EXPERIENCE PENANG ISLAND

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Penang batu Ferringhi with the beautiful white sandy beaches where you find the local people mixed with tourist enjoying the beaches and watersport activities

 Penang might be well-known for its art, heritage and food but largely overlooked are its recreational forests and golf courses. Don’t be fooled by the size of the state, it packs in a lot more than one assumes. Nature lovers and sports enthusiasts who seek a break from the usual tourist activities will be pleasantly surprised by what Penang can offer.

Pockets of greenery can be easily found once visitors head away from the UNESCO heritage zones. One can breathe easy and be revitalised by a good round of golf or an invigorating hike at a recreational forest.

Penang Hill | Penang Botanic Gardens | Sia Boey | Penang National Park | Tropical Spice Garden | Tropical Fruit Farm | Durian Farms | Teluk Bahang Recreational Park (Taman Rimba)

After a full day of exploration and adventuring, it is nice to take a day off and spend it amongst the tranquil parks and gardens of Penang. Escape the heat of the city by heading uphill for cool temperatures or go for a walk with locals at their favoured park. Be rewarded doubly by hiking through a forest and ending up on a beach. Or if you are a casual botanist, learn more about local herbs, spices and fruits through inspiringly designed gardens and farms. An off day in Penang might be as rewarding as it is relaxing.

Street Art | Heritage Zones | Places of Worship | Penang Stories

The city is a living testimony of Asia’s multicultural heritage and traditions, where varied religions and cultures meet. It also reflects the coming together of cultural elements to create a unique architectural and cultural townscape unparalleled anywhere in East and Southeast Asia.

 Landmarks | Museums & Art Galleries | Traditional Trades | Peranakan | Free CAT Bus

The George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site features Malaysia’s best restored and re-adaptive traditional architecture as well as a multitude of heritage trades and arts.

The world-renowned ‘Street of Harmony’ reflects the influence of the diverse communities that have made Penang their home. At only 2.5sq km, the George Town World Heritage Site is compact enough to be explored on foot, bicycle or trishaw.

George Town’s Outstanding Universal Values (OUVs)

According to UNESCO, the city represents an exceptional example of a multicultural trading town in Southeast Asia, forged from the mercantile and civilisation exchanges of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European influences.

Core Zone (109.38 hectares)
The Historic City of George Town covers an area of 109.38ha bounded by the Straits of Malacca on the north-eastern cape of Penang Island, Lorong Love (Love Lane) to the north-west and Gat Lebuh Melayu, Lorong Carnarvon and Lebuh Carnarvon to the south-west corner. There are more than 1,700 historic buildings within this Core Zone aligned on four main streets of Pengkalan Weld, Lebuh Pantai, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling and Lorong Love, as well as several perpendicular streets of Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, Lebuh Light, Lebuh Bishop, Lebuh Gereja, Lebuh China, Lebuh Pasar, Lebuh Chulia, Lebuh Armenian and Lebuh Acheh.

Buffer Zone (150.04 hectares)

The Core Zone is protected by 150.04ha of Buffer Zone (not including sea buffer), bounded by a stretch of sea area around the harbour, Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong and Gat Jalan Prangin to the south-west corner and Jalan Transfer to the north-west corner.

Food & Beverages | Shopping & Spa | Entertainment

There are so many places to go, food to taste and things to experience. Shop at malls or an artisan's shophouse and bring home a little piece of Penang as a reminder of your adventures. Unwind from a day of exploration at a spa before heading out for a dose of Penang's vibrant nightlife. If that sounds like plenty, don't forget that every meal in Penang is an experience in itself. Dive in and lose yourself in the good life while you are here.

As Penang is so compact, travelling around the island and exploring the mainland is relatively easy whether you choose public transport or rental vehicles. The Rapid Penang bus service offers comprehensive routes around the state, and all buses are air-conditioned. In addition to taxis and e-hailing services, rental of cars, motorbikes and bicycles are extremely popular in Penang.

By Air

Penang is easily accessible by air with daily flights from major airports in the country and the region. The Penang International Airport is about 20km from the city centre. Taxis plying the route follow the coupon system where fares between the airport and various destinations in Penang are fixed.

By Road

The North-South Highway connects Penang to major cities on the West side of Peninsular Malaysia. Travel by highway can take anywhere from 4-5 hours with toll charges in between.

By Passenger Ferry

The Ferry Terminal or Jetty is where passengers board the ferry that plies between Penang Island and the mainland. Penang Island is just a 10- minute ferry ride from Butterworth. If you are taking a train to Penang from Kuala Lumpur or other cities, you may board the ferry to Penang Island from the ferry terminal at Butterworth, which is located next to the train station. Although it is possible to travel between the island and the mainland via the Penang Bridge, taking the ferry is also convenient. 

Operating Hours
7am-11pm** Departing from Penang island (Swettenham Pier) to the mainland (Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim)
6.30am-10.30pm** Departing from the mainland (Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim) to the island (Swettenham Pier) 
Operating Intervals: 30 minutes (peak hours) & 60 minutes (non-peak hours)
Fare: Adult RM1.20 / Child RM0.60

Note
* Note, the ferry is free of charge from Penang island to the mainland - fare is imposed only from the mainland to the island
** Schedules are an estimation.

By Rail

The journey from Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth takes approximately six hours. Taking the train is a comfortable way to travel within the country and it affords one the opportunity to see a lot of the countryside. The railway station on mainland Penang connects to the mainline which runs from Bangkok to Johor Bahru (for access from Singapore).

GETTING AROUND

While downtown Penang might be small in size, there are various modes of public transportation available; from trishaws to free shuttle buses, standard city buses and taxis. It is also possible to walk around George Town and its surrounding neighbourhood. Public transportation is also available for more distant attractions out of George Town, such as the Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang Hill and the ones up in Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang or Penang National Park. Do check schedules and fares before deciding on your preferred mode of transport.

