Which place is cheaper, Penang or Beirut?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Beirut or Penang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Beirut and Penang. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Beirut or Penang?
Beirut
Some travelers are seeking the hustle, bustle and posh atmosphere that only comes from a big city. Those travelers should have Beirut, Lebanon at the top of their list. The capital city is jam packed with 2.1 million people that are constantly on the go. As the commercial and financial hub of Lebanon, this city is fast-paced, fashion conscious and always ready for a night on the town.
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 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBeirut $2.26Penang $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Beirut is $2.26, while the average daily cost in Penang is $103. 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 Beirut and Penang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBeirut $1.26Penang $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeirut $2.52Penang $98
Compare Hotels in Beirut and Penang
Looking for a hotel in Beirut 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: Beirut Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Beirut $0.44Penang $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beirut
Also for Beirut, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Arrival Transfer to Your Beirut Hotel: $10
- BEY Airport to Hotel, Private Arrival Transfer: $10
- Beirut Airport Transfer in a Limousine: $201
- Beirut Airport one Way Private Transfer to the hotel: $15
- Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer: $13
- Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer Pickup: $9.89
- Hiking Day Trip to Chouwen Lake with Hotel Transfers: $86
- Departure Transfer:From Hotel To Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY): $10
- Private Arrival Transfer: Beirut International Airport to Hotel: $18
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beirut International Airport: $18
- Private Transfer from Beirut Hotels to the Beirut Airport: $10
- Private Transfer from Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport to Beirut: $46
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$1.26
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Island Ferry$0.50
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Bus From Airport to George Town$0.57
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Taxi From Airport to George Town$9.64
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Motorbike Rental (One Day)$6.29
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Bicycle Rental (One Day)$2.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Penang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Penang:
- Swettenham Pier to Penang Airport(PEN)-Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal: Transfer to Penang Island: $116
- Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal, Penang to Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Door to Door) Transfer: $120
- Swettenham Pier Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $76
- Private Transfer: Penang International Airport to or from Hotel: $49
- Private Transfer from Swettenham Cruise Terminal to Penang Island: $38
- Private Transfer From Penang Airport to Town Area: $26
- Private Transfer : Penang International Airport Departure: $13
- Private Transfer - Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Airport (PEN): $38
- Private Penang Arrival transfer to Hotel: $12
- Private Economy Penang Airport Transfer-Departure: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Beirut or Penang?
Prices for flights to both Penang and Beirut 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 dayBeirut $0.71Penang $33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beirut
For Beirut, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Lebanese Virtual Cooking Class Live from Lebanon: $30
- Traveling Spoon Lebanese Mezze Private Online Cooking Class : $40
- Private, Traditional Lebanese Cooking Class with a Contemporary Twist: $72
- Authentic Lebanese Cooking Lesson and Meal with Tania's Family in Beirut: $100
- Private Lebanese Cooking Class in Beirut with Amal + Transfers: $142
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$1.68
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Dinner at The Suffolk House (for 2)$72
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Lunch at Sakae Sushi (for 2)$61
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Lassy Juice$1.47
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Dinner for 2$3.14
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Street Stall Food$0.59
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$3.98
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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.
