Which place is cheaper, Penang or Cairo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Cairo or Penang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cairo and Penang can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Cairo or Penang?
Cairo
Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia.
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Cairo Prices
Egypt PricesPenang Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCairo $32Penang $147
The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $32, while the average daily cost in Penang is $147. 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 Cairo and Penang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCairo $11Penang $56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCairo $22Penang $112
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Penang
Looking for a hotel in Cairo 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: Cairo Hotel Prices and Penang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cairo $3.62Penang $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:
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Metro Ride$0.08
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Taxi Ride$0.30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:
- 01 way Private Transfer from Cairo Airport to Your Hotel in Cairo: $13
- 1 Day Aswan Abu Simple Tour with Transfer Included: $300
- 1 Hour ATV Quad Bike Ride At Giza Pyramids With Private Transfer: $30
- 1 Way Pick up transfer from Cairo to Hurghada by private Car: $80
- 1 way Private Pickup transfer from Le Meridien Heliopolis to Cairo airport: $18
- 2 Day Cairo Tour upon arrival day with airport transfer: $138
- 2 Days Private Guided Tours of Cairo and Giza with Free Cairo Airport Transfers: $280
- 2 Days Private Guided Tours of Cairo and Giza with Free Cairo Airport Transfers: $200
- 2 Days Tours package Include airport transfers (Cairo & Alexandria): $208
- 2 Days and 2 Evenings Private Tour in Cairo include airport transfer and M&A: $280
- 2 Private day tours in Giza pyramids and Cairo city with 2 airport Transfers: $155
- 2 Private days in Giza and Cairo including Free Transfer from Airport: $126
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$1.45
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Island Ferry$0.58
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Bus From Airport to George Town$0.65
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Taxi From Airport to George Town$11
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Motorbike Rental (One Day)$7.25
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Bicycle Rental (One Day)$2.42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Penang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Penang:
- Chauffeur: Penang Island to Singapore Van Transfer: $146
- Penang Airport (PEN) to Penang Island - Arrival Private transfer: $19
- Penang Airport (PEN) to Swettenham Port - Round-Trip Transfer: $44
- Penang Airport Arrival Transfer: $21
- Penang Airport Transfer: $15
- Penang Airport Transfer ( 24/7): $59
- Penang Airport Transfer - Arrival or Departure: $37
- Penang City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Hotels 1-way Transfer: $125
- Penang City to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $107
- Penang City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $140
- Penang Hotel to Airport Departure Transfer: $23
- Penang Island hotels to Swettenham Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $56
Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Penang?
Prices for flights to both Penang and Cairo 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 dayCairo $17Penang $66
Typical Food Prices in Cairo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:
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Juice$0.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cairo.
- Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river: $4.00
- Cairo Food Tour with Nile Felucca Ride: $7.00
- Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Camel Ride,ATV Bike,Shopping, Dinner cruise: $7.00
- Quad Bike ATV ,Camel Ride ,Nile Dinner Cruise Belly dancer show: $7.00
- Cairo Food Tour – Discover Hidden Downtown Gems: $8.00
- night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer: $8.00
- Cairo Dinner Cruise in Nile River With Belly Dancer & Tanora show: $8.00
- Private Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Quad Bike, Camel Ride, Nile Dinner Cruise: $8.00
- 2-hours night dinner cruise show : Eat , Dance and Sing: $8.00
- 5 Star Dinner Nile Cruise in Cairo Night Tour: $8.00
- Giza pyramids, Sphinx, ATV bike,Camel ride,Dinner cruise&shopping: $9.00
- Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Camel Ride,ATV Bike,Shopping, Dinner cruise: $9.00
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$1.93
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Dinner at The Suffolk House (for 2)$83
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Lunch at Sakae Sushi (for 2)$70
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Lassy Juice$1.69
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Dinner for 2$3.63
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Street Stall Food$0.68
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.59
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Italian Lunch (for Two)$12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Penang
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Penang.
