George Town travel guide

Air

Bayan Lepas International Airport lies 20 km south of Georgetown and 36 km from Batu Ferringhi, T04-643 4411. Transport to airport: 30 mins, RM30. Regular connections with Johor Bahru, KL and Langkawi. Firefly (fireflyz.com) has 2 daily flights connecting Penang with Langkawi, departing at 0955 and 1445. The flight takes around 30 mins. Worldwide international connections on MAS, most via KL. Regular direct connections to Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Jakarta and Medan, Sumatra.

Airline offices

Air Asia, KOMTAR, T04- 261 5642; Cathay Pacific, AIA Building, Lebuh Farquhar, T04-226 0411; Emirates, T04-263 1100; MAS, KOMTAR, T04-262 0011 or at the airport, T04-643 0811; Singapore Airlines, Wisma Penang Gardens, 42 Jl Sultan Ahmad Shah, T04-226 3201; Thai International, Wisma Central, 202 Jl Macalister, T04-226 6000; United Airlines, T04-263 6020.

Boat

Passenger and car ferries operate from adjacent terminals, Pengkalan Raja Tun Uda, T04-331 5780. Ferry service between Georgetown and Butterworth. Ferries leave every 20 mins 0600-0100, RM1.20 1 way. Car RM7.70, motorbike RM2. Selasa Express Ferry Company has its office by the Penang Clocktower, next to the Penang Tourist Office, T04-262 5630. Sejahtera and Fast Ferry Ventures operate boats to Langkawi daily, 2 departures from each company a day, one at 0815 and another at 0830 (via Pulau Payar) (3 hrs), RM60 1 way (child RM45), RM115 return (child 85). Tickets can be bought from travel agents all over town. Boats leave from Swettenham Pier. You can take a motorcycle or bicycle aboard.

Several ferry companies, including Fast Ferry Ventures, operate a service between Penang and Belawan (Medan’s port), Sumatra, from Swettenham Pier. There are currently 3 departures a week, on Tue, Thu, Sat departing at 0830, RM150 1 way (child RM100), RM220 return (child RM140), journey time 4½ hrs. Note that the Sat departure is often full, so book a ticket beforehand if possible. Tickets can be bought from most guesthouses and travel agents. Many nationalities including citizens of all EU countries are eligible for a VOA (Visa on arrival) at Medan’s Belawan port – check with nearest Indonesian embassy for details. Note Belawan is located 15 km outside the city and a further RM4 is charged for onward bus connections into Medan proper (enquire at travel agent in Penang). There is plenty of local transport at Belawan. A taxi into Medan should costs around 50,000Rp.

Bus

City buses leave from Lebuh Victoria near the Butterworth ferry terminal and serve Georgetown and surrounding areas. Buses around the island leave from Pengkalan Weld (Weld Quay) – next to the ferry terminal; all stop at KOMTAR. For schedules and routes check http://www.rapidpg.com.my.

Long distance

The bus terminal is 7 km to the south of Georgetown at Sungai Nibong. The taxi ride there is a negotiable RM25. However, some buses depart from KOMTAR and head to the terminal at Butterworth and do not call at Sungai Nibong. Check where your bus departs from. Booking offices along Lebuh Chulia and inside KOMTAR. Some coaches operate from Pengkalan Weld direct to major towns on the Peninsula . Masa Mara Travel, 54/4 Jl Burmah, is an agent for direct express buses from Penang to Kota Bharu and KL (5 hrs). Minibus companies organize pickups from your hotel to Hat Yai, for connections north to Thailand. Pickups at 0500, 0830, 1200, and 1600. Other destinations include a change of bus at Hat Yai – Bangkok (18 hrs, RM118), Surat Thani (8 hrs, RM60) and Phuket (10 hrs, RM75). Some hotels (eg Star Lodge and Cathay) organize minibuses to Thailand. Overnight bus to Singapore.

Car hire

Penang to KL is 4½ hrs. There is a 1-way RM7 toll to drive across the bridge to the mainland. Many companies also have offices at the airport. Budget, 28 Jl Penang, T04-643 6025; Hawk Rent-a-car, T04-881 3886; Hertz, 38 Lebuh Farquhar, T04-263 5914; New Bob Rent-a-Car, 7/F Gottlieb Rd, T04-229 1111; Orix, City Bayview Hotel, 25A Lebuh Farquhar, T1800-881555.

Taxi

Long-distance taxis to all destinations on the Peninsula operate from the depot beside the Butterworth ferry on Pengkalan Weld. Taxi stands on Jl Dr Lim Chwee Leong, Pengkalan Weld and Jl Magazine. No meters; agree price before setting off; short distances in city RM8-16. Radio taxis, T04-890 9918 (at ferry terminal); CT Radio Taxi Service, T04-229 9467. Taxis to Thailand: overnight to Hat Yai; Surat Thani for Koh Samui, Krabi for Phuket.

Train

The nearest station is by Butterworth ferry terminal, T04-261 0290. Book in advance for onward rail journeys at the station or ferry terminal, Pengkalan Weld, Georgetown. From Butterworth: 2 daily to Alor Star, Taiping, Ipoh, KL (6 hrs) and JB.

Banks

Most banks are in or around the GPO area and Lebuh Pantai. Money changers are here too, and on Jl Masjid Kapitan Keling and Lebuh Pantai, close to the Immigration office.

Consulates

Indonesia, 467 Jl Burmah, T04-227 5141 (60-day visa available); Thailand,No 1, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman , T04-226 8029 (visas in 2 days); UK, Honorary Consul, T04-227 5336.

Immigration

Corner of Lebuh Light and Lebuh Pantai, T04-261 5122.

Internet

Several along Lebuh Chulia, RM3 per hr.

Post office

Lebuh Pitt.

Medical services

General Hospital (government), Jl Residensi, T04-229 3333; Lam Wah Ee Hospital (private), 141 Jl Batu Lancang, T04-657 1888.

Telephone

Telecoms office (international), Jl Burmah.