Backpacking Penang Budget Travel Guide (The Best Secrets in 2024)
Backpacking Penang & Georgetown is a wild ride – from exploring the city’s colourful jetties and street art, climbing mountains, admiring the biggest Buddhist temple in South East Asia and coming across their weird obsession with Transformers, you will find it hard not to fall in love with the place.
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Backpacking Penang, Malaysia
Backpacking Penang is a must when visiting Malaysia. I truly believe that no trip to the country is complete without it! Penang and its capital Georgetown is South-East Asian to its core.
The chaos of the roads, to the almost overwhelming smells of delicious street food. The thick jungle and the picturesque beaches to the architecture and street art of UNESCO World Heritage city, Georgetown.
It really gets the adrenaline pumping in the best way possible.
I’d heard that Penang is the food capital of Malaysia, so naturally, I had to visit. But once I did go to Penang, I fell in love with everything else. It really is one of the best places to travel in Asia.
Here’s my guide on backpacking Penang! (+ some photography spots at the end!)
Things to Know Before Backpacking Penang
- The currency in Malaysia is the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) and at the time of writing, 1 AUD = MYR 3 (64c USD)
- The best way to check bus routes is with Moovit. Sometimes Google Maps gave me incorrect information
- Keep cash on hand when backpacking Penang
- You will really struggle to get by in Penang with only a card. You can pay for some accommodation and buy things at 7/11 with a card, but, you won’t be able to pay for the tasty street food!
- Learn how to say “hello” and “thank you” to be polite! Everyone appreciates manners!
- Hello = “Hello” or “Hai”. Pronounced exactly like it is in English. Easy right?
- Thank you = “Terima Kasih” (tuh-reema ka-seh)
How Much Does Backpacking Penang Cost?
Backpacking Penang can be really affordable, but it can also be quite expensive if you’re not careful! The last thing you want on your trip is to blow your budget too quickly.
To establish how much backpacking Penang will cost you, you have to consider the type of traveller you are! Do you like getting down and dirty, trying to save every last cent, or do you prefer a little bit more comfort? What kind of activities do you like doing? Etc. etc… you get it.
Personally, I was always able to keep my costs under $25 AUD a day ($16 USD) when backpacking Penang. The great thing about it, it doesn’t take too much effort to keep it that low!
If you are to travel like that, you can do it on less than $900 AUD a month! ($570 USD).
But obviously, not everyone will have the same budget – so here’s a cheeky little budget breakdown for all kinds of budget travellers. I fit into Frugal Traveller most days.
Daily Budget Breakdown
| Type of Traveller | Accommodation | Food | Transport | Activities | Total |
| Skint Traveller | $5-12 | $4 | $2-3 | $0 | $11-19 |
| Frugal Traveller | $12-16 | $4-8 | $3-10 | $0-10 | $19-44 |
| A Bit More Comfort | $16-30 | $8-15 | $3-10 | $0-20 | $27-75 |
Penang Budget Travel Tips & Tricks
As I mentioned earlier, Penang itself is a pretty big island and so the transport alone to certain attractions can be steep if you’re by yourself!
Here are my best tips for backpacking Penang on a budget:
1. Where to Eat in Penang on a Budget
Penang is known as the food capital of Malaysia, and for good reason – because it’s all bloody delicious! By the time I left Penang, I wouldn’t be surprised if I was 70% Hokkien Mee. Because of the sheer abundance of restaurants, hawker centres and street food you can find a meal for a pretty good price!
But, in my experience – there are definitely places to avoid when backpacking Penang:
2. Where to Drink in Penang on a Budget
Malaysia is a conservative muslim country, and for that reason – the alcohol isn’t that affordable compared to its louder neighbour, Thailand. The high taxes on it mean that it’s almost the same price for a beer as back home!
That being said, I know how to get some grog for cheap (and even free if you’re a lady!) when backpacking Penang.
3. Use the Sharing Economy
So many people are backpacking Penang, so it can be really easy to make some new friends! But, Penang is a huge island – and visiting attractions by yourself can get really pricey if you’re ordering Grab’s or taxis by yourself.
When you have 3 or 4 people you’re visiting these places with, splitting a ride there and back is actually affordable! Me and a couple of guys from the UK I met checked out the Kek Lok Si Temple and it only cost me $5 AUD ($3 USD) for there and back.
