Just thought I would add a couple of points for those planning to travel to Penang. I orginally planned to travel by train to Butterworth, as I didn't have to hurry to get there. I knew that it was a good idea to get the train ticket before hand. I arrived at Humlumphong two days before I needed to travel expecting to get a ticket easily. But no! sold out. I even tried to pay extra to a tout, but even that didn't work.

Tip number one get your train ticket the week before.

Now what was I to do? AirAsia was the only other option. I quickly hurried over to Airasia in Lotus On Nut, and asked for a single to Penang, they then turned round and said "you have to buy a return" I said that was crazy and promply phoned the airport, they confirmed this, but said if i went to the airport, and bought a ticket there, they MAY allow me to buy one way. I didn't fancy going to the airport with no guarantee, so bought a return at On Nut. Total price 5850 baht. The airplane was empty 12 people and me the only farang, very suprising! Don't fly on a Monday beacuse they don't have a Tuesday afternoon flight.

Tip two if you want to fly, book early as AirAsia do some hotel inclusive packages and also cheaper flights.

If you want picking up at the airport most of the visa agents can arrange to pick you up for about 300 baht, taxis charge 380baht. I went with Nj bookstore.

Hotels and guest houses are everywhere and Penang is empty at the moment. 200 baht gets you a shithole, 350 baht gets an aircon single with an outside toilet and shower, 450 something a little better. I stayed in the Mingood hotel just 50m from chulia street. It was ok, clean nice people, free wifi, tv, bath hot water, visa service if you want it, including a basic breakfast 800 baht.

Tip three read peoples reviews about hotels and guest houses on the internet, shop around.

Tip eat at the curry house near the mingood hotel at the beginning of chulia street (very good) Go to Mcdonalds at the local mall and have a strawberry milkshake, buy big marsbars for 21 baht, much better than the shitty Thai version, four go to the beach at Batu Ferrigh and relax!

Good luck

If you get a chance go to Kapitan Indian restaurant on Chulia street (little India) great Biryani though just across the road from them is another place similar that does the best Tandoori I have had for along time.

The Waldorf hotel is good value around 57 ringgit.

If you get a chance go to Kapitan Indian restaurant on Chulia street (little India) great Biryani though just across the road from them is another place similar that does the best Tandoori I have had for along time.

The Waldorf hotel is good value around 57 ringgit.

Kapitan's Tandoori Chicken and Naan Bread is truely awesome - one of the best Indian dishes I have ever eaten in South East Asia and it only costs 7 Ringit!

Now what was I to do? AirAsia was the only other option. I quickly hurried over to Airasia in Lotus On Nut, and asked for a single to Penang, they then turned round and said "you have to buy a return" I said that was crazy and promply phoned the airport, they confirmed this, but said if i went to the airport, and bought a ticket there, they MAY allow me to buy one way.

I don't understand this. The AirAsia website certainly doesn't force one to buy a return ticket. When I travel to Malaysia with AirAsia I generally don't buy a return ticket (I book the trip as two one-way tickets).

Now what was I to do? AirAsia was the only other option. I quickly hurried over to Airasia in Lotus On Nut, and asked for a single to Penang, they then turned round and said "you have to buy a return" I said that was crazy and promply phoned the airport, they confirmed this, but said if i went to the airport, and bought a ticket there, they MAY allow me to buy one way.

I don't understand this. The AirAsia website certainly doesn't force one to buy a return ticket. When I travel to Malaysia with AirAsia I generally don't buy a return ticket (I book the trip as two one-way tickets).

last time I checked in at airport for Penang, they were checking for return tickets or onward travel. I guess Malaysia requires that now, never had to do b4