Penang is so small and developed that it is sometimes difficult to tell where Georgetown’s urban sprawl stops. City buses also double as long-distance buses, running across the entire island, even as far as Penang National Park. The two main bus hubs are the KOMTAR complex, just look for the tallest building in Georgetown, and Weld Quay, where ferries arrive from Butterworth.
Penang’s new RapidPenang buses are clean, modern, and run well. The system can still seem confusing at first despite the clear markings and large electronic signs showing the current location of each bus. Many routes overlap; You may have a bus labeled for another location that stops near your destination; check out the colorful route map or ask your driver.
The bus system in Penang makes getting to sites and attractions around the island quite easy. Read more about things to do in Penang and shopping malls in Penang.
Hours: With just a few exceptions, most Rapid Penang buses stop running around 11pm. If you miss the last bus back to Georgetown, expect to pay an exponentially higher fare when you take a cab.
Fares: bus fares vary depending on your destination; you must tell the driver where you want to go when boarding. Typical fares for a one-way trip are generally between 33 cents and $ 1.66.
Free Buses – Full-size buses known as Central Area Transportation (CAT) run through Georgetown’s major stops, including Fort Cornwallis, free of charge; look for buses labeled “MPPP” on the electronic sign. Every day except Sunday, free buses run every 20 minutes from Weld Quay until 11:40 p.m.
Quick Passport – If you intend to spend at least a week in Georgetown and plan to do a lot of sightseeing, you can buy a quick passport card. The card allows you to take unlimited bus rides for seven days. Fast passport cards can be purchased at the airport, at the Weld Quay terminal and at the KOMTAR bus terminal.
More information: Rapid Penang’s headquarters are located at Rapid Penang Sdn Bhd, Lorong Kulit, 10460 Penang; Route maps, fares and schedules can be found on their website.
Taxis and Georgetown
As in Kuala Lumpur, taxis in Georgetown are metered and labeled with a ‘no haggling’ sign. However, local authorities rarely enforce the use of the meter; You must agree on the fare before entering the taxi. Taxi fares are much higher at night, in some cases even double.
Trishaws and Georgetown
Although not a good idea during the heat and afternoon traffic, the old bike-powered trishaws provide a distinctive outdoor vehicle for getting around town.
As with taxis, always negotiate the price before getting into a trishaw. A typical fee should be around $ 10 for an hour of sightseeing.
Rent your own vehicle
Rental cars are available at the airport or you can rent a motorcycle for less than $ 10 per day. Numerous signs along Jalan Chulia, the main tourist highway through Chinatown, advertise rental services. Note that the police routinely stop foreigners on motorcycles to verify an international driver’s license. Not wearing a helmet is a sure way to get a ticket.
For walk
Walking is the best way to appreciate the old colonial buildings and enjoy the smells of food and the burning of incense at local shrines. Georgetown is easy to navigate on foot, but many of the sidewalks are broken, blocked by street vendor carts, or completely closed for construction.
Some streets can confusingly appear to have the same name, differentiated only by the Malay words below:
- Road: camino
- Hallway: carril
- Street: street
Be safe and aware of your surroundings when walking at night, especially around the tourist streets of Jalan Chulia and Love Lane.
Getting to and from Georgetown
Sunny and congested Georgetown is the beating heart of Penang. The core of the city is in the extreme northeast of Penang, but the suburbs and developments are spread over much of the island.
From Butterworth: The 20-minute ferry ride from the mainland to Penang costs less than 50 cents. Boats depart daily from 5:30 am to 12:30 am The return trip to Butterworth by ferry is free. Ferries arrive at Weld Quay on the eastern edge of the city. You will find buses and taxis waiting for your arrival.
From the airport: Penang International Airport (PEN) is located approximately 12 miles south of Georgetown. Fixed-rate taxis to the city take around 45 minutes, or you can take bus # 401 for around $ 1. Buses to the airport are labeled “Bayan Lepas.”
Driving: The Penang Bridge, south of Georgetown, connects Penang to the mainland at Butterworth. Cars and motorcycles pay a toll of $ 2.33 to cross. There is no toll on the return to Butterworth.
More information on traveling to Malaysia.
