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 Traveller's Tales: Getting around in Penang, Malaysia
Know the most popular landmarks in Penang, Malaysia. You may read about best transportation, recommended travel itinerary, suggested routes and directions. Also, you might want to read our
Kuala Lumpur city guide,
Langkawi city guide,
Melaka city guide,
and Penang city guide.
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| C Tham |
02 May 2005 |
Stayed at Tanjung Bungah Beach Hotel - Penang, Malaysia.
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Independent travelling in Penang is almost impossible. Hardly see any cab driving pass, and the attractions (except for Penang Hill) are in quite remote places. Join either group day tours or book a van at your disposal. Average RM40 for one hour for a 10 seater van.
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| B George |
13 April 2005 |
Stayed at Cititel Penang - Penang, Malaysia.
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We loved Penang, despite the weather being really humid. Did a walking tour of the Heritage sites of Georgetown, which was both informative and interesting. The Blue Mansion was well worth visiting. Also took a trishaw ride to Fort Cornwallis and a fishing village. The driver had a wealth of knowledge about the local area, and I felt very safe with him, despite the traffic. Ate dinner one night at "The Lone Pine" at Batu Ferringhi, and nasi kandar at Kayu's. Lunched at the restaurant next to Cititel--Mayflower garden I think it was called, and also at the Japanese rest in Cititel. Food everywhere of excellent quality and taste. People were most friendly and helpful. Shopping in Komptar was very good, tho I think we got a bit lost there--didn't see many directions, but the person in the information booth was very helpful. Recommend change money with the licensed money-changers as they offer a better rate than the airports. Loved every bit of it--can't wait to go back!!!
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| L Ng siong |
16 March 2005 |
Stayed at Grand Continental Penang, Hotel - Penang, Malaysia.
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Don't take taxi if possible. Drivers never use taximeter and need hard bargaining to get a right price. Use the buses at the interchange of Komtar building. Following buses which I know pass to these places of interest. 1) Bus 130 and mini-bus 21 pass by KeK Lok Si at Air Hitam. One ringgit for 130 and 80cents for mini-bus. 2) Mini buses that ply Burmah Road will stop you at the Reclining buddha and Burmese temple. Drop at a blue police station post and walk straight from this small road known as Burma Road too to the temples. 3) To visit Gurney Drive hawker centre which opens after 6pm take any mini-buses from interchange that display show going to Feringhi. Food and buses are cheapest in Malaysia. Have a happy trip.
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| V Loi |
07 January 2005 |
Stayed at Grand Continental Penang, Hotel - Penang, Malaysia.
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Pagoda temple and Gurney Drive. Take a cab to these breathtaking places and please negotiate price before taking. From Grand Cont to Pagoda, to and from was RM35. The cab driver gave us 3 hours to move around. Hotel to airport was only RM25.
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| F Siang fook |
29 December 2004 |
Stayed at Cititel Penang - Penang, Malaysia.
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Licensed Taxi from airport to the hotel is RM$28. Taxi not so readily available on street compared to KL. but common on selected places (usual price of RM$10) such as tourist spots and hotels. Recommend visit to Gurney drive (Gurney Plaza plus Local Hawker food), Batu Fer Beach, Penang Hill, Kek Lok Shi Temple etc. Recommend to try local Penang Food.
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| U Menon |
26 December 2004 |
Stayed at Sunway Hotel Georgetown - Penang, Malaysia.
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In peak season, Penang hill railway gets quite crowded and you most probably would have 2 hrs wait to board the train. An ideal way to do this trip is to get the tickets and then go to visit the Chek Lok si temple during the waiting period (2hrs should be sufficient to do the main sights). From Komtar to Ayer Itam (where the Penang Hill Rly station is ) there are lot of buses, but most do not go to Rly station itself (only bus no 8 goes and the frequency is not good). If you're ready to walk, take an Ayer Itam bus, ask the driver to drop you at the roundabout for the station and it is about 15min walk away. If you need to do the Lok si temple along with Penang hill, then it is advisable to have own transport as the distance between them is more than 25mnts walk and during peak season it is difficult to get taxis from Rly station to take you to the temple.
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| A Yusof |
24 December 2004 |
Stayed at Tanjung Bungah Beach Hotel - Penang, Malaysia.
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It's very easy to locate this hotel. Get a good map at the Tourist info center before departing. It will only take you less than 30 minutes driving from the Penang Bridge. I visited Kek Lok Si Temple, Botanical Garden, Gurney Drive, Fort Cornwallis and P. Ramlee's House. I ate at Gurney Drive which served tasty foods. The Char Kuay Teow, Satay and Pasembur are delicious. Wish I can eat more but my stomach refuse to take. Hee..hee...Penang is a nice place to visit, whether you are alone, with family or friends.
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| S Tostevin |
22 December 2004 |
Stayed at Grand Continental Penang, Hotel - Penang, Malaysia.
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There isn't a great deal to do around this Hotel. There are a couple of very Big Shopping Malls (& Bus Station), that's about it. If you want to go to either of the nice beach resorts (Tanjung Bunga or Batu Ferringhi) do yourself a favour and save a fair few bob/nickels by taking a number 93 or 202 Bus from the Bus Station (below & next door to the Shangri La Hotel). Cost is 2 Ringgit per person as opposed to a Taxi which is 28 Ringgit both taking about the same amount of time (half an hour)!!! You can also catch a Bus that goes close (about 5 minutes brisk walk) to the Airport from here. Again cost is 2 Ringgit as opposed to 28 Ringgit, again!!!
Bus number is 66.
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| R Crabb |
07 December 2004 |
Stayed at Eastern and Oriental Hotel - Penang, Malaysia.
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Georgetown is a town on the cusp of change. It is seeking to be a world heritage site because of its unique straits chinese character with elegant mansions,profusion of temples, shophouse architecture and narrow streets. Yet it suffers somewhat from hectic and random town (mis)planning and traffic is chaotic. Away from the main streets, which seemed to be almost all undergoing repair, the streets of Georgetown exude an old-world charm which must have been akin to Singapore about 50 or 60 years ago. Getting around on foot is the way to go but crossing major roads can be frantic which makes what should be a pedestrian city somewhat fraught. Neverthless I would be interested to go back in a couple of years time to see what has transpired in this unique place. The street and hawker food was good, the weather fine and the people friendly and helpful.
Getting around by pedicab is a nice experience, although be warned that they are not really made for two western backsides. The architecture, even on the run down, yet to be restored, buildings is splendid. Time will tell whether the city can retain its authentic character and back street trades, especially in the face of new rent increases. I recommend visiting this piece of history (and staying at the E & O is part of that) before it gets turned into a theme-park like Chinatown in Singapore, a danger of which its citizens are only too aware.
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| D Lindley |
02 December 2004 |
Stayed at Mutiara Beach Resort, Penang - Penang, Malaysia.
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Five comments: Seafood is the thing to eat here. There are some major restaurants in Batu Ferringhi; however, we found the small local places near the hotel were also very good. Take a hike in the Nation Park (hire a quide). Use taxis to get around; they are cheap! The ocean here is not very good for swimming (although I did); jellyfish and polution. The Batu Ferringhi night market is a kick!
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