Which place is cheaper, Penang or Bali?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bali or Penang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bali and Penang can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Bali or Penang?
Bali
Known as the "Island of the Gods," it's not difficult to see why the Gods would want to set up shop in Bali. With a beautifully diverse landscape of hills, mountains, coastlines, beaches, vibrant rice fields and volcanic hillsides, you'll easily go into sensory overload.
Bali is home to 4 million people who all hold true to a deeply spiritual and unique culture. With champion surfing, world class resorts and challenging hiking trails, this Indonesian island accommodates travelers from every walk of life. It's often called, "paradise on earth, " and no one disagrees.
Penang
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBali $72Penang $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Bali is $72, while the average daily cost in Penang is $104. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Bali and Penang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBali $41Penang $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBali $82Penang $98
Compare Hotels in Bali and Penang
Looking for a hotel in Bali or Penang? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Bali Hotel Prices and Penang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bali $8.96Penang $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bali:
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Motorbike Rental$3.08
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bali:
- BALI PARAGLIDING Fly, Swing and Soaring above the sea with private transfer: $103
- Bali DPS Airport Private Transfer from-to Nusa Dua: $23
- Bali DPS Airport Private Transfer from-to Uluwatu & South Kuta: $31
- Bali Massage with Transfer to International Bali Airport (DPS): $58
- Bali Parasailing Adventure with Including Hotel Transfer: $45
- Bali Parasailing Adventure,Banana Boat,Jet Ski and Donut Boat with Transfers: $59
- Bali Spa Treatment with Airport Transfers (Departure): $56
- Bali Tours 4U Airport and Seaport transfers. 24 hours a day.: $21
- Bali Water Sport : Sea Walker,Donut Boat and Banana Boat with Hotel Transfers: $64
- Bali and Nusa Penida: Fast Boat Transfers: $29
- Bali and Trawangan: Fastboat with Optional Bali Transfer: $47
- Bali to/from Gili Air: Fast Boat with Optional Bali Transfer: $47
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Penang
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Penang:
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Local Bus$1.27
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Island Ferry$0.51
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Bus From Airport to George Town$0.57
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Taxi From Airport to George Town$9.77
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Motorbike Rental (One Day)$6.37
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Bicycle Rental (One Day)$2.12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Penang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Penang:
- Private Penang Arrival transfer to Hotel: $12
- Private Transfer : Penang International Airport Departure: $13
- Private Arrival Transfer : Penang International Airport: $13
- Penang Airport Transfer to Georgetown/City Hotel or Resort/Beach Hotel: $14
- Private Arrival Transfer : Penang International Airport: $18
- Private Departure Transfer : Penang International Airport: $18
- Private Departure Transfer - Penang International Airport: $18
- Penang Airport Transfer to Penang Beach Hotel/Resort or vice versa: $23
- Private Economy Penang Airport Transfer-Arrival: $25
- Private Transfer From Penang Airport to Town Area: $26
- Private Economy Penang Airport Transfer-Departure: $29
- Penang Airport Transfer ( 24/7): $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Bali or Penang?
Prices for flights to both Penang and Bali change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayBali $20Penang $33
Typical Food Prices in Bali
Some typical examples of dining costs in Bali are as follows:
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Coffee$1.23
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Lunch for Two$14
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Bali Cafe for Two$27
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Lunch for Two$8.00
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Lunch for 2$8.86
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Dinner for 2$9.72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bali
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bali.
- Romantic Seafood Dinner under sunset jimbaran Beach: $30
- Private Tour Uluwatu Sunset Kecak Dance and Dinner at Jimbaran: $31
- Ubud: Balinese Cooking Class at an Organic Farm: $32
- Pirate Dinner Cruise with Shows, Games, and Music: $33
- From Ubud: Authentic Cooking Class in a Local Village: $35
- Ubud Food Tour : Explore Traditional Night Market: $35
- Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran: $38
- Spice Garden, Jamu & Cooking Class in Bali Village: $45
- Seminyak: Balinese Cooking Class & Market Tour: $45
- Bali Famous Beach, Kecak Dance, Uluwatu Temple, Sunset, Dinner: $45
- Bali Street Food Tour: $45
- Bali's Best Sunset: Uluwatu Kecak Dance & Dinner Jimbaran Beach: $50
Typical Food Prices in Penang
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Penang:
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Snack$1.70
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Dinner at The Suffolk House (for 2)$73
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Lunch at Sakae Sushi (for 2)$61
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Lassy Juice$1.49
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Dinner for 2$3.18
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Street Stall Food$0.59
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.03
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Italian Lunch (for Two)$10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Penang
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Penang.
