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Airport Transportation

Penang International Airport

Also known as: Penang Airport, PEN Airport, Bayan Lepas Airport. Formerly Bayan Lepas International Airport.

PEN · WMKP · George Town

Airport facts

Name
Penang International Airport
IATA code
PEN
ICAO code
WMKP
City
George Town
Country
Malaysia
Address
Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Pulau Pinang, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia
Coordinates
5.2971, 100.2769
Time zone
Asia/Kuala_Lumpur
Terminals
One terminal with domestic and international sections; arrivals on Level 1, departures on Level 2

About Penang International Airport

Penang International Airport (PEN) is the airport for George Town and Penang Island, in northern Malaysia, and for the mainland side of the state around Butterworth. It stands in Bayan Lepas, at the southeastern tip of the island, about 16 km (10 miles) south of George Town city center.

AirAsia, Batik Air Malaysia, Firefly and Malaysia Airlines link Penang with Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. International flights go to Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Taipei, Jakarta, Medan and several cities in mainland China, with Scoot, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Thai Airways and others. The airport handled about 8.3 million passengers in 2025.

All flights use one terminal, with separate domestic and international sections; arrivals are on Level 1 and departures on Level 2. An expansion of the terminal and apron is under way, with completion targeted for 2028.

From the airport, most travelers head north to the heritage streets of George Town, to Gurney Drive and Tanjung Bungah, or on to the beach hotels of Batu Ferringhi on the island's north coast. The drive to George Town usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic.

Airport operator, runways and traffic

Operator

Malaysia Airports

Passengers per year

About 8.3 million in 2025

Runway

One, 04/22, 3,354 m

Opened

1935

Expansion

Terminal and apron expansion under way, targeted for completion in 2028, raising capacity to 12 million passengers a year

Arrival tips for Penang International Airport

On international flights you go through Malaysian immigration first. Most foreign visitors must submit the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online within three days before arrival, so have it done before you board. Domestic flights from Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi and other Malaysian cities arrive without a passport check for most travelers, though passengers from Sabah and Sarawak follow their own rules.

After baggage claim and customs you walk into the arrivals hall on Level 1, with separate domestic and international arrival areas. Money changers, ATMs and SIM card shops are in arrivals, and a tourist information counter and car rental desks are nearby.

For the city, the taxi counter in arrivals sells fixed-fare coupons. E-hailing cars such as Grab pick up at the entrance of the multi-story parking garage, across the road from arrivals. Rapid Penang buses stop on the lower road outside the terminal. Pre-booked drivers usually meet you in the arrivals hall.

Malaysia is on Malaysia Time (UTC+8) with no daylight saving time, and uses the ringgit.

Ground transportation

A taxi, e-hailing car or pre-booked transfer is the easiest way to George Town and the beaches with luggage; the bus is cheapest but slow.

  • Taxi from Penang airport

    Buy a fixed-fare coupon at the taxi counter in the arrivals hall before you go out to the taxi stand. The ride to George Town takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic, and fares rise late at night.

  • Grab and e-hailing

    Grab and other e-hailing cars pick up at the entrance of the multi-story parking garage, across the road from arrivals, where a screen shows arriving cars. Waits can be longer at busy times.

  • Rapid Penang bus 401 and 401E

    Buses leave from the lower road outside the terminal for KOMTAR and the Weld Quay jetty in George Town, taking about an hour. They are the cheapest option but make many stops and need exact change.

  • Rapid Penang bus 102

    Bus 102 runs from the airport around the island to Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang, roughly every hour. It is slow and has little room for large bags.

  • Private transfer

    A pre-booked car meets you in the arrivals hall, useful for families, groups, late arrivals and hotels in Batu Ferringhi.

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Terminals

Main Terminal

The single terminal handles domestic and international flights in separate sections, with arrivals on Level 1 and departures on Level 2.

Airlines and destinations

All airlines use the single terminal.

