Which place is cheaper, Penang or Eilat?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Eilat or Penang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Eilat 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: Eilat or Penang?
Eilat
Eilat serves as the gateway to Israel from Egypt. It's located at the southern tip of the country and sits on the Red Sea with views of the Gulf of Aqaba. It's location in the Negev Desert along the beautiful coast make it appealing to both domestic and international vacationers.
Eilat is a resort town with many dive shops and snorkeling opportunities. The population of about 50,000 can easily be overshadowed by vacationers. With no shortage of sun, entertainment, bars, and partying, you will find both Israeli and international tourists looking for an oasis of fun and relaxation.
Although the area's coral reefs were being damaged by overuse, the removal of contraversial fish cages in 2008 has led to a slow recovery and an improvement in the quality of diving and snorkeling in the area. There are also less crowds than you will find in Sharm el-Sheikh or Dahab, Egypt.
Eilat has a hot desert climate. The summers are hot and dry and the winters are warm and dry. Temperatures in the winter can range from 52 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit and summer temperatures are usually between 79 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
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 Israel, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Israel, The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEilat $140Penang $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Eilat is $140, 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 Eilat and Penang in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEilat $93Penang $49
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEilat $186Penang $98
Compare Hotels in Eilat and Penang
Looking for a hotel in Eilat 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: Eilat Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Eilat $13Penang $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Eilat
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Eilat:
-
Local Bus$3.71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Eilat
Also for Eilat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Jerusalem: One-Way Shuttle Transfer to Eilat: $90
- Private Transfer From Ramon airport Eilat to Eilat Hotels or Arava Border : $70
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Penang
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Penang:
-
Local Bus$1.26
-
Island Ferry$0.50
-
Bus From Airport to George Town$0.57
-
Taxi From Airport to George Town$9.64
-
Motorbike Rental (One Day)$6.29
-
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 Eilat or Penang?
Prices for flights to both Penang and Eilat 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 dayEilat $35Penang $33
Typical Food Prices in Penang
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Penang:
-
Snack$1.68
-
Dinner at The Suffolk House (for 2)$72
-
Lunch at Sakae Sushi (for 2)$61
-
Lassy Juice$1.47
-
Dinner for 2$3.14
-
Street Stall Food$0.59
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$3.98
-
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Eilat $16Penang $49
Tours and Activities in Eilat
For Eilat, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Glass Bottom Boat Cruise in Eilat: $30
- Jeep tour adventure Eilat mountains: $55
- From Timna Park Guided Jeep Tour: $63
- Red canyon jeep tour in Eilat: $70
- Timna park Jeep tour adventure: $70
- Park Timna: Small Group Photo Tour: $130
- Red Canyon: Small Group Photo Tour: $130
- Timna Park Tour from Eilat: $150
- Petra 1-Day Tour from Eilat + FREE Traditional Lunch: $199
- Full-Day Tour of Petra from Eilat: $199
- 1 Day Tour to Petra From Eilat: $217
- Day Tour to Petra from Eilat: $219
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$6.50
-
Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$6.29
-
Fort Cornwallis Entrance$0.42
-
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayEilat $27Penang $15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Penang
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Penang:
-
Beer$1.68
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Eilat and Penang, we can see that Eilat is more expensive. And not only is Penang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Eilat 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 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 Eilat would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Eilat 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 Eilat Expensive? and Is Penang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Eilat or Penang?
Penang has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Eilat. When comparing the sizes of Eilat 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 Eilat 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 Eilat or Penang in the Summer?
Both Penang and Eilat during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Eilat 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. Eilat usually gets less rain in July than Penang. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 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 Eilat. In the summer, Eilat often gets more sunshine than Penang. Eilat gets 384 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Penang receives 211 hours of full sun.
It's very hot in Eilat this time of the year. Eilat is a little warmer than Penang in the summer. The daily temperature in Eilat averages around 33°C (91°F) in July, and Penang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyEilat 33°C (91°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Eilat or Penang in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Eilat and Penang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Eilat 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, Eilat usually receives less rain than Penang. Eilat gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Penang receives 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Eilat is around the same temperature as Penang. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Eilat in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Penang averages at about 27°C (81°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberEilat 26°C (79°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Eilat or Penang in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Eilat as well as Penang. Eilat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year.
Eilat usually gets less rain in January than Penang. Eilat gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Penang receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Eilat is generally much colder than Penang. Daily temperatures in Eilat average around 14°C (57°F), and Penang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryEilat 14°C (57°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Eilat or Penang in the Spring?
Both Penang and Eilat are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Eilat 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, Eilat usually receives less rain than Penang. Eilat gets 0 mm (0 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 Eilat. Eilat usually receives more sunshine than Penang during spring. Eilat gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Penang receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.
Eilat is cooler than Penang in the spring. The daily temperature in Eilat averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Penang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilEilat 24°C (75°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Penang and Eilat
| Eilat | Penang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 6 mm (0.2 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.