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An action packed adventurous 7 day itinerary for Penang including trekking, beaches, amazing food and culture
If you are planning a trip to Penang here is THE BEST one week itinerary for Penang 2026. Up to date, fresh and accurate information including all of the best MUST NOT MISS attractions.
Penang is a beautiful island off the west coast of peninsular Malaysia. Whether you want beaches, wildlife, jungle trekking, city exploration, temples or amazing street food, Penang has it all.
We are experienced travelers who have lived in Penang and we have expert travel information on the best attractions and local secrets that Penang has to offer. In this itinerary for Penang we help you get to grips with all of the best things to do in Penang and guide you through your trip step by step. We love to equip other travellers to have epic adventures.
Penang deserves its reputation for its amazing food, its beautiful fusion of cultures and excellent natural scenery. There really are so many amazing things to do in Penang. Penang has many of the exciting attractions of a tropic island, combined with the convenience and comfort of a well developed island. Penang is very well connected. It is linked to the mainland by a couple of long road bridges. You can also take a ferry to Langkawi from Penang. Penang also has an airport offering domestic and international connections.
SHORT OF TIME? Don’t miss our 3 day Penang Itinerary
What is the best area to stay in Penang? Don’t miss our guide on THE BEST areas to stay in Penang
How to use this itinerary for Penang
All of the activities in this itinerary for Penang are based on Penang island (Pulau Pinang). This itinerary is ideal for anyone staying in either GeorgeTown or Batu ferringhi. Several days require travel round the island and you will need to do a little travel wherever you are staying. If you are on a budget this can be done by bus. If you want convenience there are plenty of taxis in Penang. Alternatively consider car rental for convenience.
This itinerary for Penang is very adaptable: It is easy to switch around the days and do things in a different order. There are also several more active trekking days which could be substituted for time relaxing by the pool with a drink. We have recommended a one week itinerary as we think this is the optimum amount of time to enjoy most of the epic activities and attractions that Penang has to offer. If you have more time, you could easily slow the pace.
Pushed for time? We also have a 3 day itinerary for Penang too [COMING SOON]
Map of your one week itinerary for Penang
Here is an interactive map of the ONE WEEK itinerary for Penang. Click on the pins for more details…
One week itinerary for Penang overview
Day 1 George town walking tour and Newlane Hawkers
Day 2 Kek Lok Si Temple, Air Itam and Penang hill for sunset
Day 3 Entopia, Teluk Bahang Forest Eco Park and Batu Ferringhi night market
Day 4 Botanical gardens and Penang hill secret rest station
Day 5 National park trek to turtle beach
Day 6 Morning market, the Tropical Spice Gardens and the Tropical Fruit Farm
Day 7 Escape Theme Park and Waterpark
Note: before you plan your trip be aware that some venues may be closed on public holidays. There are many public holidays in Malaysia so plan carefully. Escape Theme Park and Waterpark (Day 7 of this itinerary) is closed on Mondays.
One week itinerary for Penang – The BEST places to stay
This itinerary for Penang is mostly focussed on the north of the island where there are more attractions. Georgetown and Batu Ferringhi are the best places to stay if you are following this itinerary for Penang.
We have selected a range of great accommodation options in Penang. We have tried to include something for everyone. We spend loads of time researching to make sure we find the best places to stay.
It’s a bit cheeky but if you plan to stay in any of these recommended hotels, please could you use our links to book them as we get a little commission at no extra cost to you (it’s the big boys at booking.com that take the hit, not you or us) This helps keep us on and our family on the road writing blogs to help you adventure!
| Accommodation | Description | Rough price per night | Reviews on booking.com |
| The Hard Rock Hotel Batu Ferringhi | BEST for family and fun vibes. Great family suite. Love the pool access rooms too. The Hard Rock are on Agoda and booking.com. | £60 – £150 | 8.7 |
| The Ascott Gurney | Best studio style apartments with kitchenette. Find the Ascott Gurney on Agoda and booking.com. | £80 – £150 | 8.8 |
| The Prestige Georgetown | Best new stylish Georgetown hotel – GREAT value for money. The Prestige are also on Agoda and booking.com | £80 – £150 | 9.0 |
| The Angsana Teluk Bahang | Best hotel in Teluk Bahang. New and very well designed. Quiet and beautiful location. You can find the Angsana on Agoda and booking.com | £110 – £550 | 8.6 |
| The Shangri-La Rasa Sayang | Best for 5 star luxury and decadence in a serene, tranquil paradise. Find the Shangri-La on Agoda and booking.com. | £110 – £550 | 8.6 |
| Rasa Motel Penang | Best for budget travellers. Excellent location in Batu Ferringhi. Book the Rasa motel on Agoda or booking.com | £15 – £25 | 9.0 |
TRAVELLING WITH KIDS? Don’t miss our guide on THE BEST Penang Family Hotels
LOOKING FOR A SPLASH OF LUXURY? Check out THE BEST 5 star hotels in Penang
LOOKING FOR SOME CULTURE? Don’t miss these amazing Georgetown Heritage Hotels
What are prices like in Penang?
This itinerary for Penang should be relatively cheap as Penang is relatively cheap as a travel destination.
Activities tend to be relatively cheap in Malaysia. Be aware that many places in Malaysia implement a dual pricing system – so it will be cheaper for Malaysians than foreign visitors. This can make some travellers feel frustrated or discriminated against. The best way to avoid disappointment is to be aware of this culture and recognise that activities, accommodation and food are generally much cheaper in Malaysia and so you are likely to save money on your trip overall.
Penang is generally a very cheap location for an amazing family holiday. Here are some example of prices in Penang to help you plan and budget for your Penang trip:
- Street food is generally very cheap. Most dishes range from RM 5 – RM 15 depending on the size of the dish and the ingredients. Drinks are also generally relatively cheap. If you are at a hawker centre or restaurant you can generally buy drinks for RM 1 – RM 3.
- Western food is more expensive than local food, but will still probably be cheaper than western food in western countries. You can generally find nice western dishes ranging from RM 25 – RM 60 depending on the restaurant and the dish.
- Accommodation is much cheaper than many western countries. However, accommodation in Malaysia is a little more expensive than other southeast asian countries (such as Thailand and Cambodia). Cheap rooms in hostels (fan not A.C.) start at around RM40. Most mid-range rooms (air conditioning) cost around RM 100 – RM 150.
- Penang is connected by a good local bus system and you will generally pay less than RM 5 even for long journeys.
- The best way to get taxis is Malaysia is to use the Grab App. Journeys around Penang normally cost between RM5 for short local journeys up to RM60 to get across the island.
- Long distance buses are also very cheap and comfortable in Malaysia. For example, it typically costs around RM 40 to travel from Penang to Kuala Lumpur (around 360km and 5-6 hours)
- Alcohol tends to be less available and expensive relative to local prices in Malaysia due to high taxation. Having said that, you can often find bars in hotels, cities and tourist hotspots.
One week itinerary for Penang BUDGET tips
Here are a few budget tips to help you save money in the itinerary for Penang…
- If you are really travelling on a budget be prepared to share a room where possible. Contact your accommodation in advance to check if there will be any additional charges for having a child staying in your room.
- Eat street food rather than western food. The street food in Penang is cheap, delicious and readily available. You can try Indian, Chinese and Malay food in most towns. We have tried to recommend some great places to eat in this itinerary for Penang
- It is not normal to barter for food and drinks. However we do recommend that you barter at the night market. You can also try bartering for accommodation if you are on a serious budget. You can barter for taxis, however many drivers in Penang use a taxi meter.
