What to expect when visiting Penang
Penang is a cultural melting pot on the northwest coast of Malaysia. For such a small island, it has so much to offer — vibrant culture, colourful heritage, amazing food, urban wonders, and untouched rainforest.
At its heart is George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a city rich in history. Famous for its street art, you can easily spend hours exploring its alleys. Sure, the island can be touristy. Yet somehow, it is able to maintain a laidback vibe and a charm that you can only find in Penang.
3 ways to get from Krabi to Penang
There are three ways to travel the distance of 490 km (304 miles) from Krabi to Penang: by minivan (11 hours), flight (2 hours 40 minutes) and indirect minivan via Hat Yai (8h 45m - 9h 30m). The journey takes between 2h 40m - 11h and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from 870 THB ($24) for the indirect minivan via hat yai.Krabi to Penang by Indirect Minivan via Hat Yai
Ten hours straight on the road too long for you? There is also an option to divide your minivan ride from Krabi to Penang with a stopover at Hat Yai. If you take this route, you’ll have 1.5 to 2 hours in Hat Yai to stretch your legs and eat lunch.
Step 1: Krabi to Hat Yai by Minivan
My Son Krabi Tours offers 2 daily minivan trips from Krabi to Hat Yai. They operate on the following schedules:
They offer free pick-up from any hotel in the resort town of Ao Nang. If you’re staying somewhere else, it’s best to contact the operator beforehand to know where you can board the van.
A ticket costs 400 THB ($10.90) when you book online with BusOnlineTicket. The journey takes 4 hours and the minivan parks at Hat Yai Bus Terminal, located 3 km south of the city centre.
Step 2: Hat Yai to Penang by Minivan
From Hat Yai Bus Terminal, you’ll have to take a 10-minute taxi or songthaew to the city centre. KST Travel and Nominatee Tour depart from their respective offices in the city, while Adang Sea Tour offers free pick-up from the centre.
Travel time from Hat Yai to Penang is around 4h 45m - 5h 30m. You can easily book your ticket online via BookAway, with fares from 470 THB ($12.80).
Nominatee Tour and Adang Sea Tour drop off passengers at Komtar Bus Terminal, which is within walking distance to most hotels in George Town. If you want to be dropped off at your hotel in the city centre, book with KST Travel.
For more info, check out our page from Hat Yai to Penang.
Customs & Immigration
Around 1.5 hours into your journey from Hat Yai to Penang, your minivan will stop at Danok Sadao in Songkhla Province for Thai immigration & customs. And then, they will take you across the border before stopping again at Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah for Malaysian immigration & customs.
Drive-through immigration booths are available on both sides of the border, so the procedures are quite simple. However, you will still have to get off the minivan for a customs check!
Krabi to Penang by Minivan
Although it takes 11 hours to travel by land from Krabi to Penang, we think the minivan is still a good choice. It picks you up from your hotel in Krabi and takes you straight to George Town in Penang. And it only costs 1,000 THB ($27), more than half the price of taking an indirect flight!
Bai Ngoen Krabi Tour offers only 2 trips daily, so we recommend you book online on BookAway to secure a seat.
Minivan schedule from Krabi to Penang
The minivans park at Komtar Terminal, which is within walking distance from most hotels in George Town.
Customs & Immigration
Around 5 hours into your minivan journey from Krabi to Penang, you will arrive at the Danok Sadao-Bukit Kayu Hitam border. Located between Thailand’s Songkhla Province and Malaysia’s Kedah state, this is the two country’s busiest land border.
This isn’t as complicated as other borders in Southeast Asia, though. Immigration offices on both sides of the border have drive-through lanes, although you might still have to get off the minivan with your luggage for customs.
Krabi to Penang by Flight
There are no direct flights from Krabi to Penang, but you can book an indirect flight that makes a stopover in Kuala Lumpur. The fastest indirect flight takes around 5 to 6 hours.
Although it seems like you are able to save 4 to 5 hours compared to taking the minivan, keep in mind 2 things: you still have to add the travel time to and from the airports, and you have to be at Krabi Airport at least 2 hours before your flight.
When you add all that up, you don’t really get to save a lot of time when taking the flight and you have to pay double or triple the minivan rate! Still want to take an indirect flight from Krabi to Penang? Below is a step-by-step guide:
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: Krabi City Centre to Krabi Airport by Minibus or Taxi
If you’re coming from Krabi city centre, we recommend taking a taxi to reach the airport. It takes only 25 minutes to cover the 15 km distance. You can hail one from the street or book online beforehand via Klook. Rates start at 470 THB ($12.80) for a 3-seater car.
If you’re coming from other areas like Ao Nang and Ao Nam Mao Pier, you have the option to book a cheaper shared minivan. A ticket costs only 250 THB ($6.80) when you book a ride via 12go.Asia. Take note that travel time with the minivan is 1 hour 30 minutes.
Krabi Airport Shuttle operates on the following schedules:
Step 2: Krabi Airport to Penang Airport
The length of the fastest indirect flight from Krabi to Penang varies every day. Normally though, it takes around 5hrs 40m.
Air Asia often offers the cheapest flight from 2,070 THB ($56). Try to book early as fares can be more expensive as the travel date gets closer.
Step 3: Penang Airport to George Town
Penang Airport is located 18 km south of Penang city centre, George Town.
To complete the final step of reaching your hotel, you have two options: take a 30-minute taxi or the 1-hour bus. Rates start from 30 MYR ($6.30) and 3 MYR ($0.60), respectively. There are several bus lines available from Penang Airport to George Town, so make sure you board one that stops near your hotel.
Frequently Asked Questions about Krabi to Penang
What is the distance from Krabi to Penang?
The distance from Krabi to Penang is 490 km (304 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Krabi to Penang?
The fastest way to get from Krabi to Penang is by flight and takes 2 hours 40 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Krabi to Penang?
The cheapest way to get from Krabi to Penang is by indirect minivan via hat yai with ticket costs starting from 870 THB ($24).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Krabi to Penang. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Kate is a writer, (ex)Management Consultant and avid traveller. She recently returned from a 2-year career break exploring the world and decided corporate life wasn’t for her. She’ll soon be testing life as a digital nomad. She’s visited over 40 countries and fell in love with Latin America in particular. Her travelling has inspired a passion for yoga, salsa, hiking and Spanish.
