Visa trip to Penang

Post by **barrys** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 10:37 pm

I'm thinking of flying to Penang next month to get a 3-month visa and take my Thai wife with me for a few days.

Anybody have any useful info to make getting the visa as painless as possible.
I'd also be grateful for tips re decent accommodation there.

Post by **chelsea** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 9:20 am

I have only been to Malaysia once and stayed at the Golden Sands at Batu Feringgi Beach.
http://www.shangri-la.com/penang/goldensands/en/
Was very good (not cheap) but well worth the visit.
Also had a couple of days at the Regent in Kuala Lumpu (also well worth a visit).
Sorry I could not help with a more reasonable type of accomodation, but won a free trip and that was where we stayed. Food was great and people very friendly (much like Thailand)

Post by **johnnyk** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 12:05 pm

Went to Penang last April for a visa.
Georgetown is very hot and not particularly interesting IMO although there are interesting colonial vestiges. Great food though, not falangized.
I would go out to Batu Ferringhi as suggested, its about 12-13 km outside town (20 mins.) but not isolated as you go through forests of condo towers on the way.
You can take a town bus (the black ones) but they are hot and ancient which is why they cost pennies. A taxi would be best for two people but I don't remember price - maybe about US$10.
Many good quality hotels with all western amentities along the main road and in behind.
Sunset Cafe is a very nice beach bar down a road to the beach and turn left - sorry I can't be more specific but its a very pleasant spot so ask around a bit. I think its just past the Holiday Inn if I remember correctly.
All sorts of food but avoid the large garish places along the main road on the land side. Some of them post one price on the menus and quite another price on your bill.

Post by **barrys** » Fri Sep 08, 2006 3:32 pm

Thanks for the info so far.

I've been doing a bit of Internet research myself since yesterday.
Air Asia are offering package deals, e.g. return flight BKK-PEN plus 3-4* accommodation for 2 nights for 2 people at a price of approx. 11,000-13,000 baht.
Does that sound like a good deal?

Post by **Bamboo Grove** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 12:28 pm

Which hotel in Penang would you get for that price? The air ticket with AA was about 5,000 baht return couple of years ago. Be prepared to delays with them, though.

Post by **up2u** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 4:59 pm

cheapest air asia flights are ones going out or returning between 2pm monday afternoon and midnight thursday ( can be in different weeks ), you might want to try dates that only include those days

Post by **barrys** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 8:47 am

The all-in prices I found (return flight + 2 nights stay for 2 persons)
were:
THB 9,849.57 YMCA 2*
THB 11,355.85 Berjaya Georgetown Hotel 4*
THB 11,512.76 Tanjung Beach Hotel 3*
THB 11,889.33 Sunway hotel Georgetown 4*
THB 13,019.04 Bay View Beach Resort 4*
THB 14,669.67 Hotel Equatorial 5*

Does anyone know how long it takes to get the 3-month visa?
Can it be done the same day?
Is there any chance of getting a 1-year non-immigramt O multiple entry via?

Post by **Bamboo Grove** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 11:06 am

Usually it goes like this: You take in your application in the morning of day 1 and can get it back the next afternoon. One year visas are getting more and more difficult the obtain in Asian countries.