- It is possible to do this itinerary for Penang by public transport. We have given all of the public transport details in the main itinerary.
How much will this itinerary for Penang cost?
We estimate that this itinerary for Penang is likely to cost around £200 – £600 depending on how much of a budget you are on.
The following overview should give you a rough idea of how much it will cost to follow this ONE WEEK itinerary for Penang. These prices do not include visa costs or transport costs to and from Penang.
| Total cost for LOW budget | Total cost MID budget | |
| Accommodation | £70 RM350 for the week at RM 50 per night for budget hostel room | £200 RM1,000 for the week at around RM 150 per night for nice room |
| Food and drinks | £70 RM350 in total at RM 50 per day local food | £100 RM525 in total at RM75 per day local and some western food |
| Activities | £80 RM400 Book early, don’t do extras | £100 RM 1,300 tickets on arrival and take some optional extras |
| Transport | £20 RM100 Mostly buses with occasional taxis | £60 RM300 some buses and taxis |
| TOTAL | £240 RM1,200 | £600 RM3,000 |
What activities do you need to pre-book in this itinerary for Penang?
You do not need to pre-book any of the activities on this itinerary unless you wish to arrange tours for a larger group or you wish to arrange a private tour.
We do recommend pre-booking the ESCAPE Theme Park and Waterpark because the prices increase closer to the date of visit. If you pre-book the Furnicular Railway, you can buy fast lane tickets to reduce waiting time.
Here is a summary of the activities that you can pre-book online in advance for this itinerary:
| Day | Activity | Price per person | Website |
| Day 1 | Blue Mansion | Adult RM25 Children RM12 | https://www.cheongfatttzemansion.com/ |
| Day 2 | Penang Hill funicular railway | Adults RM 30 Children RM 15 | http://www.penanghill.gov.my/ |
| Day 2 | Habitat Penang Hill | Adults RM 60 Children RM 40 | https://thehabitat.my/ |
| Day 3 | Entopia: Penang Butterfly Farm | Adults RM 69 Children RM 49 | https://www.entopia.com/ |
| Day 6 | Tropical Spice Gardens | Adults RM25 Children RM15 | https://tropicalspicegarden.com/ |
| Day 6 | Tropical Fruit Farm | Adults RM50 Children RM40 | https://tropicalfruitfarm.com.my/ |
| Day 7 | Escape Theme Park and Water Park | Adults RM150 Children RM100 | https://www.escape.my/ |
Day 1 George town walking tour and Newlane Hawkers
The first day of this itinerary for Penang starts with a self guided walking tour of Georgetown. This is the perfect way to acclimatize and get your bearings… and of course try some of the famous Penang street food.
Pack a day bag and dress in light comfortable clothing with comfortable walking shoes for this Penang city tour. George town is a beautiful UNESCO world heritage site with temples, street art, street food, colonial buildings and its own little India. The following walking tour is a loop (approximately 5km) including many of the main attractions of George Town. The total time for the loop will take 3 – 5 hours if you stop and enjoy each attraction. We put Fort Cornwallis at the start of the loop but you could start at any point that is convenient for you. If you visit the destination in order (from any start point) you will minimize the distance you need to walk:
- Fort Cornwallis
Visit Fort Cornwallis (North East corner of George Town). This is a colonial fort with nice views of the jetty and little India. Opposite Fort Cornwallis is the Penang Trick Art museum.
- The Peranakan Mansion
The Peranakan Mansion is a striking ornate Mansion with antiques and ornaments celebrating the vibrant and beautiful culture of the Baba’s and Nonya’s. This is a great way to learn about the rich cultural history and diversity of Penang.
- St George’s Church and Goddess of Mercy Buddhist Temple
As you walk up Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling you will see St George’s church and The Goddess of Mercy Buddhist temple on your right. When you get to the Goddess of Mercy temple, turn left along Lubuh China (China street) walk two blocks and then turn right and walk up Lebuh King (King Street) and walk through little India.
- Little India (Jalan Chulia and Lebuh King)
As you walk through little india keep your eye out for excellent indian food. Walk up Lebuh King until you hit Jalan Chulia (Chulia street). Kapitans is based on Jalan Chulia and serves amazing tandoori and Indian food. Also keep your eye open for shops selling roti (Indian bread) and dahl. You will also see shops selling Indian Spices and ornaments. You can also see Hindu temples in the area. Don’t miss the Sri Mahamariamman Hindu Temple on Lebuh Queen (Queen Street).
- Yap Kongsi Temple
From little India walk up to the Yap Kongsi Temple past the Kapitans Mosque. Yap Kongsi is a small and very beautiful Chinese temple. If you are interested in a bike rickshaw, they normally wait near this temple. Expect to pay around RM30 – RM40 for a 1 hour rickshaw bike tour. Bartering is acceptable.
- Famous Penang street art
Keep an eye out for the famous Penang street art. The awesome pictures are found on buildings along Muntri Street, Weld Quay, Lebuh Leith, Armenian Street, Ah Quee Street and more. Once you have explored the street art walk southbound on Armenian street until you meet the coat road (Pengkalan Weld) where you can explore the jetties and settlements that overlook the ocean.
- Jetties and the Hean Boo Thean Kuan Yin Temple
The jetties and settlements run for around 0.5km south of the Penang ferry terminal. These jetties (wooden piers) were built for trade and transportation by Chinese migrants who moved to Malaysia early in the 19th century to trade. Don’t miss the Hean Boo Thean Kuan Yin Buddhist Temple (on the of Pintasan Pengkalan 1).
- Komtar tower and shopping mall
After exploring the jetties, walk up Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong towards Komtar tower. Komtar tower is a central shopping and transportation hub in George Town. You will see Komtar shopping mall on your left and Komtar tower behind it. If you enjoy shopping take a little time to explore the Komtar shopping mall. At the end of Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong turn right onto Penang road and then immediately turn right again on to Lebuh Keng Kwee.
- Penang road street food (Lebuh Keng Kwee)
During the day Lebuh Keng Kwee street has lots of small streetside stalls (hawkers) and small cafes serving Malaysian Chinese food. Don’t miss Assam Laksa (spicy noodle soup with fish), Chendul (a sweet shaved ice dessert with coconut) and char koay teow (Malaysian fried noodles with vegetables and seafood). After enjoying some Chinese Malaysian treats, keep walking up Penang road (away from Komtar) until the road splits. Go right along Leith street until you see the Blue Mansion on your right.
- Blue Mansion (Cheong Fatt Tze)
The blue mansion was built by an influential Chinese businessman and politician called Cheong Fatt Tze, who aimed to celebrate and preserve the beautiful Chinese culture and heritage. Construction started in 1896. Cheong Fatt Tze used the finest materials and builders to construct the blue mansion, which became an iconic attraction of George Town. The blue mansion now offers boutique accommodation, fine dining and tours of the property. You can now do daily tours in English at 11am and 2pm. The cost is RM 25 for adults and RM 12.50 for children. You can book tickets for the Blue Mansion in advance.
At the end of the walking tour you could also drop by Upper Penang Road (on the junction of Penang road and Jalan Sultan Ahmed Shah) where you will find several bars offering outdoor seating areas.
In the evening go to Newlane Hawkers near Komtar to try some amazing Penang street food. Newlane Hawkers serves a range of Chinese and Malay street food with outdoor seating. It is open from around 4pm – 10pm (excluding Wednesdays). Alternatively check out the New World Park Hawker Centre in Georgetown. This provides a wide range of hawker food and indoor seating.
