Which place is cheaper, Penang or Bangalore?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bangalore 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 Bangalore and Penang can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Bangalore or Penang?
Bangalore
Bangalore is the capital city of the state of Karnataka, in India. It's also India's third largest city with a population of about 8.5 million. It's considered one of the most liveable cities in the country and was historically known for its many gardens and lush green spaces. Today those areas are all but gone, having given way to the growing population and sprawling metropolises. Bangalore is also the information technology hub of the country and is sometimes referred to as India's Silicon Valley.
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 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India, The Best 2-Week Tours from Kuala Lumpur, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBangalore $44Penang $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Bangalore is $44, while the average daily cost in Penang is $114. 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 Bangalore and Penang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBangalore $20Penang $53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBangalore $40Penang $106
Compare Hotels in Bangalore and Penang
Looking for a hotel in Bangalore 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: Penang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bangalore $9.65Penang $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangalore
Also for Bangalore, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- A Private Transfer: From Chennai to Bangalore Car & Driver: $179
- Affordable Bangalore Airport Transfer: $16
- Affordable Bangalore Airport Transfer: $28
- All-Inclusive Taj Mahal and Agra Private Tour with Transfers: $38
- Bangalore - private arrival transfer from airport to hotel: $35
- Bangalore airport to Hotel Transfer: $18
- One-Way Private City Transfer Mysore & Bangalore: $50
- Bannerghatta Park Day Tour Safari with Private Transfer: $55
- Bengaluru Kempegowda Airport (BLR) to Bengaluru City -RoundTrip Private Transfer: $81
- Bengaluru to Bengaluru Airport (BLR) - Departure Private Transfer: $45
- From City to Airport Private Transfer: $22
- From Mysore guided day tour with transfers: $166
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$1.39
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Island Ferry$0.55
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Bus From Airport to George Town$0.62
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Taxi From Airport to George Town$11
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Motorbike Rental (One Day)$6.93
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Bicycle Rental (One Day)$2.31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Penang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Penang:
- Swettenham Pier to Penang Airport(PEN)-Departure Private Transfer: $40
- Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal: Transfer to Penang Island: $120
- Swettenham Pier Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
- Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $79
- Private Transfer: Penang International Airport to or from Hotel: $49
- Private Transfer from Swettenham Cruise Terminal to Penang Island: $40
- Private Transfer From Penang Airport to Town Area: $26
- Private Transfer : Penang International Airport Departure: $13
- Private Transfer : Penang Hotel to Kuala Lumpur Hotel: $200
- Private Penang Arrival transfer to Hotel: $12
- Private Half Day Tour to Penang Island with Transfer Included: $70
- Private Economy Penang Airport Transfer-Departure: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Bangalore or Penang?
Prices for flights to both Penang and Bangalore 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 dayBangalore $13Penang $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangalore
For Bangalore, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Bangalore : Street Food tour and Local Market Visit.: $17
- Traditional Cooking Classes & Dinner with Family: $33
- Indian Cooking Class in Bangalore with an Award Winning Chef: $54
- Discover Bangalore's Cuisine: Private Half-Day Cooking Experience: $60
- Private South Indian Cooking Class in Bangalore with a Local: $62
- South Indian Cooking Class in Mysore with Devika: $66
- Private In-Home Cooking Demonstration and Meal in Bangalore: $68
- 3-Hour Private Cooking Lesson and Meal in a Bangalore Home: $74
- Cooking experience in Bangalore, a half day tour: $101
- Authentic Indian Cooking Class: $149
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$1.85
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Dinner at The Suffolk House (for 2)$79
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Lunch at Sakae Sushi (for 2)$67
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Lassy Juice$1.62
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Dinner for 2$3.46
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Street Stall Food$0.65
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.39
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Italian Lunch (for Two)$11
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
- Penang Food Tour - Georgetown: $62
- Eat Like A Local: Penang Street Food Tour: $62
- Local Street Food Tour in Georgetown Penang : $62
- 3-Hour Heritage on a Plate Dinner Hop in George Town Penang: $70
- 4-Hour Georgetown Food Tour: $88
- Penang Cooking Class:Dive into Malaysian Cuisine with PenangChiak: $92
- Private Half Day Penang Tasty Local Street Food Tour: $97
- 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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bangalore $11Penang $54
Tours and Activities in Bangalore
For Bangalore, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Bangalore Basavanagudi Heritage Self Guided Walking Tour: $8.54
- FLOWER and FRUIT market tour: $13
- Bangalore Night Walking Tour: $13
- Bangalore Walking Tour (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Cubbon Park Heritage Walk: A self-guided tour of Bangalore's unique history: $15
- Walk of Divinity Bangalore (2 hours guided walking tour): $18
- Bangalore Night Walking Tour (2 hours guided walking tour): $18
- Hire a guide for full day Bangalore city tour with own transport: $24
- Experience Bangalore - Evening City Walk Tour & Market Visit: $32
- Bangalore Private Tour: $35
- Tales of Bangalore a Walking Tour: $35
- Old City Walking Tour: $36
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$7.16
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Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$6.93
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Fort Cornwallis Entrance$0.46
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Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Entrance$2.31
Tours and Activities in Penang
Here are a few actual costs in Penang for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Penang City Temple Tour with Penang Hill(Fast Lane) & Kek Lok Si: $100
- 4-Hour Heritage Walking Tour of Georgetown: $58
- 4-Hour Private Heritage Tour in George Town: $66
- Asia Camera Museum Admission Ticket: $5.92
- Bukit Merah Orang Utan and Penang City Private Tour: $126
- Colors of George Town Walking Tour: $127
- Countryside Cycling Tour by Matahari: $92
- Day Tour in Penang 8hours flexible Spot: $230
- Day Tour of Penang with Train Ride To Penang Hill: $170
- Discover Penang City in Amazing Tour: $85
- Enjoy Hill & Temple Sightseeing Tour - Penang City: $71
- Entopia Butterfly Farm & Tropical Spice Garden Tour: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBangalore $9.03Penang $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangalore
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bangalore:
- pub crawl Bangalore tours: $24
- Pub Crawl Bangalore (3 Hours Guided Nightlife Experience): $35
- Pub Crawl Bangalore: $39
- Pub Crawl with Welcome Drinks, Games & Discounts: $43
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$1.85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bangalore and Penang, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Bangalore much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bangalore would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bangalore 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 Bangalore.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bangalore Expensive? and Is Penang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bangalore or Penang?
Bangalore has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Bangalore 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.
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.