Malaysia · Malaysian Straits

Penang (George Town)

Malaysia's food capital — UNESCO George Town + street art + hawker heaven

Penang is Malaysia's food capital — UNESCO-listed George Town features Chinese shophouses, colonial architecture, Ernest Zacharevic's street art + the country's best hawker food (char kway teow, laksa, chendol). Batu Ferringhi beach on the north coast.

Airport

Penang (PEN) — 30 min to George Town

UNESCO listed

George Town since 2008

From KL

55 min flight or 4h drive/train

Reputation

Malaysia's food capital

Penang (George Town) highlights

George Town street art tour

Ernest Zacharevic's "Little Children on a Bicycle" + iron caricature installations across the old town. Self-guided walk.

Hawker food tour

New Lane Hawker Centre, Gurney Drive, Kimberley Street. Char kway teow at Lorong Selamat is legendary.

Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion

Fully restored 19th-century Chinese mansion (film location for Crazy Rich Asians).

Penang Hill (funicular)

Cool-climate viewpoint (830m) — funicular from Ayer Itam. Habitat rainforest walk.

Kek Lok Si Temple

Southeast Asia's largest Buddhist temple complex — 7-storey Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas.

Batu Ferringhi Beach

North coast tourist beach + night market. Not Malaysia's best beach but a change from George Town.

Clan jetties

Chinese fishing community stilt houses over the water — Chew Jetty is the most photogenic.

Getting there

Penang International Airport (PEN) has direct flights from KL (55 min), Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong. From airport: 30 min taxi to George Town.

Getting around

Rapid Penang bus + Grab are the standard options. George Town is walkable. Rent a car for exploring beyond.

Best time to visit

December-March (dry). April-October has occasional heavy rain but generally OK.

Budget per day

$20-40 backpacker · $60-120 mid-range · $200+ luxury (Eastern & Oriental)

Airport transfer from Penang International (PEN)

Getting out of Penang (George Town) (PEN)

Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.

Pre-book a fixed-price transfer

Our pick

Driver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and the price you see is the price you pay. English-speaking, fixed price. No surge, no haggling at 2am.

Check transfer prices Renting a car instead? Compare rentals with free cancellation.

Where to stay in Penang (George Town)

Fly to Penang International (PEN)

Popular direct routes from: Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok, Langkawi

Find cheap flights

Compare flights · Powered by Trip.com

Search flights

Or compare on Expedia — often better US + EU fares Prefer a bundled flight + hotel package? Trip.com Vacation Packages

Frequently asked about Penang (George Town)

How do I get to Penang?

55-min flight from KL (~RM 100-200), 4h drive, or 4h ETS train KL-Butterworth + ferry. From Langkawi: 30-min flight or 2h 45m ferry.

How many days do I need in Penang?

3-4 days — day 1 George Town street art + hawker dinner, day 2 Cheong Fatt Tze + clan jetties, day 3 Penang Hill + Kek Lok Si, day 4 Batu Ferringhi.

Is Penang worth visiting?

Yes — Malaysia's essential cultural + culinary destination. Best combined with Langkawi for a beach + heritage trip.

When is the best time to visit Penang?

December-March is driest. Chinese New Year + Chingay parade (Jan/Feb) are cultural highlights.