- Good Morning Penang Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Penang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Eat Like A Local: Penang Street Food Tour: $62
- 3-Hour Heritage on a Plate Dinner Hop in George Town Penang: $66
- 4-Hour Georgetown Food Tour: $88
- Private Half Day Penang Tasty Local Street Food Tour: $89
- Penang Cooking Class:Dive into Malaysian Cuisine with PenangChiak: $91
- Dinner at Penang Hill: $102
- Private Dinner at THE TOP with Skywalk Experience from Penang: $103
- Chef Samuel's Private Malaysian Cooking Class with Wet Market Tour: $116
- Food Tour at Penang - Eat Like a Local, Feel Like a Local: $120
- Dinner at Penang Hill Including Train Ride: $141
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bali $11Penang $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bali
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bali are as follows:
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Spa for Two$54
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Snorkelling Trip$12
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Cooking School$28
Tours and Activities in Bali
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bali are as follows:
- Bali Water Sports Adventure: $7.89
- Bali Tanjung Benoa Water Sport Adventure: $8.34
- Bali Bird Park 1-Day Admission Ticket: $8.98
- Best of Ubud Full Day Private Guided Tour: $11
- Private Tour to New Indonesia Urban Destination: $13
- Kecak and Fire Dance Ticket at Uluwatu Temple: $14
- Uluwatu Temple Tour with Optional Kecak Dance Ticket: $15
- Uluwatu Temple Kecak Fire Dance Private Guided Tour: $17
- Watersport activity Ocean walker, Parasailing Adventure & Banana Boat: $18
- Tanah Lot Temple Guided Tour: $18
- All-Inclusive White Water Rafting Adventure in Ubud: $19
- Bali Nusa Dua Theatre: Devdan Show Tickets: $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Penang
Here are a few typical costs in Penang for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Butterfly Gardens$6.58
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Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$6.37
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Fort Cornwallis Entrance$0.42
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Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Entrance$2.12
Tours and Activities in Penang
Here are a few actual costs in Penang for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Asia Camera Museum Admission Ticket: $5.49
- Malaysia: The Blue Mansion - Daily Tour: $5.76
- Tech Dome Entrance Ticket: $6.23
- Guided Tour of Cheong Fatt Tze's Blue Mansion in George Town: $6.35
- Penang : DE'8000 Mini Golf Café Ticket: $6.67
- Glass Museum Standard Admission Ticket: $6.67
- Skip the Line: Admission Ticket - General: $7.18
- Penang Hill Funicular Ticket: $8.35
- TeddyVille Museum Penang Malaysia Entry Ticket: $8.39
- Wonderfood Museum in Penang Admission Ticket: $8.54
- Wonderfood Museum in Penang Admission Ticket: $8.71
- Penang Street Food in Georgetown and History Walking Audio Tour: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBali $3.17Penang $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Penang
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Penang:
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Beer$1.70
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Penang, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Penang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Penang than you might in Bali.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bali Expensive? and Is Penang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bali or Penang?
Bali has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Penang, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Bali or Penang?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Bali or Penang in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Penang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
April to September in Bali is the dry season. Penang receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Bali usually receives less rain than Penang. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Penang receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Penang this time of the year. In Bali, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Penang during summer. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Penang receives 211 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Bali is around the same temperature as Penang. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bali in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Penang averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBali 27°C (81°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Bali or Penang in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Bali as well as Penang. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year.
October to March in Bali is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Penang. Bali usually gets less rain in October than Penang. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Penang receives 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Bali is generally around the same temperature as Penang. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and Penang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBali 27°C (81°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Bali or Penang in the Winter?
Both Penang and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Penang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Bali is October to March. In January, Bali usually receives more rain than Penang. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Penang receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Bali is around the same temperature as Penang in the winter. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Penang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBali 26°C (79°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Bali or Penang in the Spring?
Both Penang and Bali during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round.
April to September is the dry season in Bali. Penang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bali usually gets less rain in April than Penang. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Penang receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Penang, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bali. In the spring, Bali often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Penang. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Penang receives 218 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Bali is around the same temperature as Penang. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bali in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Penang averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBali 27°C (81°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Penang and Bali
| Bali | Penang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
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.