Taxis

Taxis are easily available around the island; it is a common means of getting around by visitors. Be sure to agree on a price before boarding the taxi. Start by asking how much it is to get to your destination; you can negotiate on the prices quoted if you feel that they are too high.

E-hailing Services

Apps such as Grab are available in Penang. Simply download the app to start booking your trips. Payment is either by cash or credit/debit card.

Buses

The main public bus service is by Rapid Penang and it covers an extensive area both on the island and mainland. It also operates a Free CAT (Central Area Transit) bus service within George Town. KOMTAR Terminal is the central transfer terminal for buses that cover the whole of Penang Island. Simply ask around or look out for signboards to find out which bus route serves you best. Upon boarding the Rapid Penang bus, inform the driver of your destination, pay the amount required and receive a ticket for your trip. Remember to prepare exact change as no change will be given back as all buses do not carry change for safety reasons.

*Fares are based on distance travelled.

Transportation Card (1-month use)
Fare:
Adult RM110 (Foreigners) RM75 (Malaysians),
Student RM55 (Foreigners) RM35 (Malaysians)

Application Preparation
• 1 ID photo
• 1 copy of the applicant’s passport
• 1 copy of student ID
• fee of RM5

Free CAT Bus

Free CAT Bus (Central Area Transit) is a free shuttle bus service that operates within George Town. It is the most common means of transportation for travellers to get to popular local attractions for free. Trips are at intervals of 15 minutes. Look out for Rapid Penang buses that bear a “Free CAT Bus” sign.
Operating Hours: 6:00 am to 11:45 pm Fare: Free

Bus Stops from Ferry Terminal to KOMTAR
2 Ferry Terminal → 3 Little India → 4 Immigration → 5 Bank Negara → 6 Museum → 7 Muntri Street → 8 Campbell Street → 9 KOMTAR

Bus Stops from KOMTAR to Ferry Terminal
9 KOMTAR → 11 Kedah Road → 12 Chowrasta Market → 13 KOMTAR East → 14 Carnarvon Street → 15 Kampung Kolam → 16 Penang Supreme Court → 17 Dewan Sri Pinang → 18 Fort Cornwallis → 19 Downing Street → 1 Weld Quay → 2 Ferry Terminal

Trishaws

Driven purely on manpower, the iconic trishaw is great for going around George Town. Opt for a trishaw ride if you enjoy breezy rides. Be sure to agree on a price before starting your journey. The average rate is RM30 per hour for two persons, depending on the distance between starting and ending points.

Rent-A-Car

It's easy to drive around or have a ride to Kuala Lumpur for a car Rental or motorbike rental send us a mail we will deliver the car right where you are hotel or apartment to reservation@above-5.com or concierge@above.com and we will contact you in order to discuss the best options.

Renting a car offers great flexibility and convenience. They are charged by daily rate – all you have to do is pay a deposit and the car is yours to go anywhere with. Car rentals are available around town – most hotels can hook you up with one.

Rent-A-Bike/Bicycle

Bicycles and motorbikes also offer inexpensive and fun ways to explore the island. There is a shared bike system in the city and its surroundings and other bike rentals are also available along the hotel stretch of BatuFerringhi.

Penang Island is about a 10-minute passenger ferry ride from mainland Penang on the Malaysian Peninsula. There are two bridges connecting the island to the mainland, namely Penang Bridge and the Second Penang Bridge (Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’Adzam Shah Bridge). Penang International Airport sees incoming flights from many international destinations, such as China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam and Qatar. Langkawi Island is a 2-hour-45-minute ferry ride away, or a short 35-minute flight. Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur is a 50-minute flight away, or can alternatively be reached by a 4-hour train or car ride.

Holiday Outfit

As Penang has a tropical climate, it is advisable to wear cool clothing. It is usually sunny, but the heat is moderate and still comfortable to walk around outdoors. Shopping malls and restaurants are equipped with air-conditioning so you may want to carry along a light cover-up. If you are attending a formal function, a western-style suit or a batik shirt for men is acceptable. To be safe, check with your host before the event. It is a requirement to dress modestly when visiting places of worship. Mosques will often prepare appropriate cover-ups for tourists. Shoes should also be removed when entering places of worship.

Have a small umbrella on hand when you’re planning outdoor activities, and always carry a bottle of water to keep hydrated amid all that excitement. Do keep in mind that it is not advisable to drink tap water directly.

Travel Tips

Malaysian Immigration laws require that every person entering Malaysia must possess a valid passport with more than six (6) months validity from the date of entry into Malaysia, so do check your passport before you plan your travels.

Electrical sockets in Malaysia supply electricity between 220 and 240 volts. You will need a type G socket adapter in order for your plugs to be compatible for use in Malaysia.

Local Languages

The official language of Malaysia is Malay, but many locals are proficient in English as well. Most Penangites are competent in more than two languages. Almost all Chinese speak ‘Penang Hokkien’ which is unique because of the blend of Chinese with many ‘adopted’ Malay words and some English words. Penangites’ most common greeting is “Dah makan kah?” (Malay), “Chiak pa boi” (Hokkien), “Saptacha” (Tamil) which literally means “Have you eaten?”.

Penang weather

Penang enjoys a year-round tropical rainforest climate where it is warm and sunny all year round, with plentiful rainfall due to its geographical location and the monsoon climate. It is usually warmest in the months of January and February during the period of Chinese New Year, and rainy during the southwest monsoon from April to September. The climate is very much dictated by the surrounding sea and the wind system. The average temperature is above 30 ̊C during the day and above 25 ̊C at night. The weather in Penang is suitable for strolls or cycling around the city, whether day or night.