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Penang Island

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Getting there - Get Around - Attractions - Buy - Eat - Stay - Misc

Penang

Penang (Malay: Pulau Pinang) is one of the oldest city in Malaysia. Penang, also known as "The Pearl of the Orient", consists an Island (Penang Island) and a strip of land in the peninsular of Malaysia (Seberang Perai). Penang capital is Georgetown, called as Tanjung in Bahasa, located in the Penang Island.

There are many travel spots in Penang. Destinations of Historical Buildings, Beaches, Adventures, Natures, Foods and Shopping Malls can be found here. 

Dosmetic flights and some international air flights will arrive at Penang International Airport (PEN), which is located in Penang Island itself, about 20km from the city center.

Penang Bridge

• Taxi - Taxi Counter is located on the right hand side of the Penang International Airport arriving hall (PEN). Taxi plying the route follows the coupon system which fares between the airport and various destinations are fixed. Taxi fare ranges from RM20 to RM60 coverage the whole Penang Island. A 50% surcharge is applied during midnight (12am - 6am).

Most of the international air flights arrive at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), located about 360km from Penang Island. Budget airlines will be using the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) which located just beside KLIA, with only a few international lines available in Asia region.

From KLIA and LCCT, travelers can get to Penang by...

• Flight – Penang is easily accessible by air with daily flights from major airports in the country. Domestic flights depart from both KLIA and LCCT and arrive at Penang International Airport. Recommended!!
• Taxi – Traveling from KLIA or LCCT to Penang by taxi is very expensive. It is a 5 hours drive and may cost you a few hundred bucks. You may enter Kuala Lumpur city and take a bus from there. Buy coupons from Airport Limo counters for taxi to KL city.
• Bus – Penang is accessible from most of Malaysia cities by buses. There are buses leaving for Penang almost every 15 minutes from Pudu Station, Kuala Lumpur. No bus travel direct from KLIA to Penang.
• Train – Train departs from KL Sentral and arrives at Butterworth (mainland). However, train is not an encouraging option.

Bus will arrive at Komtar Bus Interchange or Sg Nibong Bus Interchange.

Get Around

• Taxi is a convenient transport in Penang. Charging rate of RM3 flag fare and RM0.10 for every 150m after the first 2km. Do insist on using the meter, or negotiate your price before hopping on the cab.

• Hire a car is a good choice for group travelers and families. There are good signboards in Penang Island. However, it is advisable to obtain a map to help you on identifying the destination and direction. Car rental is available at the arrival Hall of Penang International Airport.

Penang Ferry

• Hire a motorcycle is a good choice for budget traveling and backpackers. Motorcycle rental is available at Chulia Street in Georgetown and also Batu Ferringhi.
• Bus is not a convenient transport for traveling in Penang. Generally, public transport is not popular and it doesn’t have a good coverage in Penang. The local authority has taken the initiative to improve it by providing free shuttle buses; however it is limited to the city area only due to the lack of funding.
• Beca (Trishaw) is available in selected Georgetown area. Beca is good for city exploration and also short trip.

Interesting Places 

• 

  Batu Feringgi
  Batu Feringgi, the most popular beach in Penang, located along the north-west coastal of Penang Island. In line with the beach are beautiful hotels and resorts which equipped with spas and pools. Beach activities like watersports, horse-riding, sun bath, volin ball and parachute are very popular here.
• Pantai Keracut (Turtle Beach) is a virgin beach in Penang Island. There are only 2 ways to reach the beach; 90 minutes of jungle tracking or about 20 minutes via fishing boat. No major infrastructure is built here except the changing room and toilets. Pantai Keracut is the only landing beaches for green turtle on west coast of the peninsular and it is now under the National Reserved Forest and also the Marine National Park in Penang.

Fort Cornwallis

• Georgetown, a historical city which buildings before 2^nd World War are still well kept. You can take a walk on the streets to understand the local lifestyle and at the same time do some shopping on the local goods and souvenirs. Besides, you can take a beca to explore the city as well.

• Fort Cornwallis is one of the most interesting historical buildings in Georgetown which is now more than 400 years old. Fort Cornwallis walls are about 10 feet high, covering a chapel, prison cells, a harbour light and several old bronze cannons inside the fort.
• The Kuan Yin Temple (The Goddess of Mercy Temple) is a popular historical building in Georgetown. It was build 200 years ago by the Chinese settlers. The temple is featured with Chinese art carved stones on the pillars, walls and roof.
• 

  Kek Lok Si
  Kek Lok Si is claimed to be the largest Buddhist temple in South-East Asia. Its giant statue of Kuan Yin and the pagoda make it a must visit spot in Penang. Along the long staircase to the temple are the souvenir stalls.

• Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera) is probably the best place for Penang city view. Experience the unique cable train by the Penang Hill Railway, which will lift you up to the summit. Relax and enjoy the Georgetown and Penang Bridge scenery here!

• Jerejak Island is located at the south-east of Penang Island. It is a well reserved tropical island which is just located at the left side of the Penang Bridge. Jerejak Island was once used as the quarantine island for Tuberculosis patients and is now opened as a recreational resort.  

Shopping

• Penang Roadis probably the best place for bargain hunting in Penang. Besides, local souvenir and foods souvenir are also the popular items here.
• Lorong Kulit is famous with the flea market which held in the morning. It is a market where antiques, souvenirs, used household goods, and curios are sold. You may discover some unique and cheap items here. Price is on negotiating, so experience and enjoys the bargaining here!!

Penang is well known of delicious food in Malaysia. Malaysian famous foods like Penang Char Koay Teow, Penang Asam Laksa, Nasi Kandar, Pasembur, Penang Hock Kien Mee (Prawn Mee), Penang Koay Teow T’ng, Malay Mee Rebus and Penang Rojak (Malaysian Fruit Salad) can be found here. Penang food is served in small portion so that you can try more.

• Macalister Road is located near KOMTAR in Georgetown. There are many food courts along the road. Most of the food courts are non-halal here. Do insist to check with the stall before ordering.
• Gurney Drive (Persiaran Gurney) is another best place for food hopping in Penang. There are seafood restaurants, Thai restaurants, food courts and café here. Please note that the famous food stalls area has been moved out.

Golden Sands Resort Batu Feringgi

Staying in Penang is cheap, a 3-5 star hotel in the city can cost around RM100 per night during offpeak season. 

Try and experiencing the beach resorts especially Batu Feringgi with a little higher price. It is well worth of your money!

Budget travelers can find the best deals around Georgetown area, which can go as low as RM20 for a night stay. 

Miscellaneous

• Security - Penang can be considered a safe city.  Still visitors are advised to be careful of pick-pockets and snatch thieves.  Other than tourist destinations, walking around at night is not recommendable.

• Internet access - internet cafes are not too hard to find in Penang. However, most of the internet café is used as the network gaming center nowadays. If you are bringing your own mobile device, Starbucks offer wifi at almost all its chains in Kuala Lumpur.
• It's highly advisable to boil tab water before you drink.  Bottle water is available at most shops.

• Pharmacies is available at most shopping malls and busy streets.  Simple medications (like painkillers and antidiarrhea) can be obtained from 24-hours shops like 7-11.

• Toilets - the hygiene level of public toilets are generally poor, but mostly well maintained at tourist hotspots.  You will have better luck with toilets in shopping malls and hotels. 

• Some toilets charge a small token (20-50cents).  Bring your own toilet tissue paper.