Day 2 Kek Lok Si Temple, Air Itam and Penang hill for sunset
Day two of this itinerary for Penang involves a visit to a spectacular hill temple and also the summit of Penang hill. This is an active and adventurous day on the itinerary for Penang.
Air Itam is a suburban district to the southwest of George Town and located at the base of Penang hill (Bukit Bendera). Air Itam means “black water” in Malay and is named after the Air Itam dam. Air Itam is a frequent starting point for trekking up Penang hill, an amazing destination for street food, especially famous for assam laksa and also the home to the base station of the Penang mountain railway (gondola).
Kek Lok Si temple (Hokkien “Supreme Joy” temple) is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia and dates back to 1891. The temple is made up of various prayer halls, pagodas, courtyards, pavilions and statues of Buddha and Chinese deities.
Entry to the temple is free and it costs RM2 to enter the pagoda. Don’t miss the impressive Temple of Supreme Bliss (Guan Yin Statue) a short distance up the road behind Kek Lok Si temple.
After exploring Kek Lok Si temple try some of the incredible Air Itam street food. Many hawker stalls can be found near the market on the intersection of Jalan Paya Terubung and Jalan Pasar (where the bus stops). It is possible to get a Grab taxi from the top of Kek Lok Si (by the Guan Yin statue) to the funicular railway station for around RM5-6.
If you get a chance you can also see the Bat Cave Temple (located around 1km from the funicular railway station in Air Itam). Sadly the temple building has been destroyed by a fire. However, it is still possible to visit the cave itself and see the bats hanging out there.
Visit Penang Hill
Penang Hill is the largest hill in Penang. Covered in beautiful 130 million year old rainforest and affording panoramic views over Penang island. This really is a must do activity.
We recommend taking the Penang Hill Railway (Funicular railway) up Penang hill to see the sunset which is around 6pm-7pm all year round: Tickets can be purchased on arrival at the Penang hill lower station (in Air Itam). Trains run through the day and into the evening. The last train leaves the top station around 11pm in the evening.
Adult standard ticket (13-59 years old)
- RM15 one way
- RM30 return
- Fast lane RM45 one way
- Fast lane RM80 return
Children’s standard ticket (4-12 years old)
- RM8 one way
- RM15 return
- Fast lane RM20 one way
- Fast lane RM40 return
Alternatively if you are feeling energetic and adventurous you can walk up Penang Hill from Air Itam. There are several trekking routes. Be prepared that the shortest trekking route is around 3km and mostly up a steep gradient. It is likely to take 1-2 hours to trek up Penang hill even for relatively fit trekkers.
We strongly recommend staying on marked trails and having a hiking map or a map function enabled on your phone. Bring plenty of water, good trekking shoes (trainers are ideal) and light loose clothing. One of the shortest trekking routes up Penang hill from Air Itam starts at the end of Jalan Lintang.
Visit The Habitat Penang Hill
Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE on the Habitat Penang Hill
The Habitat Penang Hill is an eco complex situated at the summit of Penang Hill. The Habitat features a range of installations designed to help you connect with and immerse yourself in the beautiful ancient Penang jungle. Don’t miss the Curtis Crest tree top walk; a circular arial canopy walkway that affords stunning 360 views of the beautiful Penang island and jungle canopy; a stunning spot to see the sunset.
Various trails, observation decks and huts enable you to enjoy the flora and fauna of the rainforest. There is even a small zipline course called “The Flight of the Colugo” 3 ziplines, 1 abseil and a rope bridge (RM105 per person 9.30am – 4pm, limited slots available so it is advisable to book in advance).
Standard adult ticket RM60
Standard child or senior citizen RM40
Family pass (2 adults and 2 children) RM160
- Curtis Crest treetop walk
- The Langur Way canopy walk
- The trail and gardens
Email: inquiry@thehabitat.my
How do you get to Air Itam from George Town?
We recommend taking a bus or taxi to Air Itam as it is too far to walk from George Town. You can take bus number 203 from the Jetty to Air Itam. Bus 203 runs along Lebuh Light past Fort Cornwallis and then turns left up Jalan Penang. In Air Itam the bus stops near the intersection of Jalan Paya Terubung and Jalan Pasar in Air Itam. From here it is around a 1.5km walk to the Kek Lok Si temple and around 1.3km to the base station of the mountain railway. Alternatively a Grab taxi from Georgetown to Air Itam should cost around RM15 each way.
Day 3 Entopia butterfly farm, Teluk Bahang forest ECO park and batu ferringhi night market
This day of the itinerary for Penang is designed to immerse you in the beautiful biodiversity of Penang in a relaxed and fun way.
Day 3 of this itinerary for Penang starts with a visit to the magical Entopia. The Entopia Penang butterfly farm is a beautiful indoor collection of plants, trees, butterflies and other insects. Don’t miss our FULL guide on Entopia.
They have magical winding trails, ponds and even indoor waterfalls. This is the perfect way to learn about the beautiful and unique diversity of Penang. Insects and butterflies are free in the large indoor conservatory. They also have an indoor education centre called Cocoon – the perfect place to learn about the wonderful and bizarre world of creepy crawlies.
Entopia is open from 9am – 6pm every day of the week except Wednesdays (last admissions at 5pm). Opening hours may vary with public holidays (Malaysia has a lot of them so make sure you keep an eye on this!). The best time to visit Entopia Penang is on weekdays (not public holidays) when it will be much quieter.
Entrance tickets to Entopia Penang cost RM69 (around £14 or $18) for adults (Adult tickets are for 13 – 59 year olds). Entrance tickets for children and senior citizens cost RM49 (around £10 or $13). Children’s tickets are required for 4-10 year olds. Senior citizens are 60 years and over.
You can book tickets online https://www.entopia.com/
Entopia Penang are currently offering discounted tickets at present. At the discounted rate: Entrance tickets to Entopia Penang cost RM55 (around £11 or $14) for adults. Entrance tickets for children and senior citizens cost RM39 (around £8 or $11).
Top tip: Discounted tickets must be booked at the ticket office on arrival and they are NOT available for online bookings.
After exploring Entopia, check out the Teluk Bahang Forest Eco Park (next to Entopia). This is a beautiful forest park with a kids playground and river. People use this river for bathing. The water is a little murky but is refreshingly cold. Some of the pools here are genuinely deep enough to swim. The location in a jungle valley makes this a stunning place for a refreshing dip. The Teluk Bahang Forest Eco Park is FREE to visit and is open all hours. They have some stalls selling food and drinks by the carpark.
Finally, any good itinerary for Penang MUST include Batu Ferringhi. Visit the Batu Ferringhi night market. Batu Ferringhi is a village on the north coast of Penang and is one of the top spots of hotels and holiday makers in Penang. Batu Ferringhi is on the return bus journey route (between Teluk Bahang and George Town) and the journey from Teluk Bahang to Batu Ferringhi takes around 10 minutes by road. The night market runs along Batu Ferringhi Road (route 6) which is the main road through Batu Ferringhi.
The night market runs every night of the week starting at around 6pm. Stalls sell fashion, art, gifts, some electrical goods, ornaments and food. If you are shopping in the night market we strongly recommend bartering – although it is worth being aware that some stalls will be unwilling to barter due to the hotel tourism in the area.
You can also find hawker food (such as long beach) but it is worth noting that this is aimed at tourists so the price is a little higher and the quality a little lower than other local food places.