AirAsia

Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Langkawi, Phuket, Shenzhen, Singapore

Batik Air Malaysia

Jakarta, Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur Subang, Medan, Singapore

Berjaya Air

Redang (seasonal)

Cathay Pacific

Hong Kong

China Airlines

Taipei Taoyuan

China Southern Airlines

Guangzhou

Chongqing Airlines

Chongqing

Firefly

Banda Aceh, Kota Bharu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur Subang, Langkawi, Phuket

flydubai

Dubai (via Langkawi)

HK Express

Hong Kong

IndiGo

Chennai

Indonesia AirAsia

Jakarta, Medan, Surabaya

Juneyao Air

Shanghai Pudong

Lion Air

Medan

Malaysia Airlines

Kuala Lumpur

Myanmar Airways International

Yangon

Qatar Airways

Doha via Phuket (seasonal)

Qingdao Airlines

Qingdao

Scoot

Singapore

Shanghai Airlines

Shanghai Pudong

Shenzhen Airlines

Shenzhen

Sichuan Airlines

Chengdu Tianfu

Singapore Airlines

Singapore

Spring Airlines

Guangzhou, Shanghai Pudong

Thai AirAsia

Bangkok Don Mueang

Thai Airways

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi

Thai Lion Air

Bangkok Don Mueang

TransNusa

Jakarta

XiamenAir

Xiamen

Facilities

  • Wi-Fi

    Free Wi-Fi is available in the terminal.

  • Currency exchange and ATMs

    Money changers and ATMs are in the arrivals and departures areas, with more in domestic arrivals.

  • SIM cards

    Shops selling local SIM cards are in the domestic arrivals area.

  • Food and drink

    Restaurants and cafés are on Level 2 before security, with more food outlets and shops past security in both the domestic and international departure areas.

  • Duty-free shopping

    Duty-free shops are in the international departures area past security.

  • Left luggage

    A left-luggage service next to international arrivals is open 24 hours.

  • Tourist information

    A tourist information counter is in the arrivals hall on the ground floor.

  • Car rental

    Car rental counters are in the arrivals area after customs.

  • E-hailing waiting area

    An air-conditioned waiting area with seating and charging points is beside the e-hailing pickup point.

Airport lounges

  • Plaza Premium Lounge (International Departures)

    On the mezzanine floor of International Departures, near Gate A3, open daily from 6:00 to midnight. Walk-in guests and pre-booked guests can pay to enter.

Accessibility and passenger assistance

  • Requesting assistance

    Ask your airline for wheelchair or boarding assistance when you book, ideally at least 48 hours before you fly.

Parking

Multi-story parking garage

The airport's multi-story parking garage stands across the road from the arrivals hall; its entrance is also the e-hailing pickup point.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Penang airport from George Town?

Penang International Airport is in Bayan Lepas, about 16 km (10 miles) south of George Town city center. The drive usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic, and longer on Friday to Sunday afternoons and public holidays. Rapid Penang buses 401 and 401E take about an hour to KOMTAR and the Weld Quay jetty.

How do I get from Penang airport to Batu Ferringhi?

Batu Ferringhi is on the north coast of Penang Island, on the opposite side of the island from the airport. A taxi, e-hailing car or private transfer goes door to door to the beach hotels. Rapid Penang bus 102 runs from the airport to Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang roughly every hour, but it is slow and has little luggage space.

How many terminals does Penang airport have?

Penang International Airport has one terminal for domestic and international flights, with separate sections for each. Arrivals are on Level 1 and departures on Level 2. An expansion of the terminal and apron is under way, with completion targeted for 2028, so expect some construction while it continues.

Is there a bus from Penang airport to George Town?

Yes. Rapid Penang buses 401 and 401E leave from the lower road outside the terminal for KOMTAR and the Weld Quay jetty in George Town. The trip takes about an hour, depending on traffic. Buses need exact change and have little room for luggage, so most travelers with suitcases take a taxi or car instead.

Where do I get a taxi at Penang airport?

Buy a fixed-fare taxi coupon at the taxi counter in the arrivals hall, then take it to the taxi stand outside. Coupons are priced by zone, such as George Town or Batu Ferringhi, so you know the fare before you leave. Fares are higher late at night, and vans are available for larger groups.

Where is the Grab pickup point at Penang airport?

Grab and other e-hailing cars pick up at the entrance of the multi-story parking garage, across the road from the arrivals hall on Level 1. Follow the e-hailing signs; a screen shows arriving cars, and there is an air-conditioned waiting area nearby. Drop-offs for departing passengers are on Level 2.

Do I need a digital arrival card to enter Malaysia at Penang?

