Getting to Penang

Image source : Jason Thien

Here is how you can get to Penang. To get around Penang, look here.

By Air

The fastest way to go to Penang by air transportation. Penang International Airport is located in Bayan Lepas. It is 30 minutes ride to George Town. It serves as the main airport for northern part of Malaysia.

Penang International Airport hosts 18 airline operators in its premises. It is the third busiest airport in Malaysia. It is the main hub for Firefly (Malaysia Airlines subsidiary) and the secondary hub for AirAsia (another domestic budget airline operator). Direct flights from several countries without transiting at KLIA are also available.

By Land

Penang is very well connected by land. If the travellers drive a car as a main transportation or take the bus, there are highways connecting Penang from the north and the south side called PLUS highway. There are also two bridges connecting the mainland to the island.

As for the train service, KTM Berhad offers train services called ETS coming from the north and the south that stop at Butterworth, which is located at the Penang mainland.

By Water

Penang are divided by the mainland and the island. In order to reach the island, the travellers have to cross the sea. There are ferry services available for that purpose. Though there are two bridges connecting the mainland to the island. Ferry services are still the most favorite transportation for Penangite to cross the sea.

There are also ferry services to nearby places in north Malaysia and the neighboring country, Thailand.