For an amazing Chinese local Hawker food experience try Viva which is located on route 6 in Tanjung Tokong on the way back to George Town. Or for amazing Malaysian Indian food try Sri Ananda Bawan in Tanjung Bungah, also located on route 6 on the way back to George Town.
Day 4 Botanical gardens and Penang hill secret rest station
Day 4 of this itinerary for Penang is an active day of hiking from the botanical gardens. We recommend starting the hike early so you are not doing the challenging uphill sections in the hottest part of the day. This hike is likely to take 3-4 hours (depending on pace and stopping time). Bring good hiking shoes (trainers), plenty of water and snacks and loose fitting clothing. Some sections of the walk are exposed so consider sun protection.
If this itinerary for Penang is a bit too active just take a stroll in the Botanical Gardens and then head over to Gurney Plaza to enjoy the shops, restaurants and Air Conditioning!
Start by exploring the Botanical Gardens. These beautiful gardens are full of lush tropical foliage and wildlife. Many Macaque monkeys roam the botanical gardens. Keep your distance as they can be aggressive and don’t feed them or let them see any food. Keep your eye open for the more timid Dusky Leaf monkeys. These beautiful black monkeys are often seen playing higher in the jungle canopy. Keep your eye open for snakes on the trail and in the undergrowth.
The trek to the Secret Rest Station:
Start from the moon gate on Jalan Kebun Bunga (this is a circular gate).
- Go through the moon gate and follow the path leading up the hill. Follow the trail for around 1km up the steps (beware this is a long steep climb). When you get to the top of the steps don’t turn left down the hill – keep going straight on until you reach the rest station 5 (a further 200m)
- At the rest station (called Penang Hill Station 5) there are seats and shelter to rest. Locals often meet here to drink coffee and share snacks.
- Once you have enjoyed the rest station, keep hiking along the trail. Although it is still up hill, it is not as steep.
- Follow the trail for around 2km and don’t turn off the main trail. There are some very beautiful views along this section. Towards the end of this section there are a few short downhill sections as you drop down towards the jeep track.
- Once you reach the jeep track you can return to the botanical gardens by following the road back down the hill.
An alternative activity is to visit Gurney Plaza – this is a shopping mall with a range of clothing shops, fashion shops, restaurants and coffee shops. Gurney Plaza is not far from the Botanical Gardens.
Day 5 National park trek to Turtle Beach
Day 5 for this itinerary for Penang involves a fun and challenging trek in the beautiful Penang National Park. There are two main beaches in the Penang National Park – Monkey Beach and Turtle Beach. The trail to Monkey Beach is in disrepair and is officially closed at present.
Today you will need a bag packed for a jungle adventure. Bring plenty of water and wear suitable clothes for a jungle adventure.
If you only have time to visit one beach we recommend the beautiful Turtle Beach.
The Penang National Park is a beautiful area of pristine coastal jungle located in the northwest corner of Penang island. We recommend being well equipped for an adventurous jungle trek. Wear good trekking shoes for some uneven and steep terrain. We recommend cool clothing, suncream and mosquito repellant. Consider bringing your swimming kit and a change of clothes.
Bring plenty of water and food. There are no shops, cafes or restaurants in the national park itself and the village at the entrance to the national park (Teluk Bahang) only has a limited range of shops.
Top tip: If you would like to visit turtle beach or monkey beach you can arrange boat trips from the Green Adventure Services tour agents office located at the national park entrance.
Penang National Park entry permits
- There is an entrance fee of RM50 for non-Malaysians and RM10 for Malaysians.
- For children 3 – 12 years old it costs RM15 for mon-Malaysians and RM5 for Malaysians.
- Both Malaysian and Non-Malaysian Infants under 3 years old and Senior Citizens (60 years and older) are FREE.
- Student discounts available – bring a student card
A boat to monkey beach costs RM 100 (two ways). A boat to turtle beach costs RM 200 (two ways). Up to 10 people can share boats. These prices are pretty fixed, but it’s always worth trying to barter.
The National Park office is open for registration in the morning and for a few hours in the afternoon:
- Saturday – Thursday 8am – 1pm and 2pm – 4.30pm
- Fridays 8am – 12.15pm and 2.45pm – 4.30pm
TOP TIP: If you wish to take a boat to Turtle Beach and want to share the cost – ask other travellers when you arrive at the National Park to see if they would like to share a boat with you. Drivers will not organise groups – but there is nothing to stop you grouping with other travellers. You could also negotiate a price to stop at Monkey Beach on the way to Turtle Beach.
How do you trek to Turtle beach?
Don’t miss our FULL guide on Turtle Beach Penang AND our FULL guide on Monkey Beach Penang
The trek from the Penang National Park office (in Teluk Bahang) to Turtle Beach (Pantai Kerachut) is around 3km and will take 1-2 hours depending on your pace and stops. The terrain is rough in sections (tree roots, logs and rocks on the trail) and there are also some steep sections. The hot, humid tropical Malaysian climate makes this trek reasonably challenging.
The trekking route from the National Park office to Turtle Beach is well signed and easy to follow and can be done without a local guide:
- Walk for 5 minutes along the well paved path (the sea is to your right)
- Cross the bridge and turn left immediately after the bridge
- Follow the path up into the jungle- it quickly becomes steep steps up a hill
- Keep following this path up the hill (don’t turn off to the right)
- The path then goes down hill, you will notice a left turn – don’t turn left
- Keep following the path to the bridge at the entrance to Turtle beach (Pantai Kerachut)
- You will see a meromictic lake to the left.
Turtle beach affords a beautiful west view of the Malacca Strait, ideal for sunsets over the ocean on a clear day. It is free to camp at turtle beach but the facilities are very basic so we recommend coming prepared.
The Turtle Sanctuary is open daily from 10am – 4.30pm and it is FREE to enter. The turtle sanctuary at Turtle Beach Penang protect turtle nesting, egg maturation and hatching. They protect baby turtles and release them safely back in to the ocean. You can see turtles at this sanctuary throughout the year (nesting and hatching season varies from year to year).
OH YEAH, and you may be interested in our guide to THE BEST beaches in Penang
What wildlife can you see in the Penang national park?
Penang national park has an excellent array of flora, fauna and wildlife. It is very common to see Macaque monkeys along the path that leads from the national park office into the national park. Keep your eye open for the more shy Dusky Leaf monkeys in the canopy along the coastal path that leads to monkey beach.
Tortoises can occasionally be seen along the jungle paths, especially the path between the national park entrance and turtle beach.
If you are lucky you may also see the giant Asian Water Monitor lizards sunbathing on the rocks along the coast line (especially on the path that leads from the national park main entrance and then the path that leads towards monkey beach).
Depending on the season, you can also see turtles on turtle beach. You can see Green turtles (April – August) and Olive Ridley turtles (September – February).
How do you get to the Penang National Park by bus?
Take Rapid bus number 101 from Georgetown to Teluk Bahang. In George Town, the Rapid 101 bus runs along Jalan Chulia past Kapitans. If you are taking the Rapid 101 bus on Jalan Chulia, buses to Teluk Bahang will be travelling in the direction away from the jetty. The journey from George Town to Teluk Bahang is around 20km and will take around 45 minutes. You can also do the journey by taxi. It is likely to cost RM30 – RM50 to travel from Georgetown to the Penang National park by Grab taxi and the journey will take around 40 minutes.
