Penang, Malaysia
Weekend getaway from KLPercutian hujung minggu dari KL

🏝️ KL to PenangKL ke Penang

A long-weekend food pilgrimage to Malaysia's hawker capital — heritage George Town, street art and beach at Batu Ferringhi.Ziarah makanan hujung minggu panjang ke ibu kota gerai Malaysia — George Town warisan, seni jalanan dan pantai di Batu Ferringhi.

Trip lengthTempoh

3 days, 2 nights3 hari, 2 malam

Drive from KLPandu dari KL

355 km · ≈4 hrs

Est. budgetAnggaran bajet

RM450–750 per personRM450–750 setiap orang

Great forSesuai untuk

Foodies, Couples, Culture & photographyPeminat makanan, Pasangan, Budaya & fotografi

Malaysia's hawker-food capitalIbu kota makanan gerai Malaysia UNESCO George Town heritage corePusat warisan UNESCO George Town Street art & mural trailSeni jalanan & denai mural Penang Hill, Kek Lok Si & Batu FerringhiBukit Bendera, Kek Lok Si & Batu Ferringhi

Penang is worth the longer haul — about 355km up the PLUS highway, or roughly four hours. Because it's further, it earns a long weekend: three days and two nights lets you eat properly (the whole point), see the UNESCO heritage core, chase the street art, and still get a half-day at the beach.

Short on time? A tight 2D1N still hits George Town's highlights and the essential food. Either way, come hungry, wear comfortable shoes, and pace yourself — Penang rewards grazing over big sit-down meals.

Pulau Pinang berbaloi dengan perjalanan lebih jauh — kira-kira 355km, atau lebih kurang empat jam. Kerana lebih jauh, ia layak untuk hujung minggu panjang: tiga hari dua malam membolehkan anda makan dengan betul, melihat pusat warisan UNESCO, mencari seni jalanan, dan sempat separuh hari di pantai.

Kesuntukan masa? 2H1M yang padat masih merangkumi tarikan utama George Town dan makanan penting. Apa pun, datang lapar, pakai kasut selesa, dan atur langkah — Penang lebih sesuai makan sedikit-sedikit.

🗺️ The planRancangan

Your day-by-day itineraryJadual harian anda

Got more or less time? Pick your trip length — the plan and budget update to match.Ada lebih atau kurang masa? Pilih tempoh perjalanan — rancangan dan bajet akan berubah.

1

Day 1 — Drive up & first bitesHari 1 — Pandu naik & makan pertama

7:00 AM MorningPagi

Leave KL earlyBertolak awal dari KL

On the road by 7am, with a kopi stop in Ipoh. Cross the Penang Bridge into George Town around lunchtime and check in.Di jalan menjelang 7 pagi, singgah kopi di Ipoh. Lintasi Jambatan ke George Town sekitar tengah hari dan daftar masuk.

12:30 PM AfternoonTengah hari

First hawker platesHidangan gerai pertama

Start with the Gurney Drive or New Lane hawker centres — char kway teow, assam laksa, rojak — to shake off the drive.Mulakan di pusat penjaja Gurney Drive atau New Lane — char kway teow, asam laksa, rojak — selepas pemanduan.

George Town heritage walk, Penang
3:00 PM AfternoonPetang

George Town heritage walkJalan warisan George Town

Wander Armenian and Chulia streets — clan houses, temples, pastel shophouses and the famous murals — with laksa or cendol whenever hunger strikes.Menyusuri Lebuh Armenian dan Chulia — rumah klan, kuil, rumah kedai pastel dan mural — dengan laksa atau cendol bila lapar.

7:30 PM EveningMalam

Hawker dinnerMakan malam gerai

A hawker crawl for dinner, then a drink along the waterfront or a Chulia Street bar.Jelajah gerai untuk makan malam, kemudian minuman di tepi laut atau bar Lebuh Chulia.

