penang Airport, with pick-ups from a marked area just beyond the airport taxi rank. It is often a little cheaper than a taxi, though waiting times can be long when many flights land together.

Tips for Using Penang International Airport

• Give yourself time. Airlines generally recommend arriving two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international departures. Add extra time if you are driving from George Town at rush hour.
• Check the right section. Domestic and international flights use different parts of the same terminal, so follow the signs for your flight type after entering departures.
• Get a SIM card on arrival. The arrival hall telco counters make it easy to get mobile data before heading into town.
• Carry small notes for the bus. Rapid Penang drivers cannot always give change.
• Plan late arrivals. Buses stop running late in the evening, so a taxi or Grab is the practical choice for night flights.

Exploring Penang from the Airport

Penang is one of Malaysia's favourite short-break destinations, and the airport puts you close to all of it. George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for its shophouses, clan houses, temples, street art and hawker food. Chulia Street and Little India are lively areas for budget stays and night-time eating, and Gurney Drive is known for its seaside food stalls.

Beyond the old town, Penang Hill offers cooler air and wide views over the island. Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam is a major landmark, and the beach resorts of Batu Ferringhi line the north coast. Nature lovers can walk the trails of Penang National Park at Teluk Bahang. Close to the airport, the Snake Temple in Bayan Lepas is a quick stop if you have spare time before a flight.

Planning your trip? Compare flights from Penang Airport on Traveloka and set a Price Alert to track fare changes on your route.