Discover Penang on Your Own Terms: Car Rental Guide and Tips
The Malaysian island of Penang is part of the state of the same name, part of which is located on the mainland. Both parts of Penang are connected by two bridges 13 and 24 kilometers long. A large island in the west of Malaysia offers travelers an unrivaled mix of cultures, architectural trends and culinary trends. People come here to see unique historical sights and sacred places, relax on picturesque beaches and admire the rich underwater world.
Traveling around Penang starts from the southern part of the island, because there is international airport. It is one of the oldest transportation hubs in Malaysia and one of the busiest, so there are plans to expand it in the future. From the airport, travelers go to the center or explore other parts of the island. Inspection of the richest cultural heritage of Penang can take a long time, so it is better to think about moving in advance. For example, Bookingautos rental cars will provide convenience and comfort.
The best sights in Penang
Most of the sights of Penang are concentrated in George Town, the central city of the island.
There are cultural and religious sites, museums and architectural monuments, picturesque parks and gardens. Of particular note are:
Pinang Peranakan Museum built in the late 19th century. In the past, this eclectic mansion belonged to an influential Chinese family. Today, artifacts and antiques showcasing the luxurious lifestyles and traditions of the former owners are on display here.
Botanical Gardens с a waterfall on the territory will acquaint tourists with tropical nature.
Dhammikarama Burmese Temple is the oldest Buddhist temple complex in Penang and one of the main temples on the island.
Butterfly farm.
Tropical fruit farm.
Georgetown has plenty to do outside too:
Kek Lok Si Temple is a large and incredibly colorful temple complex built in the late 19th century. It includes more than ten buildings created in various architectural styles. The main structure here is the 30-meter Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda.
The Serpent Temple is a cult site in the southeast islands. In addition to the temple, there is a snake farm on the territory.
Penang National Park in the north of the island is a huge natural massif, inhabited by rare animals, birds and insects.
Local beaches are considered the best in Penang.
Where to go fromPenang for 1-2 days
Jerejak Island
The island is only 3 km from Penang, but it can only be reached by water. People come here by ferry to walk through the rainforest and spend time on snow-white beaches. The trip will take no more than half an hour
Penang mainland
Penang mainland has numerous parks, gardens, cultural and religious attractions.
In the large village of Butterworth, tourists will see the ancient Taoist temple Tou Bu Kong, dedicated to the Nine Emperor Gods and the god Doum. It is also worth visiting the artistic street, famous for its amazing street art (the address of the street is 1, Lorong Bagan Luar 1, Bagan Luar, 12000 Butterworth, Pulau Pinang).
Almost 30 km from Butterworth is the Meng Quang Dam. The local park with a picturesque landscape is a popular location for recreation.
RestaurantsPenang
Most of the establishments offer Asian cuisine in all its manifestations. Along with Malaysian traditions, Chinese and Indian trends are very popular. It is important to remember that spices and seasonings are very fond of here.
Connoisseurs of local dishes should visit the restaurant Cheang Kee, located on the northern coast of the island. The establishment specializes in seafood and hearty meat dishes. Address: 551-L, Jalan Wee Hein Tze, 11200 Tanjung Bungah, Pulau Penang. Phone: +60174115177.
George Town has many indoor and outdoor car parks. Some are located at hotels, near shopping centers and places of entertainment. There are fewer parking lots in other parts of the island, but they also exist. The cost of 1 hour is basically 1-3 MP (approximately $0.2-0.6).
A large public car park Secure Parking Corporation Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah is located at Georgetown, 10050 George Town, Penang. On weekdays, an hour of parking will cost 5 MP (about $ 1), on weekends - 3 RM (about $ 0.6).
Another parking lot with a large area is located at Lebuh Tek Soon, George Town, PNG 10000. You can park your car in the Komtar Vip Parking At The Top parking area by paying 2 MP for 1.5 hours.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Budget
Most popular car class
Standard
Average price
28 € / Day
Best price
20 € / Day
Monthly price chart. Approximate prices for 7 days rental
January
€193
February
€121
March
€126
April
€141
May
€182
June
€229
July
€233
August
€252
September
€167
October
€130
November
€115
December
€142
* Data is calculated based on car bookings for the previous 365 days.