2

Day 2 — Hill, temples & street artHari 2 — Bukit, kuil & seni jalanan

Penang Hill & Kek Lok Si, Penang
8:30 AM MorningPagi

Penang Hill & Kek Lok SiBukit Bendera & Kek Lok Si

The funicular up Penang Hill early for cool air and island views, then the vast Kek Lok Si temple in Air Itam, with Air Itam laksa for lunch.Funikular ke Bukit Bendera awal untuk udara sejuk dan pemandangan, kemudian kuil Kek Lok Si di Air Itam, dengan laksa Air Itam untuk makan tengah hari.

Kek Lok Si & Blue Mansion, Penang
1:30 PM AfternoonTengah hari

Kek Lok Si & Blue MansionKek Lok Si & Blue Mansion

Tour the seven-storey Kek Lok Si pagoda, then the indigo Cheong Fatt Tze (Blue Mansion) back in town — one of the best-restored heritage homes in Asia.Lawati pagoda tujuh tingkat Kek Lok Si, kemudian Cheong Fatt Tze (Blue Mansion) nila di bandar — antara rumah warisan terbaik dipulihara di Asia.

Street art & shophouse cafés, Penang
4:00 PM AfternoonPetang

Street art & shophouse cafésSeni jalanan & kafe rumah kedai

The mural trail around Armenian and Ah Quee streets at a slower pace, popping into shophouse cafés and craft shops.Denai mural sekitar Lebuh Armenian dan Ah Quee dengan santai, singgah kafe rumah kedai dan kedai kraf.

7:30 PM EveningMalam

Nasi kandar & night strollNasi kandar & jalan malam

Dinner at a legendary nasi kandar shop (Line Clear or Deen), then a night walk to see the murals lit up.Makan malam di kedai nasi kandar legenda (Line Clear atau Deen), kemudian jalan malam melihat mural bercahaya.

3

Day 3 — Beach or last bites, then homeHari 3 — Pantai atau makan terakhir, kemudian pulang

Batu Ferringhi beach, Penang
9:00 AM MorningPagi

Batu Ferringhi beachPantai Batu Ferringhi

A morning at Batu Ferringhi beach — a swim, water sports, or just breakfast by the sea before check-out.Pagi di pantai Batu Ferringhi — berenang, sukan air, atau sarapan tepi laut sebelum daftar keluar.

11:30 AM Late morningLewat pagi

Last food run & souvenirsMakan terakhir & cenderamata

One final food loop for the dishes you missed, and tau sar pneah plus Penang snacks as gifts.Pusingan makanan terakhir untuk hidangan yang terlepas, dan tau sar pneah serta snek Penang sebagai hadiah.

1:30 PM AfternoonTengah hari

Drive back to KLPandu pulang ke KL

Leave by early afternoon for the four-hour drive, breaking it with a coffee stop in Ipoh or at a PLUS R&R. Home by evening.Bertolak menjelang awal petang untuk pemanduan empat jam, singgah kopi di Ipoh atau R&R PLUS. Tiba menjelang petang.

📸 More Penang photosLagi foto Penang

Full guide →Panduan penuh →
George Town Heritage Core, Penang
George Town Heritage Core
Street Art & Murals, Penang
Street Art & Murals
Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang
Kek Lok Si Temple
Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera), Penang
Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera)
Clan Jetties (Chew Jetty), Penang
Clan Jetties (Chew Jetty)
Cheong Fatt Tze — The Blue Mansion, Penang
Cheong Fatt Tze — The Blue Mansion
🍜 Eat wellMakan sedap

What to eat in PenangApa nak makan di Penang

All food →Semua makanan →
Char Kway Teow, Penang

Char Kway Teow

The signature

Flat rice noodles seared over roaring charcoal with prawns, cockles, chives and Chinese sausage. The best versions carry that smoky 'wok hei' char — this is the dish Penang is judged by.Kuey teow leper digoreng atas arang menyala dengan udang, kerang, kucai dan lap cheong. Versi terbaik membawa 'wok hei' berasap — inilah hidangan yang menjadi kayu ukur Penang.

