George Town

Travelers come for the old British-era streets, hawker stalls across the old town, and day trips up Penang Hill.

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George Town is the capital of Penang, a state in the north-west of Peninsular Malaysia. It covers Penang Island and nearby islets. The city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 2008 for its British-era townscape shaped by many cultures and religions. The grid of streets, including Light, Beach, Chulia and Pitt, dates from the early British settlement, and Fort Cornwallis, built under Francis Light, remains a major landmark. The city is named after King George III, so write it as two words; Georgetown is a common misspelling.

Penang is known as Malaysia's food capital, and street food such as char kway teow, asam laksa and nasi kandar is a big reason to visit. Penang Hill, at 833 m, is the island's highest point and is reached by funicular railway from Air Itam. The climate is tropical, with temperatures around 32 °C high and 24 °C low year-round and about 2,477 mm of rain a year.

George Town in five

Take the ferry from Raja Tun Uda Ferry TerminalFerries cross the Penang Strait to Seberang Perai several times a day from this terminal. Check the current times at the terminal before you plan the day.Getting around
Use Grab or Uber for ridesGrab and Uber have operated in Penang since 2015. Book the ride in the app instead of haggling at a taxi stand or with a trishaw driver.Getting around
Check air quality during haze seasonSeasonal haze from forest fires in Sumatra can reach George Town, a recurring problem in Southeast Asia. Check air quality before a day of long walks on Penang Hill or the beaches.
Take the Penang Hill railway from Air ItamThe Penang Hill railway is the only rail-based transport in the city, and the hill it climbs is 833 m high. A cable car was under construction as of 2025, so check its status before you go.Getting around
Spell it George Town, not GeorgetownThe city is named after King George III, so write it as two words. Since 2008, street signs show names in English, Chinese, Tamil or Arabic alongside Malay, and some signs have been vandalised.

Things to do in George Town

See all attractions in George Town

Museum · George TownLeong San Tong Khoo Kongsi

Historic site · George TownFort Cornwallis

Museum · George TownCheah KongsiLook carefully for the small entrance from Lebuh Armenian; it is easy to miss.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to George TownPut the places you like in George Town on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Ringgit (MYR)
Entry: Visa-free for many passports; check if an ETA or visa is needed Read more
Emergency: 999 police, fire or ambulance; 112 also works from mobiles
Tipping: Not expected; some restaurants add a service charge
Time: UTC+8, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days
Festival

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Drier, pleasant
FebruaryRain17 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Drier, pleasant
MarchRain24 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Warm, showers
AprilRain28 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Humid, showers
MayRain27 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Humid, showers
JuneRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Humid, showers
JulyRain20 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Humid, showers
AugustRain23 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Haze risk
SeptemberRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Haze risk
OctoberRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Haze, wet
NovemberRain30 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Wet, monsoon
DecemberRain25 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Dragon Boat Festival

Average daily high and low in George Town, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Festivals: Aug George Town Festival

Right now in George Town

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 30°
Humidity: 76%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Penang

04:40 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+8

Today30°24°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed30°24°100%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Thu31°24°94%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 94%.
Fri30°24°100%Friday: Rain. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sat29°23°100%Saturday: Rain. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sun29°24°100%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.

Updated 01:51 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 4.057 MYR

Amount

Converted to

MYR · Malaysian Ringgit

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in George Town

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

AugGeorge Town FestivalGeorge Town

Day trips by train

Penang National Parkcheck the journey time on a map before you goCoastal hills, mangroves, coral reefs and turtle-nesting beaches such as Pantai Kerachut.
Batu Ferringhicheck the journey time on a map before you goNorthwest coast beaches with hotels and resorts, a short ride from the city.
Seberang Peraicheck the journey time on a map before you goThe mainland side of the strait, reached by ferry from Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal.

Before you go to George Town

eSIM for George TownMaps and e-hailing on the moveRead the guide

Travel insurance for PenangCover for hill walks and ferry tripsRead the guide

Money and cardsRinggit and cards for stalls and taxisRead the guide

Where to stayOld town, seafront and Air ItamRead the guide

Rules for George Town, checked

Many passports enter visa-free. Check ETA and visa rules on the Immigration Department site, and fill in the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card before you arrive.
Drug offences in Malaysia carry heavy penalties, and trafficking can carry the death penalty. Check the rules before you travel.
Cover shoulders and knees at mosques and temples such as Kapitan Keling Mosque and Sri Mahamariamman Temple, and remove shoes where asked.
Declare cash above the legal limit on arrival. Check the amount with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department before you fly in.

Plan around George Town

All of Malaysia

Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Malaysia trip

Read the guide Penang

The state George Town sits in, with its beaches and hills

Read the guide Getting around Penang

Ferries, Rapid Penang buses, e-hailing and the hill railway

Read the guide Visas and entry

Entry rules and what to check before you book

Read the guide Money and costs

Ringgit, cards and typical prices for a day in George Town

Read the guide Where to stay

Old town, seafront and Air Itam, with the trade-offs of each

Read the guide

George Town FAQ

Is George Town worth visiting?

Yes for the UNESCO old town, the food and the hills. Walk the old town, and use e-hailing or Rapid Penang buses to reach the beaches.

How many days do you need in George Town?

Two to three days covers the old town, Penang Hill and one beach. Add a day for Penang National Park if you want coastal hills, mangroves and turtle-nesting beaches.

What should I eat in George Town?

Try char kway teow, asam laksa and nasi kandar. The 2025 Michelin Guide lists 63 eateries in the city.

Is George Town the same as Georgetown?

Georgetown is a common misspelling of George Town. The city is named after King George III, so write it with a space.

How do you get to George Town from the airport?

Penang International Airport is about 16 km south of the city centre. Take Grab, Uber or a taxi from the airport to your hotel.

Is Penang Hill worth the trip?

Yes, it is the highest point on the island at 833 m. The funicular railway from Air Itam climbs it, and it was once a retreat for British officials.