If Malaysia is your next point of call, we cannot wait to tempt you with our collection of the best hostels in Penang island.
You can forget cramped rooms and dirty spaces – the standard of these hostels is up there with western accommodation. They just happen to be a lot cheaper!
Our favorite hostels in Penang are:
- House of Journey Penang - best for Solo Travelers
- Ez Social Hostel - best for Female Solo Traveler
- Swing & Pillows @ Beach Street - best for Couples
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.
1. House of Journey Penang
2. Ez Social Hostel
3. Swing & Pillows @ Beach Street
Social butterflies and solo travellers prepare yourselves.
There’s even a super fun party hostel Penang for the party animals out there. Keep scrolling!
This guide is perfect for YOU, when you…
- are tired of crappy hostels!
- want a social Hostel to actually meet people
- are happy to spend $1 to $2 more for a much better experience
Check out also our full guide to the best hostels in Kuala Lumpur.
Also in Malaysia, our guide to the best hostels in Langkawi.
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Penang
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Penang cost 5€ – 9€ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room starts from 13€ up to 38€ per night. This is a rough average just to give you an idea.
Prices always depend on season and holidays. Please always check exact rates on Hostelworld.com or Booking.com.
Check-In and Check Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3pm), while the Check Out time is before 11:00 (11am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.
What is the best Georgetown Hostel to see the street art? Simply stay central. We marked the street art areas in the map below. The city center is quite small and walk-able. You can stay in one of the hostels mentioned in this guide. They are all central and for sure the best places to stay in Penang on a budget.
🎁 New to Hostels? Read my guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. I especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels?
- Understanding Hostels in Europe - and what makes them special
The 3 Best Hostels in Penang are …
Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Penang.
- House of Journey Penang – best for Solo Travelers
- Ez Social Hostel – best for Female Solo Traveler
- Swing & Pillows @ Beach Street – best for Couples
These are our favorite hostels in Penang. We want to make your life even easier, so we put all accommodations on a map for you. We even added our own tips for favorite restaurants, things to see, and more.
1. House of Journey Penang
2. Ez Social Hostel
3. Swing & Pillows @ Beach Street
We put all three accommodation on the map, you will find the map at the end of the article.
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | House of Journey Penang |
| 🙎♀️ best for Female Solo Traveler: | Ez Social Hostel |
| 🎒 For Backpackers: | House of Journey Penang |
| 👩❤️👨Couple Hostel: | Swing & Pillows @ Beach Street |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | Swing & Pillows @ Beach Street |
| 👩💻 For Digital Nomads: | Ez Social Hostel |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | Rope Walk Guest House |
1. House of Journey Penang
You’re planning to go backpacking Penang and wondering what is the best backpackers hostel Penang has to offer. Oh go on then!
House of Journey Penang is a bit of a show off when it comes to local heritage. The building dates back to the 1850s, incorporating newly renovated western toilets for that modern touch. One of the best backpacker hostels out there!
There’s a surprising amount of rooms on offer, too.
Mixed dorms come with 6-12 beds, and there are twin and private doubles in case you’re looking for privacy.
Though the bunks are simple, they do have handy additions such as a personal light and charging point.
Simple touches that every solo traveller appreciates, right?
Part of the deal when choosing to stay here includes:
- 24 hour hot showers
- Simple breakfast
- Free Wifi & 24/7 access
- For that all important mingling, head to the shared retro bar area.
This is where canned drinks, satellite TV and board games can be enjoyed. And of course space for yourself, if you prefer.
Note: check in time is between 2pm-9pm as reception is not staffed all the time.
Location: Certainly a highlight of House of Journey. As it’s connected to Chulia Street and Love Lane, great street food and epic nightlife is within easy reach. Save those coins and use your feet – it’s a hostel ideal for exploring on foot.
This is one of the best hostels in Penang for
- Solo travellers
- Backpackers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Hostelz.com
2. Ez Social Hostel
Ez Social Hostel will provide you a cool and social atmosphere, with trendy music, co-work space, premium quality beds, and a lively bar, of which Penang is missing right now. With a high quantity of dorm room beds set in an historic heritage building, the interior is be modern and contemporary, while blending with the colonial exterior of the building.
This hostel we added recently, as it’s a top choice and we keep the guides as fresh as a coconut 🙂
This is definitely what the name says – a social hostel. Bar/lounge has music on at night so if you need to work at night in the quiet it may be difficult but that’s the choice you make 🙂 And also – this is a historical building so depending where your bed is placed in the room it can shake when people enter and leave the room. Beds are comfortable and towel + earplugs are free!