Day 6 Morning market, the Tropical Spice Gardens and the Tropical Fruit Farm
This day of the itinerary for Penang involves a lot of travel. It is possible to do this by bus or taxi. If you have a rented car or bike this will be most convenient.
Start with a visit to the Morning Fresh Market in Tanjung Bungah. This market is open daily from around 6am – 11am. We recommend visiting early (around 7am – 8am). The market sells fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and meat. Next to the market is a food center selling local breakfast dishes. This is a great place to experience the lovely morning atmosphere here.
The Tropical Spice Gardens is a beautiful garden complex of trees, shrubs and tropical plants set amongst around 2km of winding pathways and waterways. A visit to the Tropical Spice Gardens is a truly multi sensory experience. The Spice Gardens are home to over 500 species of flora and fauna. They also offer a camping experience if you want to experience the jungle take on a new life by night.
Don’t miss the lovely beach across the road from the Tropical Spice Gardens.
For entrance to the gardens (no tour) adults tickets cost RM 25, children’s tickets cost RM 15 (4-12 years old) and family tickets cost RM 60 (2 adults and 2 children).
The Tropical Spice Gardens are open every day of the week (Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm and
Friday-Sunday 9am-6pm) last admission one hour before closing.
Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE on the Tropical Spice Gardens
Finally visit the Tropical Fruit Farm. The tropical fruit farm is the perfect way to learn about some of the tropical fruits that are grown in Penang. We particularly enjoyed the scenery and the chance to try some of the fruits. The tropical fruit farm is located on the remote jungle road that connects Teluk Bahang and Balik Pulau. Tours are offered in English and run from 9am – 4.30pm (approximately 1 hour in length). You do not need to pre-book tours in advance.
Guided farm tour (no fruit platter)
Tours cost RM 30 for an adult and RM 20 for children (5-12 years old). Children below 5 years old are FREE.
Guided tour (including fruit platter)
If you wish to try the fruit platter and fruit juice at the end of the tour: Adults RM50 and children (5-12 years old) RM40 and under 5 years FREE.
How do you get to the Tropical Fruit farm by public transport?
Take Rapid bus number 101 from Georgetown to Teluk Bahang. In George Town, the Rapid 101 bus runs along Jalan Chulia past Kapitans. If you are taking the Rapid 101 bus on Jalan Chulia, buses to Teluk Bahang will be travelling in the direction away from the jetty. The journey from George Town to Teluk Bahang is around 20km and will take around 45 minutes. In Teluk Bahang change bus to the 501, which runs from Teluk Bahang to Balik Pulau. The bus journey from Teluk Bahang to the tropical fruit farm will take roughly 30 minutes. To avoid getting stranded check with the driver about return bus times because this road is relatively quiet and remote.
Day 7 Escape Theme Park and Waterpark
The final day of this itinerary for Penang finishes with a high at ESCAPE. Pack swimming stuff, sun protection and clothes suitable for being active in the heat (remember trainers). Bring a water bottle (you can refill in the park for free). You can also bring your own food or use the A&Ws food outlets on the park (they sell fast food like fried chicken and waffles).
Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE on the ESCAPE adventure park Penang
The Escape Theme Park and Waterpark is a MUST DO on our itinerary for Penang.
This is an incredible theme park with a wide range of swings, ropes courses, jump platforms and much more. Escape has activities for the whole family; their vision is to help people reconnect with their childlike adventurous and physical ambitions to play, swing and jump. They also have an incredible water park with pools, slides and water challenges.
They also boast the World’s Longest Waterslide (1.1km in length) and taking around 4 minutes to travel at an average speed of around 10 mph AND The world’s longest Zip Coaster (1.1km in length). This is similar to a zipline except it is on a ridgid rail which winds through the beautiful jungle.
There is SO MUCH to do at ESCAPE Penang – be prepared for a VERY fun and very tiring day! The park is very physical so wear clothing suitable for being active in the heat and remember sun protection.
Situated in the jungle near Teluk Bahang, Escape also enables you to connect with the beautiful Penang nature, appreciating the jungle from a different angle. ESCAPE offer a camping experience called BASECAMP. This includes two days access to the park.
Escape Penang is open from Tuesdays – Sundays 10am – 6pm (closed on mondays). You can purchase tickets online.
The exact ESCAPE ticket prices depend on how and when you book:
| Category | Age range | Rough prices |
| Future kid | 0-3 years old | FREE |
| Junior kid | 4-12 years old | RM 80 – 100 (roughly £16 – £20 or $20 – $25) |
| Big kid | 13-60 years old | RM 120 – 150 (roughly £22 – £30 or $26 – $38) |
| Super kid | 60+ years old | FREE |
The cheapest way to buy tickets for ESCAPE Penang is the book in advance online directly from their website. Ideally aim to book tickets at least 2 months in advance for the cheapest prices. Ticket price gradually increases if you book within two months of your intended visit date.
The tickets for the ESCAPE theme park in Penang are surprisingly good value for money relative to other theme parks in Malaysia. Especially when you consider how much you can do at ESCAPE Penang.
It is not possible to buy separate tickets for the water park or the adventure park. You need to buy a full access ticket which includes access to both parks.
Tickets for the ESCAPE theme park in Penang include full access to the whole park. You do not need to pay any additional fees for any of the activities, rides or experiences in the park. You can repeat any activity as many times as you like.
We recommend that you familiarise yourself with their swimming and adventure activities clothing policy to make sure that you have the appropriate attire for the day. For more information and to purchase tickets see their website: https://www.escape.my/
How do you get to Escape from George Town?
The ESCAPE adventure park has a large FREE car park on site.
The Escape Theme park is located on Jalan Teluk Bahang next to Entopia Butterfly Farm. To get to Escape take the Rapid bus number 101 from Georgetown to Teluk Bahang. In George Town, the Rapid 101 bus goes from the Chew Jetty, along Jalan Chulia past Kapitans restaurant. If you are taking the Rapid 101 bus on Jalan Chulia, buses to Teluk Bahang will be travelling in the direction away from the jetty. For a small saving, Escape will also refund the price of bus tickets if you present them at the ticket counter.
The journey from George Town to Teluk Bahang is around 20km and will take around 45 minutes. You can also do the journey by taxi. It will cost around RM30 – RM50 to travel from Georgetown to the Penang National park by taxi and the journey will take around 30 minutes. Remember to agree on a price or the use of the taxi meter before the journey.
And this marks the end to our ONE WEEK itinerary for Penang. BUT… don’t go away yet there is still more to share.
Other things to see and do around Penang
Penang really does have so much to offer! If you are staying in Penang for longer OR you want to switch out some activities in the Itinerary for Penang here is some more inspiration.
1 Visit Balik Pulau
Balik Pulau is a small town located on the remote western side of Penang island. Balik Pilau is Malaysian for “back of the island”. A visit to Balik Pulau is the perfect way to experience authentic local Malaysian village life. The town centre of Balik Pulau has old buildings and some fantastic local cafes and hawker stalls. It is also possible to start hikes up Penang hill from Balik
Pulau. Balik Pulau is also famous for Laksa which is a traditional Nyonya dish. Laksa is an intense spicy, sour noodle soup containing tamarind, galangal, fish stock and garnished with mint, pineapple and torch ginger. We have not included Balik Pulau in our itinerary for Penang because it is quite out of the way if you only have one week in Penang.
How do you get to Balik Pulau from George Town by bus?
You can get to Balik Pulau from George Town by local bus. Take the 502 bus that starts at the Jetty, runs along Lebuh Light, along Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah and then along Jalan Penang (Penang road). The bus journey from the jetty to Balik Pulau will take around an hour or more depending on traffic.
