Why go
- Capital city of the Malaysian state of Penang.
History
George Town is the capital of the Malaysian state of Penang. It is the core city of the George Town Conurbation, Malaysia's second largest metropolitan area with a population of 2.84 million and the second largest metropolitan economy in the country. The city proper spans an area of 306 km2 (118 sq mi) encompassing Penang Island and surrounding islets, and had a population of 794,313 as of 2020.
Restaurants & places to go
292 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 17 airlines, 20 direct destinations
- Malaysia Airlines MH (ATR 72, 734, 737-800, A319, A320) · 10 routes: Banda Aceh*, Bangkok*, Ko Samui*, Kota Bahru*, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur*, Kuantan*, Langkawi*, Phuket*, Singapore*
- AirAsia AK (A320) · 7 routes: Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Langkawi, Miri, Singapore
- Firefly FY (ATR 72) · 7 routes: Banda Aceh, Ko Samui, Kota Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan, Langkawi, Phuket
- Malindo Air OD (ATR 72, 737-900) · 4 routes: Kota Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi
- Indonesia AirAsia QZ (A320) · 2 routes: Jakarta, Surabaya
- American Airlines AA (737) · 1 route: Kuala Lumpur
- Cathay Pacific CX (A330-300) · 1 route: Hong Kong
- China Airlines CI (737-800) · 1 route: Taipei
- China Southern Airlines CZ (A320) · 1 route: Guangzhou
- Dragonair KA (A330-300) · 1 route: Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Express Airways UO (A320) · 1 route: Hong Kong
- Jetstar Asia Airways 3K (A320) · 1 route: Singapore
- SilkAir MI (A319, A320, 737-800) · 1 route: Singapore
- Singapore Airlines Cargo SQ (A319, A320, 737-800) · 1 route: Singapore*
- Thai AirAsia FD (A320) · 1 route: Bangkok
- Thai Airways International TG (734) · 1 route: Bangkok
- Tiger Airways TR (A320) · 1 route: Singapore
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Getting there by ferry
Where things are
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. We do not yet hold airport or rail details for Georgetown, Malaysia — check the official tourism sources below for the best routes in. By water: 6 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Raja Tun Uda Ferry Terminal, 4.6 km); routes include Penang Ferry (Butterworth to George Town), Penang Ferry (George Town to Butterworth), National Park Boat Service.
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Georgetown, Malaysia. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Trains & rail
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.