• • Malaysia Airlines
  • Qatar Airways
  • China Southern
  • Singapore Airlines
  • Emirates
  • Cathay Pacific
  • Etihad Airways
  • Lufthansa
  • Virgin Atlantic
  • British Airways
  • KLM
  • Air France
  • Turkish Airlines
  • Finnair
  • EVA Air
  • Qantas Airways

Oman Air

• FlyBE
• Aer Lingus

• The minimum flight duration from London Heathrow to Penang is 15 hours and 20 minutes with Singapore Airlines.
• 16 hours is the minimum flight time between London Gatwick and Penang. Qatar Airways is the operating airline.
• From Manchester, Penang can be reached in 16 hours and 45 minutes minimum. Singapore Airlines operates the shortest flights for this route.
• The minimum flight time for Penang is 16 hours and 55 minutes from the Birmingham Airport. These flights are code-shared between KLM and Malaysia Airlines.
• From Edinburgh to Penang, Qatar Airways operates the shortest flights – 16 hours and 20 minutes only.

There are currently no direct flights to Penang from the United Kingdom. Popular international airlines like Qatar Airways, Malaysia Airlines, China Southern, Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific, among others, run indirect flights to Penang from major UK airports.

Penang International Airport is the receiving airport for cheap flights to Penang from the UK. The third busiest airport of Malaysia is conveniently located at a distance of 16 kilometres from George Town (centre city). The IATA code of this airport is PEN.

There are two peak-seasons in Penang: March to April and December to January. The months of March and April are pleasant with an average daytime temperature of 28 °C. Clear skies are perfect for spending quality time at the beach or back-to-back sightseeing. The winter peak-season is just as short – December and January. Christmas and New Year are celebrated with absolute passion and this is also the time when expatriates return for family festivities. On average, the temperature stays around 27.5 °C. Aside from trivial inconveniences like rainfall and humidity, there are no natural disasters to be scared of. This makes Penang a year-round destination.

Rainfall acts as an impediment to outdoor activities and sightseeing. For many tourists it dilutes the quality of their experience and wastes a good amount of time, especially if they are having a shorter stay. From early May to mid-October, the climate in Penang remains wet and humid. With an average of 15 rainy days in a month, not a lot of visiting goes on around this time of the year which is why tickets get cheaper. Hotels encourage tourism by offering discounted deals and there seems to be a lot more dedication and personal attention in their services. This period is also preferable if you dislike crowds.

• Kek Lok Si: The largest Buddhist temple in the country happens to be the most influential as well. Visit this temple complex for a comprehensive study of Buddhist history and a wide range of architecture inspired by it.
• Khoo Kongsi: Penang has been a melting-pot of different cultures. Khoo Kongsi is one of the surviving Chinese wonders and also the most picturesque. It is an ancient Chinese clan house and much of the original charm has been preserved by succeeding generations.
• Penang Hill: Take the opportunity of visiting this nearby hill station. This hill station was established by the British in a more leisurely fashion and it remains to this day a posh sanctuary in the outskirts of Penang.
• Penang National Park: The Penang National Park continues to lead the other ecological sanctuaries in the region. This forest reserve accommodates a wide variety of floral and animal species.
• Kapitan Keling Mosque: The ash-coloured dome of this mosque draws immediate attention. Built in the 19th century by Indian merchants, this mosque is part of the collective Islamic heritage of Malaysia and a functional institution in our own day.
• Snake Temple: This temple belongs to a league of its own. Snakes (pit vipers) naturally gravitate towards this site which is one of the reasons why the place is considered holy, or at least mystical. The snakes have their venom removed and tourists are fond of taking pictures with them.
• Entopia: A butterfly farm that also houses a range of other insects and bugs.
• Highlights include the Tropical Spice Garden, the Camera Museum, the Upside Down Museum and the Penang Botanic Gardens.

Popular 4-star hotels in Penang include:

• PARKROYAL Penang Resort
• Golden Sands Resort
• Holiday Inn
• The Light Hotel
• Hard Rock Hotel

From 3-star options, the following offer quality experience at low-costs:

• The Gurney Resort Hotel and Residences
• 1926 Heritage Hotel
• Red Inn Cabana
• Vouk Hotel Suites
• Mei Hotel