Penang International Airport (IATA code “PEN”; ICAO code “WMKP”) is located 16 km from Georgetown, the capital city of Penang state (UNESCO World Heritage City). Serving 4.77 million passengers in 2012, it is the third busiest airport in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
How to travel between Penang International Airport and Georgetown
By Bus:
Operated by Rapid Penang, buses offer reliable connectivity from the airport to Georgetown and around Georgetown. Bus 102 serves the route of Teluk Bahang Bus Hub – Komtar Bus Terminal (Lane 5) – Penang International Airport, passing by tourist spots like Gurney Drive and Batu Ferringhi. Bus 306 serves the route of General Hospital – Farlim Bus Hub – Bukit Jambul Complex Bus Hub – Penang International Airport. Bus 306 passes by Air Itam, where passengers can take an interchange (Bus 204) to Penang Hill and Kek Lok Si temple. Bus 401E serves the route of Weld Quay Bus Terminal 1 – Komtar Bus Terminal (Lane 5) – Penang International Airport – Pekan Genting Bus Hub – Balik Pulau Bus Terminal.
At the airport, ticket counter is located at the ground floor of arrival hall. A one-way ticket costs RM2 to RM3. Bus 102 and Bus 306 arrive every 60-80 minutes, and Bus 401E every 30-40 minutes.
By Taxi:
Passengers can purchase taxi voucher from the Airport Taxi counter at the arrival hall, to avoid taxi touts. Taxi fares will be fixed at the counter where fares are charged according to travel zone, ranging between RM14 and RM38. Limousines are also available, which can take up to 8 passengers and costs around RM85.
By rental car:
Car rental companies available at the airport include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, EasyCar, Europcar, Sixt, and Thrifty. Daily rental for a four-seater sedan car is around RM180 to RM250. As for bigger cars passengers will be spoilt with choices, with daily rental from RM150 to RM900.
Airlines served by Penang International Airport:
Penang International Airport offers direct connectivity to selected domestic destinations, including Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Langkawi, and Miri. The airport is also connected to Southeast Asian countries including Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam; and Asian countries including Australia, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, India, and Nepal. Airlines operating at the airport include:
- AirAsia
- Dragonair
- China Airlines
- China Southern Airlines
- Firefly
- Garuda Indonesia
- Hong Kong Express Airways
- Indonesia AirAsia
- Jetstar Asia Airways
- Lion Air
- Malaysia Airlines
- Malindo Air
- Silk Air