- Penang Food Tour : A Feast That Taste Like History : 17+ Tasting: $48
- Good Morning Penang Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Penang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Private Half-Day Hawker Trails Food Tour in George Town: $51
- Local Street Food Tour in Georgetown Penang: $62
- Penang Food Tour - Georgetown: $62
- Eat Like A Local: Penang Street Food Tour: $64
- 3-Hour Heritage on a Plate Dinner Hop in George Town Penang: $65
- Authentic Local Food Tour with Scenic Walk: $89
- Malay Culinary Journey Cooking Class for the Adventurous Foodie: $92
- Penang Cooking Class:Dive into Malaysian Cuisine with PenangChiak: $94
- Private Half Day Penang Tasty Local Street Food Tour: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cairo $8.65Penang $56
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo
Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Camel Market for Two$0.80
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Egyptian Museum Entry for Two$6.16
Tours and Activities in Cairo
Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Full experience Tour Giza Pyramids,Sphinx, inside pyramids &tombs: $2.00
- Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx Day Tour: $4.00
- Best-Selling Giza Pyramids Tour: Camel Ride, Lunch &Private Guide: $4.00
- Private Tour in Pyramids of Giza with Lunch and Camel Ride: $4.50
- Private Grand Egyptian Museum and Pyramids Tour: $4.50
- Giza Pyramids and Sphinx Private Tour with Camel Ride: $4.90
- Top : 5 Hours Day Tour Pyramid Sakkara Pyramid Memphis City: $5.00
- VIP Private Tour Giza Pyramid camel ride and inside 3rd Pyramid: $5.00
- Explore Giza Pyramids on a Private ATV or Camel Tour: $5.00
- Customized Shopping Tour and Egyptian Souvenir from Cairo Giza hotels: $5.00
- Cairo Shopping Tours and Buy Cheap Egyptian Souvenirs with Hassle free: $5.00
- Female Guided Tour for Pyramids, Bazaar and Museum Tour: $5.00
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$7.49
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Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$7.25
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Fort Cornwallis Entrance$0.48
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Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Entrance$2.42
Tours and Activities in Penang
Here are a few actual costs in Penang for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guided Tour of Cheong Fatt Tze's Blue Mansion in George Town: $6.35
- Tech Dome Entrance Ticket: $6.92
- Tropical Spice Garden Entrance Ticket & Guided Tours: $8.15
- The Vanilla Village Farm Tour by Kairos: $9.39
- Penang Hill Funicular Ticket - Non-Malaysian: $11
- Malaysia: Penang Habitat Entry Ticket: $15
- Malaysia: Discover Nature's Wonders with Entopia Entry Ticket: $16
- The Top Komtar Penang Observation Deck and Rainbow Skywalk Ticket: $21
- Entopia Penang Admission Ticket: $22
- Penang Rainbow Skywalk at The Top Komtar Observation Deck Tickets: $22
- Half-Day Penang Countryside Cycling Tour: $33
- Rise of World Heritage City Penang Walking Heritage Tour: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCairo $1.41Penang $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairo
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cairo:
- Pub Crawl and Speakeasy Bar Tour with 2 Free Drinks: $70
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$1.93
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Penang, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cairo is in Africa 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 Cairo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairo 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 Cairo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cairo Expensive? and Is Penang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cairo or Penang?
Cairo has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Cairo 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 Cairo 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 Cairo or Penang in the Summer?
Both Penang and Cairo are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo 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 July, Cairo usually receives less rain than Penang. Cairo gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Penang receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Penang. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cairo. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Penang during summer. Cairo gets 350 hours of sunny skies, while Penang receives 211 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Cairo is generally around the same temperature as Penang. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 28°C (82°F), and Penang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCairo 28°C (82°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Penang in the Autumn?
Both Penang and Cairo during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cairo 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. Cairo usually gets less rain in October than Penang. Cairo gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Penang receives 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
Cairo is cooler than Penang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Penang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCairo 23°C (73°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Penang in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairo and Penang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Cairo usually receives less rain than Penang. Cairo gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Penang receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In the winter, Cairo is much colder than Penang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cairo in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Penang averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCairo 14°C (57°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Cairo or Penang in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Cairo as well as Penang. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Penang. Cairo usually gets less rain in April than Penang. Cairo gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Penang receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Penang. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cairo this time of the year. In the spring, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Penang. Cairo gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Penang receives 218 hours of full sun.
In April, Cairo is generally cooler than Penang. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 21°C (70°F), and Penang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCairo 21°C (70°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Penang and Cairo
| Cairo | Penang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 17°C (63°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 21°C (70°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.