Visiting Penang

[travellife]

I am going to book a flight to Penang and stay there for four days. I can book a round trip flight from Bangkok to Penang.

Another option I was considering is booking a flight to Hat Yai and take a bus to Penang. The only reason to do this is to visit Hat Yai, see any scenery from Hat Yai to Penang, and to experience to border crossing into Malaysia. I will book a return flight from Penang to Bangkok if I use this option.

Does the Hat Yai to Penang journey sound interesting or should I just skip it?

[roamer]

Not the most exciting trip IMHO. An interesting way of doing it if your not too pushed for time is to fly to Hat Yai, take a bus to Saturn, 2 hours and hop the ferry over to Langkawi, really beautiful island, have a look around stay a night whatever and then catch the ferry over to Penang. Might not fit in with your plans but just an idea.

[jackr]

Not worth stopping off in Hat Yai just for the city, which is characterless, and the lack of scenery between it and Penang on the road. Sadao and Pedang Besar borders can also get really busy. If you do, recommend heading over to nearby Songkhla for couple nights and stay at the Pavillion (downtown) or Samila (at the beach) hotels.

[Jonathanpattaya]

To answer your first question, yes.

Have a look at the Air Asia schedule.

[travellife]

Not the most exciting trip IMHO. An interesting way of doing it if your not too pushed for time is to fly to Hat Yai, take a bus to Saturn, 2 hours and hop the ferry over to Langkawi, really beautiful island, have a look around stay a night whatever and then catch the ferry over to Penang. Might not fit in with your plans but just an idea.

I thought about visiting Langkawi. Is it easier just to take the boat from Penang to Langkawi? I think the price is about the same.

[roamer]

Not the most exciting trip IMHO. An interesting way of doing it if your not too pushed for time is to fly to Hat Yai, take a bus to Saturn, 2 hours and hop the ferry over to Langkawi, really beautiful island, have a look around stay a night whatever and then catch the ferry over to Penang. Might not fit in with your plans but just an idea.

I thought about visiting Langkawi. Is it easier just to take the boat from Penang to Langkawi? I think the price is about the same.

Whichever way round don't think it really makes any difference. Its a jetfoil from Saturn to Langkawi so pretty quick. If you go then Pantai Chenang is a pretty cool beach to go to with a nice beach bar the Submarine down at one end. A really great bar is the Hideout, hidden away in the rice paddies. Also the Cable car over the rain forest is pretty much a must see. Very scenic island to take a bike or car around. Also its a duty free island....don't get better than that !!!

[ALFREDO]

I was on both islands and I would rate Langkawi a lot higher than Penang. If I choose where to go, or what to see, its Langkawi.

Penang has an interesting cable car to and some nice beaches and jungle. But that big Georgetown city and the traffic there, on the weekends, special than at night also to and from the beach center is terrible. I rented a car and drove myself.

All together a one time experience, only a verv cheap flight and a visit to the Thai consulate could change my mind.

On Langkawi I was several times, that says it all.

[roamer]

I was on both islands and I would rate Langkawi a lot higher than Penang. If I choose where to go, or what to see, its Langkawi.

Penang has an interesting cable car to and some nice beaches and jungle. But that big Georgetown city and the traffic there, on the weekends, special than at night also to and from the beach center is terrible. I rented a car and drove myself.

All together a one time experience, only a verv cheap flight and a visit to the Thai consulate could change my mind.

On Langkawi I was several times, that says it all.

I agree with you Alfredo. However I also find the old historical buildings fascinating in Georgetown but were it not for that then little to recommend it other than a one-off tourist experience or visa run. Of course Langkawi also different due to differences in the population and culture. Penang being largely Chinese influenced and Langkawi Malay muslim influenced. This has resulted in Penang being much more hustle and bustle and built up almost everywhere now, Langkawi much more low key and relaxed. Hope to get back there in a couple of months and I was first there more than 20 years ago, sure its developed since then but developed nicely without all the negatives that has characterised the development of Thai islands over this period.

[travellife]

I was on both islands and I would rate Langkawi a lot higher than Penang. If I choose where to go, or what to see, its Langkawi.

Penang has an interesting cable car to and some nice beaches and jungle. But that big Georgetown city and the traffic there, on the weekends, special than at night also to and from the beach center is terrible. I rented a car and drove myself.

All together a one time experience, only a verv cheap flight and a visit to the Thai consulate could change my mind.

On Langkawi I was several times, that says it all.

I have been to Krabi, Phuket and Phi Phi Island. And will go to Koh Tao next month. I am not sure if Langkawi will provide any new scenery than what I have already seen. I went to Kuala Lumpur recently and enjoyed the modern look of the city and a look into the Muslim culture.

I will be visiting Indonesia and Vietnam in June and July so I might just hang out in Georgetown and rent a motorbike to tour Penang. I heard that getting to Langkawi could be costly so I might just use the savings to pay for most of my Koh Tao trip.

[ALFREDO]

What can I say,

I know now both islands and I like Langkawi and I do not like Penang-this is a nice island with a cancer on his coast and the name of this cancer is Georgetown!

Better to go to Langkawi than to Koh Tao. (More a destination for divers.)

And better go to Langkawi and not to Penang. (Is a big city with some jungle and beach nearby and a nice old cablecar.)

Phuket has nicer beaches than Langkawi, but the island of Langkawi is much more charming and not so overdeveloped as Phuket.

Phi Phi is to small to compare with above big islands. My opinion.

[bhoydy]

Penang has way more character in my opinion. Great Indian food at great prices too, a wide range of affordable hotels and some decent nightlife with some really stunning women. It's got to be the weekend for that though. The Malaysians aren't so openly friendly as Thais but if you make the effort you'll be surprised how friendly they can be. Langkawi is nice but it's just another island like so many.

[travellife]

What can I say,

I know now both islands and I like Langkawi and I do not like Penang-this is a nice island with a cancer on his coast and the name of this cancer is Georgetown!

Better to go to Langkawi than to Koh Tao. (More a destination for divers.)

And better go to Langkawi and not to Penang. (Is a big city with some jungle and beach nearby and a nice old cablecar.)

Phuket has nicer beaches than Langkawi, but the island of Langkawi is much more charming and not so overdeveloped as Phuket.

Phi Phi is to small to compare with above big islands. My opinion.

Penang has way more character in my opinion. Great Indian food at great prices too, a wide range of affordable hotels and some decent nightlife with some really stunning women. It's got to be the weekend for that though. The Malaysians aren't so openly friendly as Thais but if you make the effort you'll be surprised how friendly they can be. Langkawi is nice but it's just another island like so many.

Thanks for the opinions.

I am actually going to Koh Tao to dive. And after visiting Phuket, Phi Phi, and Krabi, I think Langkawi may offer a repeat of what I saw (though Raley beach was one of the most scenic places I have seen). I will be going to Bali in a few months so that is another beach environment I will visit. I heard Penang had an interesting environment worth seeing. I don't mind the mix of a city and coastal area.