They also have social space, a chill area where you can watch a movie, and a roof terrace where you can enjoy your cup of coffee.
Location: This hostel is is located near all the most famous tourist attractions such as UNESCO Heritage Site , Penang Famous Street Arts, The Chew Jetty and also surrounded by the best food you can find in Penang.
A great choice for
- Female Solo Traveler
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Hostelz.com
3. Swing & Pillows @ Beach Street
Swing & Pillows @ Beach Street is a very nace place, good located in heart of Georgetown. They have very nice common shared space with modern design. It is very easy to check-in, and you have good contact with host – mostly through the app. The room has everything which you need.
The beds are comfortable, the whole hostel is very clean and the kitchen is big with everything needed, with free tea/coffee. Communal facilities are fantastic. Although breakfast is not included there is usually some bread and jam available for breakfast and always biscuits on the table.
The bathroom is shared but you never have to wait as there are not many rooms in the guest house and again, it is always so clean.
Location: Excellent location which is walking distance to much of the old city. Situated within 1.5 km of Penang Times Square and 8.2 km of Straits Quay, Swing & Pillows @ Beach Street offers rooms in George Town.
This is one of the best hostels in Penang for
- Couples
Check prices at:
Booking.com | Hostelz.com
What about cheapest hostels in Penang?
Hostel Penang cheap. We know you’ve search for one and we understand that. Of course, there are always cheap hostels.
But we think, it’s not worth it to go with the cheapest hostel out there.
Why?
The difference is usually 1-2€ ($1-2) per night, and a lot of amenities are not included. This can be breakfast or linen.
However, if you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you wanna save every penny, then booking for a Penang Hotel at Georgetown is a big NO! There are ways to find a hostel that has the lowest price in Penang.
- Open Hostelworld with full list of budget places to stay in Penang
- Order the listing by price
Simple as that.
Read: 15 hacks for booking hostels
Make sure you use then the other filters and rank per price.
Also keep a close eye on the ratings, especially the “extreme ratings”. Meaning, the best and worst. These ratings can give great insight on what to expect.
Best Hostels in Penang for Solo Travellers?
What is seriously the best solo travellers or penang backpackers accommodation?
This one is easy; we stick by our #1 recommendation, House of Journey Penang.
For one thing, the location is spot on allowing for roaming on foot to all the top sights in Georgetown.
Furthermore, the rooms come with 6-12 beds to match how sociable you’re feeling.
Hang out in the bar, or simply enjoy the free wifi from the comfort of your bed. It’s ideal for all types of solo travellers, no doubt about it.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Hostelworld
Best Party Hostel Penang?
Alright party animals, we’d like to pat ourselves on the back for finding you the best party hostel Penang.
But don’t take our word for it just yet! Let us show you why.
Where in George town can you find a party hostel that offers:
- Free drinks
- Awesome cocktail deals
- Beach outings
- City heritage tours AND
- A good night’s rest?
At Tipsy Tiger Party Hostel, that’s where.
Update: Sorry folks, Tipsy Tiger has permantly closed! We’ll keep our eyes peeled for an awesome party hostel replacement.
And that’s not all. There is a party every night at the onsite bar, free hot chocolate and a free buffet breakfast which includes pancakes. Yes please! Not only the best party hostel but also a good backpacker hostel Penang has to offer.
The hostel closes at 11:30pm leaving you with two choices; carry on the party at nearby bars, or head to bed for some beauty sleep.
BTW Tipsy Tiger Hostel has a super cool street mural with a tiger. Take a photo, worth it! Check availability now!
Any Discounts?
From time to time, I receive special promo codes for booking platforms, hotels, or hostels. I will be sharing these here once received. Bookmark this page to get an update.
How to book?
The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
I included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
I recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Penang best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
More Penang Hostels worth a mention
We hope that by now you already have a hostel Penang Malaysia in mind and a pretty good idea where to stay in Penang.
From our point of view, House of Journey Penang, Queen’s Hostel, The 80’s Guesthouse are hostels that really stand out in Georgetown.
We think that the three are the best hostels for a paying guest in Penang. But we’re not stepping on the brakes just yet!
This list might help you if you are still on the quest to look for the best hostel in Penang.
- Ryokan Muntri Boutique Hostel
- Wassup Youth Hostel
- Rope Walk Guest House
- Frame Guesthouse
Penang Malaysia Hostels are indeed the best option compared to hotels Penang because they are more affordable.
