My 5-Day Penang Itinerary: Exact Costs, Food Highlights & Mistakes to Avoid

When I first planned my trip to Penang, I pictured five perfect days of eating nonstop, wandering George Town’s colorful streets, and maybe relaxing on the beach. I did get all that—but with a few surprises. Between unexpected costs, rookie mistakes, and some spontaneous decisions, my five days turned into a learning experience that I want to pass on to anyone planning their own trip.

Here’s my detailed Penang diary, including what I did day by day, how much I actually spent (in Malaysian Ringgit), and the mistakes I made along the way.

 Day 1: Arrival and First Bites in George Town

I landed at Penang International Airport in the afternoon. It was smaller than I expected, but efficient. Instead of using airport taxis, I booked a Grab (Malaysia’s version of Uber). It cost me RM30 to reach my budget hotel near Chulia Street—the heart of George Town’s backpacker scene.

After dropping off my bag, I couldn’t resist diving straight into Penang’s famous food scene. By evening, Jalan Chulia was alive with hawker stalls firing up woks and grilling satay skewers. The smoky smell of char kway teow pulled me in immediately.

 Char kway teow – RM8

 Satay (10 sticks) – RM12

 Sugarcane juice – RM4

Not bad for my first dinner—filling, flavorful, and under RM25.

 Accommodation

I stayed in a budget-friendly heritage-style hotel. It wasn’t luxurious, but it had air-conditioning (a must in Penang) and cost RM100 per night.

Day 1 Total: RM154

 Mistake of the Day

I didn’t exchange enough cash at the airport. Many hawker stalls are still cash-only, so I wasted time queueing at an ATM, where international withdrawals also come with extra fees. If I had exchanged just RM200 at the airport, I could have avoided the hassle.

 Day 2: George Town’s Street Art and Food Crawl

Day 2 was all about soaking up George Town’s charm. I rented a bicycle for RM15, which let me wander through narrow streets decorated with Penang’s iconic murals. The famous “Kids on Bicycle” painting had a long queue for photos, but I didn’t mind—half the fun was people-watching.

Along the way, I stumbled into small Chinese clan houses, smelled incense drifting from temples, and passed colonial-era buildings now transformed into chic cafés.

 Meals of the Day

By lunch, the heat was unbearable, so I escaped to the Gurney Drive Hawker Centre, one of the biggest in Penang.

• Penang laksa – RM7 (sour, spicy, and packed with mackerel)
• Oyster omelet – RM12
• Cendol – RM5 (shaved ice with pandan jelly and coconut milk, perfect for the heat)

In the evening, I splurged on a guided food tour (RM120). It felt pricey compared to hawker stalls, but it gave me access to dishes I wouldn’t have ordered myself—like duck kway chap (flat rice noodles in herbal broth), nasi kandar (rice with a mix of curries), and apom manis (sweet Indian pancakes). The guide also explained the cultural influences behind each dish, which made me appreciate Penang’s food diversity even more.

 Day 2 Total: RM174

 Mistake of the Day

I underestimated the sun. Cycling at noon was brutal, and I had to buy bottled water almost every hour (RM2 each). It doesn’t sound like much, but little costs pile up. A reusable bottle with a filter would have saved me both money and plastic waste.

 Day 3: Penang Hill and Kek Lok Si Temple

I woke up early to avoid the midday crowds and heat. Breakfast was at a kopitiam (traditional coffee shop): kaya toast and kopi (local coffee) for just RM7.

A Grab ride (RM20) took me to Penang Hill, one of the island’s most famous attractions. The funicular train ticket cost RM30, and the ride up was scenic—jungle greenery giving way to sweeping city views.

 Attractions

I decided to check out The Habitat, an eco-park on the hilltop. The ticket was RM50, which gave me access to canopy walkways, a massive tree-top bridge, and guided nature trails. It felt refreshing after two days in the city.

