With its capital in the historic city of George Town, the Malaysian state of Penang is the second smallest in the country, but it has many attractions. Located on the island of Penang, off the coast of Malaysia, George Town has a lot to offer in the historic streets of downtown, a place that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The rest of the island is a beach lover’s paradise, with fairly rural areas and an interior dotted with jungles and farms. Penang is a good introduction to getting to know Malaysia, its history, culture and its people. And if you like exploring cities, from here you can head north to Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.
Bangkok is a huge contrast to George Town as it is a huge and vibrant city, but it is a fantastic destination that should be included in any trip to Southeast Asia. Visit temples and parks, enjoy the food and nightlife, and go shopping. The atmosphere in Bangkok has something that attracts you.
Both ferry and bus are options to get from Penang Island to Butterworth on the mainland © Igor Grochev / Shutterstock.com
Options to go from Penang to Bangkok
Since Peninsular Malaysia is located south of Thailand in the same area, traveling between the two cities is quite easy compared to other routes in the area. If you start in George Town, you will only need to cross a small section of water at the start of your journey. But since there are two bridges and several ferries connecting Penang Island to the mainland, even this stretch is easy and quick. Bridges allow the entire journey to be made by land. The route is long, 1160 kilometers, and you have to remember that going from Malaysia to Thailand you have to cross an international border. Traveling by van is a good option as it is quite cheap and you can see some beautiful scenery along the way. If you prefer to get from Penang to Bangkok as quickly as possible, the best alternative is to fly.
Flights from Penang to Bangkok
An Air Asia plane at Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport © Farbregas Hareluya / Shutterstock, Inc.
When there is such a long distance to travel, it is understandable that many tourists choose to fly from Penang to Bangkok by plane. Flying drastically reduces travel time, but it’s more expensive than other means of transport, so you’ll have to consider whether it’s worth spending more to save a few hours. Arriving at a shorter notice is ideal if you are on holiday and only intend to spend a few weeks in the country. In that case, you will certainly want to minimize your travel hours to make the most of your time at each destination.
The good thing is that there are several flights a day between Penang and Bangkok, so you can choose between several flights from two different airlines. You can also fly to Don Mueang Airport with Thai AirAsia or to Suvarnabhumi Airport with Thai Smile. In both cases, the flight time is around 1 hour and 50 minutes, but the transfer to Bangkok will take more or less time depending on the airport you land at. Before you book your flight, do your research to choose the solution that is most convenient for you. Or, if you’re not too concerned about transfers (which can be easily done from both airports), you can go for the cheapest flights you can find. Flights to Don Mueang are usually cheaper, but it’s best to book your flight as far in advance as possible to find the best prices.
Flights can be easily booked via the website 12Go.asia. Here you will see all flights from Penang to Bangkok scheduled for the dates of your choice. In addition, you can compare flights with other transport options if you want to see price differences.
From Penang, flights depart from Penang International Airport, which is located on Penang Island, near Bayan Lepas. Rapid Penang buses run from all over the island to the airport.
From Penang to Bangkok by van
Vans at Mochit New Van Terminal, Bangkok © hayachanta / Shutterstock, Inc.
Driving on the road saves you a lot of money, but it takes a lot of time to invest. There are vans operated by New Asian Travel that cover the entire route from Penang to Bangkok. The tour lasts approximately 18 hours and the number of places is very limited. Vans are modern and while they may be comfortable for a shorter journey, it’s understandable that spending 18 hours with 13 other passengers in such a small space is not a very attractive idea. The seats in the vans do not recline and there is no room to get up and stretch your legs a bit like in buses. It also means that there are no services on board, so you would have to wait for scheduled stops to stretch, go to the bathroom or eat something.
Despite all the disadvantages of traveling by van from Penang to Bangkok, many travelers choose this option to save money. Every day, three vans depart from New Asian Travel in Komtar in downtown George Town and arrive at Morchit Terminal in the north of Bangkok. Vans leave at 5:00 AM, 8:30 AM and 12:00 PM. The 5:00 PM van arrives in Bangkok at 10:00 PM on the same day, and the 8:30 AM van arrives in the Thai capital at 1:30 AM, so you travel all day and part of the night. Even if it is a long journey, it can be a good opportunity to enjoy the scenery. A van that leaves at noon travels part of the day and all night, so this is the best alternative if you can get a good night’s sleep as you will avoid paying for a hotel night and save even more.
A van from Penang to Bangkok can also be booked on 12Go. Instant booking confirmation is received for added peace of mind. In addition, on this page you can read the opinions of other passengers who have used these services before deciding whether to travel by plane or by van.