Advice on Penang

[Habrosus]

Going Penang with my wife on Xmas week for 3D2N before proceeding to Ipoh.
Thinking to get a local sim card to use MyTeksi app as we will not be driving.
We will be arriving at Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal and staying at Hotel Jen.
Anywhere that we can get local sim card along the way?

Your coach should be making at least one stop along the way, so you can look around if there's any shop/booth selling prepaid SIM packs.

I did a quick search and found this. In it a couple of photos and this place looks like Yong Peng's Happy Garden rest stop and it's booth that sells prepaid SIM packs.

http://journey-to-reminisce.com/2014/06/08/road-trip-to-penang-from-singapore-by-bus/

I bought a Digi Best SIM pack from them last year. The lady at the booth did the registration pretty quickly (I guess with practice coz customers mostly need to rush back to their coach), and I activated and started using it after I got back on my coach.

 

[rrr2015]

Airport think 2 years ago already no more.

Komtar still have when I went in Aug.

Here's the offical page:

http://www.rapidpg.com.my/tourist-passport/how-it-works/

i went in Nov 2014 during weekday. nobody at komtar. i asked around and all advise me to go weld quay. even at weld quay, there was nobody there when i arrived, but i thought i wait a while since the lights are still on. must have been 10 ~ 15mins before someone walk over

 

[chehjin]

bus fare is very low, between 1 ringgit to 2, this pass seems excessive unless you really using it to tour around penang. besides there is the george town tourist buses which is free.

prepaid sim can be bought at airports and lots of places around georgetown. Unless you need it urgently, there is no need to buy at stop overs like yong peng as they mark up quite a bit.


just my 2 cents

 

[rrr2015]

bus fare is very low, between 1 ringgit to 2, this pass seems excessive unless you really using it to tour around penang. besides there is the george town tourist buses which is free.

just my 2 cents

correct, if just george town alone, no need for the pass. just ensure you have small notes as bus don't provide change

but it's really interesting to travel beyond george town on bus, pretty scenic route on the way balik pulau

 

[lambo_elemento]

do did you see anyone at komtar booth?
i didn't see anyone, and someone advise me to go Weld Quay Bus Terminal. even at Weld Quay Bus Terminal, i need to stand there waiting for sometime before someone comes over

there is a hut at Komtar near where the buses enter and exit.
Many of the sides of this hut has shutters down. There is someone in it... walk one round to find the opening.

Was there last month

 

[chehjin]

correct, if just george town alone, no need for the pass. just ensure you have small notes as bus don't provide change

but it's really interesting to travel beyond george town on bus, pretty scenic route on the way balik pulau

george town to balik pulau also like $2+ ringgit, so I honestly find it hard to justify the $30 tourist pass. just doesn't make sense to me except for being convenient to board the bus.

anyway, balik pulau is interesting but from there I didn't take the bus to the fishing village as the bus interval is 4 hours and I didn't want to risk being stranded.

I'm glad to see people taking the buses as I find its 1 of the best way to travel around and roam around in Penang.

 

[rrr2015]

ok thanks! will try when i'm in penang again

there is a hut at Komtar near where the buses enter and exit.
Many of the sides of this hut has shutters down. There is someone in it... walk one round to find the opening.

Was there last month

given it's valid for a week (about RM4~5/day), it's reasonable lah but just wish they have shorter term tourist bus pass.

i find it convenient since i'm not too familiar with penang yet. also, less need to worry if i have enough small notes
bus pass also valid for trip to butterworth.

george town to balik pulau also like $2+ ringgit, so I honestly find it hard to justify the $30 tourist pass. just doesn't make sense to me except for being convenient to board the bus.

oooooh ... yes yes i was so caught off guard by the 4 hours bus interval as well! was planning to take 501 to go teluk bahang and another bus back to george town

anyway, balik pulau is interesting but from there I didn't take the bus to the fishing village as the bus interval is 4 hours and I didn't want to risk being stranded.

I'm glad to see people taking the buses as I find its 1 of the best way to travel around and roam around in Penang.

 

[5star_pundit]

don't mind anyone got itinerary to share

 

[ccssgm]

don't mind anyone got itinerary to share

Penang Taxi fare are Expensive
Better to rent a car to topo with GPS and Map

 

[5star_pundit]

booked Air Asia flight offer price RM29 per person to Penang (10pm flight)

and return to Changi Airport with Jet Star @ cheap price = S$15 per person.

Good bargain

 

[5star_pundit]

plan to self drive in penang any good GPS maps to recommend?
preferably with voice enable navigation

 

[5star_pundit]

is there a bicycle kiosk near penang bridge

 

[hwaa]

parky got money go penang ah.

 

[kazuki666]

Any recommendations for car rental with driver service? Need 2 days, for maybe around 9 pax of elderly and young kids. Good friendly driver who won't hardsell touristy spots.

Sent from Xiaomi REDMI NOTE 2 using GAGT

 

[wildkev]

Just came back from Penang on Sunday. I used MyTeski aka Grabtaxi, everything was smooth and hassle free. Driver will call you to confirm once they received your booking and they will not take longer route. Consider cheap as compared to those normal Taxi who don't use meter. Booking fee is RM2

 

[5star_pundit]

looking for penang maps , any recommendations?

 

[withluck]

looking for penang maps , any recommendations?

Google maps is quite good.

 

[hungryfriend]

thinking of going solo in end march, first time going to penang
any itinerary to share? im mainly for sightseeing and chill, food are okay not really the kind to check out all the famous stalls
only concern is how to travel around? (i read some said take taxi some said no need, some said take bus some said no need so im very confused)
hotel most likely as i read i will stay in georgetown
thanks

 

[Nakedtoes]

Food at new Lane Hawker is better or red garden?

 

[idrinkecoke]

How much does it cost to go from airport to Georgetown? Penang taxi go by meter?

Which location is ideal for sight seeing?

How's the food prices in Penang?

Any security issue there?