Pulau Perhentian to Penang via Kota Bharu - Flight

A few days before leaving Pulau Perhentian Islands, we decided to book our transport to Penang. We asked at our hotel reception about getting the bus but he told us that it was sold out Saturday and Sunday, with the next available bus Monday night. We asked the only other shops selling tickets on the beach and got the same reply. I think this was because it was the end of school holidays but book in advance to be safe!

With it costing too much to stay on the island any longer and limited availability on accomodation, we decided to fly. We had a look online and managed to book two tickets with Firefly. It cost 527.78RM and included 15kg of checked in luggage each.

The morning of our flight we left Pulau Perhentian Kecil at 8am and got the speedboat back to Kuala Besut. You have to pay 2RM to get a little boat out to the main speedboat. Another way to squeeze an extra couple of RM out of you!

Leaving Pulua Perhentian after a great week!

From Kuala Besut the airport is in Kota Bharu which is about an hours drive away. A taxi costs 75RM or a minibus is 25RM each. With no rush we opted for a minibus and waited. However after 45 minutes no one else turned up and the driver said he called us a taxi to take us. This was no problem and still only cost us 50RM.

Kota Bharu airport is basic and small but has more in it than Yangon's International Airport in Myanmar! We grabbed some food and then got our bags security checked and checked in. This was all a bit hectic!

After this you pass into the departure lounges and wait around, with plenty of seating and a couple of shops. We then waited for the passengers to depart the plane and walk past us to arrivals. We were running a little behind schedule and boarded the plane about 14.45 when we were meant to depart.

Loading up the plane

The plane itself was small and held about 80 people. The journey was great and only took 45 minutes, you also get given a free drink and snack.

Getting ready for take off!

From Penang airport we grabbed a taxi to Chinatown, Georgetown for 40RM.

4 out of 5