2 Explore the Penang hill temples
Our itinerary for Penang does include some temples – but there’s always more!
The hilly jungle in the middle of Penang island is home to small beautiful temples that are harder to access than the temples in George Town and Air Itam. Most of these temples are best accessed by trekking and in some cases require intrepid and challenging uphill climbs.
Cheng Kon Sze Temple (清觀寺)
Cheng Kon Sze Temple is also known as Cheng Ji Chan temple by locals. This is a very beautiful temple nestled in the hilly jungle of Penang. It is an ornate and colourful taoist temple with shrines, Chinese lanterns and art work. There are two ways to access Cheng Kon Sze Temple from Air Itam: Drive up Jalan Balik Pulau past Kek Lok Si temple. Turn left at the moon gate and drive up Jalan Penara, behind Kek Lok Si Temple. Follow this road up to the temple. Alternatively, there is also a hiking route through the Chinese cemetery on Jalan Paya Terubong (Air Itam) and private durian orchards. Follow the granite stairs that lead to the temple. This trek will take around an hour and a half.
Ngor Hean temple (五顯大帝)
Ngor Hean temple is a beautiful Chinese temple with an amazing west facing view over Balik Pulau and out to the ocean (the Straits of Malacca). Ngor Hean temple has a traditional style with Chinese lanterns, art work and shrines. There is also a viewing platform where you can enjoy the fresh air and beautiful view.
Start from Air Itam dam. Follow Lorong Jog road around the north side of the dam. Look for a left fork up the hill. Follow the road up the hill for around 2.5km (pass Tua Pek Kong Temple). Turn right and follow the road up hill (there are some nice views up here). There are a couple of turn offs to ignore (a left and right turn), just keep following the road a further 1.5km to Ngor Hean temple.
Tua Pek Kong temple (宝屿仙庙 大伯公)
This is a scenic Taoist temple located near the Penang Hill lower station of the mountain railway. This temple can be accessed on the trek up Penang hill from Air Itam. The location on the hillside affords a stunning panorama of the Air Itam district and the surrounding hills including a Kek Lok Si Temple, and the impressive Temple of Supreme Bliss (the Guan Yin statue). To get to the Tua Pek Kong temple go to the end of Jalan Lintang in Air Itam and trek up the trail that leads up Penang hill. Walk for around 500m and then turn left. Trek a further 200m up to the Tua Pek Kong temple.
Sītavana Vihāra Buddhist Monastery (悉达林)
Sitavana Vihara is a Theravāda Buddhist monastery is located on the south-eastern slope of Penang hill, around 2km from Kek Lok Si temple. This secluded monastery is surrounded by forest and terrace fields. Sitavana means “cool grove” – an appropriate name due to the cooler temperatures at the hilly location of the monastery.
There is also a temple called Snake Temple located in Bayan Lepas, south of George Town and near the airport. We have not recommended this in the main itinerary due to the location and also because we cannot vouch for the ethical treatment of snakes at the temple.
3 Dine in style at the Eastern and Oriental hotel
The Eastern and Oriental hotel in Penang is a beautiful colonial 5 star hotel located in the heart of historical George Town and overlooking the ocean. They have a wonderful range of dining options for guests and non-guests alike.
They often have special offers and run seasonal events celebrating Asian and Western foods. Don’t miss their amazing buffet dinners – eat all you can fine dining.
We have not included this on our main itinerary for Penang due to the price – but if you love fine dining this is the choice for you.
4 Shopping spree at Gurney Plaza
If you need a break from our itinerary for Penang – then Gurney Plaza may be the perfect stop for you. Gurney plaza is located on Gurney Drive in the northern suburbs of George Town. It is a multi-level shopping mall with a range of department stores and small shops selling clothes, homeware, sports equipment, electrical items and gifts. There are also restaurants and a cinema complex showing movies in English. To get to Gurney Plaza from Georgetown by bus: Take 101 bus that runs along Jalan Chulia in the direction of Teluk Bahang. The bus journey from George town to Gurney Plaza should take around 20-30 minutes depending on traffic. Get off at the Gurney Plaza bus stop on Jalan Kelawai and cross the road, the entrance is very close to the bus stop.
5 Visit the TOP at Komtar
The TOP at Komtar has a range of activities and exhibitions suitable for families. There is a dinosaur exhibit and a rainbow walkway – a terrifying glass bridge. There’s a lot of fun here – but we haven’t included this in our itinerary for Penang as we wanted to focus on the natural beauty and biodiversity in Penang. But if you want some quirky local fun this may be worth a stop.
6 Relax on Batu Ferringhi Beach
Our itinerary for Penang is pretty active. But Penang also has its share of chill to offer. Batu Ferringhi is the hotel capital of Penang. Batu Ferringhi seafront is lined with hotels, restaurants and even a few bars. Batu Ferringhi is also home to a street night market (open seven days a week from 6pm until late). Due to the hotel tourism prices are a little higher in Batu Ferringhi compared to the rest of Penang. We recommend enjoying an evening in Batu Ferringhi.
You will see a beautiful sunset over the northwest corner of Penang island. Some of the restaurants along the seafront offer seating on the beach where you can enjoy food, drinks and shisha. A perfect place to relax and enjoy the tropical ambiance. During the day you can also do various water sports on Batu Ferringhi Beach such as jet skiing and parasailing.
7 Stay at a durian farm
If you want to add something very memorable to your one week itinerary for Penang – Add some Durian!
Penang is famous in Asia for its durian. Durians are large spiky pungent fruits – often referred to as king of the fruits. They are definitely an acquired taste! Most people find the rich, creamy yellow flesh of the durian disgusting when they first try it. However over time it is easy to develop a strong affinity for this bizarre fruit. And Malaysians take great pride in their durian harvest.
Throughout the durian season (May – July) you will see people selling durians at the street side. It normally costs around RM 25 for a small durian but you can pay a lot more for large durians, especially if they are a more rare and exquisite variety. You can also visit durian farms in Penang and see the durian trees growing this regal fruit. For a great durian farm that even offers accommodation check out the Bao Sheng Durian Farm (宝盛园/宝盛园民宿). During durian season Bao Sheng offer a durian buffet for RM 120 per person. We haven’t included this in our itinerary for Penang as it is quite niche and also seasonal.
8 Relax and unwind at a tropical Spa
With such a physical and active itinerary for Penang – you may need to take time to rest, recover and pamper yourself.
The great news is – Penang has many spas and wellness centres to help you relax and unwind.
Check out the Rock Spa at the Hard Rock hotel. They welcome Guests and Non-guests to experience a range of creative, innovative and decadent treatments. They also occasionally have spa deals (such as paying a little more to get a FREE meal at the Hard Rock cafe)
Also check out the Danai Wellness centre in Tanjung Bungah. Treatments range from around RM 100 – RM 400.
9 Trek to a remote beach or an abandoned lighthouse
On this itinerary for Penang we have recommended a trek to Turtle Beach and Monkey Beach in the National Park. However, Penang is home to some more remote beaches which are often completely empty or very quiet. If you would like to get to a quieter beach check out Kampi Beach – south of Turtle beach in the Penang National Park. This is a beautiful clean beach just under 1km in length. You can trek to Kampi beach from the National Park office, the trek is around 5km. Due to the more remote location of Kampi beach it is often very quiet. There is also an abandoned light house (called Muka Head light house) located on a hill above Monkey beach. It is possible to trek up to this from Monkey Beach.