A percentage showing the monthly occupancy of the fleet of available vehicles. During August, there is a maximum demand for car rental, which entails a decrease in the range of cars available for order. You should take care of booking a car in Penang in advance, this will allow you to get the preferred option on the most favorable financial terms.
The best time to rent a car in Penang is November. This month, rental prices are minimal, below the annual average by 34%, and start from €16 for a Compact car.
During the summer months in Penang there is a significant increase in demand for convertible rentals. This causes an increase in prices and the limited choice of such cars. A day of rental Audi A5 Cabrio will cost you €146.
Our fleet has cars of all price categories, from budget to premium: sedans, convertibles, SUVs, minivans, business class cars. You can choose a rental car based on your preferences and budget.
Car rental costs in Penang depend on its duration, car class and specific season. A budget category VW Polo or Fiat Pandaare available for just €45-€41 per day. When booking through Bookingautos.com, the price will be from €15. The higher segment will cost more. The daily fee for Toyota Camry, BMW X1, BMW 5 Series Estate will be about €45. There are also available minivans, luxury cars, electric cars and business class cars. Their rental starts from €96 and can reach several hundred euros per day.
In recent years in Penang the demand for electric rental cars has been growing steadily. Their popularity is due to the presence of numerous free parking lots and recharging stations. You will be able to rent KIA E-Niro in Penang by selecting start and end dates of the rental in the search filter.
Required documents for rental cars
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
10 Essential Tips for Hassle-Free Car Rental
Download desired area of Google maps for offline access
Before the trip, we recommend that you download the necessary maps to the Google Maps application on your smartphone. This will allow you to build travel routes and use offline navigation on the ground. Thus, you can significantly save on Internet roaming charges, as well as on the "Navigator" service. Downloading the map is easy. You should select the required area, set the desired scale and enter "ok maps" in the search field.
Book a car in advance
Penang is now in ever-increasing demand, which affects the high demand for car rental. By booking online, you can avoid any unpleasant surprises after you arrive at your destination. Both with the car itself and with its rent.
It is better to book a car at least one and a half months before the trip. As the required date approaches, the number of available offers is reduced, and the cost of the remaining models increases. If plans change and the trip is postponed, then you can cancel the rental without any sanctions 2 days before it starts.
Which car to choose for rent
Choose a car according to the purpose of your trip. You can drive around the city and its surroundings in a compact car Fiat Panda or VW Polo. These models are the most popular with our customers in Penang.
In the mountains, more powerful transport will be required. Pay attention to the volume of the engine - it must be more than 1.6 liters. An all-wheel drive crossover would be ideal. BMW 5 Series Estate will cost €32 per day. By the way, before leaving, do not forget to refuel with a margin. On the rises, the fuel goes one and a half to two times more. Gas stations in mountain villages are rare.
What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.
What types of insurance are available for car rental?
Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
Fuel prepayment terms
When renting a car, you should pay attention to the fuel policy of rental companies. Often, when renting, tourists have to pay the cost of a full tank of fuel. This option is suitable for long-term rentals and long trips. But if you're only renting Penang for a day or two, or if you're only planning short trips, such as to a small island, then you probably won't need a full tank. You can get acquainted with the fuel policy in the "Important information" section of the car you have chosen.
Mileage without limits
The rental company may set a daily mileage limit. You will have to pay extra for exceeding the limit. Please check this condition before booking. It is possible that a more expensive rental option will turn out to be more profitable in the end: it will not require any additional expenses. To filter cars with unlimited mileage - use the "Mileage" filter in the search results.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Penang, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
Which rental company to choose
Pay attention to the car park. Large and reliable companies regularly buy new cars.
Our clients name the top companies in Penang - sixt with an average rating 9.8 points and budget with 9.7 points.
We show all the rental conditions of different companies. Read the rules carefully before booking a car.
Car pick-up procedure
Before signing a car rental agreement, it should be carefully checked for damage and defects. Do not be shy to point out the identified problems and problems - then you will not have to answer for them. When returning, pay attention to the fuel in the tank. Its volume must correspond to that prescribed in the agreement.
Also, do not ignore the phone number provided by the technical support representative when concluding the contract. After all, even the most experienced driver is not insured against a breakdown, accident or other force majeure event. In such a case, contact a specialist before the arrival of the police.
Our advantages
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Car rental reviews: Penang
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
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