Travel tips · Penang · Malaysia
Penang travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Founded as a British East India Company port in 1786, George Town drew traders and migrants from China, India, the Malay world, Thailand, Burma, Armenia and Europe, and their temples, mosques, churches and clan houses still stand side by side. Penang Hokkien is the everyday language of many residents, alongside Malay, English and Tamil, and the Peranakan (Straits Chinese) culture has its own cuisine, dress and architecture.
Key facts
- Language
- Malay, English, Penang Hokkien and Tamil
- Currency
- MYR
- Plugs
- Type G sockets (British three-pin), 240 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is treated, but most residents filter or boil it; drink bottled or…
- Emergency
- 999 (all emergency services); 112 from mobile phones
Things to know
- Remove shoes before entering temples, mosques and homes, and dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered at places of worship.
- Use your right hand to give, receive and eat, especially in Malay and Indian settings.
- Ask before photographing people at worship or residents of the clan jetties.
- Public displays of affection are frowned on, particularly in Malay areas.
- Don't point with your index finger; use your thumb with the hand folded.
- Book Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (Blue Mansion) ahead: Tours run at set times each day and can fill at weekends; check times on arrival or book ahead.
- Eat at hawker centres and coffee shops, where a filling meal costs a fraction of a restaurant dinner.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected in Malaysia. Many restaurants and hotels add a 10% service charge; leaving small change at a café or for a hotel porter is appreciated but optional.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Terima kasih | Thank you (Malay) |
| Selamat pagi | Good morning (Malay) |
| Berapa harga? | How much? (Malay) |
| Tak mau pedas | Not spicy, please (Malay) |
| Kam sia | Thank you (Penang Hokkien) |
| Tapau | Take away |
What to wear
Light, breathable clothing for the heat and humidity, plus a scarf or light layer for temples and mosques and for chilly air-conditioning in malls and buses.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type G sockets (British three-pin), 240 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is treated, but most residents filter or boil it; drink bottled or filtered water.
- Emergency number
- 999 (all emergency services); 112 from mobile phones
- Phone and internet
- Prepaid SIM cards and eSIMs are inexpensive and sold at the airport; free Wi-Fi is common in cafés, malls and hotels.
- Time zone
- Asia/Kuala Lumpur
Penang is generally calm for visitors. Watch for bag snatching by passing motorcyclists and traffic on narrow streets, take the heat seriously, and avoid swimming where currents or jellyfish are reported. Haze from regional fires occasionally affects air quality.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Malaysia's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Penang?
Tipping is not expected in Malaysia. Many restaurants and hotels add a 10% service charge; leaving small change at a café or for a hotel porter is appreciated but optional.
+Can you drink the tap water in Penang?
Tap water is treated, but most residents filter or boil it; drink bottled or filtered water.
+What plugs are used in Penang?
Type G sockets (British three-pin), 240 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Penang?
Malay, English, Penang Hokkien and Tamil.