Visa Run To Penang

[kabal1234]

Hi, I want to know how many people have taken the Air Asia 7:25/10:05 to Penang and successfully lodged the visa application the same day. I've scoured the forum for posts on this, but only found conflicting reports.

Also, how many minutes by cab from the airport to the consulate?

Thanks

[Queers for Fears]

It's a coin flip in my experience

[bartender100]

I had been thinking of trying it,but to be on the safe side one overnight is needed,still better than the 3 you needed before.

[Wanraya]

I flew to Penang and back two weeks ago with Air Asia.

Both the outbound and inbound flights were delayed by at least an hour. I don't know if this is typical but an hours delay on the 10.05 flight would make it possible to submit the application prior to the 12pm deadline.

I applied for my visa through an agent Rami Sharva travel, 46 Leith Street Penang 04-2632145 [email protected].

I submitted my application at 9am and received my visa at 3pm the following day.

I asked him if it was possible to submit and receive my visa the same day if I was willing to pay an extra fee. He said it was possible with ?????? airline (I forget the name) but not with Air Asia. (maybe someone can confirm or contradict this - it's just what he told me)

If you are going with Air Asia leave on the late afternoon flight from BKK and spend 2 nights in Penang to be on the safe side.

Edited January 24, 2005 by Wanraya

[Wanraya]

Oops - the above post should read an hours delay would make it im possible to submit the documents prior to the 12pm deadline.

[aaaaaa]

can anyone provide a contact address of Air Asia in Bkk ? on their web site I only found phone number 02-5159999

[redwood13]

can anyone provide a contact address of Air Asia in Bkk ? on their web site I only found phone number 02-5159999

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Found this address at: http://tinyurl.com/3o8pt Scroll to bottom of page for Low Cost Airlines in Thailand.

Address: 3300/98-99 18th Floor Block B Elephant Tower Phaholyothin Road, Ladyao Chatuchak Bangkok 10900 Thailand

Tel: +66 (0) 2515 9999 (open from 8am to 9pm - Monday to Sunday)

Website: www.airasia.com

-redwood

[chingy_]

been talk about it many time...if you have guts than flip the coin, other wise spend some night there would do you good. just remember Air Asia is none refund or unable to re-schedule, take a pick.

[bendejo]

If nothing else, Penang is a break from Thai food for a few days.

When planning, try to find out if there are any Malaysia or ethnic holidays imminent. Eg, Chinese New Year was not an official holiday but the embassies were closed nonetheless. If I were a day later in applying for my Indonesian visa I could have had to sit out the week!

[bartender100]

Did a run last week,but made it a 2 night trip,the return flight was delayed well over an hour.

One point is,now the taxi from the airport to Georgetown is 38 ringget,thats the official price,but going back to the airport was the usual 26.So my advice is dont use the airport taxi, go to the departure drop of point as you would in Bangkok,and find a taxi that has just brought someone to the airport.

[rainman]

I did two months ago and still had exactly one hour left to submit the application when i arrived at the embassy. Unless the plane is delayed a lot, it should be no problem.

[MickeyC]

Hi,

I just came back from Penang after getting a Non O. I did take the 7:25 Air Asia flight and landed at about 10:30. I got to the embassy at 11:00 (an hour to spare). So it definitely can be done if the flight isn't too late. In case it is, have a few phone numbers of visa agents in Penang handy. Some places can do it in one day (maybe NJ Books) but it's expensive.

By the way, make sure you have 200 Ringgit for the visa. You can get it at Don Muang Airport, BKK.

Good Luck!

[lopburi3]

If nothing else, Penang is a break from Thai food for a few days.

When planning, try to find out if there are any Malaysia or ethnic holidays imminent. Eg, Chinese New Year was not an official holiday but the embassies were closed nonetheless. If I were a day later in applying for my Indonesian visa I could have had to sit out the week!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

GAZETTED PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN MALAYSIA FOR YEAR 2005

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS Hari Kelepasan (Cuti) Am Persekutuan SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2005

Eid Al-Adha * 21 Jan Fri

Chinese New Year  09 & 10 Feb Wed & Thu

Awal Muharram (Maal Hajirah) 10 Feb Thu

Prophet Muhammad's Birthday 21 April Thu

Workers' Day (Labour Day) 01 May Sun 

Wesak Day  22 May Sun

Birthday of SPB Yang di-Pertuan Agong 04 Jun Sat

National Day  31 Aug Tue

Deepavali * 01 Nov Tue (expect Sarawak & Federal Territory of Labuan)

Hari Raya Puasa * 03 & 04 Nov Thu & Fri

Christmas Day 25 Dec Sun

[thaiflyer1]

By the way, make sure you have 200 Ringgit for the visa. You can get it at Don Muang Airport, BKK.

What visa?............i know for UK citizens visa's are not neccessary for a visit to Malaysia.

[lopburi3]

By the way, make sure you have 200 Ringgit for the visa. You can get it at Don Muang Airport, BKK.

