Which place is cheaper, Penang or Chiang Mai?
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 Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai 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: Chiang Mai or Penang?
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is both the cultural center of northern Thailand and a launching point for trips into the rural areas, small towns, and lush jungles of the country's northern regions. Known for great food, historic temples, arts and crafts, and a lively night market, Chiang Mai is a very popular destination for travelers. In some areas, tourists and ex-pats dominate, but it's quite easy to get away from the tourist scene and into the real culture of Thailand, as Chiang Mai (and the surrounding countryside) is quite large.
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 G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia.
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Chiang Mai Prices
Thailand PricesPenang Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Mai $61Penang $144
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $61, while the average daily cost in Penang is $144. 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 Chiang Mai and Penang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $30Penang $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $60Penang $110
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and Penang
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai 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: Chiang Mai Hotel Prices and Penang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Mai $4.18Penang $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$1.26
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Moped Rental$5.65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Mai
Also for Chiang Mai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chiang Dao to Chiang Mai Airport CNX Private Departure Transfer: $71
- Chiang Mai Airport Arrival – Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $14
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Chiang Dao Private Arrival Transfer: $71
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Chiang Dao Round Trip Private Transfer: $143
- Chiang Mai Airport CNX to Pai Thermal Resorts Arrival Transfer: $190
- Chiang Mai Airport Departure – Private Transfer from Hotel to Airport: $14
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Transfer – Arrival or Departure: $25
- Chiang Mai Airport Private Transfer – Hotel or Airport: $7.96
- Chiang Mai Airport Transfer by Private Van – Arrival or Departure: $54
- Chiang Mai Airport Transfers by Private Car: $32
- Chiang Mai Chiang Rai Temples Tour with Premium Transfer: $240
- Chiang Mai Highlights: Top 2 Tours & Airport Transfers Included: $287
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$1.43
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Island Ferry$0.57
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Bus From Airport to George Town$0.64
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Taxi From Airport to George Town$11
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Motorbike Rental (One Day)$7.13
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Bicycle Rental (One Day)$2.38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Penang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Penang:
- Full-Day Private Transfer in Penang City : $275
- Penang to KUL Hotel (One Way Transfer): $237
- Chauffeur: Penang Island to Singapore Van Transfer: $146
- Penang City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $140
- Penang City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $140
- Private Transfer: Penang Island to or from Perak: $131
- Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $115
- Penang City to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $107
- Penang to Kuala Lumpur 1-way Transfer: $107
- Private Half Day Tour to Penang Island with Transfer Included: $70
- ATV Ride in Balik Pulau with Snacks and Transfers: $66
- Penang Airport Transfer ( 24/7): $59
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Mai or Penang?
Prices for flights to both Penang and Chiang Mai 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 dayChiang Mai $21Penang $64
Typical Food Prices in Chiang Mai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Chiang Mai:
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Sit Down Dinner (for One)$6.12
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Roti Snack (Bread)$0.75
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Casual Breakfast$1.26
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.28
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Mangoes$0.94
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Coffee$1.57
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Evening Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market: $10
- Cooking Morning Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market : $10
- Chiang Mai Khantoke Dinner and Cultural Show Experience: $22
- Traditional Khantoke Dinner and Show from Chiang Mai: $22
- Chiang Mai Khantoke Dinner and Cultural Show Experience: $22
- Half-day Thai Cooking Class from scratch by an Expert Chef: $27
- Morning Thai cooking class : $29
- Evening Thai cooking class : $29
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $29
- The Rice Barn Thai Cooking Farm Chiangmai : $29
- Cooking class in organic garden and local market tour ThaiCottage: $29
- Traditional Khantoke Dinner & Cultural Show Tour in Chiang Mai: $31
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$1.90
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Dinner at The Suffolk House (for 2)$81
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Lunch at Sakae Sushi (for 2)$69
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Lassy Juice$1.66
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Dinner for 2$3.57
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Street Stall Food$0.67
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.52
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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
- 3-Hour Heritage on a Plate Dinner Hop in George Town Penang: $65
- 4-Hour Georgetown Food Tour: $88
- Authentic Local Food Tour with Scenic Walk: $89
- Malay Culinary Journey Cooking Class for the Adventurous Foodie: $92
- Authentic Indian Penang Cooking Class: $92
- Penang Cooking Class:Dive into Malaysian Cuisine with PenangChiak: $94
- Private Half Day Penang Tasty Local Street Food Tour: $99
- Private Dinner at THE TOP with Skywalk Experience from Penang: $103
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Mai $14Penang $55
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Thai Cooking Class$41
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Doi Suthep Entrance Ticket$1.88
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Kratong Lessons$3.14
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Pedicure$4.71
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Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$5.65
Tours and Activities in Chiang Mai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chiang Mai.
