Located in northwest Malaysia, Penang is a marvelous Malaysian state comprising beautiful Penang Island and mainland Seberang Perai. Home to enchanting national parks, impressive historic architecture, magnificent colonial structures, gorgeous beach resorts, and contemporary street art, Penang is an incredible destination for backpackers. George Town is the state capital of Penang and greets you to visit Khoo Kongsi, a wonderful Chinese clan abode, worth-visiting colonial Fort Cornwallis, and Kapitan Keling Mosque. Natural trails, exquisite flower gardens, and awe-inspiring Penang Hill offering scenic natural views here are backpacker’s hotspots which you simply can’t avoid exploring. And, staying in a cozy hostel in this fascinating Malaysian paradise can help you enjoy your backpacking excursion comfortably without any hassles. Continue reading to explore the best backpacker hostels in Penang, Malaysia.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 07, 2024.
1. Minima 8 (from USD 25)
Welcome to Minima 8. This cozy accommodation situated in George Town is an affordable hostel with private room in Penang. Guests can enjoy the convenience of free Wi-Fi throughout the property.
The hostel is ideally located, with Penang Times Square and Rainbow Skywalk just 2.42 miles (3.90 kilometers) and 2.05 miles (3.3 kilometers) away, respectively. Other nearby attractions include Straits Quay and Penang Botanic Gardens, both within a short distance. Offering a smoke-free environment, Minima 8 is a great choice for a comfortable stay. Guests will find air-conditioned rooms with desks for their convenience. Wonderfood Museum is a mere 2.85 miles (4.60 kilometers) away, while Penang Hill is 4.59 miles (7.40 kilometers) from the property. The nearest airport, Penang International Airport (PEN), is located 11.93 miles (19.2 kilometers) from the accommodation.
Minima 8
Address: 31M,Jalan Cantonment The Moment , 2nd floor
2. Nice Inn (from USD 24)
Situated in George Town, Nice Inn offers comfortable accommodations and is a 23-minute walk from Northam Beach Cafe. Guests will appreciate the convenient location, with Penang Times Square just half a mile away.
The hostel boasts a garden and provides free Wi-Fi throughout the property, along with complimentary private parking for those traveling by car. Rainbow Skywalk is a short 12-minute walk, while 1st Avenue Mall is only 0.7 miles (1.13 kilometers) away. Wonderfood Museum can be reached within 2.36 miles (3.8 kilometers).
The hostel offers family rooms, ensuring a comfortable stay for everyone. Each room is equipped with a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, and provided with bed linen and towels. Straits Quay and Penang Botanic Gardens are both approximately 4.1 miles from one of the best hostels in Penang for couples. The nearest airport, Penang International Airport, is located 11.68 miles (18.8 kilometers) away.
Nice Inn
Address: 78A Lorong Selamat
3. Wassup Youth Hostel (from USD 21)
Affordable pricing for budget travelers, with value for money.
Convenient location with easy access to attractions, but some facilities need maintenance.
Great location near bus stops, malls, and eateries, making it ideal for exploring the city.
Nearby dining options and strategic location for food enthusiasts.
Are you looking for the best hostels for solo travelers in Penang that’ll not cost you a fortune? If yes, book a room in Wassup Youth Hostel in the center of George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s just 11 miles (17.7 kilometers) from Penang International Airport. Have a dip in its enchanting outdoor swimming pool and refresh yourself after a long tiring day. It offers you all comforts, such as flat-screen TV, personal safe, clothes rack, carpeted flooring, electric kettle, and private bathroom with a shower, hairdryer, and towels. Besides these, you get to access a shared kitchen, recreational games area along with a pool table, free access to the computers, and TV lounge. Don’t miss visiting the Penang Heritage Gallery, which is just 0.6 km (0.46 miles) from here. Also, pay a visit to Glass Museum Penang, which is 0.17 km (0.106 miles) from this hostel.
Wassup Youth Hostel
Address: 495E, Jalan Penang, Georgetown, Penang
4. My Hostel Muntri (from USD 13)
Enjoy a comfortable stay when exploring Penang by booking your choice of room in My Hostel Muntri,. You can find this cheap hostel in Penang in George Town, about 22.5 kilometers (13.9 miles) from Penang International Airport, and quite close to mesmerizing Rainbow Skywalk. The availability of free internet access helps you stay in touch with your family and friends all the time when here. This hostel in Penang Island also offers you express check-in and check-out facilities so you don’t have to wait at the front desk to complete the paperwork and head to your room to unwind. So, make your reservation in one of the cozy rooms here by booking it well in advance. Make sure you visit magnificent Pinang Peranakan Mansion, which is just 1.1 kilometers (0.68 miles) from here and try some popular street food while exploring.
