We spent our first week in Batu Ferringhi, the quiet, beachy stretch on the north side of Penang Island where mornings smell like salty air and roti canai sizzles on the griddle. It’s laid-back and local, the kind of place where kids can run barefoot on the sand while you sip kopi by the sea. Then we moved to George Town for four weeks, staying in a high-rise with a pool and using Grab rides that cost just a few dollars to get anywhere. Between the colorful shophouses, world-class street food, and strong expat community, it’s easy to see why families fall in love with Penang. If you’re curious about Penang travel costs and how far your money really stretches here, this post breaks it all down.
In total, we spent $3,510.56 over five weeks, averaging $100.30 per day for our family of four. Here’s how that breaks down. All amounts are listed in U.S. dollars.
Accommodations – $1,904.25 or $54.41 per night.
AirBnB in Batu Ferringhi – We stayed in Batu Ferringhi for seven nights at an Airbnb just a short walk from the Hard Rock Hotel. It had everything we needed, but it wasn’t anything fancy, and honestly, we probably wouldn’t stay there again. The location, though, couldn’t have been better: we could walk to the beach, grab food nearby, and catch the local bus right outside to explore other parts of Batu Ferringhi. It was simple, practical, and a great base for our first week on the island.
Total: $311.26
AirBnB in George Town – We spent four weeks in a modern high-rise just north of George Town, and it quickly became one of our favorite stays in Malaysia. The building had a strong expat vibe, with plenty of Airbnbs and homestays mixed in, plus amenities that made traveling with kids feel effortless, two large pools, a gym, and even a rooftop green space with a playground. On days we didn’t feel like navigating the busy streets, we’d stay in, let the kids swim, and soak in the city views. From our balconies, we could see the sunrise to the east, the sunset to the west, and the ocean to the north. It was absolutely beautiful and phenomenal for the price.
Total: $1,592.99
Eating Out – $379.75
- Grab Delivery – Grab delivery in Batu Ferringhi was on the pricier side since it’s farther out from the city and delivery fees add up on the island.
Total: $30.14 - Batu Night Market – We grabbed pizza from a food truck-style stall, sipped on Turkish coffee, and treated the kids to Thai-style Nutella pancakes.
Total: $13.43 - Clucker’s – We ordered from this spot three times because it hit that perfect homesick craving: massive Southern-style chicken sandwiches with fries, true comfort food after months in Asia.
Total: $83.05 - Maryam Restaurant – Local Malaysian food right on the Batu Ferringhi strip with great prices compared to Western-style spots.
Total: $10.83 - Apom Balik – A beloved Malaysian street snack: crispy folded pancakes filled with peanuts, sugar, and sweet corn, perfect for dessert or an afternoon treat.
Total: $4.94 - V Sassy’s Indian Restaurant – Cozy Northern Indian restaurant in Batu Ferringhi with rich curries and fresh naan.
Total: $8.49 - Leomag Waffles – A chain waffle stall found in one of George Town’s malls, quick, sweet, and perfect for a shopping break.
Total: $5.13 - Palm Café Bistro – A simple local café where we enjoyed our morning coffee before heading out for the day.
Total: $11.50 - The Postcard – A refreshing café stop for cold drinks after exploring George Town’s street art. [Read more about the kid-friendly cafés we loved in this blog post!]
Total: $9.20 - Hin Bus Depot – An old bus depot turned creative arts space with weekend artisan stalls, live music, and local food vendors, we stopped for cupcakes and coffee.
Total: $7.09 - Chinese Restaurant – Ordered via Grab one night hoping the kids would eat, it’s always hit or miss!
Total: $24.87 - Izawa – Also known as the “Cool Cat Café,” where the kids enjoyed smoothies and we had tea (they don’t serve coffee).
Total: $12.45 - China House – Famous for its decadent cakes and artsy atmosphere. A little pricey, but worth it for dessert lovers.
Total: $13.72 - Hawkers – We ate at three different hawker centers during our stay. These outdoor food courts are the heart of Malaysian dining, with endless local dishes at unbeatable prices.
Total: $26.51 - Patata – A fun and quirky café where you can hang out with live bunnies while enjoying drinks and snacks, our kids were obsessed!
Total: $13.99 - TD Coffee Lab – A minimalist coffee shop known for its hand-drip brews and artisanal teas. I even had a coffee chat with the co-owner about brewing methods.
Total: $2.84 - Mugshot Café – A creative café where you can literally take your “mug shot” photo on the wall. They’re attached to a bakery with great pastries and espresso.
Total: $7.22 - Biru-Biru on the Island – Great food, ocean views, and a fun laid-back vibe set inside a boutique hotel complex, perfect for sunset dinners.
Total: $18.59 - Oceano Symphony – A gorgeous, Instagram-worthy beachfront restaurant near Batu Ferringhi—a must for sunset. It’s pricier than most, but the views are worth it. [Read more about the restaurants we visited with kids]
Total: $29.62 - Yuu Coffee – A Japanese-inspired café with a calm, Zen feel, serving some of the best coffee we had in Penang alongside delicious appetizers.