What visa?............i know for UK citizens visa's are not neccessary for a visit to Malaysia.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Perhaps the Thai visa that the trip is all about?

[thaiflyer1]

By the way, make sure you have 200 Ringgit for the visa. You can get it at Don Muang Airport, BKK.

What visa?............i know for UK citizens visa's are not neccessary for a visit to Malaysia.

Perhaps the Thai visa that the trip is all about?

If you could get it at Don Muang the trip wouldnt be neccessary.

[lopburi3]

By the way, make sure you have 200 Ringgit for the visa. You can get it at Don Muang Airport, BKK.

What visa?............i know for UK citizens visa's are not neccessary for a visit to Malaysia.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Perhaps the Thai visa that the trip is all about?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you could get it at Don Muang the trip wouldnt be neccessary.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You get the Ringgit at Don Muang so you have it to pay at the Royal Thai Consulate in Penang as they do not accept Baht and you are tight on time.

[The Coder]

My record is 2-0 at making the window by noon taking that flight. However, I have decided to never do it again. I've come to the conclusion it is just stupid to get up at such an ungodly hour in the morning and then have to worry about making every connnection the whole way, weighing backup plans, and then being shot the rest of the day. I figure why not fly in late the night before. Have some drinks at a bar or two and sleep late in Penang. You can get a nice Hotel for 1000 baht so cost really isn't an issue. Just a matter of do you want to sleep in at Penang or get up really early in BKK.

What I really wish for is an earlier flight returning to BKK. You pick up your visa at 2pm and then have over 8 hours after mission accomplished just wanting to get back and I've found it hard to fill in that much time.

[thaiflyer1]

By the way, make sure you have 200 Ringgit for the visa. You can get it at Don Muang Airport, BKK.

What visa?............i know for UK citizens visa's are not neccessary for a visit to Malaysia.

Perhaps the Thai visa that the trip is all about?

If you could get it at Don Muang the trip wouldnt be neccessary.

You get the Ringgit at Don Muang so you have it to pay at the Royal Thai Consulate in Penang as they do not accept Baht and you are tight on time.

The coins just dropped Lop............it was how i was reading it.

[Firefan]

Ok you Penang experts; did any of you obtain the famous 6 month validity 3 entry tourist visa (which one can make to cover 9 months in total in Thailand with 2 visa runs). Cheers!

[The Coder]

Ok you Penang experts; did any of you obtain the famous 6 month validity 3 entry tourist visa (which one can make to cover 9 months in total in Thailand with 2 visa runs). Cheers!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, just this month.

And by the way, someone mentioned changing money for Malaysian currency at the BKK airport to shortcut some time. I tried this once and it did not work because the banks with Malaysian currency do not open until after the early morning flight leaves.

[MickeyC]

By the way, make sure you have 200 Ringgit for the visa. You can get it at Don Muang Airport, BKK.

What visa?............i know for UK citizens visa's are not neccessary for a visit to Malaysia.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

that's 200 Ringgit for the THAI VISA at the Thai Consulate. most nationalities (including UK) get 90 days on entry to malaysia so don't worry about that.

[thaiflyer1]

By the way, make sure you have 200 Ringgit for the visa. You can get it at Don Muang Airport, BKK.

What visa?............i know for UK citizens visa's are not neccessary for a visit to Malaysia.

Perhaps the Thai visa that the trip is all about?

If you could get it at Don Muang the trip wouldnt be neccessary.

You get the Ringgit at Don Muang so you have it to pay at the Royal Thai Consulate in Penang as they do not accept Baht and you are tight on time.

The coins just dropped Lop............it was how i was reading it.

[camble]

Is there anything to do in Penang? I've been going to Singapore for a tourist visa, and am curious about other options. For Singapore, you can book AirAsia (or much better JetStarAsia) for about 3300 RT and catch the subway direct from the airport. The Royal Thai Embassy is conveniently located in the shopping district, hotels there are much higher than 1000 baht but there's lots to do while waiting for your visa. However, it is possible to get a hotel for about 1000 in another area of the city. I tried asking for multiple entry tourist visa, but they told me they only do singles. Submit between 9:30 and noon, pick up the next day after 2:30.

With AirAsia's terrible on-time record, I'd be hesitant to do Penang without staying overnight.

[COBBER]

Is there anything to do in Penang?  I've been going to Singapore for a tourist visa, and am curious about other options.  For Singapore, you can book AirAsia (or much better JetStarAsia) for about 3300 RT and catch the subway direct from the airport.  The Royal Thai Embassy is conveniently located in the shopping district, hotels there are much higher than 1000 baht but there's lots to do while waiting for your visa.  However, it is possible to get a hotel for about 1000 in another area of the city. I tried asking for multiple entry tourist visa, but they told me they only do singles.  Submit between 9:30 and noon, pick up the next day after 2:30.

With AirAsia's terrible on-time record, I'd be hesitant to do Penang without staying overnight.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You could try the Geylang area of Singapore. Last time i stayed there rooms were around S$ 40.