Full Day - Penang Tour Including Penang Hill Tickets (Fast Lane) & Lunch
Recommended by 91% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Penang, Malaysia
- 8 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
See several sides of George Town in a single day with this small-group tour of Penang. Join your guide for a journey that showcases the city's Buddhist temples, its old streets (which have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the world-class ecological reserve on Penang Hill. This tour is ideal for time-poor travelers and makes it possible to see the highlights of George Town in a single day.
- This tour showcases sights from across the city
- Focus on the sightseeing, and not on navigating public transport
- Get more out of your day with an English-speaking guide on hand
- Indulge in some authentic Penang cuisine for lunch
What's Included
- Hotel or cruise terminal pickup and drop-off (city center 1km radius)
- English speaking Driver
- Ticket for Penang Hill Train (Fast Lane), Kek Lok Si Temple, Inclined Lift
- Private transportation
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Food unless specified
- Gratitutes (optional)
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to your preferred meeting point, or request pickup.
Operating hours.10:00 am
Itinerary
1
Chaiya Mangalaram Thai Buddhist Temple
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Dhammikarama Burmese Temple
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Historic City of George Town
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Penang Hill
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
5
Kek Lok Si Temple
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
6
Coffee Tree
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.7
based on 34 reviews
Suzanne_S, Jan 2026
Our tour guide did not speak good English. We enjoyed our experience but we feel like we could have got more from it if we could have communicated with the tour guide.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re glad to hear that you still enjoyed the experience. We appreciate your honest comment regarding communication, and we will continue to support our guides in improving their English skills to enhance future guest experiences. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you again.
Susan_C, Jan 2026
Zainul was an excellent guide and driver. He was chatty, explained everything and made sure I was happy at all times. I would thoroughly recommend him as a driver or tour guide in Penang.
However, the trip was very expensive compared to other similar trips we did. My husband wasn't well on the day and we asked to possibly reschedule it for the next day, but it was a definite no. That was a real shame as it was pre-paid, so I did the trip on my own.
Overall a lovely day, but some more understanding from Viator would have been nice.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback. We’re delighted to hear that Zainul provided excellent service and made your day enjoyable — your recommendation truly means a lot to us. We’re sorry to hear about the situation with rescheduling and understand how disappointing that must have been. As rescheduling and cancellation policies are managed by Viator, we appreciate your understanding. Thank you again for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back in Penang in the future.
Caroline_M, Dec 2025
Our tour guide Ronnie was very good. We didn't want to walk too much so he always went back to get the car to pick us up again. We saw some really lovely temples but to be honest it was too many temples for us. Perhaps fitting in something else or shortening the tour would work better.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad to hear that Ronnie took great care of you and was attentive to your comfort throughout the tour. We appreciate your honest suggestion regarding the itinerary, and your comments have been noted as we continuously look to improve the experience for our guests. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you again in the future.
Herbert_Y, Dec 2025
Anson did am excellent job showing us around Penang. He is a good communicator and patient. I would highly recommend him.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your kind feedback! We’re delighted to hear that Anson did an excellent job and made your Penang tour enjoyable. Your recommendation truly means a lot to us. We hope to welcome you again soon.
Bandana_N, Dec 2025
This full-day tour was a wonderful experience and one I would definitely recommend to others. What stood out the most was the relaxed pace—there was absolutely no rushing at any point. I was able to explore each place comfortably and enjoy the day at my own rhythm, which made the experience far more meaningful.
Mr. Vejay, the guide, was extremely helpful, attentive, and knowledgeable. As a solo traveller, I especially appreciated how at ease he made me feel throughout the day. He was patient, accommodating, and always ensured I was comfortable and enjoying the experience.
If you’re someone who prefers a well-planned tour without being hurried, and especially if you’re travelling solo, this is an excellent choice. A thoughtfully organised day with a guide who truly makes a difference.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful and thoughtful feedback. We’re truly delighted to hear that you enjoyed the relaxed pace of the tour and had time to explore each place comfortably. It’s especially pleasing to know that Mr. Vejay made you feel at ease and well cared for throughout the day, particularly as a solo traveller. Your kind words and recommendation mean a great deal to us. We hope to welcome you again on another memorable experience in the future.
AdamJoseph_G, Feb 2025
Worst tour experience ever - overpriced and uninformed guide. Tour guide missed the essential highlights of the city that we had to later pay another service to take us. Car broke down with no replacement, forced to walk back to hotel in the heat. Shame on you Viator, travellers paying good money for a tour deserve much better.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
"We’re very sorry to hear about your experience and sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused. This is not the standard we aim to provide. We take your feedback seriously and will investigate to prevent this from happening again. Thank you for bringing it to our attention."
