Which place is cheaper, Penang or Dar es Salaam?
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 Dar es Salaam 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 Dar es Salaam and Penang can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Penang?
Dar es Salaam
Having grown from a fishing village, Dar es Salaam is now a major city and commercial port on Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast. While it is mainly used as a stopping point on the way to Zanzibar, it has a few unique treasures of its own such as the Kariakoo Market, National Museum, and the open-air Village Museum.
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 Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia.
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Dar es Salaam Prices
Tanzania PricesPenang Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDar es Salaam $493Penang $144
The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $493, 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 Dar es Salaam and Penang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDar es Salaam $452Penang $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDar es Salaam $904Penang $110
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Penang
Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam 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: Dar es Salaam Hotel Prices and Penang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dar es Salaam $14Penang $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam
Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dar es Salaam Airport Transfers Comfortable Ride to Your Hotel: $60
- Private Layover Tour with Airport Transfer: $120
- Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
- Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $106
- Transfer/Airport pick up and drop off: $192
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 : $277
- Penang to KUL Hotel (One Way Transfer): $237
- Private Transfer : Penang Hotel to Kuala Lumpur Hotel: $207
- Chauffeur: Penang Island to Singapore Van Transfer: $147
- Penang City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $140
- Penang City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City Hotels 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Penang?
Prices for flights to both Penang and Dar es Salaam 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 dayDar es Salaam $33Penang $64
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.
- Penang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Good Morning Penang Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Penang Food Tour - Georgetown: $62
- Local Street Food Tour in Georgetown Penang : $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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dar es Salaam -Penang $55
Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dar es Salaam.
- Private Insightful City Tour of Dar es Salaam: $34
- Daressalaam city sightseeing private tour: $55
- Private Tour to Jozani Forest Reserve Half-Day Guided Tour from Zanzibar: $90
- The Best/Top Rated Cultural City Tour in Dar es Salaam : $90
- Full Day Private Tour in Dar es Salaam City: $90
- Dar es Salaam City Tour - Everyday: $97
- Dar es Salaam City Walking tour - Explore the Life of the Local People!: $100
- Stone Town & Spice Tour: $110
- Bagamoyo Tour: $120
- Dar es Salaam Guided City Experience (Shared Group): $130
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour (Full Day With Private Guide And Car): $140
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour: $150
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
- 4 Hour Food and Heritage Walking Tour in Penang George Town: $93
- 4-Hour Heritage Walking Tour of Georgetown: $60
- 4-Hour Private Heritage Tour in George Town: $68
- 6 Hours Highlights of Penang Shared Tour : $75
- 6-Hours Penang Private Tour: $169
- 8 Hours of Penang Tour: $60
- All-Inclusive Penang George Town Private Tour: $154
- Asia Camera Museum Admission Ticket: $6.10
- Back of the Bike Street Food Experience – Real Penang!: $88
- Best of Historical George Town Half Day Tour: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDar es Salaam $7.97Penang $18
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 Dar es Salaam and Penang, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Penang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam 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 Penang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Penang 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 Dar es Salaam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dar es Salaam than you might in Penang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dar es Salaam Expensive? and Is Penang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dar es Salaam or Penang?
Dar es Salaam has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Dar es Salaam 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 Dar es Salaam 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 Dar es Salaam or Penang in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Penang. Dar es Salaam 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. Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in July than Penang. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 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. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dar es Salaam this time of the year. In the summer, Dar es Salaam often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Penang. Dar es Salaam gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Penang receives 211 hours of full sun.
In July, Dar es Salaam is generally around the same temperature as Penang. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 25°C (77°F), and Penang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDar es Salaam 25°C (77°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Penang in the Autumn?
Both Penang and Dar es Salaam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dar es Salaam 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 October, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Penang. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Penang receives 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Penang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Penang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDar es Salaam 25°C (78°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Penang in the Winter?
Both Penang and Dar es Salaam during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dar es Salaam because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round.
Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in January than Penang. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Penang receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Penang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dar es Salaam in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Penang averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDar es Salaam 28°C (82°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Penang in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Penang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Penang receives a lot of rain in the spring. Dar es Salaam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Penang. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 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. Dar es Salaam usually receives less sunshine than Penang during spring. Dar es Salaam gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Penang receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Dar es Salaam is generally around the same temperature as Penang. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 27°C (81°F), and Penang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDar es Salaam 27°C (81°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Penang and Dar es Salaam
| Dar es Salaam | Penang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 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.