Do yourself a favour, and make some friends! Your bank account will appreciate it and you’ll have a fun time.
4. Use Public Transport
Backpacking Penang is quite easy because the public transport is widespread and links every corner of the island. And luckily for you, it’s really affordable!
At the time of writing, the cost of a one-way ticket is calculated by the length of travel. It costs MYR 1.4 (50c AUD) for the first seven kilometres of travel and reaches a maximum of MYR 4 ($1.30 AUD).
If you would like to know more about how the public transport system in Penang works, check out this article on Penang transport.
For finding out bus routes and how to get to your location, I use Moovit! Google Maps is great, but I found that sometimes it didn’t work properly or gave incorrect info on how to get around Penang. Moovit worked great!
5. Book a Hostel With Free Breakfast & Filtered Water
I always look for places that offer free breakfast when working out how to choose a hostel. It’s quick, convenient and sometimes it fills you up so much you won’t need lunch! Therefore, saving money.
Drinking the tap water isn’t a good choice when backpacking Penang. It is a fantastic way of making sure you spend your holiday sat on a toilet, clutching your stomach. So, I make sure I book a hostel that offers filtered water. At the beginning of the day, I will fill up my Yeti Bottle and that will sort me out until I get back!
6. Visit During Shoulder Season
Like any location, the prices for almost everything rise during the peak season because that’s when the tourists come!
I visited Penang in mid-October and I had a great time! It only rained once.
Check out my 3 Days Penang Itinerary
Things To Do In Penang (And How To Do Them Cheap!)
There is a lot to do when backpacking Penang, and for every kind of traveller! From hiking, food tasting, beaches & museums – you won’t run out of things to do.
But like I mentioned before, Penang Island is massive. if you’re visiting attractions by yourself, even the free ones, it’ll be expensive. But don’t you worry!
Here are the top things to do in Penang, and how to do them cheap!
1. Penang Hill
One of the must-do things when backpacking Penang. Chances are, if you’ve seen any pictures of Penang on postcards, it’ll be of the view from the top! It’s a stunning panoramic view of Georgetown and beyond. Whilst you are at the top, there are some also a couple of temples and food options (although a little expensive).
How to Visit Penang Hill Cheaper
Most people who go to Penang Hill get up via a funicular train. Whilst it no doubt offers a great view on the way up and is a cool experience, it is really expensive!
For foreigners, it will cost MYR 30 ($10 AUD) for a two-way ticket in the Standard Lane (meaning you will wait for ages to even get on the train! Even upwards of 2 hours sometimes). If you don’t want to wait, you can get a Fast Lane two-way ticket for MYR 80 ($27 AUD). I don’t like the sound of that!
But, outside of it all – there’s a way you can get to the top much quicker. No, it’s not hiking (most people would find hiking up Penang Hill absolute hell). And, it’s for the same price of a Standard Lane ticket!
Instead of going to the funicular, there is a driver service that not many people seem to know about! If you go here you will be able to find a few tents that offer rides up and down Penang Hill. The one we went with fit five of us, and cost MYR 30 each ($10 AUD). You only get 2 hours up the top, but we found that’s all we needed!
So if you have friends, that’s a great option!
2. Kek Lok Si Temple
Kek Lok Si Temple is the biggest temple in all of South East Asia, so it is a must do thing when backpacking Penang. And the best part, it’s free!
Wander the temple grounds from top to bottom admiring the stunning architecture and gardens. Once you’ve seen this temple, you don’t need to see anymore!
How to get to Kek Lok Si Temple on a Budget
Kek Lok Si Temple is located in the vibrant neighbourhood of Air Itam, which is roughly 50 minutes away from Georgetown. Unless you want to walk for hours, get some transport!
- Bus: Buses number 203 & 204 depart from Komtar Bus Terminal and will only cost you MYR 2 each way (less than one dollar!)
- Grab: Grab is the easiest way of getting anywhere in Penang, and if you have friends, the price might only be a dollar or two more expensive than a bus.
Air Itam itself has some amazing food – so after you visit the temple, come here for some great food at a great price!
