Sultan Ismail Petra Airport is the airport serving the Kelantan state, named after the thirteenth ruler of the state. Previously known as “Pengkalan Chepa Airport”, it was a Royal Air Force base during World War II and subsequently converted into a commercial airport after the war. The airport was relocated to the current terminal and assumed its present name in 2002. As its previous name indicates, the airport is located in Pengkalan Chepa and is approximately 8.5 km from Kota Bharu. Its IATA code is “KBR” and ICAO code is “WMKC”.
How to travel between Sultan Ismail Petra Airport and Kota Bharu
By taxi:
Passengers can find plenty of taxis outside the airport’s arrival hall. Taxi fares are charged based on travel distance and agreed before the start of the taxi trip. To get better fares, do bargain with the taxi driver before journey begins. From Kota Bharu, passengers can get taxis to the airport at Jalan Doktor taxi station. The trip takes approximately 20 minutes in normal traffic, and costs around RM40.
By bus:
Local bus servicing the Kota Bharu – Airport route is operated by Cityliner. Look for bus number 9 to Sabak. From the airport to Kota Bharu, passengers need to get to the main road outside the airport terminal building to board the bus. In Kota Bharu, passengers can board the bus at the Kota Bharu Central Bus Station. The bus is available every 35 minutes, from 7 am to 7 pm. A one-way bus ticket costs RM2.
By rental car:
Passengers can find a handful of car rental companies at the airport, including Avis, Expedia, Hertz, J&W, and Kayak. Daily rental is around RM160 to RM280 for sedans and minivans.
Airlines served by Sultan Ismail Petra Airport:
Sultan Ismail Petra Airport offers direct connectivity to domestic destination including Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Penang, and Subang; and international destinations including Bangkok and Singapore. Airlines currently operating at the airport are AirAsia, Firefly, Malaysia Airlines and Malindo Air.