Total: $11.47 - Utoo Boho Café – A stylish, bohemian café near George Town’s famous street art, popular with travelers and digital nomads.
Total: $11.61 - US Pizza – A family-friendly pizza place just a short walk from our accommodation—great for an easy kid dinner night.
Total: $23.06
Groceries – $831.28
Our groceries came from a mix of local markets and major grocery chains during our stay, two main stores while we were in George Town and a smaller market plus a chain store while in Batu Ferringhi. On average, we spent $23.75 per day on groceries and snacks for our family of four. Here’s how it broke down:
- Lotus’ – One of the larger supermarket chains across Asia, known for having lower prices than most competitors. We shopped here during our week in Batu Ferringhi.
Total: $78.52 - Local Market in Batu Ferringhi – A small neighborhood stall where we stocked up on fresh fruit and bottled water, simple, affordable, and convenient.
Total: $21.56 - Mercato – A higher-end grocery store chain that was closest to our accommodation in George Town. It was pricier than local options but the most convenient since there weren’t many wet markets nearby.
Total: $236.20 - Village Grocer – Another mid- to high-range supermarket with more of the familiar items we eat back home, and conveniently located near us in George Town. We visited several times throughout the month.
Total: $494.10
Transportation – $130.43
I have purposely omitted the price of our flight to Penang as people will be flying or traveling in from all parts of the world. When flying, we use Daily Drop Pro to help us search for redemption bookings from points we have earned from our favorite credit card!
Our main mode of getting around was Grab, which made traveling across the island simple and stress-free. It’s slightly more expensive here than in other parts of Southeast Asia, but still very convenient, especially when traveling with kids. We also used the local bus system a few times, both in Batu Ferringhi and George Town, particularly when heading between the two areas. The buses were easy to navigate and clean, but you’ll need exact cash, as drivers don’t provide change. Only two main routes run between George Town and Batu Ferringhi, making it simple to figure out. (Look here for more information on bus routes.)
- Grab – Our go-to transportation method, safe, comfortable, and always available throughout George Town and Batu Ferringhi.
Total: $124.59 - Bus – We took the bus several times and found it efficient, clean, and a fraction of the cost of Grab. Just double-check the route number before boarding.
Total: $5.84
Tourist Attractions – $59.48
Most of the fun activities we did in Penang were completely free, like exploring the famous street art in George Town and spending lazy mornings at Youth Park. But even the paid attractions were surprisingly affordable and worth every ringgit, especially with kids in tow.
Kek Lok Si Temple – The largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia and an absolute must-see. It’s a multi-tiered complex, so we took the transport up (to save the kids’ legs!) and then walked down through the layers of pagodas and prayer halls. Getting there involved a short bus ride, a quick golf cart transfer, and then a funicular ride to the Pagoda of the Thousand Buddhas. [Read more here]
Total: $3.78
Penang Hill Funicular – This funicular railway takes you straight up the hill for sweeping views over the island. We bought tickets for two adults and one child (the youngest rode free), and the ride itself was a hit with the kids.
Total: $17.78
The Habitat – Once you’re at the top of Penang Hill, this is a must-do with kids. It’s an enclosed rainforest reserve filled with wildlife like Dusky leaf langurs and giant black squirrels, plus treetop bridges and circular walkways with panoramic views. Ticket prices were similar to the funicular, two adults, half price for one child, and our three-year-old entered free. [Read more here]
Total: $37.92
Miscellaneous – $92.81
Not everything fits neatly into food, lodging, or transportation. These are the little extras that come up when traveling as a family.
Decathlon – Our youngest outgrew her shoes mid-trip, so we picked up a new pair of sandals.
Total: $9.20
Airalo – Our go-to eSIM for staying connected while traveling. We purchased two months of data since we were continuing our journey through Malaysia.
Total: $44.10
Haircut – Mom finally got a much-needed haircut (because sometimes you just need a little self-care in the middle of travel life).
Total: $24.91
Decathlon – With a pool at our accommodation, we grabbed a pair of goggles for the kids, worth every penny.
Total: $4.51
Healthcare- $112.56
Our travel insurance is SafetyWing Nomad Insurance– $112.56
Total: $3,510.56
What we learned:
Transportation:
Using Grab in Penang is generally easy and convenient, especially around George Town. But in Batu Ferringhi, getting a Grab can be tricky—there are fewer drivers in that area, so it’s not something to rely on. The bus system, however, is simple, clean, and reliable. It’s an easy (and much cheaper) way to travel between Batu Ferringhi and George Town without any issues.
Accommodation:
Even though our Penang stay included some of the most expensive accommodations of our travels, we made it work by stretching them out—one week in Batu Ferringhi and four weeks in George Town. Booking longer stays through Airbnb often comes with discounts, and taking advantage of those can make a huge difference for your budget. If you can plan for weekly or monthly rates, it’s one of the best ways to save while still staying somewhere comfortable.