10 Take a trip to an uninhabited island
This is EPIC but expensive and time consuming so we haven’t included this in our main itinerary for Penang.
You can really do this from Penang! If visiting an uninhabited jungle island is on your bucket list then there are a few in close proximity to Penang. It is not possible to do public “island hopping tours” in Penang. However, you can rent private boats and arrange private tours to small islands around Penang. The advantage of a private tour is that you are likely to get the island to yourself (or at least without the crowds). The disadvantage of private tours is the high price tag. If you are on a budget you could share the cost across your group and even group up with other travellers.
Top Tip: If you would like to do cheaper island hopping tours in Malaysia we recommend Langkawi (you can find tours for around RM 80 per person) and the Perhentians (where you can find snorkelling trips for RM 50 per person). Find out which location is best for you – Penang or Langkawi
Here are a couple of small island private boat trips you can arrange in Penang. These could be arranged as day trips or overnight stays if you have a camping equipment:
Pulau Kendi (Kendi island):
Pulau Kendi is a rocky jungle covered islet around 5km south of Penang. Kendi island is around 1.3km in length and only 400m at its widest point. There are no beaches in Pulau Kendi so the only way on and off the island is scrambling on rocks. If you want to do some jungle trekking it is possible to explore the island but be aware there are no paths or trails on the island. Pulau Kendi is a popular spot for fishing and a great place to see the sunset over the Straits of Malacca. Expect to pay around RM 650 for a private boat trip to Pulau Kendi from Penang.
Pulau Song Song (Song Song island also known as Pulau Telur):
Pulau Song Song is a small uninhabited jungle island with a single hill peak, located around 35km north of Penang. Song Song island is very small at 500m length by 500m width and it has one sandy beach on the east coast of the island. Pulau Song is a great spot for snorkelling: The island is surrounded by beautiful coral, clear water and marine life. It takes around 45minutes – 1 hour to travel from Penang to Pulau Song Song by boat (one way). You can also trek through the jungle to the peak, be aware there are no trails and sections of the climb are very steep.
If you would like to arrange a private boat trip in Penang we recommend Isnoor Boat Tour company. They offer a range of private tours to beaches (such as monkey beach and turtle beach in the National Park), small islands near Penang (such as Kendi and Song Song) and fishing trips. They can also include BBQ lunches.
Isnoor Boat Tour company, Lorong Seri Tanjung Pinang, 11200 Tanjung Tokong, Penang, Malaysia
https://isnoor-boat-tourworkboats.business.site/
penang33@gmail.com +60 16442 1855
Here are some places to explore beyond Penang:
What can you do after this itinerary for Penang? Malaysia has loads of other amazing things to see and do. If you have more time here are some other things you can do near Penang:
Explore the Cameron highlands
After your itinerary for Penang why not check out the Cameron Highlands? Warning – this is a VERY popular and busy spot during the Malaysian holidays. Avoid it at these times!
The Cameron Highlands is a cool high altitude hilly region of Malaysia with tea plantations, strawberry farms and a beautiful mossy forest. Many Malaysians are attracted to the Cameron Highlands due to its cooler climate and beautiful trekking.
Due to the distance it would not be practical to visit the Cameron Highlands as a day trip from Penang. However you could visit and stay overnight before returning to Penang. Alternatively you could visit the Cameron Highlands on route to another destination such as Kuala Lumpur.
If you visit the Cameron Highlands we recommend that you take a day tour of the mossy forest and other attractions in the Cameron Highlands.
The mossy forest is a beautiful damp high altitude forest. Under these conditions the trees grow more slowly and are covered in thick moss and look like the jungle in the Avatar movie. Tours of the Mossy forest usually take 2-3 hours and the level is easy to intermediate.
If you would like to visit Mossy Forest at your own pace, without a guide, you would need to arrange a taxi. It would be worth agreeing to a return price. Taxis may charge around RM25 per hour. The journey from Tanah Rata to the Mossy Forest is around 15km by road and takes around 30 minutes.
You can also visit the Boh Tea plantations in the Cameron Highlands. The tea plantations are on the road between Tanah Rata and the Mossy Forest. At the tea plantations you can see where tea is grown and harvested, you can walk around a tea museum that explains the history of the tea plantation and shows you how tea is processed. And you can also buy tea and gifts from the tea plantation shop. We recommend around 2 hours to make the most of the tea plantation. Entry to the Boh Plantation, museum, shop and gardens is free. Opening hours 8.30am – 4.30pm, closed on mondays.
How do you get to the Cameron Highlands from Penang by bus?
The Cameron highlands are around 250km south of Penang and the journey takes 3-4 hours by bus. To take a bus from Penang to the Cameron Highlands you will need to go to the Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal and ask for a bus to Tanah Rata. Tickets cost RM 30 – RM 50 depending on the bus company and timings.
Visit Langkawi island
Langkawi is a beautiful hilly island close to the Malay-Thai border. Langkawi has mangroves where you can take boat tours to watch the wildlife and a couple of beautiful waterfalls. It also has a cable car ride to the top of one of the highest peaks, a high ropes course, a beautiful beach and some small islands to visit nearby. You can get to Langkawi from Penang by ferry. For tickets and schedule visit: https://www.langkawi-ferry.com/
How long do you need to see Langkawi?
If you are staying in Malaysia for longer we recommend a visit to Langkawi. You can see most of Langkawi’s main attractions in a long day. But to really make the most of the activities, sights and attractions in Langkawi we recommend at least 2-3 days. If you want a more chilled out holiday you could spend a week or more in Langkawi.
How does Langkawi compare to Penang?
Langkawi and Penang are both tropical islands with beautiful beaches, a hilly landscape and tropical jungle. Langkawi is a little less crowded, more spread out and has a smaller population than Penang. Penang has more culture including historic buildings, temples and street food. Langkawi also has a slightly more relaxed holiday feel compared to Penang and is slightly more expensive than Penang. Langkawi has slightly cleaner ocean water for swimming. Penang has a better public transport system with buses running around the island. Langkawi does not have a public transport system so you would need to travel by taxi or bike or car rental.
Itinerary for Penang – Things to know before you go
What is the best time to visit Penang?
The best time to enjoy this itinerary for Penang is during the dry season. Penang has a tropical climate and it is hot and humid in Penang all year round. We recommend visiting in the dry season between November and March. Be aware that temperatures increase towards the end of the dry season with February being the hottest month in Penang on average. April – October is Penang’s rainy season. If you are planning to visit other parts of Malaysia on your itinerary, consider the seasons in these other locations. For example November to February is the Monsoon season in the Perhentian islands and many of the facilities are closed during this season.
You will find mixed information online about Penang’s seasons. This may be because the rainy and dry seasons are not that distinct in Penang with frequent rainfall in the dry season and many dry days in the rainy season.
What currency do they use in Penang?
The Malaysian currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (Symbol RM). You can find money exchange offices in George Town. There are many ATM machines around Penang which accept international bank cards (such as visa and maestro). International credit cards are often accepted too.
Is English widely spoken in Penang?
English is widely spoken in Penang. Penang is a very diverse country with many languages. Bahasa Malaysian is the official language of Malaysia, however many people also speak Mandarin, Hokkien, Tamil, Hindi and more. English often acts as a “common language” spoken between different ethnic groups in Penang. Due to the diversity, many Malaysian people are multilingual and often mix languages in informal conversation.
How do you get to and from Penang?
Can you fly to Penang?