Yes, most foreign visitors must submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online before arrival. It is free on the Immigration Department's official website and can be submitted within three days before you arrive. Malaysian citizens and permanent residents are exempt. Check the visa rules for your nationality separately.

Which airlines fly to Penang?

AirAsia, Batik Air Malaysia, Firefly and Malaysia Airlines fly to Kuala Lumpur and other Malaysian cities. International routes include Singapore with Scoot and Singapore Airlines, Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific and HK Express, Taipei with China Airlines, Bangkok with Thai Airways and Thai AirAsia, and several Chinese and Indonesian cities.

Is there a lounge at Penang airport?

Yes. The Plaza Premium Lounge is on the mezzanine floor of International Departures, near Gate A3, and opens daily from 6:00 to midnight. Travelers can pay to enter as walk-in guests or book ahead. Check eligibility through your airline, card or lounge program before you fly.

Can I store luggage at Penang airport?

Yes. A left-luggage service next to international arrivals is open 24 hours, with racks and lockers for bags of different sizes. It suits travelers spending a day in George Town before an evening flight, or leaving bulky items while they visit Langkawi or the mainland.

Where can I change money at Penang airport?

Money changers and ATMs are in both the arrivals and departures areas, with more in domestic arrivals. Malaysia uses the ringgit (MYR), and cards are widely accepted in George Town hotels, malls and restaurants. Carry some cash for small food stalls and buses, which need exact change.

Is Penang airport the same as Bayan Lepas airport?

Yes. Penang International Airport stands in Bayan Lepas, and it was called Bayan Lepas International Airport until 1979, so many people still use that name. Its code is PEN. It is the only commercial airport on Penang Island and the main airport for the state of Penang.

Is there parking at Penang airport?

Yes. A multi-story parking garage stands across the road from the arrivals hall, and its entrance is also the e-hailing pickup point. It is used for short stays, picking up passengers and longer trips; check the current rates and any online booking options with Malaysia Airports before you drive.

Why book with Airport Transportation?

We provide private transportation from any airport to any hotel at the best price, and we are licensed with complete insurance liability.

Is the transportation private or shared?

Airport Transportation provides private transportation only, in vans, luxury SUVs, or semi-buses.

Are prices per person or per vehicle?

Prices on our website are per vehicle, not per person, based on a range of passengers.

How many people can a van carry?

Regular vans carry up to 9 passengers, semi-buses up to 16, and luxury SUVs up to 6 passengers.

How do I find you at the airport?

Walk all the way out of the airport. You'll see representatives holding boards. Look for the Airport Transportation logo or your name.

What kind of vehicles do you use?

Commonly Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban.

Do you have insurance?

Yes. We carry insurance with complete liability for all passengers while using our services.

Do you provide baby seats?

Baby seats are provided with prior notice, subject to availability, one seat maximum per vehicle.

How far in advance should I book?

You can book any time in advance; we suggest one week to one day ahead. Same-day reservations are available.

What payment methods are accepted?

PayPal is our main payment method; a cash option is also available when booking through our website. Credit cards are accepted through PayPal.

Do vehicles have air conditioning?

Yes. For your comfort all our units have air conditioning.

What if my flight is delayed?

During booking we ask for your airline and flight number so we can track delays and wait for you.

Can I make stops during my ride?

Yes, you can add an extra stop to your service during the booking process.

Do children pay differently than adults?

No. Prices are set per passenger range or per vehicle, not per age.

Is my reservation refundable?

Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your pick-up and you are refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before service are not refundable.

Do drivers speak English?

Yes. While their English may not be native-level, drivers have the skills to communicate with passengers.

Are tips mandatory?

Tips are not mandatory but are highly recommended; drivers earn them through service quality.

What currencies are accepted?

All prices are in USD. Via PayPal you can pay in almost any currency; cash payments accept USD only.

Are pets allowed?

We can transport domestic pets kept in cages that fit in a normal vehicle.

Is there room for luggage?

Yes. There is plenty of room for one suitcase and one carry-on per person.

What is included in the price?

Every private transfer includes a professional, licensed driver; an insured, well-maintained vehicle; real-time flight monitoring; meet-and-greet service at arrivals; and door-to-door service with no hidden fees added after booking. Your fixed price covers the full route to your destination.

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