Advice on Penang

[rrr2015]

we rode from KL to kedah there are cave temple, waterfall (can be seen from afar along highway), rice fields on both side (i think after butterworth)

still thinking if to try bentong, gerik highway … but getting older so may not be able to tahan

NS hwy from KL towards North not that much to me, except near Ipoh got the limestone mountains. The drivers there also more kanchiong than those from JB-KL, far far away already flash high beam, and lots of them do that

The scenery from Penang second bridge is better, especially from end of bridge (Bukit Jambul factory area) towards queensbay mall, the tiny island on right hand side is very serene and beautiful, don't know who live there....

 

[GGGGGG]

Looking for private car driver to drive me around 1.5 day to meet my customers, picking me up from airport and sending me back to airport. Any recommendation?

 

[rrr2015]

Those who do gerik highway are more for winding roads than sceneries.
Yes been to tasik kenyir many years ago, amazing feat to create this huge artificial lake

Ah yes, there are rice fields after 2nd bridge towards butterworth, very nice 'greenery' view

The gerik east coast highway nothing much, but a lot less cars (really a lot less) and very easy to drive. The best is the new extension to terengganu, which you can divert to the coastal route (Kijal - Terengganu) and enjoy 1 hr+ seaview. maybe should start another thread on this

Another route is Terengganu to Gua Musang/cameron via lake kenyir, this one should be nice during mid-year as road is dry. Rainy season too much red mud on the road. Have not tried this though, maybe wait till car is going to scrap then go this route.

 

[WhyPayMore]

I like the penang Hill the most. The funicular train is the steepest railway in the world. Try to get head and tail side to get the best view.

There's 3 hiking trail on top of the hill ranging from 1.5 to 3.5km. The scenery is nice and beautiful bungalow. There's one oldest mailbox there. The oldest bungalow there is Convalescent Bungalow, more than 200 years old.

The tree walk, The Habitat, is also a must try too.

And don't forget to try the chendol at the food court near the owl museum, it's big and full of big red beans.

Night View of the city from the hill is spectacular. Once the sunset, the temperatures tend to drop and cool wind blowing.

Personally, I think you should go early afternoon and stay until 8pm. The train service operate until 11pm.

Sent from Xiaomi MI MAX 2 using GAGT

 

[beast78]

I like the penang Hill the most. The funicular train is the steepest railway in the world. Try to get head and tail side to get the best view.

There's 3 hiking trail on top of the hill ranging from 1.5 to 3.5km. The scenery is nice and beautiful bungalow. There's one oldest mailbox there. The oldest bungalow there is Convalescent Bungalow, more than 200 years old.

The tree walk, The Habitat, is also a must try too.

And don't forget to try the chendol at the food court near the owl museum, it's big and full of big red beans.

Night View of the city from the hill is spectacular. Once the sunset, the temperatures tend to drop and cool wind blowing.

Personally, I think you should go early afternoon and stay until 8pm. The train service operate until 11pm.

Sent from Xiaomi MI MAX 2 using GAGT

The queue for the funicular train is too insane unless pay more for the fast pass which I don't think is worth it. But to each his own I guess.

 

[WhyPayMore]

The queue for the funicular train is too insane unless pay more for the fast pass which I don't think is worth it. But to each his own I guess.

The return queue to the train around 8pm (Sunday night) is quite short. The waiting time take around 15 min.

Sent from Xiaomi MI MAX 2 using GAGT

 

[Univ3rsal]

Park Royal is a very good place to relax. Its by the beach and if u love beach than this is it.

If u are not driving that a little bit inconvenient but there are taxis and rates are ok.
Not sure abt buses.

Great place to relax and food.

Agreed. Most rooms overlooking the sea. Also passed by Shangri La nearby which i think has the more expensive rooms. Shangri La looks old from the outside. Prefer Parkroyal.

 

[kiatme]

Has anyone drove in Penang before ?
Will you recommend it ?

Have a family of 6, 3 elderly, 2 adult and 1 pri sch kid.

Not sure whether to rent or to grab, is it safe to rent and how's the parking / road conditions there? Anyone can share their experience ?

 

[beanstalk6]

Has anyone drove in Penang before ?
Will you recommend it ?

Have a family of 6, 3 elderly, 2 adult and 1 pri sch kid.

