Penang Hill Tickets
Penang Hill is a beautiful destination that you shouldn’t miss when in the historic island of Pulau Pinang.
Found in the Air Itam suburb, roughly 9-kilometres west of the centre of George Town, this much-loved hill provides gorgeous and sweeping views of the city, and is also host to multiple attractions.
Learn the exciting adventures you can experience on the hill through this guide.
Penang Hill was a colonial hill station founded during the late 1700’s, and its highest point is 833-metres above sea level.
Historically known as Flagstaff Hill or Bukit Bendera in Malay, the hill gradually developed and became a major attraction for locals and tourists alike.
Today, UNESCO recognises station as a Biosphere Reserve and is an excellent place to admire Penang’s history, heritage, and nature.
Penang Hill hosts plenty of attractions within its biosphere. With some fashioned for visitors to enjoy nature while others for people to immerse in Penang’s history, finding an attraction to delight in will be easy.
For an intimate introduction to Penang’s history, visit the hill’s monuments and structures. Head to Gate House Bel Retiro or the 32 Pounder Cannon to see Penang’s colonial history on full display. Then, visit Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan Hindu Temple and Masjid Bukit Bendera to witness Penang’s background as a melting pot of different races and religions.
Want to enjoy a day in nature? The Skywalk will bring you closer to treetops while providing an unbridled, panoramic view of George Town. Don’t forget Monkey Cup Garden, where both Penang and Indonesia’s flora and fauna share the same home.
For something truly breathtaking, nature lovers cannot miss walking through The Habitat, Penang Hill. This comprehensive discovery centre elevates the rainforest experience in unimaginable ways. From historic trails used by British East India Company to nature trails, The Habitat is the ultimate eco-tourism attraction.
Here, you’ll find the Curtis Crest Tree Top Walk, 13-metres high, offering stunning 360-degree views of Penang. Fun fact: on a clear day, you can spot Langkawi, and Bel Retiro – the Governor of Penang’s mansion. Adventure seekers can also try out the Flight of the Colugo, an exciting adventure course made up of three zip lines, one abseil, and one rope bridge.
While standard ticket rates can be purchased at the ticketing counter itself, securing the Penang Hill train ticket online is always the best. Standard Normal Lanes for non-Malaysian adults begin at RM30 while Fast Lane rates are at RM80. MyKad holders can purchase discounted Normal Lane tickets at RM12 and Fast Lane tickets at RM40.
A variety of ticket packages and rates for senior citizens and children, both for Malaysians and non-Malaysians. Find out more about Penang Hill tickets online here.
Penang Hill Train Schedule
The Penang Hill Funicular Railway is open daily, from Monday to Sunday, from 6.30am to 10pm (the last trip from Upper Station to Lower Station leaves at 10pm sharp, so make sure you’re here before that). As for the ticketing counter, it is open daily, from Monday to Sunday, from 6.15am to 8pm.
Again, if you’d like to settle your Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera) tickets online, it would be better to do so.
With the hill resort offering many sights and sounds that can be enjoyed at any time of day, the choice is yours. The morning provides a clear view of Penang Island while gorgeous city lights take over at sundown.
If you’re pressed for time, we recommend arriving at Penang Hill at 4pm. Since most attractions atop the hill close at 7pm, you can easily spend that half day taking in the beauty of hill peaks.
Of course, reserving a stay at Bellevue Hotel or Hillside Retreat is the best option to spend the whole day being immersed in Penang’s natural landscape.
The easiest way to travel to the hilltops is from Penang Hill Lower Station, where trips via the Funicular Train begin. To get to the station, board Rapid Penang Bus No. 204 and alight at Penang Hill Station Stop. From here you can board the Penang Hill Funicular Railway which will take you to the Upper Station, the top of the hill.
If you prefer travelling to the station through taxi or Grab coming in from George Town, do note that the average fare can reach from RM8 up to RM11. If you’re coming from the airport, fare estimates range from RM16 to RM22.
However you choose to come here, a trip on the Penang Hill railway is a must-do. Get your train tickets to the Penang Hill railway here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to Penang Hill?
It can get chilly atop the hill, so a jacket is advised. But if you enjoy the fresh, cool wind, anything comfortable will do. Most importantly, be sure to wear walking shoes as the hill can be rugged at certain places.
When is Penang Hill the coldest?
It is coldest on the hill between December and February. Temperatures average at about 27 to 31℃.
Can I bring food to the hill?
While you can bring packed food to the hill, we recommend trying out the loads of restaurants found at Penang Hill. Astaka, KBB Bungalow, and David Brown’s Restaurant encapsulates the diverse food scene in Penang.
There’s also the quaint and charming Kopi Hutan on Penang Hill – a blast from the past and a famous coffee spot on the hill’s highest point. If you can only check out one Penang Hill café, Kopi Hutan should be your main choice.
How many hours is the hike up to Penang Hill?
The hike starting from Penang Hill Lower Station to the Upper Hill would span at least 1.5 hours.
Can I drive my car up to Penang Hill?
Only residents of the hill can drive up their personal car to the hills.
