Penang 3 Days DIY Itinerary

Malaysian Culture is best discovered through food and there’s no better way to do that than visiting Penang!

Our short 3-Day DIY itinerary covers all the essentials when visiting the island. This itinerary is only on places in and around George Town. Read on and discover how we packed 4 flights from Manila to Penang and back, on just a long weekend!

View of Penang Island from Kek Lok Si Temple

Day 0

• Flight 5J 501 Manila to Kuala Lumpur
• Arrive at KLIA2
• Pick-up KKDay Malaysia Travel Sim Card at KLIA2

Day 1

• Flight AK6110 Kuala Lumpur to Penang
• Arrive at Penang
• Bus to George Town (MYR 2.7 per person)
• Arrive at Red Inn Court and leave bags
• Breakfast at Roti Bakar Hutton Lane (MYR 5.00 per person)
• 2nd Breakfast at Hong Kee Wan Thun Mee (MYR 9.1 for 2)
  • Wan Thun Mee (6.20)
  • Pork Bun (2.40)
  • Coconut drink at the street (MYR 1.00)
• Exchange money
• Lunch at Jawi House Cafe Gallery (MYR 45 for 2)
  • Water – (1.00)
  • Lentil Rice – (8.00)
  • Tomato Rice – (8.00)
  • Beef Masala – (16.00)
  • Chicken Curry (12.00)
• Explore George Town and Mural-hunting (Click here for my George Town Street Art Guide and Map!)
• Check in at hotel and afternoon nap
• Visit Chew Jetty and buy souvenirs
• Bunch of Magnets (MYR 15.00)
• Dinner at Restoran kapitan (MYR 30.20 for 2)
  • Chicken Lani Butter Naan (11.70)
  • Chicken Lani Cheese Naan (12.20)
  • Mango Lassi (4.60)
• Buy snacks and toiletries at a convenience store (MYR 15.00)

Morning at George Town

Me and Boy on a Motorbike mural

Day 2

• Breakfast at the hotel (Free)
• Walk to Jetty
• Bus 204 to Ayer Itam (MYR 2.00 per person)
• Lunch at Ayer Itam Laksa (MYR 4.80 per bowl)
• Buy drinks from a nearby stall
  • Grass Jelly Juice (MYR 1.40)
  • Sugar Cane Juice (MYR 1.7)
• Visit Kek Lok Si Temple
• Purchase one-way elevator (MYR 8.00 per person)
• GrabCar to Penang Hill Station (MYR 6.00)
• Penang Hill Train Station
  • Buy round-trip tickets (MYR 30.00 per person)
  • Queue for 90 Minutes
• Arrive at Penang Hill
• Early dinner at the Cliff Cafe (MYR 31.00)
  • Mee Goreng (7.00)
  • Nasi Goreng Ayam (6.00)
  • Nasi Goreng Tom Yum (6.00)
  • Mango Smoothie (7.00)
  • Watermelon Smoothie (5.00)
• Explore Penang Hill
• Snack at Kacang Putih (MYR 5.00)
  • Spiced Chickpea
• Queue for the train back to the lower station
• Arrive at the lower station
• GrabCar back to hotel (MYR 14.00)
• Night snacks at Chulia Street Night Hawker Stalls
  • Almond Susu (2.50)
  • Teh Susu (1.70)
  • Chicken and Beef Satay (13.00)
  • Oyster Omelette (16.00)

Wayne and I sharing a table with strangers for a bowl of laksa

At the top of the hill station

Day 3

• Breakfast at the hotel (Free)
• Checkout and leave bags at the hotel
• Explore Little India
• Lunch at Nasi Kandar Imigresen
  • Nasi Kandar (MYR 7.50 per plate)
  • Lemon Juice (MYR 1.60 each)
• Visit Chocolate Museum
• Visit Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion
  • 2:00 PM Guided Tour (MYR 16.00 per person)
• Snacks at Rollney
  • Chimney Cake Ice Cream w/ 3 Toppings (MYR 17.90)
• Buy Souvenirs at Pasar Chowrasta (Around MYR 60.00 for the both of us)
• Snacks at Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul (MYR 3.30 per bowl)
• Walk back to hotel to get bags
• GrabCar to the airport (MYR 22.00)
• Dinner at McDonald’s Penang Airport (MYR 24.00 for 2)
• Flight AK6119 Penang to Kuala Lumpur
• Another Dinner at KLIA2, Quizinn by RASA Food Court (MYR 20.00 for 2)
• Flight 5J502 Kuala Lumpur to Manila

Street stall of Nasi Kandar Imigresen

Front porch of the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion

Expenses

*Estimated currency exchange of MYR 1.00 = PHP 12.80

Me at Chew Jetty

Penang is easily my favorite Malaysian destination. From the welcoming locals to its diverse cuisine. It’s the perfect place to get a taste of Malaysia. It has culture, arts, food, and nature! It even has a growing community of Filipinos. It’s not as accessible as Kuala Lumpur, but given that more and more Pinoys go there for vacation or work, a direct flight from Manila is not far-fetched.

Check out our guide on Penang Food and Restaurants!