Before visiting Penang, know this: George Town is walkable, but you'll want Grab or the free CAT bus for anything further; hawkers take cash or Touch 'n Go QR rather than cards; and the food is the reason to go, while Gurney Drive and Penang Hill can disappoint. These tips come from our 2017 food trip and our 2018 trip with my parents, updated with what's changed since.
Penang tips at a glance
| Entry | Singapore citizens are reported as exempt from the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card |
|---|---|
| Paying | Cash or Touch 'n Go eWallet QR at hawker stalls; cards at most restaurants |
| Getting around | Walk George Town; Grab or the free CAT bus for longer hops |
| Don't miss | The street food, the murals and the heritage streets |
| Skip | Gurney Drive for food, and Penang Hill if you're short on time |
The tips
- Check the entry rules
- George Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Penang is a food haven
- Bring cash, or pay with Touch 'n Go QR
- Getting around: walk, Grab or the free CAT bus
- There's street art everywhere
- Sort out mobile data before you go
- Gurney Drive is for tourists
- Penang Hill is boring
- Stay in George Town
Penang is an island off Malaysia's northwest coast, linked to the mainland by the Penang Bridge (槟威大桥). We loved our first trip in 2017 so much that we went back in 2018 with my parents.
1. Check the Entry Rules
Singapore citizens have been reported as exempt from the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card since January 2024. Rules can change, so check Malaysia's immigration website before you fly.
2. George Town Is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
George Town became a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 7 July 2008. Its mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian heritage makes Penang a truly multicultural place, with British colonial buildings, Chinese shophouses, mosques and temples all in the same few streets. Peranakan culture is a big draw for visitors too.
In 2018, we made it to George Town World Heritage Day on 7 July, and it was a blast, with carnivals, cultural performances, street food and street art. The day is a public holiday in Penang, so expect crowds if you visit then.
3. Penang Is a Food Haven
Even Malaysians agree that Penang is a street food paradise, with hidden gems on every corner. We went back in 2018 for the food, and honestly, we can't get enough: it's so good and affordable. Our favourites are in our best street food in Penang guide, and our 3-day Penang itinerary shows how to fit them into a trip.
Tip: most hawker stalls close one day a week and many sell out early, so check opening hours before you make a special trip.
4. Bring Cash, or Pay with Touch 'n Go QR
On our earlier trips, street food vendors only took cash, while most restaurants and cafés we visited accepted credit cards. That has changed: many stalls now display a DuitNow QR code, and we pay with Touch 'n Go eWallet ourselves.
Since 2025, Singapore tourists can sign up for Touch 'n Go eWallet with a Singapore mobile number and a passport, and top it up with a Singapore bank card. Set it up before you fly, and still carry some ringgit for stalls without a QR code.
5. Getting Around: Walk, Grab or the Free CAT Bus
You can get around George Town easily on foot, but there's no subway or metro in Penang, and locals mostly drive or ride. We took Grab most of the time. As with any ride-hailing app, fares go up at peak times, so download the app before you arrive.
For short hops in George Town, try the free CAT (Central Area Transit) bus. It loops between Weld Quay and Komtar roughly every 10 to 15 minutes, from early morning until late evening. For Kek Lok Si, Ayer Itam or the beaches, Grab is easier.
6. There's Street Art Everywhere
Beyond the heritage buildings, George Town's streets are full of murals. Some show their age, but they're still worth a walk. You can also rent a bicycle to explore. We rented a 4-seater bike, which was fun, though you'll feel the pressure from cars behind you on busier roads.
7. Sort Out Mobile Data Before You Go
In 2018, we used a Hotlink Red SIM card we'd bought on an earlier trip to JB. It cost RM10 at most phone shops, with day and week data passes, and it expired if we didn't top it up within three months. Plans have changed a lot since then.
Today the easiest option is an eSIM you set up before you fly, such as this Malaysia eSIM on Klook, or a prepaid SIM from a phone shop when you arrive. You'll want data for Grab, maps and Touch 'n Go.
8. Gurney Drive Is for Tourists
Gurney Drive was a popular spot when I visited Penang as a kid, and my relatives would take us there for asam laksa and lok lok. On our recent trips, though, the food disappointed us. You can try many local dishes there, but they aren't authentic, and locals no longer go. Eat at our favourite street food spots instead.
2026 note: the Gurney Drive hawkers are due to move to a new Gurney Bay hawker centre in 2027.
9. Penang Hill Is Boring
We took the funicular up Penang Hill for RM30 each and found ourselves at the top without much of a view. There isn't much to do up there, and everything is overpriced: from the Owl Museum to the photo spots, you pay extra for each one. You're better off with Mount Faber or Bukit Timah Hill in Singapore, which are free.
2026 fares: a return ticket is still about RM30 for foreign adults, with a pricier fast lane for busy days. If you go, go early on a clear day.
10. Stay in George Town
Staying in George Town keeps you within walking distance of the food and the heritage streets. In 2025, we stayed at The Prestige Hotel: read our The Prestige Hotel Penang review. For a beach break instead, read our Angsana Teluk Bahang review, or compare Penang hotels on Agoda.
FAQ
Do Singaporeans need a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card for Penang?
Singapore citizens have been reported as exempt since January 2024. Check Malaysia's immigration website before you fly, as rules can change.
Can I pay by card at Penang hawker stalls?
Usually not. Bring cash, or pay with Touch 'n Go eWallet at stalls with a DuitNow QR code. Singapore tourists can sign up with a Singapore mobile number and passport. Most restaurants and cafes take cards.
How do you get around George Town?
Walk around the heritage area, take the free CAT bus between Weld Quay and Komtar, and use Grab for anything further, such as Kek Lok Si or the beaches.
Do I need a SIM card or eSIM in Penang?
You'll want data for Grab, maps and Touch 'n Go QR payments. The easiest option is a Malaysia eSIM set up before you fly, or a prepaid SIM from a phone shop when you arrive.
Is Penang Hill worth visiting?
We found it boring: there was little view when we went, and every attraction at the top costs extra. A return funicular ticket is about RM30 for foreign adults.
Is Gurney Drive worth it for food?
Not for us. The food there disappointed us and locals no longer go. The hawkers are due to move to a new Gurney Bay hawker centre in 2027.
Tips are from our 2017 and 2018 trips, with entry, payment, transport and fare details checked in November 2026.