Where to try itTempat mencubanya

Siam Road Char Koay Teow · Pulau Tikus
Kafe Heng Huat · Lorong Selamat
Ah Leng Char Koay Teow · Dato Keramat
Assam Laksa, Penang

Assam Laksa

Penang icon

A tamarind-sour fish noodle soup thick with mackerel, mint, pineapple and ginger flower, finished with a dab of prawn paste. Tangy, funky and utterly Penang — once ranked among the world's best foods.Sup mi ikan masam asam jawa yang pekat dengan ikan kembung, pudina, nanas dan bunga kantan, disudahi petis udang. Masam, kuat dan sangat Penang — pernah disenaraikan antara makanan terbaik dunia.

Where to try itTempat mencubanya

Air Itam Laksa · Air Itam market
Penang Road Famous · Keng Kwee St
Joo Hooi Café · Penang Rd
Nasi Kandar, Penang

Nasi Kandar

Mamak classic

Steamed rice drenched in a 'flooded' mix of rich curries — fried chicken, squid, okra, egg — in the Indian-Muslim style Penang made famous. Order it 'kuah campur' and let the gravies mingle.Nasi putih dibanjiri campuran kari pekat — ayam goreng, sotong, bendi, telur — dalam gaya mamak yang dipopularkan Penang. Pesan 'kuah campur' dan biarkan kuah bercampur.

Where to try itTempat mencubanya

Line Clear · Penang Rd
Deen Maju · Gurdwara Rd
Hameediyah · Campbell St
Cendol, Penang

Cendol

Dessert

Shaved ice, green rice-flour worms, red beans, coconut milk and dark gula melaka syrup — the perfect antidote to the island heat. The Penang Road stalls draw famous, patient queues.Ais kisar, cendol tepung beras hijau, kacang merah, santan dan gula melaka — penawar sempurna untuk kepanasan pulau. Gerai Jalan Penang menarik barisan panjang yang terkenal.

Where to try itTempat mencubanya

Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul · Keng Kwee St
Joo Hooi Café · Penang Rd

🛏️ Where to stayTempat menginap

Stay in George Town's heritage core (around Chulia, Armenian or Love Lane) so you can walk to most of the food and sights. Options run from RM90 heritage guesthouses to RM300+ boutique shophouse hotels. For a beach-focused trip, Batu Ferringhi has the resorts but you'll drive in for the food.

Menginap di pusat warisan George Town (sekitar Chulia, Armenian atau Love Lane) supaya boleh berjalan ke kebanyakan makanan dan tempat menarik. Pilihan dari rumah tetamu RM90 hingga hotel butik RM300+. Untuk fokus pantai, Batu Ferringhi ada resort tetapi anda perlu memandu masuk untuk makanan.

Popular places to stayTempat penginapan popular

Batu Ferringhi, Penang
Value beach

Bayview Beach Resort

Batu Ferringhi

An affordable beachfront base at Batu Ferringhi if you want sand over city.Pilihan tepi pantai berpatutan di Batu Ferringhi jika mahu pasir daripada bandar.

George Town, Penang
Heritage boutique

Seven Terraces

George Town

A restored heritage mansion in the heart of George Town, steps from the street art.Banglo warisan dipulihara di tengah George Town, dekat dengan seni jalanan.

George Town seafront, Penang
Historic grande dame

Eastern & Oriental Hotel

George Town seafront

Penang's colonial grande dame on the waterfront — a stay that's a sight in itself.Hotel kolonial lagenda Penang di tepi laut — penginapan yang jadi tarikan sendiri.

Popular, well-known options across price points — the photo shows the area; tap for each hotel's own gallery, reviews and current rates. Not sponsored.Pilihan popular merentas julat harga — foto menunjukkan kawasan; ketik untuk galeri, ulasan dan kadar setiap hotel. Bukan tajaan.

🚌 Getting aroundCara bergerak

Bus tickets across Malaysia — up to 30% off Tiket bas seluruh Malaysia — jimat sehingga 30%

Book buses, trains & ferries to Penang, Melaka, JB, Ipoh, Kuantan & more with EasyBook — compare operators and grab early-bird deals. Tempah bas, tren & feri ke Penang, Melaka, JB, Ipoh, Kuantan & lagi dengan EasyBook — bandingkan operator dan rebut tawaran awal.

