It would be fair to say that the transport system in Penang is not so effective or convenient. And, if you want to go beyond the central Georgetown, it will not be as easy to make it, how to jump on Rickshaw and ride through the streets of the city center. Taxi cars here are quite expensive in comparison with average prices, and unlike other cities of Southeast Asia, Rickshaw here, by the way, is not very frequent phenomenon, and in general there are only to roll tourists in the city center, And on objectively overpriced prices.
On the island of Taxi is not very common practice, but on cars local drive with pleasure. The public transport system is far from being so developed as it could be on the island with more than 1500,000. Nevertheless, local authorities have taken steps to try to improve the situation and in 2007 to the island released several modern buses with air conditioning companies. Rapid Penang. . These buses and offers travelers a good and adequate taxi alternative.
Unfortunately, a huge number of cars on the roads and frequent traffic jams lead to the fact that buses are often very slow, so that poor people begin to ironize what such hopeless optimist called these buses so (translated from English, the name of Rapid Penang is translated Like "Speed Penang"). Nevertheless, of course, on buses you come to where you wanted. By the way, these buses go through an extensive number of routes, and the passage is quite cheap. So, you can reach most of the main tourist attractions of Penang less than one dollar.
There are two main bus stations in Georgetown. The main one is the bus station on the weld quay pier where almost all routes are starting and end, and you can also contact Complex Komtar , on the other side of the city center. Free Buses Cat (Central Area Transit) makes a loop to Georgetown and pass through many main streets. Most likely, you do not have to go too far from your place of residence to jump into the bus of this network.
Ticket prices start from 1.40 ringgits (if you are traveling to a place that is less than seven kilometers), to a maximum of four ringgits for traveling to more than 28 kilometers. In practice, most directions beyond the limits of Georgetown are 2-3 ringgit, unless, of course, you do not go further such places like an airport or to Penang National Park National Park. Also you can buy Travel Tourist ticket Rapid (Rapid Penang Tourist Passport) which allows you to make an unlimited number of bus trips on buses of this company. Usually it is taken for a week - then it costs 20 ringgitis. You can buy these tickets on the main bus station, or if you fly to the island, then in the Rapid information rack at the airport.
These vehicles, as I said, with air conditioning and quite comfortable, and in some buses, including, which goes on the route 401E to the airport, there is even free Wi-Fi! Miracles and only.
On the other hand, not all buses are so good, and may be late or not follow the schedule at all. So, it is likely that you will have to wait for a bus for a while, which is pretty unpleasant, especially if you are limited in time. However, the use of these buses is a cost-effective way to drive around at least the whole island. Yes, this is not the fastest way you could imagine, but, on the other hand, you will have more time to explore the sights of Penang on the way.
Useable bus routes:
10: Pier - Botanical Gardens
101: Pier - Teluk Bahang (convenient, if you need to go to the National Park, the farm butterflies, Escape Resort), through Batu Ferring (we are going there on the beaches and in Tropical Spice Garden)
102: Airport - Teluk Bahang through Georgetown and Batu Ferring
201: Pier - Paya Terubong, through AIR ITAM (where is the temple of Kek Lok Si and Penang Hill)
203: Pier - Air ITAM
204: Pier - Penang Hill Railway Station (Funicular Penang Hill
304: Pier - Gurney Drive (if you need a shopping center "Gurney Plaza")
401E: mooring airport
This is not a complete list of routes. Look at the Rapid website to find out where buses make intermediate stops and what else there are routes. Company Website: http://www.rapidpg.com.my/
And a little more about Taxi . In all Southeast Asia, bargaining with taxi drivers often - the necessary experience. These bidding can be a la "a few words and drove," and can be terribly annoying.
So, imagine your relief when you arrive at Penang and find out that the taxi goes at a fixed price, and the bidding is completely prohibited. Moreover, this announcement is written on the sides of the Red and White Taxi.
It seems like, everything should be simple. But it is not. Attempting the Penang government to regulate the work of taxi drivers and apply fixed tariffs systematically fall, and, on fairly large scale. In other words, this means that you still have to discuss the amount of payment for a trip with the driver, and it is better to do so before traveling. Of course, it is prohibited, but this is exactly necessary to do. In theory, you can protest and point to the stickers on the rear doors, but at your indignation, most likely, will simply be shrugged - all these orders of administration do not have any importance for them, and for you to be offered - it means to delay the start of the trip.
Of course, in spite of "fixed prices", the driver will still try to take advantage of ignorance of an unlucky tourist. Therefore below are specified Real taxi rates.
Georgetown: 10 Ringgit
Georgetown - TC Gurney Plaza: 12 ringgitis
Georgetown - Straits Quay: 15 Ringgitis
Georgetown in Batu Ferring: 35 ringgitis
Georgetown - Air ITAM: 17 ringgitis
Georgetown - Teluk Bahang: 40 ringgitis
Georgetown - Queensbay Mall: 25 Ringgitis
Georgetown - Airport: 35 ringgitis
Batu Ferring - Airport: 60 ringgitis
Batu Ferring - Straits Quay: 20 ringgitis
Batu Ferring - Gurney Plaza: 25 ringgitis
Be prepared to pay about 50% of the markup, if you are coming between midnight and 6:00.