Find the cheapest flights from London to Penang in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: London (LHR) → Penang (PEN)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 13h 30m – 17h 30m (1 stop)
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €520 | high |
| February | €450 | medium |
| March | €340 | low |
| April | €360 | low |
| May | €380 | medium |
| June | €420 | medium |
| July | €540 | high |
| August | €560 | high |
| September | €340 | low |
| October | €330 | low |
| November | €320 | low |
| December | €580 | high |
Airlines on This Route
- AirAsia X (connecting): from €300 — Check AirAsia X for promotional fares from London Stansted (STN) via Kuala Lumpur; fares as low as €300 appear during quarterly sales
- Emirates (connecting): from €520 — Fly Dubai (Emirates subsidiary) for cheaper fares; book 6-8 weeks ahead for best rates; Tuesday-Wednesday departures typically €50-80 cheaper
- Qatar Airways (connecting): from €300 — Qatar often undercuts Emirates by €30-50 on this route; search via Doha (DOH) – connection time typically 2-4 hours
- Turkish Airlines (connecting): from €440 — Istanbul stopover can break up journey nicely; Turkish often has the best value for 20+ hour total travel time; check both IST and SAW airports
- Singapore Airlines (connecting): from €500 — Singapore Airlines premium economy offers good value if budget allows; their eco-friendly initiatives may appeal to conscious travelers
- Malaysia Airlines (connecting): from €460 — MH codeshares with British Airways; check their website separately as fares may differ from BA booking engine
Booking Strategy
For London to Penang flights, booking 6-8 weeks ahead yields the best prices, with Tuesday and Wednesday departures typically €40-100 cheaper than weekend flights. The cheapest travel window runs from March through May and September through November, when prices drop to €300-380 for economy. Avoid December-January (Christmas/New Year) and July-August (school holidays) when prices surge to €500-600+. For search, use Skyscanner’s ‘everywhere’ feature to compare across all airlines, then book directly with the carrier to avoid third-party fees. Malaysian visa: UK passport holders get 90 days visa-free. Consider mixing carriers – e.g., fly out with Emirates, return with Qatar – as round-trip deals aren’t always cheaper than two one-ways. Budget carriers like AirAsia X often have the lowest base fare but add significant costs for baggage, so calculate total price carefully.
Route Tips
- British Airways and Malaysia Airlines codeshare – check both for combined booking options that may offer better routing
- Penang’s airport is relatively small and efficient – immigration usually takes 15-25 minutes for UK passport holders
- Consider a stopover in Dubai, Doha, Istanbul or Kuala Lumpur – many airlines offer free or discounted stopovers
- Malaysia tourist visa: UK passport holders get 90 days visa-free on arrival – no advance application needed
- Book separate one-way tickets if dates are flexible – sometimes two one-ways are cheaper than a round-trip, especially with different carriers
- Download the Grab app before arrival – it’s the most reliable and affordable transport in Penang
- Check both London Heathrow (LHR) and Gatwick (LGW) departures – different airlines dominate each airport, affecting prices
- Flying into Penang (PEN) from London typically costs more than flying to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) then taking a domestic flight – factor in the €30-50 internal flight cost when comparing totals
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from London to Penang?
There are no direct flights from London to Penang. The shortest connecting routes take approximately 13h 30m, typically with Emirates via Dubai or Qatar Airways via Doha. Most routes range from 14-17 hours depending on your connection city and wait times. Turkish Airlines via Istanbul and Malaysia Airlines via Kuala Lumpur are common options, with total travel times of 15-18 hours. The longest routes can exceed 20 hours if you have extended layovers, so try to keep connections under 4 hours for comfort.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Penang?
Economy flights from London to Penang start from around €300 with budget carriers like AirAsia X during sale periods. Standard economy with full-service airlines ranges from €420-550 depending on season. The cheapest months are March, April, May, September, October and November when you can find fares between €320-400. Peak season (December, January, July, August) sees prices rise to €500-600+. Business class typically costs €1,800-3,000 depending on the airline and booking class.
Are there direct flights from London to Penang?
No, there are no direct flights from London to Penang. All flights require at least one stop, typically in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia), Dubai (Emirates), Doha (Qatar Airways), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), or Singapore (Singapore Airlines). The most popular routes are via Dubai and Doha, offering multiple daily departures from London Heathrow and Gatwick. For the shortest journey time, look for Emirates or Qatar Airways connections with minimal layover times.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Penang?
The cheapest months to fly from London to Penang are March, April, May, September, October and November, with average prices between €320-380. November often sees the lowest fares, sometimes dipping below €300 with budget carriers during promotional sales. These shoulder months offer pleasant weather in Penang (though expect some rain) and fewer tourists. The most expensive periods are December-January (Christmas/New Year peak) and July-August (European school holidays), when prices routinely exceed €500.
Which airlines fly from London to Penang?
Several airlines serve this route with connections: Emirates (via Dubai, from €520), Qatar Airways (via Doha, from €480), Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul, from €440), Malaysia Airlines (via Kuala Lumpur, from €460), Singapore Airlines (via Singapore, from €500), and budget carrier AirAsia X (via Kuala Lumpur, from €300). All full-service carriers include 30kg checked baggage in economy. AirAsia X is cheapest but charges extra for baggage. Qatar and Emirates offer the most daily departures from London.
What airport do I fly into in Penang?
You fly into Penang International Airport (PEN), located in Bayan Lepas on the island’s southeastern coast, about 30 minutes (16km) from Georgetown, Penang’s capital. Taxis to Georgetown cost around MYR 40-50 (€8-10) and take 25-40 minutes depending on traffic. Airport shuttle buses cost MYR 12 (€2.50) but are less frequent. Grab car services are widely available and cost approximately MYR 35-45. The airport has basic facilities including currency exchange, SIM card vendors, and small eateries.
How far in advance should I book London to Penang flights?
For London to Penang, book 6-8 weeks ahead for the best prices. This is typically when airlines release their discounted economy seats. For peak periods (Christmas, Chinese New Year, school holidays), book 10-12 weeks ahead as availability tightens. Last-minute bookings (within 2 weeks) rarely yield deals on this route – expect to pay premium prices. Setting price alerts 3 months before your target travel dates helps you act quickly when fares drop.
Is it cheaper to fly from London to Penang on weekdays?
Yes, flying midweek is significantly cheaper for London to Penang. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically €40-100 cheaper than Friday-Sunday flights. This pattern holds across all airlines, though the difference is most pronounced with budget carriers. If your schedule allows flexibility, shifting your outbound flight from Sunday to Monday or Tuesday can save substantial money. Return flights from Penang are generally cheaper midweek as well.
Data updated: 2026-03