Ryokan Muntri Boutique Hostel
Ryokan Muntri Boutique Hostel is a good backpacker hostel in Penang. This is a good choice for a backpacker Penang when staying in Georgetown. This hostel features 58 dorm rooms and 4 private double rooms.
This hostel is decorated with simple vibrant colors and mural paintings. Guests can hangout at the bar and enjoy free breakfast.
Perks at Ryokan Muntri Boutique Hostel:
- Free WiFi
- Parking
- Non-smoking rooms
- 24-hour front desk
- Bar
Location: Situated in Penang, this hostel is 1.1km away from Wonderfood Museum, Love lan and Chulia Street are walking distance, so guests can enjoy the bars, cafes, and street food vendors located in the area. 1st Avenue Penang is 2.1km away from this hostel. Nearest airport is Penang International Airport which is 23km away from the hostel.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Wassup Youth Hostel
Here’s what’s up! This hostel features an outdoor swimming and a bar where guests can relax and meet other travellers. Wassup Youth Hostel provides both private and dorm rooms. Each bed in the dorm rooms comes with power point, reading light, and a large locker. Linen is also provide so guests can enjoy their privacy while staying in dorm rooms.
The common area has a shared kitchen, TV Lounge, and game area with pool table and free usage of computers. Tours or special requests can be made at the front desk.
Perks at Wassup Youth Hostel:
- 1 swimming pool
- Free WiFi
- Parking
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
- Bar
Location: Situated in George Town, this hostel is 170m away from Glass Museum, 750m away from Penang Heritage Gallery, 1.1km away from Penang Times Square, Wonderfood Museum and Clan Jetties of Penang are 2km away, Fort Cornwallis is 3km away, and nearest airport is Penang International Airport which is 17.1km away from the hostel.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Rope Walk Guest House
Rope Walk Guest House is housed in a pre-war mansion. This hostel uses wooden furniture complimenting the vibrant colors of this place. Snack bars are also offered with complimentary wifi access.
All dorm and private rooms are air-conditioned. Shared bathrooms come with free toiletries and hairdryers. Guests can also take advantage of the common kitchen area.
Perks at Rope Walk Guest House:
- Free WiFi
- Parking
- Family rooms
- Airport shuttle
- Non-smoking rooms
Location: Rope Walk Guesthouse is located in Georgetown making it a 10-minute walk from the main bus station, 5-minute drive from Prangin Mall, 15-minute drive away from Kotar and nearest airport is Penang International Airport which is a 30-minute drive away.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Frame Guesthouse
Frame Guesthouse offers comfortable and stylish dorm and private rooms for travellers. This hostel restored only the highly necessary in a guesthouse and preserve the building’s authenticity. Materials used to build this property are aging beautifully, giving that rustic and antique look.
Guests can enjoy free breakfast and wifi. Shared bathrooms are equipped with a hot and cold shower along with free toiletries.
Perks at The Frame Hostel:
- Free WiFi
- Non-smoking rooms
- 24-hour front desk
Location: Situated in the heart of Georgetown, this hostel is just 400m away from Pinang Peranakan Mansion, Fort Cornwallis and Penang Jetty are 800m away, and the nearest airport is Penang International Airport which is 15km away.
Compare prices and read reviews at: Booking.com | Hostelworld
Any Discounts?
Currently, we have no special hostel discounts in Penang. I know, it’s a pity. You can subscribe to our newsletter to receive our newest hostel discounts always to your inbox.
You can find all our hostel discounts worldwide here.
My Best Hostels in Penang for Female Traveler on a Map + Sights
Let us have a look on the map. Below we list all three best Penang hostels on a map.
Personally, we love to plan our trips with a map having all sights and potential hostels on it. We thought this map will help you with planning your trip too.
We also included the main tourist attractions you’ve to know in this list:
- Kek Lok Si Temple
- Penang Hill
- Penang National Park
- Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi
- Love Lane
- Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm
- Penang Botanic Gardens
You will notice some sights and attractions are not in the city itself. Best is to rent a scooter to get around.
The famous street art is in the city itself. We added the best street in Penang in the map too. Here is a complete guide to street art in Penang.
FAQ
Alright, you should have found your accommodation already. Below we list all the frequently asked questions. Have a look.
More guides
Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Penang.
