Getting there and choosing your base
- Penang International Airport (PEN): At Bayan Lepas, about 16 km south of George Town, with domestic and regional flights. Rapid Penang buses and pre-paid taxis run to the city; staying at Batu Ferringhi means a much longer ride across the island.
- Butterworth station and Penang Sentral: Trains and many long-distance buses arrive on the mainland at Butterworth, where the station, bus terminal and ferry terminal sit together. A passenger ferry crosses to Weld Quay on the edge of George Town's heritage zone.
- Sungai Nibong bus terminal: Some long-distance coaches use this terminal on the island, south of George Town and near the airport. Ask which terminal your bus uses before choosing a hotel by the ferry or in the suburbs.
Areas to consider
George Town heritage zone
Suits food-focused trips and walking among shophouses, temples and colonial buildings, with hostels around Chulia Street and Love Lane. Converted shophouses often have narrow stairs, so ask whether there is a lift if you have heavy luggage.
Gurney Drive and Pulau Tikus
Suits travellers who want sea-front hotels, malls and hawker food just outside the old town. Confirm whether a free CAT shuttle or a regular bus stops nearby, as the walk into the heritage zone is long in the heat.
Batu Ferringhi and Tanjung Bungah
Suits beach holidays at the larger resorts on the island's north coast. It is a long ride into George Town, so check how you will get there if you plan to eat in the city most evenings.
Bayan Lepas
Suits early flights, business trips to the industrial zone and short stopovers. There is little to see near the airport, so check what restaurants are within walking distance before booking more than a night.
When to go
Penang's busiest periods are Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year, when rooms are scarce and rates rise. January and February are usually the driest months, while September to November, and often August, bring the most rain and frequent thunderstorms.
Before choosing a room
- Rates may be advertised 'plus-plus', meaning government tax and a service charge are added on top. Compare the final total rather than the headline price.
- Foreign guests also pay Malaysia's tourism tax per room per night, which may not be in a prepaid booking and can be collected at check-in.
- Shophouse hotels in the heritage area sometimes sit next to restaurants, temples or late bars. Ask which side of the building the room is on.
Sources and planning resources
- Wikivoyage: Penang
- Wikivoyage: George Town (Malaysia)
- MyPenang (Penang state tourism)
- How Hotel Unfiltered uses guest reviews
Facts checked on . Transport services, taxes and hotel offers can change. Confirm the details for your trip before booking.