Not sure whether to rent or to grab, is it safe to rent and how's the parking / road conditions there? Anyone can share their experience ?

In my opinion, it is safer to Grab. Only issue here is your group will not fit into a normal saloon. You will not have to worry about road and parking conditions. Parking is difficult to find in Georgetown. Traffic is bad all over.

 

[Andrew833]

In my opinion, it is safer to Grab. Only issue here is your group will not fit into a normal saloon. You will not have to worry about road and parking conditions. Parking is difficult to find in Georgetown. Traffic is bad all over.

Agree, can get 2 Grab.

 

[sunsetbay]

i thought of driving up to penang~ will be going genting then lost world of tambun (may skip this one) then penang~ only worry long journey kids cannot tahan~

 

[Andrew833]

i thought of driving up to penang~ will be going genting then lost world of tambun (may skip this one) then penang~ only worry long journey kids cannot tahan~

Last time went I'm a kid, my dad drove us to Ipoh and penang, as a kid is very fun. Mostly sleep when dad drive. But very tough for the driver (my dad).
If you only 1 person driving, try nearer places first to experience it.

 

[matrix05]

Last time went I'm a kid, my dad drove us to Ipoh and penang, as a kid is very fun. Mostly sleep when dad drive. But very tough for the driver (my dad).
If you only 1 person driving, try nearer places first to experience it.

good advice. better worry abt the driver than kid. 2 drivers or a stopover inbetween would be better. How many hours of driving is needed from Sin to Penang?

 

[beanstalk6]

i thought of driving up to penang~ will be going genting then lost world of tambun (may skip this one) then penang~ only worry long journey kids cannot tahan~

The operating hours of the Lost World of Tambun did not work out for me as I stayed only 1 night in Ipoh. It opens at 10-11am- gets in the way of the hotel check-out. It closes at 6pm- which gets in the way if your kid has to nap.

 

[sunsetbay]

Last time went I'm a kid, my dad drove us to Ipoh and penang, as a kid is very fun. Mostly sleep when dad drive. But very tough for the driver (my dad).
If you only 1 person driving, try nearer places first to experience it.

had drove to KL b4, still ok to me~ if stop over at genting for 1 or 2N, then go up penang shld be manageable~ coming back from penang, i haven't planned where to stop over~

good advice. better worry abt the driver than kid. 2 drivers or a stopover inbetween would be better. How many hours of driving is needed from Sin to Penang?

drive straight confirm shiong~ hv to break into few sections~ now is to plan where to go to spread out the journey~

The operating hours of the Lost World of Tambun did not work out for me as I stayed only 1 night in Ipoh. It opens at 10-11am- gets in the way of the hotel check-out. It closes at 6pm- which gets in the way if your kid has to nap.

is lost world worth it~? i read there's a hot spring water park in it which operate at night~ my kid don't nap so quite ok~ also concern is the weather on Dec, if its raining it will ruin our plan~

 

[beanstalk6]

had drove to KL b4, still ok to me~ if stop over at genting for 1 or 2N, then go up penang shld be manageable~ coming back from penang, i haven't planned where to stop over~

drive straight confirm shiong~ hv to break into few sections~ now is to plan where to go to spread out the journey~

is lost world worth it~? i read there's a hot spring water park in it which operate at night~ my kid don't nap so quite ok~ also concern is the weather on Dec, if its raining it will ruin our plan~

At $40 each ticket, I suppose it is worthwhile if you have a whole day to visit all the attractions within the Lost World. You can also consider the Night Park & Hot Springs, open from 6pm. I did not visit either.

Coming back from Penang, consider a stopover at Taiping or even Cameron Highlands if you have many days.

 

[evilster]

Just curious, anyone have any recommendations which car rental service is good? I wish to rent a car but not sure which 1 is reliable.

 

[Beta_Tester]

Im there now.

Any nice seafood joints to intro for dinner or supper? Thanks

 

[sunsetbay]

How's the weather there~? I'm going there next week~ Sg have been raining nonstop >24hrs~

 

[sunsetbay]

Just reached Georgetown this evening, weather is ok, temperature 28c~ took a freaking long journey from Genting to Penang, with additional 3hrs delay on highway traffic~ my legs are cramped~

Stay at One Mansion, outside looks old, the corridor looks unwelcoming~ inside the owner done up quite well~ haven't explored the surrounding yet~

View from balcony~