Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Penang (KUL - PEN)

Penang, also known as the pearl of the orient, is one of the most touristic locations of Malaysia. The island (285 square meters) is situated on the northwest side of the Peninsular Malaysia. Penang is a great destination, absolutely worthy of a visit. Not so much because of the beautiful beaches, but because of the great melting pot of cultures. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations within Malaysia. For years the island is referred to as 'The Pearl of the Orient'.

Penang - where heritage whispers through its charming streets

Georgetown (also styled as George Town) is the main reason people come to Penang, and for good reason; it’s amazing. There are few cities of this type that have such a large historical area intact, especially in Southeast Asia. The only comparable destination is Hoi An in Vietnam. What makes Georgetown so special is that it is still a working city, so many of the old shophouses house workshops and small businesses. The streets are lined with old houses in varying degrees of decay. Some building look like they are about to crumble into the ground, while other have been lavishly restored to (and often beyond) their former glory.

Beyond the old town of Georgetown, Penang Hill is one of the highlights of a trip to Penang. The highest point on the island stands at 833 metres above sea level. It was used as a retreat from sea-level heat during the British colonial period, where it is an average of 5c cooler than in Georgetown. The top of the hill is reached via the Penang Hill Railway, which starts in Air Itam. The railway is a funicular railway, which in itself is worth going to the hill just to experience this ride.

While you are visiting Penang Hill make sure to visit the nearby Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam. Often the Penang Hill Railway is booked out hours in advance, so you can get the ticket first, and then visit the temple while you wait. Kek Lok Si is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia and one of the most impressive in Southeast Asia. It is worth a visit even if you think you think you have “temple fatigue” from visiting so many temples. The temple began construction in 1890, and even now it is being continually expanded as more Buddhist pilgrims make their way here from across Asia.

Batu Ferringhi on the north coast of the island is the beach resort part of the island. The white sandy beach is lined with hotels and luxury apartment developments. While the water is not comparable to Langkawi or the Thai islands to the north, this is a good option if you are craving some beach time.

Tourists are abundant on Penang, and local Penangites have one of the highest GDP's in the country; so multiple luxurious shopping malls are a logical consequence. The malls are mainly situated in and around the city of Georgetown. Chinatown is only a few 100 yards away from the Komtar complex. Just like other Chinese neighborhoods the streets are most lively during the evenings. A lot of leather wear and counterfeit watches can be found at these hours, during the day a lot of butchers and fishmongers can be found in this area. Tourists generally enjoy Penang's night markets (pasar malam). There are a few of them in Georgetown, but the most famous is the one from Batu Ferringhi.

Penang (and Georgetown in particular) is also famous for its food scene. It is one of the food capitals of Asia, and food lovers come here just to eat. The city even as a food named after it, the Penang laksa – a sour, tamarind-based fish soup.

Penang can be visited throughout the year. There is a relatively mild monsoon period between June and September. A normal day at Penang Island consists of sun throughout the biggest part of the day, followed by the occasional rain shower at the end of the day. Sometimes it can rain for a longer period of time (or even for days), but is normal as it is part of the tropical climate of Malaysia.

1. How much is the ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Penang?

Airfare for Kuala Lumpur to Penang one-way is ranked between USD 78 to USD 172. The following table is airfares reference.

* Above are fares for one-way route per adult without taxes.

2. What are the distance and duration?

The distance between Kuala Lumpur and Penang is about 324 kilometers which takes 1 hour to fly.

3. What are airports and airlines?

To fly from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, your flight departs at Kuala Lumpur International Airport and lands at Penang International Airport.

Malaysia, Penang International Airport (PEN, also known as Bayan Lepas airport) is the oldest airport in Malaysia and is a hub for AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines. Penang International Airport is located in Bayan Lepas area in the south-east of Penang Island, Malaysia, approximately 14 kilometers from George Town city center. Although Penang airport is a medium-sized airport with frequent flights to Kuala Lumpur and other regional capital cities like Bangkok, Jakarta and Singapore, it is still one of the busiest airports in Malaysia. Due to Penang airport’s popularity amongst passengers and as a cargo hub, plans are underway to expand its facilities to accommodate 12 million passengers by 2029. Whether you’re flying to Penang airport for business or travel, the island has much to discover. It is often referred to as the “Pearl of the Orient” because of its palm-fringed beaches and welcoming cosmopolitan people.

Penang Airport is just under 20 km from the city centre. Penang is easily accessible by air with daily flights from major airports in the country & the region. Penang International Airport receives incoming flights from many international destinations, such as China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam and Qatar. It connects with all major cities in Southeast Asia. Langkawi Island is a 2-hour-45-minute ferry ride away or a short 35-minute flight. Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur is just a 50-minute flight away or can alternatively be reached by a 4-hour train. Another option is to rent a car in Penang airport and explore at your own leisure. Penang Airport is the main airport for travel in northern Malaysia. It is a hub for Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia and Firefly. Penang International Airport combines retail and duty-free outlets, cafés and restaurants, and premium passenger lounges for travelling convenience and comfort. While the airport passenger numbers continue to increase, the airport will, in turn, advance to Penang airport and ensure a pleasant experience for all airport users. It can handle up to almost 7 million passengers per year. Its runway is 3,353 m long, and its airport cargo centre can handle 360,000 tonnes of cargo.

There are two ways to get from Penang airport to Georgetown; by taxi or private transfer, or by bus. A taxi or private transfer is the quickest option, as the average transfer takes about 30 minutes. There is also the 401E shuttle bus from Penang airport to Georgetown which takes a little over an hour and the 102 bus service which takes 55 minutes to reach the downtown area. 

4. Some information about schedule.

In present time, the frequency of flights operated is as follows:

5. How to book a cheap ticket to Penang online?

You just need choose your expected itinerary in our website - vnairline.org and define the number of passengers, our system will automatically show fares for your flights.

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight to Penang? Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

We hope you can find some useful information with our above notes!