Itinerary · Malaysia
Penang first trip: how to get from the airport to George Town, and how many days do you need?
Penang airport to George Town by taxi, ride-hailing or city bus (about RM2-5), a 3 to 4 day route, getting around, where to stay and the dry season.
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How many days in Penang? Plan 3 to 4 days
Penang is an island in northwest Malaysia, famous for George Town's UNESCO World Heritage streets and murals, temples reflecting Chinese, Malay and Indian cultures, and its street food. Beach resorts and hilltop views round out the trip.
The guide suggests 3 to 4 days. Spend the first two days walking George Town's old quarter, then widen out on the third to Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang Hill and Batu Ferringhi beach. On the last day, have breakfast, pick up souvenirs and head to the airport.
- 3 days: George Town old quarter + Kek Lok Si Temple and Penang Hill
- 4 days: add Batu Ferringhi beach and night market, plus a relaxed last morning
Airport to George Town: taxi, ride-hailing or city bus
Penang International Airport (PEN) is in the south of the island. A ride-hailing car or an airport taxi is the easiest way to George Town, taking about 30-45 minutes. Airport taxis use a fixed-fare coupon system by destination; check the fares officially.
The cheapest option is the city bus to George Town. It takes about an hour and costs about RM2-5. Check routes and times officially and carry small change.
Many long-haul routes connect via Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or other hubs, so compare connections with airlines.
- Taxi (fixed coupon fare) or ride-hailing: about 30-45 min to George Town; check taxi fares officially
- City bus: about an hour, about RM2-5; carry small change
- Flights: check connections and schedules with airlines
Getting around the island
Ride-hailing apps are the easiest way around the island. Fares are set in advance, and they are widely used locally.
George Town's old quarter is made for walking between murals and temples, but midday is very hot, so carry water. You can also explore by bike or trishaw; agree on the trishaw fare before you get in.
City bus routes serve George Town, the beaches and Penang Hill. They are slow but cheap.
- Ride-hailing apps: fares set in advance, the easiest option
- Walking: murals and temples in the old quarter; carry water at midday
- Bikes and trishaws: agree on the trishaw fare first
- City buses: George Town, beaches, Penang Hill; slow but cheap
Where to stay, and what a day costs
For a first visit, stay in George Town's old quarter. It is inside the heritage zone, with sights and restaurants within walking distance and many restored shophouse hotels.
Gurney Drive is a modern seafront strip of malls and high-rise hotels, famous for its evening hawker center. Batu Ferringhi is the resort beach on the north coast, about 30 minutes by car from George Town. Air Itam is close to Kek Lok Si and Penang Hill but has few hotels.
Per person per day, budget about RM150-220 for a guesthouse, hawker food and buses, about RM400-600 for a heritage hotel, restaurants and ride-hailing, and about RM1,200 or more for a beach resort and a private car.
- George Town old quarter: first visit, murals, food
- Gurney Drive: shopping, hawker food, sea views
- Batu Ferringhi: beach resorts, night market
- Air Itam: temples, Penang Hill
A 4-day route: from street art to Penang Hill
Day 1: go from the airport to George Town, check in and take a street-art walk, hunting for murals and wrought-iron caricatures in the lanes. Dinner is char kway teow (about RM8-15) at a hawker center.
Day 2: in the morning see Khoo Kongsi, an ornately carved clan temple (paid entry), and the indigo-blue Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (Blue Mansion). The mansion is visited on guided tours, so check times and prices officially. Have assam laksa (about RM7-12) for lunch, visit the Clan Jetties in the afternoon, and spend the evening at Gurney Drive. People live at the Clan Jetties, so visit quietly.
Day 3: Kek Lok Si Temple in the morning (some areas charge entry), then ride the funicular up Penang Hill for island and sea views, and finish at Batu Ferringhi beach and night market. Day 4: nasi kandar (about RM10-20) for breakfast and cendol (about RM4-8), then souvenirs and the airport.
- Day 1: airport → George Town check-in → street art → char kway teow at a hawker center
- Day 2: Khoo Kongsi and the Blue Mansion → assam laksa → Clan Jetties → Gurney Drive
- Day 3: Kek Lok Si Temple → Penang Hill → Batu Ferringhi beach and night market
- Day 4: nasi kandar → cendol → souvenirs → airport
When to go? December to March is relatively dry
According to the guide, December to March is relatively dry and good for travel. It is hot and humid all year, with frequent afternoon showers in April-May and September-November. Rain usually passes quickly, so Penang works year-round.
The figures below are 1991–2020 normals for the Penang Bayan Lepas (airport) station, submitted by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) to the WMO normals collection published by NOAA NCEI. Daytime highs are 31-33°C all year and lows 24-25°C. Monthly rainfall is lowest in January (80 mm), February (86 mm), March (146 mm) and December (117 mm), and highest in September (316 mm), October (337 mm) and November (233 mm).
- December-March: 80-146 mm of rain a month, relatively dry
- April-May: 188-229 mm, frequent afternoon showers
- September-November: 233-337 mm, the wettest months
- Temperatures: highs 31-33°C, lows 24-25°C
Before you go
Hawker centers and small eateries are often cash only, so carry some ringgit. Some restaurants add a service charge and tax to the bill; tipping isn't required.
Cover shoulders and knees at temples and mosques, and remove shoes where asked. Plan indoor sights for midday, and carry water, sunscreen and insect repellent. Jellyfish can appear at Batu Ferringhi beach, so check local advice before swimming.
Malaysia may require an online arrival card or other steps before entry. Check official Malaysian government information before you travel.
- Some ringgit in cash (hawker centers, small eateries)
- Temples and mosques: cover shoulders and knees
- Water, sunscreen, insect repellent
- Entry steps: check official Malaysian government information
Plan your Penang trip
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FAQ
How many days do I need in Penang?
The guide suggests 3 to 4 days: two for George Town's old quarter and one for Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang Hill and Batu Ferringhi.
How do I get from the airport to George Town?
A ride-hailing car or a fixed-coupon-fare airport taxi is easiest, about 30-45 minutes. The cheapest is the city bus, about an hour for about RM2-5. Check taxi fares and bus routes officially.
When is the best time to visit Penang?
December to March is relatively dry. In the 1991–2020 normals, monthly rainfall in that period is 80-146 mm, while September-November is the wettest at 233-337 mm.
Do I need cash?
Hawker centers and small eateries are often cash only, so carry some ringgit.
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