Redang Island Airport: Does It Exist?

Redang Island, located in Malaysia, is a popular tourist destination known for its marine park, beautiful beaches, and pristine waters. While the island itself does not have a major airport, there are still a few ways to get there. In this article, we will explore the different options for getting to Redang Island, including air, road, and sea travel. We will also provide information on the nearest airports and how to get from there to the island. So, does Redang Island have an airport? Let's find out.

Redang Airport (RDN) exists, but it's unclear if it's on Redang Island

Redang Island, located in Malaysia, is a popular tourist destination known for its marine park, beautiful beaches, and pristine waters, ideal for diving enthusiasts. While some sources state that there is no airport on Redang Island itself, there is mention of Redang Airport (RDN/WMPR) in Kuala Nerus District, Terengganu, Malaysia. This airport was briefly closed in 2009 for runway expansion.

It is important to note that reaching Redang Island typically involves a combination of air, road, and sea travel. The nearest airport with domestic connections is Sultan Mahmud Shah Airport (TGG) in Kuala Terengganu, which is considered the gateway to Redang Island. From this airport, travellers can take public transport or a taxi to either Merang Jetty or Shahbandar Jetty, from where ferries depart for Redang Island. The ferry ride from Merang Jetty takes 45 minutes, while the ferry from Shahbandar Jetty takes two hours.

It is worth noting that there used to be a direct flight to Redang Island with Berjaya Air, but this service is no longer available. Currently, SKS Airways offers the only direct flight option to Redang Island, departing from Subang Airport in Kuala Lumpur. This flight operates twice a day outside the monsoon season and takes one hour and forty minutes. When direct flights to Redang Island are unavailable, flying to Kuala Terengganu Airport is the next best option.

In summary, while there is mention of Redang Airport (RDN), its exact location is unclear, and most sources indicate that travellers to Redang Island typically fly to Kuala Terengganu Airport and then continue their journey by road and sea.

Kuala Terengganu Sultan Mahmood Airport (TGG) serves Redang Island

Redang Island, located in Malaysia, is a popular island getaway known for its marine park, beautiful beaches, and pristine waters, perfect for diving enthusiasts. While there is an airport on Redang Island, most travellers opt for a combination of air, road, and sea travel to reach the island. The nearest airport to Redang Island with domestic connections is the Kuala Terengganu Sultan Mahmood Airport (TGG), also referred to as Sultan Mahmood or Sultan Mahmud Airport.

Kuala Terengganu Sultan Mahmood Airport serves as a convenient gateway to Redang Island. From the airport, travellers can easily connect to their final destination by taxi, bus, or ferry. The airport is located in Kuala Terengganu, which is about 451 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur and can be reached by road in approximately five hours. Kuala Terengganu offers direct flights from Kuala Lumpur, providing easy access for travellers departing from or connecting through Malaysia's capital.

Upon arrival at Kuala Terengganu Sultan Mahmood Airport, travellers can take a taxi or bus to Merang Jetty or Shahbandar Jetty. Merang Jetty is the closer option, located 30 kilometres away from the airport, while Shahbandar Jetty is situated in the heart of the city. Both jetties offer secure parking options for those who prefer to drive themselves. Regular public ferries depart from these jetties to Redang Island, with the ferry ride taking about 45 minutes from Merang and two hours from Shahbandar.

It is worth noting that there are no direct public boat services to Redang Island from the Perhentian Islands. Travellers coming from those islands would need to charter a boat, which can be costly. Additionally, there are limited roads on Redang Island itself, so once you arrive, you may need to use a water taxi to get to your resort. Nevertheless, with some planning and flexibility, travellers can easily navigate their way to Redang Island using the services provided by Kuala Terengganu Sultan Mahmood Airport and the subsequent ferry connections.

Getting to Redang Island involves air, road, and sea travel

Redang Island, located in Malaysia, is known for its marine park, beautiful beaches, and pristine waters, making it perfect for diving enthusiasts. Getting to Redang Island involves a combination of air, road, and sea travel.