Afterward, I headed to Kek Lok Si Temple, Southeast Asia’s largest Buddhist temple. Between the Grab ride and small donations, it cost about RM25. The temple’s sheer size amazed me—colorful pagodas, a giant Kuan Yin statue, and intricate lantern displays.

 Dinner

I treated myself to a Nyonya restaurant for dinner:

• Perut ikan (a tangy fish stomach curry) – RM28
• Steamed rice – RM3
• Lime juice – RM6

 Day 3 Total: RM169

 Mistake of the Day

I bought my Habitat tickets at the gate. Later, I realized online bookings were RM10 cheaper. A small saving, but when you’re traveling on a budget, those add up.

 Day 4: Beach Escape to Batu Ferringhi

By the fourth day, I craved the sea breeze. A Grab ride (RM25) took me to Batu Ferringhi Beach. While the sand was soft and the water warm, I was surprised by how commercialized it was—jet skis buzzing, parasails floating overhead, and touts constantly offering rides.

I rented a sunbed for RM20, ordered a fresh coconut (RM8), and tried mee goreng (RM10) from a beach stall.

 Evening at the Night Market

After sunset, I explored the Batu Ferringhi Night Market. It stretched for blocks, filled with knock-off handbags, souvenirs, and street snacks.

 Dinner: Grilled seafood platter – RM55

 Souvenir t-shirt – RM25

 Day 4 Total: RM143

 Mistake of the Day

I stayed the whole day at Batu Ferringhi. In hindsight, a half-day trip would have been enough. By evening, I was bored of the beach and regretted missing more George Town eats.

 Day 5: Last-Minute Shopping and Farewell

On my last day, I woke up early to savor George Town one last time. Breakfast was a humble nasi lemak (RM6), followed by another plate of char kway teow (RM8) for lunch.

I also bought snacks and small gifts for friends: local coffee, nutmeg candy, and another t-shirt. That came to about RM40.

Finally, my Grab back to the airport cost RM30.

Day 5 Total: RM84

 Mistake of the Day

I bought too many souvenirs, which tipped my backpack over the airline’s weight limit. At the airport, I had to pay an extra RM70 for overweight baggage. Not the best way to end a trip.

 Total Cost of My 5 Days in Penang

1. Accommodation (5 nights) – RM500
2. Food & Drinks – ~RM350
3. Transport (Grab, rentals, airport) – ~RM150
4. Attractions & Tours – ~RM245
5. Shopping/Souvenirs – RM65
6. Unexpected Costs – RM90

Grand Total: RM1,400 (~USD 300)

For five days of exploring, eating, and sightseeing, RM1,400 felt like a sweet spot. Not dirt cheap, but much less than what I’d spend on a similar trip in Singapore or Bangkok.

 What I’d Do Differently

Looking back, here are the main things I’d adjust if I returned to Penang for another five days:

• Bring More Cash on Day 1 – ATMs are available, but the fees and queues aren’t worth it.
• Plan Around the Heat – Do sightseeing in the morning, food crawls in the evening, and naps in the afternoon.
• Book Attractions Online – Even RM10 savings add up if you’re visiting multiple sites.
• Limit Souvenirs – Snacks and small trinkets are fine, but clothes just add bulk.
• Balance Food and Sightseeing – I’d cut Batu Ferringhi shorter and spend more evenings exploring George Town’s hawkers.

Conclusion

Penang gave me exactly what I wanted: unforgettable food, vibrant culture, and a mix of heritage and nature. My five-day trip wasn’t perfect—there were mistakes, wasted money, and sweaty afternoons—but that’s what made it memorable.

If you’re planning your own trip, budget around RM1,300–1,500 for five days. That’s enough to eat like royalty, cover transport and attractions, and still have room for the occasional splurge.

Would I go back? Without question. But next time, I’ll skip the souvenir t-shirts and head straight for another plate of char kway teow.

And maybe, just maybe, I’ll finally brave durian.