How much does it cost to travel to Penang?
You should plan to spend around $103 (RM492) per day on your vacation in Penang. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $33 (RM157) on meals
- $12 (RM59) on local transportation
- $97 (RM463) on hotels
A one week trip to Penang for two people costs, on average, $1,445 (RM6,891). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Penang has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Penang expensive to visit?
Prices in Penang are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within Asia, Penang is a somewhat more expensive destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Asia for its travel costs. While some cities in the region are more expensive, Penang is generally more expensive than most.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Penang Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Penang?
The average Penang trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Penang travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
RM463
($97)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
RM59
($12)
|
|
Food 2
|
RM157
($33)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
RM232
($49)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
RM37 -
110
($8 - 23)
|
Accommodation Budget in Penang
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Penang is $49 (RM231). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Penang is $97 (RM463). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Penang? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Penang
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Penang is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $12 (RM59) per person, per day, on local transportation in Penang.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$12
RM59
How much does it cost to go to Penang? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Penang will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Typical prices for Transportation in Penang are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Penang, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Local Bus
RM6.00
-
Island Ferry
RM2.40
-
Bus From Airport to George Town
RM2.70
-
Taxi From Airport to George Town
RM46
-
Motorbike Rental (One Day)
RM30
-
Bicycle Rental (One Day)
RM10
Food Budget in Penang
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Penang can vary, the average cost of food in Penang is $33 (RM157) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Penang should cost around $13 (RM63) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Penang is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$33
RM157
Typical prices for Food in Penang are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Penang, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Entertainment Budget in Penang
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Penang typically cost an average of $49 (RM232) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$49
RM232
Typical prices for Entertainment in Penang are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Penang, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Alcohol Budget in Penang
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $15 (RM74) on alcoholic beverages in Penang per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$15
RM74
Typical prices for Alcohol in Penang are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Penang, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Water Budget in Penang
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $0.65 (RM3.09) on bottled water in Penang per day. The public water in Penang is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$0.65
RM3.09
Penang On a Budget
Penang, Malaysia
Just off the northwestern coast of Malaysia is the charming and diverse island state of Penang. As the link between the ancient kingdoms of Asia and Europe's colonial empire, this area is enriched with Malay, Chinese, Indian and European influences. This exciting culture is centered in George Town, the main city of the state.
Full of tropical beauty, fishing villages and mountainous jungles, Penang is a paradise for travelers from all over the world – even with a warm and humid climate.
Sights
For a good overview of the island, take a funicular ride to the top of Penang Hill for a stunning view and a breath of fresh air. It only takes five minutes to reach the top of this 2,750-foot hill, and it's completely worth it.
Because of the city's historical past, there are some wonderful colonial buildings around town. Some of the more popular include Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, Municipal Council of Pulau Pinang Hall, Fort Cornwallis, and Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi. If you're interested in doing some shopping, there are some great neighborhoods around town to explore. Definitely be sure and check out Little India and the Little Penang Street Market. There are some great shopping malls around town as well such as the Bukit Jambul Complex, Gurney Plaza, and One-Stop Midlands Park.
To learn a little more about this island's multi-cultural history, visit the Penang State Museum. Located in a former school from the 1800s, this museum gives a great overview and background of Penang's history, architecture and diverse population.
If you're looking for a more lively way to immerse yourself in the local culture, spend some time at the China House. The stunning refurbished area of the warehouse district is 10,000 square feet of food, drinks, shopping and, on weekends, there is live local music. It's worth a stroll even just to see the gorgeous, weathered design including exposed beams and cement floors.
And of course, for those interested in simply seeing a beautiful beach, there's the Taman Negara Pulau Pinang. This 3,100-acre stretch of jungle beach is a unique spot to unwind and get away.
Neighborhoods
The state of Penang is divided into two sections. There is the turtle-shaped Penang Island located in the Straits of Malacca. Then, there is the rectangle shaped district on the mainland known as Sebarang Perai.
George Town is at the northeastern corner of the island, and home to the ferry docks. From the docks, most places in George Town are within walking distance, including Little India. Most of the eastern coastline of the island is developed, although the better beaches are on the western, northern, and southern side.
The airport is at the southeastern corner of the island.
The northwestern area of the island is home to Taman Negara Pulau Pinang, a protected park region with much less development.
Activities
For those seeking a bit more of an outdoorsy adventure, there is plenty to be found in Penang National Park. With trails winding through jungle territory, you can wander through the natural beauties of Malaysia. Camping is also an option, with the right permits.
There are also biking trails, if cycling is more your style. Most begin at the visitor's center in Balik Pulau and cover areas of the island far from George Town. These guided tours offer a vastly different experience than the one you'll find in the metropolitan city.
Don't forget about the underwater adventures. Arrange to spend a day snorkeling at the Pulau Payar Marine Park and get friendly with Malaysia's fish. Arranged tours are available and recommended.
Food and Dining
Penang is the kind of place where when you ask the locals for the best place to eat, they'll tell you the best place to eat. While in many other regions of the world you'd have to worry they're just trying to scam a tourist, the Malaysians genuinely know the best foodie spots and are willing to share them, no matter where they are.
In George Town, visit Little India for some great hole-in-the-wall Indian restaurants.
While visiting you have to be sure to try the iconic asam laksa. This is sweet, sour, and spicy fish-based noodle soup is served with mint and cucumber and is certainly not to be missed.
Transportation
The main city of George Town is completely walkable so long as you wear light clothes and don't forget your sunblock. While the city is pretty walker friendly, be sure to look both ways when crossing the street, as traffic can get a little hectic.
The local city buses are a great option, too. The vehicles have recently been updated to the latest RapidPenang buses, and the new signage is clear and completely understandable for tourists. Keep in mind, the drivers don't carry change, so when boarding you must have exact fare.
Car rentals are also a possibility. If this is the route you choose, remember there are plenty of one-way streets and narrow roads in Penang. Drive at your own risk.
If you should take a taxi, be prepared to negotiate, as many drivers are reluctant to use meters. Agree on a price before getting in the car.
Another, more unique option for getting around Penang is the trishaw. This three-wheeled, human-powered cart is best for a pleasant tour of the city. Many drivers are very knowledgeable and make fantastic tour guides. Negotiate the fare upfront and be ready to haggle.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.