Firstly, travellers will need to fly into Malaysia. There is an airport on Redang Island, with the IATA code RDN and ICAO code WMPR. However, it is small, and there are limited flight options. The only direct flight to Redang Island is with SKS Airways, which flies from Subang Airport in Kuala Lumpur and takes one hour and forty minutes. This flight only operates twice a day outside the monsoon season.

Alternatively, travellers can fly into Kuala Terengganu Sultan Mahmood Airport (TGG), also known as Sultan Mahmood or Sultan Mahmud Airport, which is the nearest airport to Redang Island with domestic connections. There are direct flights to Kuala Terengganu from Kuala Lumpur, or travellers can get a connecting flight from many other places. From Kuala Terengganu Airport, travellers can take a bus or taxi to one of the jetties, from which ferries depart for Redang Island.

The jetties are located at Merang or Shahbandar Jetty in Kuala Terengganu on the east coast of Malaysia. The ferry from Merang Jetty takes just 45 minutes, whereas the ferry from Shahbandar Jetty takes two hours. It is also possible to drive to the jetties and park there, with parking costing around RM10 per day.

Ferries to Redang Island depart from Merang or Shahbandar Jetty

Redang Island does have a small airport, but it does not have many incoming flights. Therefore, most visitors opt to fly into Kuala Terengganu Airport, which is the nearest airport to the island. From there, you have a few options to get to the island.

Public ferries also depart frequently from Merang Jetty, and tickets can be purchased directly at the designated counters. The public ferries to Pulau Redang are run by two companies: Al Ameen Boat Service and Vigourmarine Transtour. The SP Bumi Bus runs every hour from the Kuala Terengganu bus terminal to Merang Jetty and costs around RM10. A taxi to the jetty will cost around RM60, and the drive will take approximately 45 minutes. If you are driving, there is public parking on each side of the road leading to the jetty.

Ferries also depart from Shahbandar Jetty, which is about 20-30 minutes by road from Kuala Terengganu. There is only one public ferry that runs from Shahbandar Jetty to the Kampung (village) jetty in Redang. Tickets for the public ferry can be purchased at the jetty for MYR50 one-way for adults, and children pay half fare. Resorts that make use of the public ferry may include the ferry ticket as part of their package or may charge extra, so it is good to check with the resort before buying your tickets.

It is important to note that ferries from both jetties are subject to delays or cancellations due to rough seas and stormy weather. Additionally, during low season or when there is heavy siltation at the Merang river mouth, resorts that usually operate out of Merang may temporarily use Shahbandar Jetty instead. Therefore, it is essential to check with your resort for the latest information on ferry timings and departure points.

There are no direct public boats from Perhentian Islands to Redang Island

Redang Island does have a small airport, but it does not have any direct public boats from the Perhentian Islands. To get to Redang Island, you will need to take at least two different modes of transport. This is because there is no direct way to get to the island by plane, so you will need to take a ferry from the mainland.

Firstly, you can fly to Kuala Terengganu Airport, which is the closest airport to Redang Island. From there, you can take a bus or taxi to Merang or Shahbandar Jetty, from which you can catch a ferry to Redang Island. This is a straightforward option, and there are direct flights to Kuala Terengganu from Kuala Lumpur.

Alternatively, you can fly to Subang Airport in Kuala Lumpur, from which SKS Airways operates the only direct flight to Redang Island. This flight takes one hour and forty minutes and runs twice a day outside the monsoon season. However, there are not many roads on Redang Island, so you may need to get a water taxi to your resort.

There is also the option of taking a private boat from Perhentian Island to Redang Island. This takes around 45 minutes in normal weather conditions and is available from March to October. The price for this option is RM700 per boat per way, excluding the marine park fee.

Another option is to charter a boat from Redang Island to Perhentian Island, which will cost around RM1000 per way and takes one hour. During your stay at Redang Island, you can ask your resort operator to provide a ferry transfer to Syahbandar Jetty, from which you can take a bus to Kuala Besut Jetty and then a boat to Perhentian Island. This journey will take around four hours or more.

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