- Penang Food Tour - Georgetown: $62
- Eat Like A Local: Penang Street Food Tour: $62
- 3-Hour Heritage on a Plate Dinner Hop in George Town Penang: $65
- Private Half Day Penang Tasty Local Street Food Tour: $87
- 4-Hour Georgetown Food Tour: $88
- Cooking Classes In Penang By Penang Chiak: $93
- 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
- Experience Malaysia: Authentic Malaysia Cooking Tour: $121
- Dinner at Penang Hill Including Train Ride: $141
- Penang's Night Eat-Venture Vespa Food Tour: $160
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Beirut $0.26Penang $49
Tours and Activities in Beirut
For Beirut, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Small Group Tour to Jeita Grotto, Harisa & Byblos with Hotel pickup: $15
- Discovering Lebanon: Jeita Grotto, Harissa, and Byblos Tour: $15
- City Sightseeing Beirut Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $25
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $25
- Beirut : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private tour): $34
- Private Tour - Explore Anjar Lebanon: $35
- Beirut Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- Beirut Full Day Walking Tour: $41
- Private Walking Tour With A Guide (Private tour): $48
- Historical Beirut Tour (AM) Half Day - (4G on Board): $50
- New Small-Group Tour Semi-Private to Jeita,Harissa&Byblos: $50
- From Jeita, Harissa, and Byblos Tour: $50
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$6.50
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Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$6.29
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Fort Cornwallis Entrance$0.42
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Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Entrance$2.10
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 Food and Heritage Walking Tour in Penang George Town: $75
- 4-Hour Heritage Walking Tour of Georgetown: $58
- 6-Hours Penang Private Tour: $151
- Admission Ticket for Dark Mansion Glow-in-the-Dark Museum in Penang: $8.80
- Asia Camera Museum Admission Ticket: $5.38
- Countryside Cycling Tour by Matahari: $82
- Discover Georgetown Heritage Private Tour in Penang: $51
- Discover Penang City Tour: $47
- Discover Penang City in Amazing Tour: $82
- Enjoy Hill & Temple Sightseeing Tour - Penang City: $68
- Entopia Butterfly Farm & Tropical Spice Garden Tour: $81
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBeirut $0.23Penang $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Beirut
Also in Beirut, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour at Chateau Musar and Ixsir : $50
- Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour: $56
- Uncorking Splendor: A Journey Through Private Wine Tasting Tours: $60
- Budget Wine Tasting Tour at the Bekaa Valley Wineries: $60
- Full-Day Private Wine Tour in Bekaa Valley with Tasting : $60
- Wine Tasting and Culture : $69
- Wine Tasting and Hiking in the Cedars forest : $69
- From Full Day Wine Tasting in the Bekaa Valley Tour: $90
- Lebanon Wine Tasting Tour From Beirut: $91
- Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour to Chateau Musar and Ixsir Winery: $100
- Full-Day Private Bekaa Valley Wine Tour from Beirut: $103
- Private tour to Jeita Grotto with Wine Tasting in Faqra Ruins: $110
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$1.68
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beirut and Penang, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Beirut much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beirut is in Middle East and Penang is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Beirut would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beirut 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 Beirut.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beirut Expensive? and Is Penang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Beirut or Penang?
Beirut has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Beirut 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 Beirut or Penang?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Beirut or Penang in the Summer?
Both Penang and Beirut during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Beirut because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round.
Penang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Beirut usually gets less rain in July than Penang. Beirut gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Penang receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Penang, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Beirut. In the summer, Beirut often gets more sunshine than Penang. Beirut gets 369 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Penang receives 211 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Beirut is around the same temperature as Penang. Typically, the summer temperatures in Beirut in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Penang averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBeirut 27°C (81°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Penang in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Beirut and Penang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Beirut year-round. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Penang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Beirut usually receives less rain than Penang. Beirut gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Penang receives 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Beirut is generally around the same temperature as Penang. Daily temperatures in Beirut average around 25°C (77°F), and Penang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBeirut 25°C (77°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Penang in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Beirut as well as Penang. Beirut attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year.
Beirut receives a lot of rain in the winter. Beirut usually gets more rain in January than Penang. Beirut gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Penang receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
Beirut is much colder than Penang in the winter. The daily temperature in Beirut averages around 13°C (55°F) in January, and Penang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBeirut 13°C (55°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Beirut or Penang in the Spring?
Both Penang and Beirut are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Beirut throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Penang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Penang. In April, Beirut usually receives less rain than Penang. Beirut gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Penang receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Penang. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beirut. Beirut usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Penang during spring. Beirut gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Penang receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Beirut is much colder than Penang. Typically, the spring temperatures in Beirut in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Penang averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBeirut 17°C (63°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Penang and Beirut
| Beirut | Penang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 13°C (55°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 130 mm (5.1 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.