Is Penang safe? What travellers should know before visiting

Life on Penang is usually idyllic and carefree but that doesn’t stop some visitors from wondering how safe it really is. The majority of trips here are safe and secure, but there are a few things to be aware of.

For those people who’ve spent time in Penang and become used to its relaxed way of life, it’s perhaps easy to forget that it remains an unknown quantity to many visitors. Part of the island’s appeal is its exoticness, but that can also lead some to question whether or not Penang is safe.

In this guide, we discuss why (in our opinion) Penang is an extremely safe place to visit, while also highlighting a few factors to be aware of during your visit, including road safety, natural hazards and the minor risks of petty crime.

Overview of safety in Penang

In global terms, Southeast Asia is a friendly, welcoming and safe destination for the vast majority of visitors. Within the region itself, Malaysia is considered one of the most hassle-free places to visit. And then, on a local scale, Penang is frequently touted as Malaysia’s friendliest and safest state, and the one that’s most adept at welcoming visitors and tourists.

On a day-to-day basis, Penang feels entirely safe, with none of the worries you might experience walking around a comparably sized city in America, Europe or Africa.

The concerns you’ll face are never about crime or violence, more to do with traffic jams and dealing with drivers who tend to prefer speed over safety. What you might consider basic health and safety regulations can be missing from many aspects of the island’s infrastructure, and it’s not uncommon to find holes in the pavement, exposed wiring and other trip hazards. But do remember they’re relatively trivial in the grand scheme of things and, with a little care and attention, you can stay out of trouble.

How high is the risk of crime in Penang?

Compared to most other parts of the world, the risk of crime in Penang is low (the lowest in Malaysia, which itself is very safe by global standards). A recent survey by Numbeo ranked Penang as very safe, in the company of cities such as Vienna and Geneva.

Violent crime is extremely rare and almost never directly affects tourists. Although, in a country where the minimum wage is US$400 per month, you should be aware of the wealth disparity existing between tourists and (some) locals. Petty theft and pickpocketing occur in crowded places such as markets or on busy public transport, but it’s rare and opportunistic: simple precautions will help you avoid most issues.

Staying healthy

Drinking water is generally considered safe to drink and most locals will drink the tap water, although many homes have a filtration machine in use. For short-term visitors and tourists, the recommendation is to buy bottled water (or better still use a filtration bottle or tablets) to avoid any issues. Check out our full guide to drinking tap water in Penang here.

Food is one of the great delights of visiting Penang and the food courts and street vendors usually offer the most tasty and authentic options. Follow the usual worldwide rules of choosing places that look hygienic and have the food moving quickly from kitchen (or stall) to your plate.

Walking around George Town is the best way to explore the Unesco area (check out our walking guide here), although in some places the pavements are either non-existent or full of mopeds and food carts. Take care when stepping back out onto the road as vehicles tend to race along the side streets. If possible, find a quieter lane or street to use rather than the main thoroughfares.

It comes as a big surprise to many visitors, but the waters around Penang aren’t really conducive to swimming, with the often murky waters and jellyfish restricting swimming in the sea to a small paddle. You will see plenty of people in the water at the weekends, but there’s no question jellyfish are present and a constant menace.

Vaccinations before you arrive

Check out the excellent Travel Health Pro website for advice on which vaccinations to consider before arrival and other health considerations. It’s also recommended to see a trained medical professional before your visit if you have any specific needs or questions.

Safety tips for families and solo travellers

Families almost always have an amazing time in Penang and return home with fond and colourful memories. The island is also a very popular place for expat families to settle, largely thanks to the excellent international school options and affordable lifestyle, so you’ll see plenty of other families here during your visit.

In comparison to most other family-friendly places in Southeast Asia, the taxis (usually in the form of Grab) are in excellent condition and nearly always have working seatbelts and courteous drivers.

As we mentioned above, keep a close eye on kids when you’re near or crossing any roads, or if they stray too near any holes in the pavement. The jellyfish unfortunately mean that many visits to the beach are limited to a small paddle in the shallow area, rather than a full-on swimming session.

Solo travellers are largely safe from the scams (low-level and more serious) that affect life in other Southeast Asia tourist hotspots, although do keep your wits about you if you’re walking alone on a deserted street after the bars have closed. Similarly, the bars on Chulia Street and Love Lane are known backpacker-haunts and can attract the occasional chancer looking for an easy target. As always, keep your wits about you but don’t become paranoid.

Natural hazards and weather in Penang

READ: Visiting Penang in the rainy season

There are plenty of animals who call Penang home, so you’ll be sharing the island with them. Although do rest assured, they’re quiet neighbours who prefer to keep to themselves. Snakes are the biggest concern so if you do enter their habitat (e.g. on a rainforest hike), make sure your feet and (ideally) lower legs are covered as you may encounter venomous species along the way, but they are usually elusive and will slither away unless you’re unlucky enough to stand on one. Keep to the marked trails and you’ll be fine.

Of less concern but more likely to be a nuisance are the macaques who patrol the island, making mischief and always on the lookout for unguarded food, hats and sunglasses. Some of the males and protective mothers can be aggressive at times, especially if they feel cornered or threatened. Avoid eye contact and showing your teeth where possible, and give them plenty of space. They are particularly aggressive at Penang Youth Park and Monkey Beach in the National Park. The dusky leaf monkeys are altogether more friendly and safe to observe from a respectable distance.

Penang generally isn’t affected by the extreme weather found elsewhere in Southeast Asia, although there are dramatic lightning displays during the rainy season when you’re best off staying indoors. During the rainy months of September, October and November, there’s typically a few violent storms that can uproot trees and cause localised flooding.

It’s pretty much guaranteed there will be a few seriously warm spells around April/May when locals retreat indoors between the hours of 12.00pm and 3.00pm, and it’s best to follow their lead unless you want sunburn (at least) and sunstroke (at worst). For the rest of the year, the weather is consistently in the high-20s or low-30s Celsius, so the sun always needs to be treated with respect. Stay hydrated and check out our guide for the best time to visit Penang.

Final thoughts on whether Penang is safe

Penang is one of the safest places to visit in Southeast Asia and the vast majority of travellers enjoy their visit and never once feel insecure or unsafe. Penangites are a friendly, welcoming bunch, well used to visitors and tourists, and they tend to go out of their way to make you feel at home here.

FAQs

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