Hello, friends! A lot of people are enjoying a staycation break in George Town right now. It’s a great place to unwind and explore. But it can sometimes be a little overwhelming for non-Penang people. So, if you’re planning your first trip to Penang, here’s some super useful tips to make the most of your holiday.

Take the Train and Ferry at Butterworth

We think there’s a better way to travel to Penang than driving. Especially if you’re coming from Kuala Lumpur.

You have the option of taking a standard or premium coach electric train from Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth terminal on mainland Penang state. The ticket prices are actually cheaper than driving down the same distance. And you’re also free to enjoy the scenery, read a book or relax. There’s also plans to launch a Business Class ticket on the trains soon.

The added bonus of taking a train is that you arrive at Penang Sentral, which is sort of an intergrated public transport terminal and mall. If you live in Kuala Lumpur, it’s very similar to KL Sentral.

From there, you can catch one of the iconic Penang Ferry rides to the island. The ferry terminal in Penang is the oldest one in continuous operation in Malaysia. The silhouette of the diesel engine ferries from the 1980s reminds many Penangites of home and of simpler times. But they aren’t going to be around for much longer as there are plans to modernise the fleet. So make sure you catch a ride on one before they’re gone!

Try Staying at a Heritage Hotel in George Town

If you’ve traveled a bit then staying at modern hotels can sometimes feel… repetitive. But an alternative you might really enjoy are the quirky, historic heritage hotels dotting George Town. Or if you’re more of the heritage homes on Airbnb type of traveler there are plenty of restored heritage buildings within the George Town heritage site. Whichever option you choose, there’s interesting staycation options waiting to be discovered.

George Town is a UNESCO heritage site which means there are strict rules to preserve the many historic buildings here. Some of these get converted into modern hotels, but the owners have to maintain the original facade and as much as the original construction as possible. So, you get the convenience of modern hotel and hospitality with the charm of 19th and early 20th century local architecture.

And there’s a lot of options to fit your budget. One of our favourite (and relatively affordable) heritage hotels is the Ren I Tang Heritage Inn, which used to be a traditional Chinese medicine shop. If you’re feeling like a bit of luxury there’s the Eastern and Oriental Hotel or the Seven Terraces. The former was founded by two Armenian brothers and the latter used to be a clan house for one of the prominent Penang clans. Each one of these has a personality that’s connected to its history, so it can be quite a unique hotel stay experience.

Explore the Story of Penang (and Malaysia)

Most people know that George Town is a historic city. But what does that mean exactly? Well, if you’re exploring the core heritage zone - basically the oldest parts of George Town - every street you visit has had something momentous to Penang or Malaysia happen on it.

It’s not an exaggeration to say you’re literally walking through what made this country what it is today. You can discover some of that through the various historic plaques and informative signboards. But well… that might not be the most fun to do it. That’s why we started a food tour that explores the history of Penang and its impact on Malaysia and the world today. During our lunch food tour we like to explore the story of how regular working class Penangites built what we see today, and during our dinner food tour we love exploring the unique beliefs and rituals that make George Town so culturally unique. What better way to discover the story of Penang through, well, storytelling. And food. Lots and lots of that world-famous delicious Penang food.

Even if you’re exploring on your own, we strongly recommend putting some time aside to just walk the streets of George Town. It’s a place with a lot of personality and, dare we say, gravitas. And if you’re looking for something to eat, we have a tonne of tips and guides for what to eat in Penang.

Well, that’s about it for now. Let us know if you found these tips helpful and we’ll bring you more soon. As always - safe travels and good eating!