Which place is cheaper, Penang or Chumphon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Chumphon or Penang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Chumphon or Penang? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Chumphon or Penang?
Chumphon
Sometimes tourism has a tendency to spoil the natural beauty of a place. This is not the case in the magical city of Chumphon, Thailand. As the gateway to the Chumphon Archipelago, this city has maintained natural, untouched beauty. Its miles of coastline are full of fine beaches with fishing, swimming and a number of other activities.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Chiang Mai, The Best 10-Day Tours from Bangkok, The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChumphon $36Penang $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Chumphon is $36, 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 Chumphon and Penang in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChumphon $16Penang $49
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChumphon $32Penang $98
Compare Hotels in Chumphon and Penang
Looking for a hotel in Chumphon 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: Chumphon Hotel Prices and Penang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chumphon $6.36Penang $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Penang
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Penang:
-
Local Bus$1.27
-
Island Ferry$0.51
-
Bus From Airport to George Town$0.57
-
Taxi From Airport to George Town$9.77
-
Motorbike Rental (One Day)$6.37
-
Bicycle Rental (One Day)$2.12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Penang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Penang:
- Swettenham Pier to Penang Airport(PEN)-Departure Private Transfer: $39
- Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal: Transfer to Penang Island: $118
- 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: $39
- Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $77
- Private Transfer: Penang International Airport to or from Hotel: $49
- Private Transfer from Penang Island to Swettenham Cruise Terminal: $39
- 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 Transfer - Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Airport (PEN): $39
- Private Penang Arrival transfer to Hotel: $12
Is it cheaper to fly into Chumphon or Penang?
Prices for flights to both Penang and Chumphon 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
-
Food Meals for one dayChumphon $13Penang $33
Typical Food Prices in Chumphon
For Chumphon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Ice Cream$0.16
-
Fruit at the Market$0.55
-
Breakfast$1.10
Typical Food Prices in Penang
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Penang:
-
Snack$1.70
-
Dinner at The Suffolk House (for 2)$73
-
Lunch at Sakae Sushi (for 2)$61
-
Lassy Juice$1.49
-
Dinner for 2$3.18
-
Street Stall Food$0.59
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.03
-
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chumphon $10Penang $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Penang
Here are a few typical costs in Penang for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Butterfly Gardens$6.58
-
Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$6.37
-
Fort Cornwallis Entrance$0.42
-
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:
- 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: $61
- 6-Hours Penang Private Tour: $154
- Asia Camera Museum Admission Ticket: $5.49
- Bukit Merah Orang Utan and Penang City Private Tour: $140
- Colors of George Town Walking Tour: $114
- Countryside Cycling Tour by Matahari: $86
- Discover Georgetown Heritage Private Tour in Penang: $51
- Discover Penang City in Amazing Tour: $83
- Enjoy Hill & Temple Sightseeing Private Tour - Penang City: $91
- Enjoy Hill & Temple Sightseeing Tour - Penang City: $69
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayChumphon $11Penang $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Chumphon
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Chumphon are as follows:
-
Beer (2)$3.84
Typical Alcohol Prices in Penang
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Penang:
-
Beer$1.70
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chumphon and Penang, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Chumphon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chumphon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chumphon 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 Chumphon.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chumphon Expensive? and Is Penang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chumphon or Penang?
Penang has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Chumphon. When comparing the sizes of Chumphon 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 Chumphon 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 Chumphon or Penang in the Summer?
Both Penang and Chumphon during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chumphon 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Chumphon. Chumphon usually gets less rain in July than Penang. Chumphon gets 174 mm (6.9 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. In the summer, Chumphon often gets less sunshine than Penang. Chumphon gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Penang receives 211 hours of full sun.
In July, Chumphon is generally around the same temperature as Penang. Daily temperatures in Chumphon average around 28°C (82°F), and Penang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyChumphon 28°C (82°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Chumphon or Penang in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chumphon and Penang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chumphon year-round. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Penang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Chumphon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Chumphon usually receives less rain than Penang. Chumphon gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Penang receives 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Chumphon is around the same temperature as Penang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chumphon averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Penang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberChumphon 27°C (81°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Chumphon or Penang in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Chumphon as well as Penang. Chumphon attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year.
Chumphon usually gets more rain in January than Penang. Chumphon gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Penang receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Chumphon is cooler than Penang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chumphon in January average around 25°C (77°F), and Penang averages at about 28°C (82°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryChumphon 25°C (77°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Chumphon or Penang in the Spring?
Both Penang and Chumphon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chumphon 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, Chumphon usually receives less rain than Penang. Chumphon gets 74 mm (2.9 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 Chumphon. Chumphon usually receives more sunshine than Penang during spring. Chumphon gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while Penang receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Chumphon is generally around the same temperature as Penang. Daily temperatures in Chumphon average around 29°C (84°F), and Penang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilChumphon 29°C (84°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Penang and Chumphon
| Chumphon | Penang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.