Penang is very easy to access. Penang has a small airport with both domestic and some short haul international flights. Air Asia is Malaysia budget airlines, and offer a cheap and convenient service from Kuala Lumpur to Penang.
How do you get to Penang by bus?
You can also get to Penang (Sungai Nibong terminal) by bus from Kuala Lumpur (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan). Buses depart regularly through the day, the journey takes around 5 hours and costs in the region of RM 40. Buses are comfortable and Air Conditioned with spacious reclining seats.
Can you get to Penang by train?
Trains are a cheap, comfortable and convenient way to travel around Malaysia. You can also get to Penang by train using the mainline which runs from Singapore, through Kuala Lumpur and up the length of the country. This trainline even runs up into Thailand. To get to Penang by train you need to get off at the Butterworth stop and transfer to Georgetown by bus, ferry or taxi. Ferries are a very convenient and affordable way to connect. The Butterworth KMT train station is right next to the ferry port that links Butterworth to the jetty in George Town on Penang island.
What is the best way to get around in Penang?
The best way to get around this itinerary for Penang depends on your personal requirements. If you have the budget for this the rent a car (expensive). If you are on a mid budget use Grab taxis and buses. If you are on a low budget for this itinerary for Penang then stick with local buses and minimize taxi use.
Penang bus services
You can pretty much do the entire one week itinerary for Penang using the local bus system.
Penang is well connected by buses which run around the island providing cheap, affordable and convenient transport. Bus signs are in English and the drivers generally speak good English. The main service that you will use for this itinerary is the 101 bus which runs along the following route: George Town – Gurney – Tanjung Bungah – Batu Ferringhi – Teluk Bahang. Local bus tickets in Penang normally cost RM 1 – RM 6 depending on the distance of the journey.
Penang taxis
The most convenient way to travel around this itinerary for Penang is to use taxis. The main way to get taxis in Penang is to use the Grab app. Download to your phone and you can request taxis. No need to enter card details – you can just pay with cash. This is a pretty quick and efficient way to get around and you generally get a good price.
You can also get around Penang by taxis. Taxis are clearly marked (normally red) and can either be flagged from the side of the road or are often found waiting at popular destinations. Some drivers may wish to agree on a price before the journey, other drivers may use the taxi meter.
- Short journeys around George Town (a few km): RM 5-10
- Medium journeys (5-10km): RM 20 – RM 30
- Long journeys (around the island): RM 50 – RM 100
For longer journeys (e.g. to the tropical fruit farm) negotiate a deal that includes the price of the return trip.
What are the best places to eat in Penang?
It’s hard to go anywhere in Penang without spotting incredible local foods. We have tried to recommend some GREAT eating places in our itinerary for Penang.
Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE to the best places to eat in Penang
The cultural diversity of Penang brings a unique fusion of many types of amazing food. You don’t need to pay much to eat amazing local street food. Alternatively if you want to splash out Penang also has some amazing options for fine dining.
Kapitan’s restaurant George Town
Kapitan’s serves a range of amazing Indian food. Don’t miss their incredible Tandoori sets, cooked in an authentic tandoor fire oven, the beautifully flavoured chicken is served with fresh Naan bread and sauces. Kapitan’s is very affordable, tasty and conveniently located on Jalan Chulia in the heart of Little India George Town. Kapitans is open every day and late into the night.
Try Nasi Champur at Nasi Melayu Lidiana
Nasi Champur is Malay for “mixed rice” – expect a culinary explosion of flavors, smells and textures. We recommend trying Nasi Champur at Nasi Melayu Lidiana. This is a very local spot that you would miss unless you had been tipped off by a local or a very special travel blog (you’re welcome). For Nasi Champur you will be given rice as a standard and then you pick additional dishes: they normally include currys, veggies, eggs, chicken, fish. Expect to pay RM 5 – RM15 for an amazing plate of food. Someone will normally offer a drinks menu when you sit down – you order and pay them for drinks. Nasi Champur tends to be a lunch time food, so we recommend visiting around 12-1pm. To get to Nasi Melayu Lidiana, take a bus to the Floating mosque (101 bus on the way to Batu Ferringhi). Opposite the floating mosque, walk up the road that runs up the hill (Persiaran Tanjung Bungah road) after around 50 meters you will see a car park on your right and a building with a corrugated roof. Nasi Melayu Lidiana is in this building.
Viva Local Food Haven
Vival Local Food Haven is a Chinese-Malaysian hawker centre located in Tanjung Bungah. This is open every day in the evenings. They serve an amazing range of foods such as: Satay, Fish, Oyster omelette, Char Koay Teow (fried noodles), clay pot chicken rice and much more. Most dishes are RM 5 – 10. The first thing to do is find a table and note your table number. Then go to the hawker stalls that interest you most and make an order giving your table number. Someone will probably come with a drinks menu.
Sri Ananda Bahwan
For amazing curries and Indian food don’t miss Sri Ananda Bahwan in Tanjung Bungah. They serve an excellent range of very tasty curries and Indian set meals. Not only is the food amazing, the prices are very reasonable and there is a lovely ambiance here. To Get to Sri Ananda take the 101 bus and get off near Dalat School. Sri Ananda is opposite to Dalat school. Sri Ananda is open from lunch time and late into the evening. Remember to try Teh Taric (Malaysian Indian tea) with your food.
Newlane Hawkers (recommended on day 1 of the itinerary for Penang)
Located on Lorong Baru street near Komtar tower in George Town, New lane Hawker is Penang street food at its best. As you wander along, the food advertises itself to you. You can find noodle dishes, rice dishes, belacan chicken, fried fish, soups and curries. The prices are very cheap; expect to pay around RM5 – RM10 on average for dishes. This place is worth visiting just for the experience, not to mention the incredible range of epic Malaysian street food. Newlane Hawkers are closed on Wednesdays.
Eastern and Oriental
For an unforgettable dining experience check out the Eastern and Oriental Hotel located in the heart of George Town. The Eastern an Oriental hotel has a beautiful colonial style and elegance. It is located right next to the ocean for epic sunset views. They offer a range of amazing fine dining experiences and local seasonal activities.
Feringgi Grill
If you want to enjoy fine dining in style check out the Feringgi Grill which is located at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort. It has a rich luxurious ambiance and the dress code is smart formal. They serve a range of decadent eurasian dishes. Prices start at around RM 35 for simple starter dishes up to RM 600 or more for some of their speciality main courses.
Itinerary for Penang: What should you pack?
This itinerary for Penang is active and adventurous and involves a lot of sweating and exercise in a hot climate. We recommend light loose fit clothing. In addition to the general things that you would want to pack we also recommend the following:
- Bring a day bag that you can pack up for day trips
- A waterproof dry sack can be a great way to keep your valuables dry if there is a tropical downpour and you are out and about. Also very handy if you plan to go sea kayaking.
- Swimming stuff and a travel towel
- High factor sunscreen (SPF 30 or more)
- Bring an umbrella or sun hat – very useful for temple visits
- Don’t forget insect repellant (ideally containing DEET)
- Long trousers for the evenings
- One warmer top for air conditioned buses
- If you have sandals or flip flops also bring some trainers
If you are travelling from the UK you do not need to bring a universal travel adaptor: In Malaysia they use plug type G. This is the same as the UK 3 pin plugs. However, a travel adaptor can be handy if you are transiting through different countries or plan to visit other countries on your trip.
Looking for more inspiration?
Don’t miss our ultimate guide on THE BEST things to do in Malaysia