My Hostel Muntri
Address: Jalan Muntri 28, Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia, 10200
Penang Tour Guide
Ang Chin Boon
Hello...I am ANG. Licenced Tourist Guide by Ministry of Tourism Malaysia. I was born and raised in George Town, Penang. I just love Guiding !I have been actively doing guiding all these years. Drive my guests to interesting places in Penang Island, Sharing my knowledges & experiences of George Town. I wish their trip becomes story worth sharing.Will you be one of my esteemed guests ? Read more
Tours by Ang
Penang Tour Guide
Vincent Fong
I am a licensed tourist guide of Malaysia specialising in the English language, though I am also able to communicate in the Chinese dialects of Mandarin, Cantonese, Taishanese, Hokkien and my country's national language of Malay. I do all tours inbound of Penang island such as walking tours, food tours, drive tours, historical tours, hill & temples, etc. I am a tourist guide with passion an... Read more
Tours by Vincent
Penang Tour Guide
Hon Seng Phuah
Hello. I am Hon Seng Phuah from Penang. I am a freelance tourist guide since 2013. My tour service includes Penang around island and George Town heritage walking tours. You may experience the Penang multi-culture and best foods like Penang assam laksa, nyonya cuisine, nasi kandar and to name a few, traditional business activities, colonial buildings, modern living city and last least the greene... Read more
Tours by Hon seng
Penang Tour Guide
Jenny Wan Kim Lim
Hi, I'm Jenny! I love showing people around Taiwan and Malaysia. I grew up in Penang and spend a lot of time in Tainan too. For the past few years, I've been a licensed tour guide for these 2 countries , sharing my passion for exploring. Being a guide isn't just a job to me, it's what I love doing. I enjoy finding hidden spots, introducing you to tasty local food, and making sure you have amazi... Read more
Tours by Jenny wan kim
Penang Tour Guide
Beth Chong
My interest in travel started from childhood and when I was a teenager, I went for my first solo backpacking trip to Paris and London. It resulted in my working in the Tourism Industry and eventually becoming a nationally licensed Tourist Guide of Malaysia. I managed to go to almost to every corner of my country and now, have become a trainer of Tourist Guides imparting knowledge and experience... Read more
5. Drippin’ Dragon Hostel
Situated less than one kilometer (0.62 miles) from awe-inspiring Rainbow Skywalk, you can find pleasant Drippin’ Dragon Hostel offering cozy shared lounge in George Town to settle back while exploring Penang. Whether you are a solo explorer or a couple, this hostel is a great accommodation for you. Start every morning relishing scrumptious buffet breakfast available here. Don’t miss visiting Pinang Peranakan Mansion, which is just 20 minutes walking distance from this accommodation, to learn about the Peranakan heritage of Penang.
6. Angmoh Hostel
If you are looking for leisure yet budget-friendly hostel in Penang, choose to stay in Angmoh Hostel when exploring this beautiful Malaysian destination. It’s in George Town and about 0.8 miles (1.28 kilometers) from Penang Times Square. It features a lovely terrace and barbecue to help you enjoy delicious barbecue preparations as you relax on the terrace. Free internet access allows you to stay connected with your loved one and access the web anytime. It offers facilities to backpackers to go on walking tours. Also, you can hire a bike and enjoy touring through the city by being on a biking tour. Shop your heart’s content at Prangin Mall, which is 0.6 km (0.37 miles) from this budget accommodation in Penang.
Angmoh Hostel
Address: 20, Jalan Pintal Tali, 10400, Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia
7. ST Hostel
Do you want to enjoy warm meals, prepare tea and toast on your own, and store the remaining meal properly during your adventure trip in Penang? If yes, then choose to stay in ST Hostel, which is the capital of Penang and just 0.8 km (0.5 miles) from Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal. It offers you complimentary use of microwave, toaster, electric kettle, and refrigerator. Enjoy your meals and breakfast in its shared dining area. Free Wi-Fi facilities enable you to plan your backpacking excursion using accurate map from the web. Booking a double room here provides you with a private bathroom with shower. Plan a beach excursion at Batu Ferringhi Beach, which is 11 miles (17.7 kilometers) from here.
