Make it a trip · Penang, Malaysia
What Penang costs
once you land
Real prices, from the airport ride to a room for the night, each with where we found it. Checked October 2026, around George Town.
Prices as the source quoted them.
Private room, a cheap lunch, dinner out (your half), a coffee, two beers, two rides and the top sight.
Half a villa or 4-star room, two meals out, a coffee, two beers and the signature experience.
Arriving
-
Visa free, digital arrival card required Fixed
For AU, NZ, GB, US, CA, IE, NL, DE, FR passports.
Fill in the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card in the three days before you land. Sites that charge for it are not official.
Sources: Malaysian High Commission, Canberra (2026), Trip.com, Malaysia arrival card (2026)
Free -
Bus 401E from the airport to Komtar Fixed
Rapid Penang. A Grab straight to George Town costs about US$6 to 10.
Source: Travel Guides Tip, Penang travel cost 2026 (2026-10)
RM 4.10 Book an airport pickup -
Visa free, no arrival card Fixed
For SG passports.
Singapore citizens are exempt from the digital arrival card.
Source: Malaysian High Commission, Canberra (2026)
Free
Getting around
-
Rapid Penang bus ride, from Range
Usually 2 to 4 MYR. The CAT shuttle loop through the heritage zone is free.
Source: Travel Guides Tip, Penang travel cost 2026 (2026-10)
RM 2
Eating and drinking
-
Hawker dish, char kway teow or assam laksa, from Range
Usually 1.5 to 3.5 USD. Penang is Malaysia’s street food capital. A meal with a drink rarely tops US$5.
Source: Travel Guides Tip, Penang travel cost 2026 (2026-10)
US$1.50 -
Dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant, from Range
Usually 16 to 36 USD. US$8 to 18 a head.
Source: Travel Guides Tip, Penang travel cost 2026 (2026-10)
US$16 -
Kopitiam breakfast, from Range
Usually 3 to 6 USD. Coffee and toast or noodles at a traditional coffee shop.
Source: Travel Guides Tip, Penang travel cost 2026 (2026-10)
US$3 -
Beer at a bar, from Range
Usually 4 to 7 USD.
Source: Travel Guides Tip, Penang travel cost 2026 (2026-10)
US$4
Doing
-
Penang Hill funicular, return Fixed
Tourist price.
Source: Travel Guides Tip, Penang travel cost 2026 (2026-10)
US$8.50 Get tickets -
Kek Lok Si Temple Fixed
Free; donations welcome.
Source: Travel Guides Tip, Penang travel cost 2026 (2026-10)
Free Get tickets -
Escape theme park, from Range
Usually 28 to 35 USD. Ziplines and water park in Teluk Bahang.
Source: Travel Guides Tip, Penang travel cost 2026 (2026-10)
US$28 Book the tour
Sleeping, per night
-
Hostel dorm bed, from Range
Usually 10 to 16 USD.
Source: Travel Guides Tip, Penang travel cost 2026 (2026-10)
US$10 Find a hostel -
Budget hotel, private room, from Range
Usually 22 to 38 USD.
Source: Travel Guides Tip, Penang travel cost 2026 (2026-10)
US$22 Find a guesthouse -
Mid-range hotel, from Range
Usually 40 to 70 USD.
Source: Travel Guides Tip, Penang travel cost 2026 (2026-10)
US$40 Find a hotel
Prices change. Fixed fees come from official or widely reported figures; ranges are what travellers and operators report for 2026. Some links are affiliate links: they never change what you pay. How we make money.
Want the flight to match? Exit Row tells you when fares to Penang from your city drop well below the usual price.
Start 14-day free trial