Driving & Parking in Penang: Bridges, Tolls and How to Pay for Parking
Driving in Penang as a visitor: the two bridges and their tolls, island parking rates and the Penang Smart Parking app, the 2025–2026 rule changes, and where you can and can't park at the big sights.
Most visitors to Penang never need a car. George Town's heritage core is best on foot, and Grab covers the rest of the island. But if you're touring Balik Pulau, the north coast and the hill in one day, coming over from the mainland, or driving down from Thailand, here is what you need to know about the roads, tolls and parking, as the councils and operators publish it.
The short version: pay for street parking on the island through the Penang Smart Parking app, expect RM 1.20 an hour in council bays, and don't plan to drive up Penang Hill.
Visitors renting a car or driving in from the mainland or Thailand, and anyone driving to a conference at SPICE or PWCC
Before you drive: licence and rental
Malaysia drives on the left. Licence rules for visitors: we couldn't find a current page from JPJ, Malaysia's Road Transport Department, that sets out what a short-term visitor needs, so we won't guess. Ask your rental company before you travel whether it needs an International Driving Permit alongside your home licence, and take both if you have them.
If you're driving from southern Thailand, our Penang by car from Thailand guide covers the border crossing.
The two bridges
Penang Island is linked to the mainland by two road bridges:
- Penang Bridge, the original crossing. It reaches the island near The Light City and the new PWCC convention centre, and is the direct route to George Town. It is operated by PLUS. Check PLUS for the current toll.
- Second Penang Bridge (Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Bridge), further south. Its operator, Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd, lists the toll for a car (Class 1) at RM 5.74.
The mainland side, Seberang Perai, is where Penang Sentral, Butterworth station and the ferry are. If you're leaving the car on the mainland, Penang Sentral has a 24-hour, three-storey guarded car park.
Parking on Penang Island
Council parking on the island is run by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP). Since March 2025 the rates are:
| Duration | MBPP public parking |
|---|---|
| 30 minutes | RM 0.60 |
| 1 hour | RM 1.20 |
| Full day | RM 9.00 |
| Monthly pass | RM 150 |
MBPP points drivers to the Penang Smart Parking (PSP) system for current charges, and pays refunds back into users' PSP wallets, so set up the app before you park. When it raised the rates, the council said it would also bring in time limits in the busiest areas, naming parts of Lebuh Chulia and Little India. It also asked drivers to use shopping-mall and private car parks rather than relying on street bays.
On the mainland, parking is run by a different council, the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP), with its own charges.
What changed in 2025–2026
- Camera fines for out-of-bay parking were cancelled. In August 2026 the state cancelled out-of-bay parking compounds issued by the automatic number-plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, with refund claims open until 30 September 2026. Officers now enforce out-of-bay parking on the ground. This does not cover no-parking zones, no-stopping zones or causing an obstruction.
- Paid within 10 minutes and still fined? The state said drivers fined for not paying, who had in fact paid within 10 minutes of the compound being issued, can appeal to MBPP or MBSP.
- One-way streets in the heritage zone. Since 7 September 2025, Beach Street between Downing Street and Chulia Street, and Church Street Ghaut from Beach Street to Weld Quay, run one way. MBPP warned that Waze and Google Maps may take time to catch up, so follow the signs over the app.
Parking at the places visitors drive to
- Penang Hill. You can't drive up. Only residents, business operators and contractors with permits from the state Public Works Department (JKR) and Penang Hill Corporation may. Park at the Penang Hill Multi-Storey Car Park or the open car park near Thean Kong Thnuah Temple, both near the funicular's Lower Station. See getting to Penang Hill and the National Park by public transport for the alternatives.
- Gurney Bay. A new 143-bay car park opened on 18 March 2026 as part of the Gurney Bay development. The state said charges would start from 1 May 2026 at rates still under review, so check the signs.
- Setia SPICE (Bayan Lepas). S P Setia lists a flat RM 8 per 24 hours, payable by Touch 'n Go card. Zones B and D are for tenants on weekdays.
- PWCC (The Light City, Gelugor). PWCC lists up to 2,900 bays. It doesn't publish a rate.
For both convention centres, see getting to SPICE and PWCC.
Should you drive at all?
For George Town on its own, no. The heritage zone is compact, parking is limited and time-limited where it's busiest, and Grab is cheap. Our Grab fare guide has typical fares. A car makes sense for a loop that takes in Balik Pulau, the north coast and Teluk Bahang in one day, or if you're arriving from the mainland with luggage and heading somewhere the ferry doesn't reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is street parking in George Town?
MBPP's public parking rates since March 2025 are 60 sen per half hour, RM 1.20 per hour and RM 9 per day. Pay through the Penang Smart Parking (PSP) system.
What is the Penang Smart Parking app?
It is the council parking system on Penang Island. MBPP refers drivers to Penang Smart Parking for current charges, and refunds for cancelled compounds were paid back into PSP wallets in 2026.
How much is the toll on the Second Penang Bridge?
Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd lists RM 5.74 for a car (Class 1). Check PLUS for the toll on the first Penang Bridge.
Can I drive up Penang Hill?
No. Only residents, business operators and contractors with permits may drive up. Visitors park near the Lower Station and take the funicular.
Can I drive in Penang on a foreign licence?
We couldn't find a current JPJ page that sets out the visitor rules, so we won't state them. Ask your rental company what it needs before you travel, and carry an International Driving Permit alongside your home licence if you have one.
More on getting around
- Getting around Penang: Grab, buses, the ferry and walking
- What's changing in Penang transport: roads, parking rules and the LRT
- Getting to Penang by train: ETS to Butterworth, if you'd rather not drive from KL
- Penang airport guide
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