With a population of 300.000, George Town is the largest city in Penang, Malaysia by the number of inhabitants. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. We recommend you stay at least 3 days in order to fully appreciate everything George Town has to offer.
If you’re looking for affordable options, Penang Kitchen, All day dining (218D Jalan Macalister) and Restaurant Blanc Penang (228 Macalister Road) are great picks.
Looking for warm weather? Then head to George Town in January, when the average temperature is 28 °C, and the highest can go up to 32 °C. The coldest month, on the other hand, is August, when it can get as cold as 24 °C, with an average temperature of 27 °C. You’re likely to see more rain in October, when precipitation is around 375 mm. In contrast, January is usually the driest month of the year in George Town, with an average rainfall of 61 mm.
When flying to George Town, you’ll arrive at Penang Intl (PEN), which is located 15 km from the city centre. The shortest flight to George Town from Australia departs from Perth and takes around 7h 50m.
Another option to get to George Town is to pick up a car hire from Kuala Lumpur, which is about 294 km from George Town. You’ll find branches of Paradise and Galaxy Asia Car Rental, among others, in Kuala Lumpur.
The most popular bus station is George Town Bukit Dumbar Permai, located 5 km from the city centre of George Town. George Town Cititel Hotel is also a commonly used station, and is 0.6 km from the city centre.
From 5-star hotels such as the Shangri-La Rasa Sayang, Penang to great affordable options like the Jawi Peranakan Mansion, George Town offers a range of accommodations for every taste. Average rates range from around $54 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $109 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Old Penang Hotel - Penang Times Square and Noordin Mews.