There is no non-stop flight from London to Penang, so every itinerary connects at least once — most smoothly through Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, and often more cheaply via a Gulf hub. This guide covers the realistic routings, what a fair return fare looks like in pounds, and when to book to keep the cost down on this long Southeast Asian run.
Route: London (LHR / LGW) → Penang International (PEN)
Distance: approximately 10,700 km (6,650 miles)
Typical journey time: about 16–19 hours with one stop
Direct flights: No — there are no non-stop London–Penang flights. The quickest one-stop routings go via Singapore (Singapore Airlines) or Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia Airlines); Gulf carriers via Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi are usually cheaper.
Fares from London to Penang (GBP)
Penang is a year-round destination, but fares track the Malaysian holiday calendar and the European winter-sun demand. The priciest weeks are December–January and the July–August school holidays; the cheapest fares turn up in the shoulder months of April–May and September–October. The figures below are typical economy return fares in pounds — the lowest almost always come from a single Gulf stop.
| Month | Typical return (economy) | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | £620 – £820 | high |
| February | £560 – £740 | medium-high |
| March | £540 – £700 | medium |
| April | £510 – £660 | low-medium |
| May | £520 – £680 | low-medium |
| June | £560 – £720 | medium |
| July | £620 – £820 | high (school holidays) |
| August | £620 – £820 | high |
| September | £510 – £660 | low |
| October | £520 – £680 | low-medium |
| November | £560 – £720 | medium |
| December | £700 – £980 | very high (holidays) |
Reference points from our own deal tracking (London–Penang): a genuinely good return lands around £470–£520, a typical fair price is roughly £620, and everyday fares often sit in the £700–£850 band. Anything under about £540 is worth booking quickly.
Airlines on this route
Every option connects once. The Southeast Asian hub carriers give the fastest, most seamless connection:
- Singapore Airlines via Singapore — the quickest routing, with a short onward hop to Penang and a consistently excellent hard product.
- Malaysia Airlines via Kuala Lumpur — the national carrier, frequent onward shuttles to Penang and often the simplest single-airline booking.
The Gulf and other carriers usually undercut them on price for a slightly longer trip:
- Emirates via Dubai and Qatar Airways via Doha — frequent, strong economy, typically among the lowest fares.
- Etihad via Abu Dhabi — another comfortable Gulf routing to Penang.
- Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong and Thai Airways via Bangkok — good alternatives, sometimes cheaper in a sale.
Because the one-stop carriers compete hard, a Gulf connection often undercuts the Singapore or KL routings by £50–£150. If time matters most, fly via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur; if price is the priority, a single stop through Dubai or Doha is the sweet spot.
When to book & how to save
- Book 2–4 months ahead for the best balance of price and choice; long-haul fares to Penang rarely improve in the final few weeks.
- Avoid the peaks if you can: the Christmas/New Year window and the July–August school holidays are the busiest and most expensive.
- Travel in the shoulder months (April–May, September–October) for the lowest fares and pleasant, if humid, weather.
- Be flexible on the London airport — Heathrow has the widest choice of one-stops, but a Gatwick departure sometimes prices lower.
- Check checked-bag rules: full-service and Gulf carriers usually include 25–30 kg to Penang, but the cheapest “light” fares may not — compare the all-in price with a bag added.
Arriving in Penang
All flights land at Penang International (PEN) at Bayan Lepas, on the south-east of the island about 16 km from George Town. There is no train, so the usual options are a Rapid Penang public bus (routes 401E/102 into town, well under £1) or a metered taxi or ride-hailing car from the rank, which runs roughly £6–£10 to central George Town and takes 25–40 minutes depending on traffic. Buy a prepaid taxi coupon at the desk if you’d rather fix the fare before you set off.
Frequently asked questions
Are there direct flights from London to Penang?
No. There are currently no non-stop flights between London and Penang. Every itinerary connects at least once — the quickest routings go via Singapore (Singapore Airlines) or Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia Airlines), while a single stop through Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi with a Gulf carrier is usually the cheapest.
How long is the flight from London to Penang?
With one stop the total journey typically takes 16 to 19 hours, depending on the hub and layover length. A tight connection via Singapore is around 16–17 hours gate to gate; Gulf routings via Dubai or Doha are usually a little longer.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Penang?
A typical economy return runs about £520–£850 depending on the season. The best one-stop deals dip to around £470–£520, usually in the shoulder months, while the December holidays and summer school break push fares toward £900 or more.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Penang?
April, May and September are usually the cheapest, with returns from around £510. Avoid December, early January and the July–August school holidays, which are the busiest and most expensive.
Which airlines fly from London to Penang?
No airline flies non-stop. Via Asia: Singapore Airlines (Singapore) and Malaysia Airlines (Kuala Lumpur). Via the Gulf: Emirates (Dubai), Qatar Airways (Doha) and Etihad (Abu Dhabi). Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong) and Thai Airways (Bangkok) also connect and are worth checking in a sale.
Which airport do I fly into in Penang?
You arrive at Penang International (PEN) at Bayan Lepas, on the south-east of Penang Island about 16 km from George Town. It’s the island’s only airport and handles both the international connections and domestic shuttles from Kuala Lumpur.
How far in advance should I book London to Penang flights?
Aim to book 2 to 4 months ahead. Long-haul fares to Penang tend to rise as departure approaches, especially around the year-end holidays and the summer school break, so early booking almost always wins on this route.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Often, yes — midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) are usually a little cheaper than Friday–Sunday, and flying out and back on weekdays can save £40–£90 on a long-haul return. Being flexible by a day or two is one of the easiest ways to trim the fare.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