3. Clan Jetties of Georgetown
You have to visit the Clan Jetties of Georgetown when backpacking Penang. Georgetown is known for it’s jetties, and for good reason – they are so cool! Originally a place where Chinese immigrants settled in town and fished for a living, it’s now turned into somewhat a tourist attraction due to how unique these places are.
There are 3 main jetties to check out:
Chew Jetty
The most famous one on this list. There is some cool art on the walls near the end and has a few stalls throughout.
Tan Jetty
Perhaps the least popular of the jetties, but it’s still cool! And one of the best places to watch the sunset in Penang.
Lee Jetty
This is actually my favourite. Most people skip the rest of the jetties once they see the Chew Jetty, and that’s a shame! If you are backpacking Penang, you have to see them all, because they’re all unique in their own way. Once dark, until around 9pm, the Lee Jetty lights up in multiple colours! When I came here, I was the only one there outside of the people living there.
To summarise, please check them out. They are one of the best free things to do in Penang.
4. Penang National Park
Another free thing to do in Penang, seeing the Penang National Park is a must. It’s actually the smallest of the national parks in Malaysia, but don’t let that put you off!
There are several amazing hiking trails that take you through the jungle and spit you out on some stunning beaches that often, you’ll have to yourself!
If you’re brave enough, you can hike through the jungle for 1-2 hours to visit Monkey Beach. It is only accessible this way, or by boat costing MYR 50 ($17 AUD)
How to get to Penang National Park on a Budget
Penang National Park is located in the north-eastern corner of the island and roughly 90 minutes away if you are to take the bus.
- Bus: Bus 101 will take you all the way there and back for MYR 8 ($2.60 AUD)
5. Georgetown Street Art
Malaysia is the street art capital of South East Asia, and no place is better to see this first-hand than in Georgetown. There are a seemingly endless amounts of murals and paintings on the walls on every street in the city, making it a good free activity to check out when backpacking Penang.
My hostel actually gave me a Google Map that has saved some of the best street art locations, check it out here!
6. Penang Floating Mosque
At high-tide, this place can look like it’s floating! And also, it’s a fantastic sunset spot.
It’s actually on the way to and from Penang National Park, making it another thing you can do in that day.
Entrance is free, but dress conservatively. If you don’t have conservative clothing, they can give you everything you need free of charge.
7. Don’t Be Afraid, Try Some Durian
Known to be one of the most foul-smelling fruits in the entire world, it’s actually really popular in South East Asia! The stench is so bad that they actually ban them in hotels and public transport!
But why on earth would people want to eat something that smells like sewage? I hear you, I thought the same, but it’s nice!
To be honest, you are either going to love it or hate it and there is only one way to find out. Try it! There are plenty of stalls around Chinatown that sell it.
If you meet friends when backpacking Penang, try it with them! It’s really fun seeing everyone’s reactions.
8. Jetty Food Court Performances
You can eat here if you really want to, but we discovered this place just wandering around at night! Backpacking Penang is great because you can find so many places off the tourist trail.
From 9:30pm-12:30am every single night they have people that come up and perform! Definitely one of the more unique things to do in Penang, so check it out!
Side note: to sit down at a table, you must order a drink. But if you don’t like alcohol you can just get a Coke for MYR 3.
Best Time To Visit Penang
Penang, like the rest of the country, enjoys a tropical climate year-round. But, there is a best time to be backpacking Penang! For the most comfortable experience with the weather, mid-November to mid-February is the best time to visit Penang. February being the best month to visit.
Where To Stay In Penang
Other than Kuala Lumpur, Penang would be the second most popular backpackers destination in all of Malaysia. For that reason, there are no shortage of hostels. Here are a couple backpackers hostels in Penang you can choose from:
Best All-Round Hostel in Penang: House of Journey
This is where I stayed when backpacking Penang. And it is fantastic for solo travellers. It’s in a fantastic location and they have free breakfast, filtered water taps, great air conditioning and activities every day! So you’re not going to find it hard to meet people.
Best Party Hostel in Penang: EZ Social Hostel
I had some friends stay here and they said it was crazy, but they also respect the quiet hours when you need to sleep. If you like a good night out, stay here when backpacking Penang!
If these are booked out, there are some other hostels in Penang to choose from. I wrote an in-depth guide about hostel booking to help you choose the best hostel for you when backpacking Penang.
