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MalaysiaThe islands of Langkawi and Penang are just over 100 kilometers apart. Until a few years ago, they were connected by a direct ferry, but now this service has been suspended indefinitely. Therefore, the most convenient, fastest, and often even the most budget-friendly way to get from one island to the other remains the plane. Flights operate several times a day, taking only 40 minutes, and tickets can be found from $15–20 USD one-way.
In this guide, we'll break down all the working routes between Langkawi and Penang, show you where to find cheap flights, what to do upon arrival at Penang Airport, and how to get to your hotel. And if for some reason you prefer to travel by land, we'll look at the option with a ferry and bus via mainland Malaysia (although we don't recommend it due to the duration and questionable savings).
Our separate guides on this topic:
✈ By Plane: The Fastest and Most Convenient Way
Langkawi International Airport (IATA: LGK) is located in the central part of the island. Flights between Langkawi and Penang run like shuttles — on average 4–6 flights a day, sometimes more. Despite the short distance, these are full-fledged jet airliners (Airbus A320 and similar), so the flight is comfortable.
Airlines and Flights Langkawi — Penang
Flights are operated by three main carriers:
- AirAsia — budget airline, usually offers the lowest fares.
- Malaysia Airlines — national carrier, tickets are usually more expensive but include baggage.
- Firefly — regional airline, based at Penang Airport (PEN), flies turboprop ATR 72.
Time in the air — just 40–50 minutes. Ticket prices start from 60–70 ringgit (about $15 USD) one-way if you catch a promotion or book in advance. Even a few days before departure, you can often find decent options within 80 ringgit (19.68 USD).
Life hack: You don't have to buy tickets six months in advance. From personal experience: on this route, flights are frequent, and 2–3 days before departure, good-priced tickets (under 80 ringgit) often appear. So if your travel dates are flexible, you can safely buy at the last minute.
Where to Search and Book Tickets
The easiest way is to use search engines that show all options at once. We recommend these trusted services (accept Russian cards):
You can also check directly on the airline websites, but none of them accept Russian cards.
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How to get to Langkawi Airport? From the beach areas of Cenang, Tengah, and from Kuah town, you can get to the airport by taxi or Grab (more details in the article Transport in Langkawi). The trip from Cenang takes about 15–20 minutes and costs around 20–30 ringgit.
🚌 How to Get from Penang Airport to Hotels
Penang Airport is located in the southern part of the island, in the Bayan Lepas area. You can get to hotels in George Town, on Penang's beaches, or other areas by taxi, Grab, city buses, or rented transport. Detailed information on prices and routes is in the separate article Transport in Penang, but here are quick instructions:
Taxis and Grab: Prices and Tricks
Grab (the local Uber equivalent) is the most convenient and often inexpensive option. To order a Grab, you need internet — you can connect to the airport's free Wi-Fi or buy a SIM card right in the arrivals hall.
Money-saving tip: If you're not in a hurry, you can select the Saver tariff in the app. You'll have to wait longer for the car, but the prices will be lower. From our experience, you can save up to 30% this way.
If you want to travel in comfort, you can book a transfer with a driver and meet-and-greet at the airport. You can book in advance through trusted sites (accept Russian cards):
City Buses: The Budget Option
City buses run from Penang Airport to George Town and the island's beach areas. This is the cheapest way to get to your hotel. The main route is bus No. 401E, which goes from the airport to the Komtar terminal in central George Town. There's also bus No. 102, which goes through the beach areas (e.g., the Butterworth area, from where it's convenient to get to Penang's beaches).
The fare is about 3 ringgit (0.74 USD). You can pay the driver in cash (exact change is appreciated). The bus stop is right at the airport terminal exit — look for the Bus Stop signs.
Detailed information on routes, intervals, and stops is in the separate article Transport in Penang. For planning, it's convenient to use Google Maps' public transport directions.
Renting a Car or Motorbike
If you plan to actively explore Penang, the best option is to rent a vehicle right at the airport. This is often more convenient and cheaper than taking taxis every day. There are car rental counters in the arrivals hall; you can also book online through aggregators.
Useful articles on rentals:
🚢 Alternative Land+Ferry Routes
Important: The direct ferry between Langkawi and Penang no longer runs (officially suspended). Any online information about the ferry is outdated. Don't try to buy ferry tickets directly; they are simply not on sale.
Nevertheless, you can get from Langkawi to Penang by land transport with a ferry transfer at one of two mainland ports: Kuala Perlis or Kuala Kedah. This option is long and tiring, but if you want to combine the trip with exploring the northern states of Malaysia, it's a possibility.
Ferry + Bus via Kuala Perlis / Kuala Kedah
The route looks like this:
- Langkawi → Mainland. Ferries depart from Kuah port in Langkawi to Kuala Perlis and Kuala Kedah. Ferries run approximately every hour (from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM), travel time to Kuala Perlis is 1 hour 15 minutes, ticket price for an adult is 35 ringgit (8.61 USD). More details on schedules in our overview Langkawi Ferries.
- Mainland → Penang. From the Kuala Perlis or Kuala Kedah port, you need to take an intercity bus to Penang. Buses depart from Kuala Perlis bus station to Sungai Nibong bus station (Penang) or BSB City (Butterworth). Travel time is about 4–5 hours, ticket price is approximately 35–50 ringgit.
In total, the journey will take at least 7–8 hours (excluding connections), and in terms of money, it will cost about 70–100 ringgit, which is comparable to a flight, especially if you get a ticket on promotion. Therefore, we strongly recommend using the plane — it's faster and more convenient.
Comparison of Options: Which to Choose?
| Method | Travel Time | Cost (approx.) | Comfort | Our Choice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plane | 40 min flight + transfer to airport | from 70 ringgit (17.22 USD) | High | Best choice |
| Ferry + Bus | 7–9 hours | 70–100 ringgit (17.22–24.6 USD) | Low | Only if you want an adventure |
The conclusion is obvious: if you just need to get from Langkawi to Penang — book a flight. It's fast, inexpensive, and comfortable. The land route only makes sense as part of a larger trip through northern Malaysia.