Things to Know Before Visiting Penang 🇲🇾
If Malaysia had a flavour, it’d be Penang — spicy, colourful, a bit chaotic, and absolutely addictive. From George Town’s street art and hawker stalls to beaches that make you forget what day it is, Penang has a way of stealing both your time and your heart. We came for the food… and stayed for, well, the food.
Where Is It?
Penang sits on the northwest coast of Malaysia, right where the mainland meets the Andaman Sea. It’s technically an island (linked by two bridges), part of Malaysia, and belongs firmly in the region known for tropical heat, night markets, and legendary street food.
How to Get There & Get Around
Most travellers fly straight into Penang International Airport (PEN) — just south of George Town. You can also arrive in Butterworth via train from other Malaysian cities, and then take the scenic ferry crossing to Penang. We took the latter option, taking the railway from Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth and changing to the ferry for the last short stretch — an easy, affordable and scenic journey.
Once you arrive, there are plenty of transport options depending on your abilities (and mood!):
🦵Walking is easy — just carry water and a bit of patience for the humidity.
🚘 Grab (Southeast Asia’s Uber) — cheap, safe and reliable. Yes, taxis are also available.
🚌 CAT buses offer free loops through the heritage zone.
🛵 For those who are confident, you can hire a scooter and zoom around the island to your heart’s content.
Seasons & Best Time to Go
Penang’s climate is tropical, meaning it’s either “hot and sticky” or “hot and sticky with rain.” We visited in February, the middle of the dry season, aka the “hot and sticky” season.
Dry Season: December to April – sunny skies and perfect beach weather.
Wet Season: May to November – daily showers, but still plenty to enjoy.
☀️ Best for weather: January to March.
💰 Best for budget: May to September.
How Long to Stay
We stayed for four days, and it was the perfect amount of time to explore the heritage zone and sneak in a day at the beach. Penang also makes an excellent base for a detour to Ipoh on your way back to Kuala Lumpur.
Best Area to Stay
We found Penang to have great value for accommodation. You can stay in a fancy boutique hotel or a local guesthouse — it all depends on how far you want to stretch (or tighten) your accommodation budget. Here are two of the most popular areas to stay:
George Town: the island’s historical centre and cultural soul. You’ll be within walking distance of cafes, murals, and street food stalls.
Batu Ferringhi: about 20-30 minutes from the heritage zone, and more resort style — think beachfront stays and sunset cocktails.
We based ourselves in George Town to be close to the action. For first-timers, we recommend you base yourself there too as it's conveniently close to the main attractions, and offers plenty of dining options.
What to Do
Penang’s got a bit of everything — food, art, history, beaches, and a side of chaos. Here are some highlights:
Eat everything – start at Chulia Street Night Market for satay, char kway teow, and cendol. Then dive into Gurney Drive Hawker Centre for laksa and fried oyster omelette.
Explore Street Art – wander George Town’s alleyways for Ernest Zacharevic’s murals (half the fun is trying to spot them).
Visit Kek Lok Si Temple – one of Southeast Asia’s largest Buddhist temples, perched high above Air Itam.
Take the funicular up Penang Hill – the views stretch for miles, and the air’s blissfully cooler at the top.
Relax at Batu Ferringhi Beach – order a mocktail, dig your toes in the sand, and pretend you’re not already thinking about dinner.
Useful Tips
💬 Three words to learn: Apa khabar = hello || Selamat pagi = good morning || Terima kasih = thank you
💳 Money: Penang is card-friendly, but street vendors and night markets prefer cash (Malaysian Ringgit).
📱 eSIM: Saily offers great, reliable eSIM plans.
💡 Bonus tip: Wear comfy shoes — George Town’s pavements are an obstacle course of potholes.
Our Real Costs
($AUD Based on two people over 4 days —2025)
🚅 Getting there: $70 (one-way from KL)
🏠 Accommodation: $107 per night (centrally located hotel)
🍜 Food: $31 per day
🚇 Transport: $8 total
🎟️ Activities: $25 total (most sights are free or cheap)
📱 Data: $6 total (eSIM)
Our Thoughts
Penang feels like one of those rare places that still holds onto its character despite the crowds. Every alley smells like something good, every street tells a story, and every meal feels like it could be the best one you’ve ever had.
We left Penang with full bellies, an extra kilo each, and plans to go back. Probably hungry again.