How To Get Around Penang
Like i’ve mentioned before, Penang Island is big. So often, you won’t be able to walk everywhere. Thankfully, there’s a couple of good options that can get you anywhere when backpacking Penang.
Bus:
Penang’s bus network connects pretty much every corner of the entire island! And, the best part is that it is very affordable. At the time of writing, the cost of a one-way ticket is calculated by the length of travel. It costs MYR 1.4 (50c AUD) for the first seven kilometres of travel and reaches a maximum of MYR 4 ($1.30 AUD).
Use Moovit to see the bus routes to any location on the island.
Grab:
Grab is South East Asia’s answer to Uber. Unlike back home in Australia, it’s actually quite affordable! Especially if you make some friends to travel with. I only used Grab when it was too much of a hassle to get a bus, because it is easily the most convenient option for getting around Penang.
Related post: How To Get Around Malaysia On A Budget
Is Penang Safe?
Backpacking Penang is very safe for solo travelling. But, here are some things to be aware of when backpacking Penang:
Stray Dogs
Unfortunately, like many places in the region – there is a decent amount of stray dogs hanging around. Whilst most are friendly enough to stay out of your way – getting bitten by one runs the risk of rabies. Once symptoms show up, there is no cure.
We were wandering around a fairly quiet street late at night and in the distance there were about 6 big big strays that were coming our way. We turned around and they kept following us, eventually running over to us barking. As soon as we turned the corner, we bolted – leaving them in the dust. It was a bit scary!
If you stay where the people are, you won’t really come across this.
Staring Men
For tourists that are women, it is sadly not uncommon to be stared at by local men. Whilst nothing more usually happens, it is obviously very uncomfortable. My advice for backpacking Penang would be to avoid quiet streets alone, and making some friends! Strength in numbers!
Here is a guide i’ve written an essential guide on travelling safe. Everything i’ve learnt from my travels that you should apply in every location.
Penang Photography Spots
For me as a photographer, I had the time of my life when I was backpacking Penang. Of all the photography spots in Malaysia – Penang has so many great ones.
Here are some Penang photography spots that I took photos around.
Chew Jetty
Chew Jetty is full of vibrant colours, street art and people on motorbikes speeding along the creaky wooden floorboards. You will have no shortage of photo opportunities in this place.
Lee Jetty
A smaller, but perhaps a cooler looking jetty is Lee Jetty. I was only able to take photos of the unique arches during the day but at night… these bad boys light up, which makes it one of the best Penang photography spots.
Bomba Street Art
Kek Lok Si Temple
You’re not going to have any trouble finding great compositions here at Kek Lo Si Temple. It’s actually the largest temple in South-East Asia, so you can spend a long time here taking photos of everything!
Where To Go From Penang
Backpacking Penang is amazing – because you can go to lots of different spots before and after, meaning you can fit it in to multiple itineraries.
- Langkawi Island: a gorgeous island north of Penang, beach life!
- Cameron Highlands: one of my favourite places in Malaysia, known for its hiking and tea plantations
- Ipoh: Small city near the Cameron Highlands
- Kuala Lumpur: the nation’s heartbeat. No trip to Malaysia itinerary is complete without visiting.
- Thailand’s Islands: there are so many islands to choose from. You can visit the islands via Langkawi.
Travel Insurance for Penang
If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel – end of. I’m a big advocate for using travel insurance when solo travelling as it will save my arse if anything goes wrong. I use Worldnomads, easily the best company out there for long-term travellers. Get insured with these guys when backpacking Penang.
Final Thoughts on Backpacking Penang
Penang. Wow, wow, wow. I am so glad I visited because it is such a unique location and a place that I will remember for years to come.
Backpacking Penang is easy, tasty, safe and can be done without breaking the bank.
Enjoy!
Book Your Trip With My Favourite Resources:
Cheap Flights: I always use Skyscanner to browse for cheap flights. It offers so many options to help you find a good deal! It even allows you to search for “anywhere” if you haven’t decided where to go yet!
Accommodation: I start my hostel search with Hostelworld. Most hostels are now on this platform making it the place to find the best hostel for you.
Travel Insurance: If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. It is so important to have when travelling as it will save you from illness, injury, theft and cancellations! I always use Worldnomads when travelling on a budget as they have the best deals for me.