Diane_f, Sep 2024
Penang hill was great the ride and the views over looking Penang plus the ride back down. Lunch was very nice and the guide was very helpful and new want he was talking about
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thank you for your review! We're happy to hear you enjoyed the Penang Hill experience, the views, and the ride. Glad you had a nice lunch and found the guide helpful and knowledgeable. Hope to see you on another tour soon!
Jiri_P, Sep 2024
The tour I took today with the guide Ranjit was perfect. While I have been unlucky with the weather - in the morning it was raining non-stop, Ranjit reshuffled the itinerary to make most of the day and left the trip by the funicular to the afternoon when the sun started to shine again. He was most knowledgeable and I deeply enjoyed conversation with him answering my endless questions. A wonderful day.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thank you for your lovely review! We're so glad to hear that Ranjit made the most of the day despite the weather and adjusted the itinerary perfectly. His knowledge and engaging conversation truly add to the experience. We’re happy you had a wonderful day and hope to welcome you again soon!
Jerilyn_B, Jul 2024
In all my years of travel, this is the first time I didn't tip the guide...well, he was actually just a driver, not a tour guide. I was picked up on time, but when I got in the car, there was a faint smell of cigarettes. The car was otherwise clean, but I can't stand the smell of cigarettes. The driver didn't introduce himself or ask me anything about myself (e.g., where am I visiting from, how long will I be in Malaysia, etc.) The ONLY reason I know his name is Ong is because it came up on my caller ID when he called to let me know he had arrived at the hotel to pick me up. Other than that, we were like literal strangers. There was no friendliness at all and the entire trip was filled with awkward silence as I was traveling solo. He did a lot of coughing inside the car with windows raised and, given that he didn't cover his mouth, I was very uncomfortable with the germs circulating in the car.
My biggest gripe was the fact that this "tour" is grossly overpriced for what I received. Reading some of the other reviews, it sounds like other guides/drivers offered more commentary on the sites which is what I was expecting for the price I paid. But, I literally only had a driver for a few hours who dropped me off at each site and left me to figure out what to do and where to go on my own. I could have saved a lot of money doing Grab rides to take me to sites rather than paying $220 USD for a driver. I specifically book tours to have someone explain to me what I'm seeing, the history and cultural significance of things. Instead, I got an overpaid driver who only occasionally called out the names of buildings during the drive, then dropped me off at sites and left me to my own devices. Is that worth $220 USD? I certainly don't think so. Even when he dropped me off and was giving instruction by pointing in the general direction where I was to go and telling me where to meet him, it was often difficult to understand him. I basically had to use context clues to figure out what I was supposed to do.
Overall, maybe I just had bad luck with the driver assigned to me or maybe he was supposed to provide more detailed information and just wasn't feeling it today. Either way, I feel like I got robbed with the amount of money I spent.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience, and we sincerely apologize for the disappointing aspects of your tour. We deeply regret that the driver did not meet your expectations and that you felt uncomfortable throughout the experience. It's important to us that our guides offer informative and engaging tours, and we will certainly review this matter to ensure such issues are addressed. We understand your frustration and appreciate your feedback to help improve our services.
Jeff_Z, Jun 2024
I ended up being the only person on tour so it was a very exclusive experience. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and knew the history of various sites in-and-out. He also planned out perfectly regarding what to see first, which helped minimize traffic jamming and crowding issues. The trip included a lunch, which was a delicious sample of various local cuisines. I would recommend this trip to anyone who is on a compact schedule and wants to see the highlights of Penang in a day.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the exclusive experience and that the guide’s knowledge and planning made the trip special. We're also glad you liked the local lunch. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again soon!
NIISACKEY_Q, Jun 2024
Guide named Eng made the tour doo much fun and educative. He took time to explain everything on the way, and went out of his way most times. The Funicular was fun and the views were spectacular, it rained a bit but still had a good time. Lunch was great.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thank you for your review! We're so glad to hear that Eng made your tour fun and educational. It’s great that you enjoyed the funicular ride, spectacular views, and lunch despite the rain. We appreciate your feedback and hope to see you again soon!
Noel_D, May 2024
Very knowledgeable driver, timings were basically up to us, flexible day, we saw a lot of Penang we certainly weren’t aware of.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thank you for your review! We're glad to hear you enjoyed the flexibility of the tour and learned more about Penang. It's great that the driver’s knowledge enhanced your experience. We hope to welcome you again soon!
Dana_S, May 2024
Totally worth doing! Pickup was smooth, Aldrin took me to the national park to get some info on best ways to see/hike the park should I choose to do so later, helpful info! The Batik factory was really cool to see the artists actually making the handmade crafts. Lunch was SO delicious, and filling with rice, chicken, soup, and salad. Getting the fast pass for the Penang Hill funicular train was an absolute MUST if you want the best view up and down and don’t wanna wait in the long lines for general entry. I went on a day that didn’t even seem packed and still the general line was pretty long. Aldrin had great background info of the city and made great suggestions and conversation all day long. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thank you for your fantastic review! We’re so glad to hear you enjoyed the tour, from the smooth pickup to the great insights from Aldrin. It’s wonderful that you had the chance to see the Batik factory, enjoy a delicious lunch, and make the most of the fast pass for Penang Hill. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again soon!