- Doi Suthep Temple Tour by Local Red Car 3 Hour Adventure: $13
- Doi Suthep Temple Tour by Local Red Car – 3 Hours Experience: $13
- Old Town History and Culture Walking Tour at Chiang Mai: $15
- Art in Paradise: Chiang Mai 3D Art Museum Experience: $16
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples Guided Walking Tour - 3 Hrs: $16
- Skip the Line: Chiang Mai Art in Paradise Admission Ticket: $16
- Chiang Mai Farm Life & Khao Soy Tasting on a Half-Day Boat Tour: $17
- Chiangmai Temple And City Walking Tour with ex monk Part 1: $18
- Bua Thong Waterfalls Adventure Experience : $18
- Chiang Mai Old City & Temples 3 hour Twilight Walking Tour : $18
- Muay Thai Ticket Thapae Boxing Stadium Chiang Mai Live Fight: $19
- Chiang Mai Temples Visit Walking Tour with Ex-Monk Guide Part 2: $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$7.37
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Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$7.13
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Fort Cornwallis Entrance$0.48
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Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Entrance$2.38
Tours and Activities in Penang
Here are a few actual costs in Penang for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- George Town Highlights & Upside Down Museum tours (5 Hours): $67
- Penang City Temple Tour with Penang Hill(Fast Lane) & Kek Lok Si: $147
- 6 Hours Highlights of Penang Shared Tour : $75
- 6-Hours Penang Private Tour: $169
- 8 Hours of Penang Tour: $60
- Back of the Bike Street Food Experience – Real Penang!: $88
- Best of Historical George Town Half Day Tour: $80
- Bukit Merah Orang Utan and Penang City Private Tour: $140
- Colors of George Town Walking Tour: $138
- Countryside Cycling Tour. T1.0 by Matahari: $97
- ESCAPE Penang Theme Park Admission Ticket : $73
- Enjoy Amazing Night Tour in Penang : $84
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Mai $7.78Penang $18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Wine$3.14
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$1.90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Penang, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chiang Mai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chiang Mai Expensive? and Is Penang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Penang?
Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai or Penang in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Penang. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year.
June to September in Chiang Mai is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Penang. Chiang Mai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in July than Penang. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Penang receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Penang. In the summer, Chiang Mai often gets less sunshine than Penang. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Penang receives 211 hours of full sun.
In July, Chiang Mai is generally around the same temperature as Penang. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 30°C (86°F), and Penang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyChiang Mai 30°C (86°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Penang in the Autumn?
Both Penang and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Penang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Chiang Mai is November to February. It rains a lot this time of the year in Penang. It's quite rainy in Chiang Mai. In October, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Penang. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Penang receives 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Chiang Mai is around the same temperature as Penang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 29°C (83°F) in October, and Penang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberChiang Mai 29°C (83°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Penang in the Winter?
Both Penang and Chiang Mai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round.
November to February is the dry season in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in January than Penang. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Penang receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Chiang Mai is cooler than Penang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chiang Mai in January average around 23°C (74°F), and Penang averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryChiang Mai 23°C (74°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Chiang Mai or Penang in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Penang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai. Penang receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Penang. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Penang receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Penang this time of the year. In Chiang Mai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Penang during spring. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Penang receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.
Chiang Mai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Chiang Mai is generally a little warmer than Penang. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 31°C (88°F), and Penang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilChiang Mai 31°C (88°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Penang and Chiang Mai
| Chiang Mai | Penang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 31°C (87°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (83°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 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.