Tip from tour guide
Swettenham Pier is located within the city of George Town in Penang. Established in 1904, it serves as a busy port-of-call in Malaysia for cruise shipping. I recommend that cruise travelers engage with a local guide for a half-day George Town Heritage Walking Tour or make a trip to Penang Hill and Kek Lok Si Temple. During your tour, savor some Penang Street Food and explore the multicultural atmosphere of Penang before returning to your cruise for the next destination.
8. Georgetown Residences (from USD 6)
Adorned by beautiful décor and situated in a vibrant yellow traditional shophouse structure, this Penang backpacker hostel is a great accommodation for backpackers in the capital of Penang. It’s 9.3 miles (14.96 kilometers) from Penang International Airport. Stay connected with your family and loved ones by using free Wi-Fi during your stay here. Settle back in the air-conditioned rooms after a tiring excursion. Neutral-hued interiors enriched with a splash of orange are sure to delight you. The bilingual staff at Georgetown Residences is co-operative and quick to assist you. Visit Penang Times Square, which is just 0.7 miles (1.12 kilometers) from here.
Georgetown Residences
Address: 458, Lebuh Chulia, Penang
9. Tipsy Tiger Party Hostel
Located about 1.9 kilometers (1.18 miles) from incredible Komtar Rainbow Skywalk, you can find this amazing backpacker hostel in Penang for a cozy stay. It features a shared lounge, shared bathroom, air-conditioned accommodations, free internet access and other essential amenities ensuring a comfortable stay of a traveler. Visit its game room to play games, such as ping pong, and refresh yourself. Unwind at the beautiful pool here. Don’t miss relishing its mouthwatering continental breakfast which is served here every morning. If you are a foodie, you should not miss visiting Wonderfood Museum which is nearby.
10. Queen’s Hostel (from USD 6)
Are you a female backpacker looking for a female-only room for a leisure stay? If yes, then choose to stay in Queen’s Hostel, which is 25 minutes driving distance from Penang International Airport. Female-only dormitory room offers you reading lights, good air-conditioning, and shared bathrooms with hairdryers and hot shower facilities. Wi-Fi facilities help you use web anywhere in its premises. The key feature of this cheap hostel in Penang Island is its common area, which is adorned by multi-hued bean bags for you, that offers you various books to read at leisure and ironing facilities. Don’t miss exploring Penang Hill, which is just 25-minute drive away from here. A 10-minute walk from here will take you to Chew Jetty and walking further for 10 minutes will take you to the Goddess of Mercy Temple.
11. Ryokan Muntri Boutique Hostel (from USD 13)
Just 1.1 kilometers (0.68 miles) from incredible Wonderfood Museum, you can find this two-star Ryokan Muntri Boutique Hostel for a convenient stay during your excursion in Penang. It offers you a pleasant terrace to settle back after you return here exploring this fascinating destination. It features a peaceful shared lounge and cozy air-conditioned rooms. Stay in touch with your near and dear ones with free internet access over here. Begin your day by eating a delicious continental breakfast which is served here every morning. You can find her front desk assistance available for you 24 hours. Go for organized tours available for backpackers staying here. If you are fond of shopping, you should definitely visit ‘1st Avenue Penang’, which is one kilometer (0.62 miles) away from here.
12. Tido Penang Hostel (from USD 9)
About 9.3 miles (14.96 kilometers) from Penang International Airport, you can find Tido Penang Hostel in the capital of Penang for a leisure stay. It’s ideal for backpackers as it encourages cycling activities. Browse the web to plan your backpacking excursion for the coming day, as you get free internet access here. Relax in its air-conditioned rooms. Play darts during your stay here. Hire a bike and go on a biking tour exploring this marvelous destination. Plan a visit to Komtar Penang, a 65-story high rise structure, which is just 801 meters (2628 feet) from here.
Have an exciting backpacking experience in Penang
All these 10 backpacker hostels in Penang help you settle back after a weary day exploring this paradise in Southeast Asia. So, book your accommodation online in one of these hostels just with a few clicks and begin your exciting adventure holidays to Penang to enrich your travel experience.
Frequently asked questions about backpacker hostels in Penang
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