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Penang
Street food, shophouses and a hill above the sea
- Best time to visit
- Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
- Currency
- MYR
- Time zone
- UTC+8
- Country
- Malaysia
An island joined to the mainland by two long bridges, with the UNESCO-listed old town of George Town and Malaysia's best street food.
- Kuala Lumpur
- Johor Bahru
- George Town
- Ipoh
- Kota Kinabalu
Quick facts
- Country
- Malaysia
- Capital
- Kuala Lumpur
- Province population
- 1.8M
- Population of Malaysia
- 34.1M
- Country area
- 330,803 km²
- Official language
- Malay
- Currency
- Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) · 1 USD ≈ 4.09 MYR
- Time zone
- UTC+8
- Calling code
- +60
- Drives on the
- Left
- Elevation
- 5 m
- Plugs
- G · 240V
- Emergency numbers
- 999 · 112
- Best time to visit
- Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Temperatures through the year
Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.
Temperatures through the year
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 32° | 33° | 33° | 33° | 32° | 32° | 31° | 31° | 31° | 31° | 31° | 31° |
| Low | 24° | 24° | 25° | 25° | 25° | 25° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 24° |
Best time to visitOther months
Approximate daily cost
Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.
- ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$35
- HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$82
- LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$220
Top things to do
- Free
George Town heritage walk and street art
Shophouses, clan temples and wall murals in the UNESCO-listed old town; go early before the heat.
- Half day
- George Town
- Good for kids
- ≈ $20
Penang Hill funicular
A steep railway to cooler air and views over the island and the bridges; lovely at dusk.
- Half day
- Penang Hill and Air Itam
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
- ≈ $5
Kek Lok Si Temple
One of the largest Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia, with a seven-storey pagoda and a huge bronze statue.
- Half day
- Penang Hill and Air Itam
- ≈ $8
Hawker food night
Penang is Malaysia's food capital: try char kway teow, laksa and cendol at Gurney Drive or New Lane.
- Half day
- George Town
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
- ≈ $15
Blue Mansion and Pinang Peranakan Mansion
Two restored merchant houses showing the Chinese and Straits Chinese heritage of the island; guided tours.
- Half day
- George Town
- Indoors
- ≈ $15
Penang National Park and beaches
Jungle trails to Monkey Beach and a turtle beach, with a boat back; then Batu Ferringhi's beach and night market.
- Full day
- Batu Ferringhi and the national park
Before you go
Entry and visas
Most visitors must submit the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online within 3 days before arriving. Visa rules depend on your passport; check with the Immigration Department of Malaysia.
Official websiteFrom the airport
Penang International Airport has flights from Kuala Lumpur (1 hour) and around the region; a taxi or e-hailing car to George Town takes about 30 minutes. ETS trains from KL run to Butterworth, then a short ferry.
Getting around
Rapid Penang buses are cheap; Grab cars are easy for longer trips. Walk or cycle around George Town's centre.
Local tips
- It is hot and humid all year; plan walks for the morning and evening.
- Many hawker stalls are cash-only and close one day a week.
- Dress modestly in temples and mosques; shoes off inside.
- Heavy afternoon showers are common from September to November.
Areas worth knowing
- Penang Hill and Air Itam
- Batu Ferringhi and the national park
- George Town
The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on March 19, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.
Read the advice on GOV.UKMore cities in Malaysia
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Sources: Immigration Department of Malaysia: MDAC · Tourism Malaysia