Penang Itinerary 2026: Things to Do, Eat & Expect in George Town (5–7 Days)

In one walk through George Town you pass Chinese clan houses, an Indian temple, a mosque and colonial streets, and you can eat your way through all of those cultures for a few dollars a plate. This researched guide (checked October 2026) turns that into a complete 5–7 day plan for George Town and the rest of Penang Island.

What's inside

• Is Penang worth visiting and how many days is enough
• Before you go: the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC), filled in free on the official site, entry rules for US citizens, weather by month, health, drug laws and vape rules
• Penang airport to George Town by Grab, taxi or bus, with fares
• Getting around: the free CAT bus, key Rapid Penang routes, Grab, trishaws and the ferry
• Money, SIM cards and eSIMs, with daily costs for budget, mid-range and comfort travellers
• Where to stay in George Town: the best areas compared
• Self-guided street-art and heritage walk with a stop list and timings
• The clan jetties, including Chew Jetty, and how to visit respectfully
• Penang hawker food hit list with prices, plus night markets by day
• Penang Hill and Kek Lok Si as a half-day combo, and Batu Ferringhi and Penang National Park as a beach day
• Living like a local: work cafés, gym day passes and running routes
• 5-day and 7-day itineraries with pace, costs and a rainy-day swap for every day
• Quick-reference pages: emergency card, hawker order card, transport cheat sheet and packing list

Who it's for

First-time visitors, food lovers and slow travellers planning 5–7 days in Penang.

Format: Instant PDF download, 29 pages. Prices are approximate as of October 2026; verify before you go.