We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations:
- best hostels in Kuala Lumpur
- best hostels in Langkawi
- best hostels in Kota Kinabalu
- best hostels in Singapore
- 57 EPIC hostels in Thailand
- 21 best hostels in the Philippines
- best hostels in Koh Lanta, Thailand
You can find all our new and updates articles for Best Hostels in here.
We also created a huge guide to hostels. Here we cover how to build lifetime friendships in hostels, the perfect packing list and more.
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pin it for later
CLOSED: Queen’s Hostel (Female-Only Hostel)
Alright ladies, Queen’s Hostel is the one for you and ONLY you.
Yep: this is a female-only hostel in Penang.
The vibrant colours and tranquil environment is designed to release your inner queen. Prepare to indulge in affordable luxury!
Forget bunkbeds; instead you’ll have your very own canopy with hanging curtains to close yourself in.
But okay, we didn’t tell the entire truth.
Alongside a beautiful female-only dorm, there is also a Queen+1 private.
That means one lucky Queen can share a double room with her male companion. It also happens to be soundproof!
For that added bit of lady luxury, enjoy:
- Full length vanity mirror
- Complimentary toiletries
- Hair dryer & OPI nail lacquers
- Powder room
There is a colourful lounge area which is great for chilling. Grab a book from the shelf and relax in to one of the beanbags.
For the adventurous, borrow one of the bikes and explore the area on two wheels.
As a bonus, each person is given a security card for the building. That means no curfew, yay!
Location: Also located in UNESCO world heritage site Georgetown, all that you may want to explore is within walking distance. This includes great food, bars and temples.
This is one of the best hostels in Penang for
- Female solo travellers
The 80’s Guesthouse
So what’s in the title of our chosen #3 hostel, The 80’s Guesthouse?
Well, it’s the 80’s that inspired this guesthouse to merge old and new to create a timeless feel for their guests.
Authentic character has been preserved, decorated with vintage furniture and original floorboard.
We love the patchy and broken worn walls, brickwork and aged door. It’s certainly quirky!
First off you’ll probably want to choose a room and throw your bags down.
It’s a great hostel for different traveller types. Dorms come with 4-6 beds including a 4-bed female option. Couples can opt for the queen private, and friends might like to splash out on a twin.
Each dorm bed comes with a big locker, individual lamp and charging socket.
Awesome: the 4-bed mixed dorm has double beds, sleeping up to 4 couples!
In case you need further convincing, there’s much more to enjoy…
- Free breakfast
- Towels, linen & toiletries are thrown in
- Tea & coffee is flowing all day
- Security cameras roll 24/7
The lounge is a great place to relax and unwind at the end of the day with a movie.
Otherwise, take advantage of the location and explore the nearby streets under the cover of darkness.
Location: Once again you’ll find yourself in the midst of Georgetown. That means the delights of Love Lane are close by; restaurants, bars etc. Little India and Kuan Yin Temple are also within easy reach.
This is one of the best hostels in Penang for
- Couples
- Older travellers
CLOSED: Old Penang Guesthouse
Old Penang Guesthouse is housed in a building that is believed to be erected more than 100 years ago. This hostel uses modern amenities while keeping it’s original design. Furnished with mosaic-tiled flooring, artworks, inner courtyard, and wooden shuttered windows, this hostel is perfect for guests who loves history and comfort.
This hostel provides both dorm and private rooms. Guests can hangout in the courtyard and meet other travellers. Bike rentals can be arranged at the front desk.
Perks at Old Penang Hostel:
- Free WiFi
- Non-smoking rooms
- 24-hour front desk
Location: This hostel is situated in George town, making it 1.5km from Penang Times Square, Pinang Peranakan Mansion is 500m away, and Fort Cornwallis is 800m away. Nearest airport is Penang International Airport which is 15km away from the hostel.
CLOSED: Drippin’ Dragon Hostel
If you are a solo-traveller keen to meet other people, then you might want to consider staying at Drippin’ Dragon Hostel. This place features an outdoor swimming pool and a bar.
One amazing highlight of this hostel are the cats! Yes, this hostel lets you snuggle and pet 2 in-house cats. You can also bring your pets here.
All rooms are fitted with a shared bathroom and a shower.
Perks at Drippin’ Dragon Hostel:
- 1 swimming pool
- Free WiFi
- Non-smoking rooms
- Pets allowed
- Bar
Location: Situated in Georgetown, this hostel is accessible to the city’s most popular attractions such as Rainbow Skywalk, 1st Avenue Penand and Wonderfood Museum. The nearest airport is Penang International Airport which is 23km away from the property.