Book NowTempah Sekarang

Affiliate link — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Getting there & what it costsCara ke sana & kosnya

The longest drive on this list — about 355km, roughly four hours up the PLUS highway, then the Penang Bridge onto the island (toll charged island-bound only, ~RM7). Because it's further, Penang earns a longer stay; break the drive with a coffee stop in Ipoh either way.Pemanduan paling jauh dalam senarai — kira-kira 355km, lebih kurang empat jam di lebuh raya PLUS, kemudian Jambatan Pulau Pinang ke pulau (tol hanya ke arah pulau, ~RM7). Kerana lebih jauh, Penang layak untuk penginapan lebih lama; pecahkan pemanduan dengan singgah kopi di Ipoh.

Petrol + toll for the one-way drive, priced at today's RON95 (RM1.99/L) for a typical sedan (8 L/100 km). Petrol + tol untuk pemanduan sehala, pada harga RON95 hari ini (RM1.99/L) untuk sedan biasa (8 L/100 km).

DistanceJarak

355 km

PetrolPetrol

RM 57

TollTol

RM 36

One-way totalJumlah sehala

RM 92

Return trip roughly doubles this. Add the Penang Bridge toll on island-bound trips.Perjalanan pergi-balik lebih kurang menggandakannya. Tambah tol Jambatan Pulau Pinang untuk perjalanan ke pulau.

🗺️ Driving route from KLLaluan pemanduan dari KL

💡 Weekend tipsTip hujung minggu

  • The Penang Bridge toll (about RM7) is only charged when driving onto the island, not when leaving — budget for it on the way in.
  • George Town's heritage core is walkable; park at your hotel and use Grab or the free CAT bus for longer hops.
  • Come with a food list and pace yourself across small portions — the whole point of Penang is variety, not big meals.
  • Tol Jambatan Pulau Pinang (kira-kira RM7) hanya dikenakan semasa memandu ke pulau, bukan keluar — sediakan bajet semasa masuk.
  • Pusat warisan George Town mesra pejalan kaki; letak kereta di hotel dan guna Grab atau bas CAT percuma.
  • Datang dengan senarai makanan dan atur langkah dengan porsi kecil — tujuan Penang ialah kepelbagaian, bukan hidangan besar.
Penang

Go deeperLebih mendalam

The full Penang travel guidePanduan pelancongan Penang penuh

Top 10 things to do, the best food and where to eat it →10 aktiviti terbaik, makanan terbaik dan tempatnya →

KL to Penang FAQSoalan Lazim KL ke Penang

How far is Penang from KL by car?Berapa jauh Pulau Pinang dari KL dengan kereta?

About 355km, or roughly four hours up the PLUS highway plus the Penang Bridge crossing onto the island.

Kira-kira 355km, atau lebih kurang empat jam di lebuh raya PLUS ditambah lintasan Jambatan Pulau Pinang.

Is 3 days 2 nights enough for Penang?Adakah 3 hari 2 malam cukup untuk Pulau Pinang?

It's the ideal length for a first food-focused trip — enough for George Town's heritage core, Penang Hill, the street art and a beach morning. A tight 2D1N works if you're short on time, but you'll be picking favourites.

Ia panjang ideal untuk percutian makanan pertama — cukup untuk pusat warisan George Town, Bukit Bendera, seni jalanan dan pagi pantai. 2H1M yang padat boleh jika kesuntukan masa.

How much is the Penang Bridge toll?Berapa tol Jambatan Pulau Pinang?

Around RM7 for a car, charged island-bound only (you pay entering Penang, not leaving). The second bridge (Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah) costs a bit more.

Sekitar RM7 untuk kereta, dikenakan hanya ke arah pulau (bayar semasa masuk, bukan keluar). Jambatan kedua sedikit lebih mahal.