How to get from Penang Airport to Georgetown

Amy Psycha

Creative Writer & Strategic Copywriter

February 1, 2023

The Malaysian island of Penang, known for its striking scenery, gorgeous beaches, colonial buildings and vibrant food culture, is an idyllic spot. Tour the diverse historical sites in Georgetown such as Fort Cornwallis, Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si Temple, Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion and Penang National Park to get a better sense of the city’s heritage. Don’t forget to try out some of the legendary local dishes while you’re there!

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 and costs €16 (MYR 73.70). 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. A single ticket for the bus from Penang airport to Georgetown costs €0.70 (MYR 3.40).

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Penang at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

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Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€16	30min	24/7
Bus	€1.40	55-65min	05:20–23:15

How to get from Penang Airport to Georgetown by taxi

A taxi or private transfer from Penang Airport to Georgetown is the quickest and most hassle-free way to get to your hotel after a long flight. Depending on your precise destination, the transfer only takes about 30 minutes, and the Penang airport to Georgetown taxi fare is usually around €16 (MYR 73.70).

Taxi fare from Penang Airport to Georgetown

Penang airport uses a coupon system to assist travellers with using local taxis. This means that you can go to the taxi counter at the airport, tell the staff where you’re going, and they will calculate the cost of your cab ride based on the corresponding zone of your destination. You pay this fare to them and receive a voucher for your trip that you can give to your driver as proof of payment.

Depending on your exact destination, the average Penang Airport to Georgetown taxi fare is usually about €16 (MYR 73.70). Keep in mind that between midnight and 5 am, your fare will be calculated using night rates which incur a 50% surcharge. If you would like to secure a fixed rate for a reliable and comfortable private transfer, book in advance with Welcome.

Cost

€16 (MYR 73.70)

Trip Duration

30 Min.

*Prices may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Penang International Airport.

Where do I get the taxi from?

At Penang International Airport, you can find taxi stands just outside Arrivals.

Convenience

Taking a taxi or private transfer is the easiest, fastest, and most convenient way to get from Penang airport to Georgetown. A cab can get you to Georgetown in half the time that a bus needs, without even considering wait times or getting to your hotel from the bus stop.

If you want to avoid the headaches of navigating public transportation and hauling your bags from one place to another, a private transfer is definitely the right choice for you. That way, you can enjoy the luxury of having a private car or taxi pick you up and drop you off right at your hotel door, eliminating any stress from your first experience of Penang.

Editor’s Note

Penang Airport uses a coupon system for taxi transfers, so you can go to the taxi counter to make sure that you get the best fare possible.

Useful Tips

If you don’t intend on using the airport’s voucher system, keep in mind that taxis in Penang don't usually accept payment by card, and generally calculate fares through negotiation or haggling.

Most locals in Penang can communicate well in English, so telling your driver where you’re going shouldn’t be an issue. In the event that it is, make sure that you can point to the right place on a map.

How to get from Penang Airport to Georgetown by bus

Taking a bus from Penang airport to Georgetown is the most budget-friendly transport option available. There are 2 bus services that you can take, the 401E and 102, which are both operated by Rapid Penang. The 401E runs every 25-35 minutes from 05:20-23:00 and takes about an hour to reach Georgetown. The 102 runs from 06:00-23:15 and, although it has a much longer wait time of 60-80 minutes, it takes a bit less time as it can get to the city in 55 minutes. Tickets for the bus from Penang airport to Georgetown usually cost €0.70 (MYR 3.40).

How much is the bus from Penang Airport to Georgetown?

A one-way ticket for the 401E or 102 bus from Penang airport to Georgetown usually costs €0.70 (MYR 3.40). As bus tickets in Penang are calculated based on distance, the fare might be less or more, depending on your actual destination. Tickets can be purchased at the bus counter which you can find on the same level as Arrivals, or directly from the driver if you have the exact change.

Cost

€0.70 (MYR 3.40)

Trip Duration

55-65 Min.

There's a wait time of 25-80 minutes for the bus, depending on the service.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Bus services from Penang airport to Georgetown are available from 05:20 to 23:15.

Where do I get the bus from?

You can get a bus from Penang airport to Georgetown by heading to Lane 3 on the curb outside of the Arrivals terminal.

Convenience

Taking a bus from Penang airport to Georgetown is a very budget-friendly transfer option and can be relatively convenient depending on what time your flight gets in and how close to a bus stop your hotel is. If you’re due to arrive at the airport after 23:15 and before 05:20, you will have to deal with long wait times. Coupled with that, the bus trip takes about an hour which is double what a taxi or private transfer takes, and you will also have to account for the time it will take you to get from the bus stop to your hotel.

Timetables

Rapid Penang Bus Services

401E, 102

Editor’s Note

As there is not a lot of information available on bus schedules, make sure to ask for more details at the bus counter in the Arrivals terminal.

Useful Tips

Trip times can vary considerably depending on traffic, so plan in some buffer time if you need to be somewhere at a specific time.

You can purchase tickets from the bus counter at the airport, or from the bus driver if you have the exact change for the fare.

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Can I get from Penang Airport to Georgetown by bus?

There are 2 bus lines you can take to get from Penang airport to Georgetown. The 401E is the most frequent service, with an average wait time of only 25-35 minutes. It operates from 05:20-23:00 and needs a little over an hour to get from the airport to downtown. The 102 has longer wait times of 60-80 mins from 6 am until 11:15 pm and can get you to Georgetown in 55 mins. Depending on how far your destination is, a single ticket for either bus will likely only cost you €0.70 (MYR 3.40).

What’s the taxi fare from Penang Airport to Georgetown?

On average, you can expect the Penang Airport to Georgetown taxi fare to be around €16 (MYR 73.70). Having said that, taxi fares in Penang can vary greatly depending on the operator so, to avoid having to negotiate with the driver, Penang airport operates a coupon system that allows you to pay for your transfer at the airport and simply give the voucher you received in return to a local cab driver. It’s important to note that the cost can also vary depending on the size of the vehicle, distance, and time of day, as there is a 50% surcharge between 00:00-05:00. You can also book your private transfer in advance to secure a guaranteed fixed rate at a competitive price.

How far is Georgetown from Penang airport?

Georgetown is around 16 km north of Penang International Airport and you can get there by taxi or a private transfer in just 30 minutes for approximately €16 (MYR 73.70). You can also take one of the bus lines from Penang airport to Georgetown which take 55-65 mins to reach the centre. A ticket on either the 401E shuttle or the 102 bus should cost around €0.70 (MYR 3.40), depending on how far you’re going.

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How to get from Penang Airport to Georgetown by taxi

Taxi fare from Penang Airport to Georgetown

Cost

€16 (MYR 73.70)

Trip Duration

30 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Penang International Airport.

Where do I get the taxi from?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from Penang Airport to Georgetown by bus

How much is the bus from Penang Airport to Georgetown?

Cost

€0.70 (MYR 3.40)

Trip Duration

55-65 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Bus services from Penang airport to Georgetown are available from 05:20 to 23:15.

Where do I get the bus from?

Convenience

Timetables

Rapid Penang Bus Services

401E, 102

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

Frequently asked questions

Can I get from Penang Airport to Georgetown by bus?

What’s the taxi fare from Penang Airport to Georgetown?

How far is Georgetown from Penang airport?

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