Penang Island
Penang Island
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Plan Your Trip to Penang Island: Best of Penang Island Tourism

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This award is our highest recognition and is presented annually to those businesses that are the Best of the Best on Tripadvisor, those that earn excellent reviews from travellers and are ranked in the top 1% of properties worldwide.
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By Liv C

Explore Penang Island

Famed throughout Asia for its heady mix of eastern cultures, Penang Island is Malaysia’s prime melting pot. Roadside vendors serve some of the world’s best street food; its national parks offer white-sand beaches and wildlife; and UNESCO-listed George Town is full of colorful heritage houses.

Essential Penang Island

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Things to do

  • Pinang Peranakan Mansion
    4.5 of 5 bubbles4,516
    History Museums
  • Kek Lok Si Temple
    4.2 of 5 bubbles4,002
    Architectural Buildings, Religious Sites
  • Entopia
    4.4 of 5 bubbles1,681
    Educational sites, Gardens
  • The Habitat Penang Hill
    4.6 of 5 bubbles779
    Nature & Wildlife Areas
  • Armenian Street
    4.3 of 5 bubbles1,617
    Historic Sites, Historic Walking Areas
  • Cheong Fatt Tze - The Blue Mansion
    4.0 of 5 bubbles2,911
    Historic Sites

Places to stay

  • Hompton By The Beach Penang
    4.5 of 5 bubbles667

Food & drink

  • Garden Cafe
    4.4 of 5 bubbles317
    $$ - $$$International, European, Asian
  • Knife and Fork Restaurant
    4.8 of 5 bubbles274
    $Asian, Malaysian, Vegetarian friendly
  • Healy Mac's Irish Bar & Restaurant
    4.7 of 5 bubbles1,445
    $$ - $$$Irish, Bar, European
  • Laksalicious
    4.6 of 5 bubbles409
    $Asian, Malaysian, Vegetarian friendly

Penang Island Is Great For

Cultural Tours

Eat & drink

Historical Tours

After dark

Half-day Tours

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Penang Island travel advice

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These questions and answers were created by AI, using the most common questions travellers ask in the forums.

Public Transport Options

According to forum posts, Penang offers various public transport options including buses and taxis. The 204 bus is noted for its route to Penang Hill and is an economical choice at around 2 ringgit, although exact fare is required as no change is given. Taxis and the Grab e-hailing service are also popular, with Grab being particularly recommended for its fixed pricing and safety features.

Grab Service

Travelers have called out Grab as a must-have app for transportation in Penang, suggesting it for both ease of use and cost-effectiveness. The service provides a reliable and affordable way to navigate the island, including trips to major attractions and the airport.

Ferry Service

Some users mentioned the ferry service as an operational mode of transport between the mainland and Penang Island. This service is highlighted as a viable option, especially for those looking to avoid traffic or for a scenic route.

This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.
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Availability at the Airport

Some travelers mentioned that SIM cards can be purchased at Penang International Airport upon arrival. Notable stores like Celcom Bluecube and Maxis are available, typically closing around 10 pm to 11 pm. However, it's important to note that you should bring your passport, as it is required for purchase.

Online Pre-arrangement

According to forum posts, an alternative option is to pre-arrange a SIM card for collection at the airport through services like Klook. This can often include a discount compared to on-the-spot purchases.

In-City Options

For those arriving late or preferring to buy a SIM card within the city, major telecom providers like Digi are widely available at various locations, including convenience stores like 7 Eleven and shopping malls throughout George Town.

This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.
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Tripadvisor is not responsible for these answers or any opinions in them. Please read full forum posts for more details and information.