Bill_S, Apr 2024
Our guide, Teh, picked us right on time and entertained us throughout the day with knowledgeable commentary about every place we visited. The city tour was great, especially the Kek Lok Si Temple, and lunch at the Yeng Keng Restaurant was superb! But the day would not have been complete without the funicular ride to the peak of Penang Hill - the view from the top was awesome and the walk along one of the shorter nature trails very enjoyable
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thank you for your great review! We’re so happy to hear that Teh made your day enjoyable with his commentary and that you had a wonderful time exploring Penang. We're glad you loved the Kek Lok Si Temple, the lunch, and the funicular ride with its stunning views. We hope to welcome you again soon!
Scott_H, Mar 2024
Fantastic experience. The temple was something to see and the lunch experiencing the local food was brilliant.
Our guide Josh made it extra special with his wealth of knowledge a real credit
JVILLADSEN, Mar 2024
Ronnie gave me a great tour. He shared historical and cultural knowledge of Penang throughout our entire time together. Enjoyed my lunch, especially the ice kecang!
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thank you for your great review! We're so glad to hear that you had an awesome day and enjoyed the pace and comfort of the tour. We're happy that the guide could make your experience memorable. We hope to welcome you again soon!
Mandy_G, Feb 2024
The guide/driver was very knowledgeable on all the places visited.
Fast track was the best way to get up to the top, to see the wonderful views.
Catherine_S, Feb 2024
Ronnie was an excellent guide, very organised, friendly and informative. As a family of three, we appreciated being taken personally by him, rather than in a larger group. The supply of Fast Passes on the funicular meant we had much more time to appreciate the tree top walk on Penang Hill. Ronnie spent time explaining all about the various temples he took us to and the lunch provided was excellent. He was an excellent driver, going out of his way to drive us all around the city to see the various murals. We all thoroughly enjoyed our day. Thank you.
Joseph_S, Feb 2024
This is the best tour to see all the highlights in Penang in one day with a driver who plots out all the sites and allows you to spend time as much as you like at each stop.
Peter_B, Feb 2024
Fast lane to cable car very comfortable, without one would spend half a day waiting
Local guide very competent
Very good infrastructure and overall a very positive experience
Jill_B, Dec 2023
Our driver Gesan (sp?) was fantastic! His English was excellent; very easy to understand. He was super knowledgeable and very pleasant to be around. We saw all the main attractions and had many stops for photos. Lunch was an authentic Malaysian meal - and tasted great! The car was in excellent condition. We were very pleased with our day and we highly recommend this tour!!
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your positive experience with us! We are thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic day with our driver, Gesan. It's wonderful to know that his excellent English, extensive knowledge, and pleasant demeanor contributed to an enjoyable tour for you.
We're delighted that you were able to see all the main attractions and capture beautiful moments with the many photo stops. It's great to hear that you enjoyed the authentic Malaysian meal for lunch and that the car was in excellent condition throughout the day.
Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we truly appreciate your kind words. If you ever decide to explore more, we would be honored to have you on another tour.
Thank you once again for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back in the future!
nevatravel, Dec 2023
It was a great day in Penang. Our driver/guide Ong took excellent care of us. We were able to see all sights planned and had a nice lunch. The Leo Lok Si Temple is a must! We spent over an hour there exploring all structures. The views from there were fantastic. Penang Hill was a great place to visit. We did a nature walk there. Ong took us to all interesting places in the city and showed us street art. Thank you Ong!
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Thank you for sharing your positive experience in Penang! It sounds like you had a wonderful day exploring the city, and Ong played a crucial role in ensuring it was a memorable one. Visiting the Leo Lok Si Temple and enjoying the views from there must have been quite an experience, and the nature walk at Penang Hill sounds delightful.
It's fantastic to hear that Ong, your driver/guide, took excellent care of you and showed you all the planned sights, including the city's street art. It's always a pleasure when a local guide can enhance your travel experience. I'm sure your feedback will be valuable for others considering a visit to Penang. Thanks for taking the time to share your positive review!
Iris_G, Feb 2024
Fahrt zum Penang Hill war sehr beeindruckend, da wir Fast Lane hatten ging es dann auch schnell nach oben 👍.
Unsere Sara war super, ging auf unsere Wünsche ein und zeigte uns die schönsten Plätze. Auch das typische Mittagessen war sehr lecker 😋
From $145.46
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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