When considering a vacation to Penang, knowing where to stay can take a lot of work. Moreover, getting around the island can be stressful, so you can compare all the options in this list and decide what works best for you.
Tourists have various options to explore Penang, from buses and taxis to other forms of transportation. For instance, bus stops are close by many major attractions in the area for easy access and nearby Penang hotels. While some parts of the island may not be as crowded with people, transport is still readily available across all areas!
Taxis in Penang
If you’re in a rush, taxis are always at your disposal right outside of the departures exit of Penang Airport. However, Penang has unfortunately gained a negative reputation regarding its taxi services, namely, tourists reporting higher than average charges due to the lack of meters used by drivers. Therefore, you can book over the phone and agree on your journey price to avoid this. One Taxi service based in George Town is C T Radio Taxi Service running 24 hours and is only minutes from the airport. Or you may prefer a car rental in Penang to explore the island.
Car rental on Penang Island
If you’re looking for an exciting way to explore Penang, renting a car is the perfect option! Even though it’s not the safest transportation (especially in Georgetown), driving a rental car gives you complete freedom – you can go wherever and whenever you want. So take advantage of this unique opportunity by venturing on your road trip while on the island. To rent a car in Penang, look for winter offers. Car hire starts from RM100/RM150 daily.
Buses on Penang Island
Taking a public bus is your best bet for the most affordable, convenient means of transportation around Georgetown. These buses cover almost all attractions on the island and cost less than 2 ringgit per 10-minute ride – you can either hand it directly to the driver or put it inside a box behind them.
The bus route nr.101 from Batu Ferringhi ultimately terminates at the Komtar Building in Georgetown. You can usually discern that you’re getting near to this stop by noting all other passengers ready to depart here – as it’s the predominant public transportation hub of central Georgetown! Before reaching this destination, some popular stops along this journey include Island Plaza, Gurney Plaza, and (albeit less common nowadays) Midland One Stop shopping centers.
Getting to major attractions
Don’t be shocked if the bus sometimes comes at its appointed time, though there has been significant improvement in punctuality over recent years. Unfortunately, few to no buses run late into the night – so have a contingency plan and consider calling an Uber or Grab instead. Georgetown’s buses will take you to major attractions like Botanic Gardens, Kek Lok Si Temple, and Penang Hill. You can also get regular connections from all main cities within Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur etc.), Cameron Highlands, and even Singapore!
Uncover the unique beauty of Georgetown on a free and convenient shuttle ride! With this service, you can explore all the capital city offers without missing a sight. This may be your better transport option in Pennag if you prefer to avoid driving a hire car only to sit in traffic queues. Peak-time traffic does have a build-up of traffic on the island. At least on the complimentary shuttle, you can relax and enjoy the sites as you journey through one of the most fascinating cities on Penang island.