Which place is cheaper, Penang or Helsinki?
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 Helsinki 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 Helsinki 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: Helsinki or Penang?
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital of Finland and dates back to 1550. Helsinki is an international metropolis with a diverse population, but also a small town vibe. The city itself has a population of just over 600,000 but the metropolitan area, including Espoo and Vantaa, has a population of more than 1.3 million. There are many outdoor bars and cafes that take advantage of the warmer summer months. During this time there are long days, and the population floods into the street after a long and cold winter, so visiting during the summer is a fun and lively experience.
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 Finland, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Finland, The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia.
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Helsinki Prices
Finland PricesPenang Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHelsinki €164Penang €131
The average daily cost (per person) in Helsinki is €164, while the average daily cost in Penang is €131. 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 Helsinki and Penang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHelsinki €73Penang €50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHelsinki €146Penang €100
Compare Hotels in Helsinki and Penang
Looking for a hotel in Helsinki 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: Helsinki Hotel Prices and Penang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Helsinki €22Penang €13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Helsinki
Also for Helsinki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer: Airport HEL to Helsinki by Business Car: $105
- Airport Transfer: Helsinki Airport HEL to Helsinki by Luxury Van: $112
- Airport Transfer: Helsinki to Helsinki Airport HEL by Luxury Van: $112
- Arrival Transfer: Airport HEL to Helsinki by Business Car: $105
- Arrival Transfer: Helsinki Airport HEL to Helsinki by MB Van: $112
- Departure Transfer: Helsinki to Airport HEL by Luxury Van: $112
- Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
- Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $137
- Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $137
- Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki West Terminal Private Transfer: $68
- Helsinki City Private Departure Transfer to Helsinki Airport HEL: $66
- Helsinki Private Airport & City Transfer: $88
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€1.30
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Island Ferry€0.52
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Bus From Airport to George Town€0.59
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Taxi From Airport to George Town€9.97
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Motorbike Rental (One Day)€6.50
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Bicycle Rental (One Day)€2.17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Penang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Penang:
- 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: $57
- Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $113
- Private Transfer: Penang Island to or from Perak: $140
- Private Transfer: Penang International Airport to or from Hotel: $49
- Private Transfer from Swettenham Cruise Terminal to Penang Island: $21
- Private Transfer from Penang Island to Swettenham Cruise Terminal: $21
- Private Transfer from Penang International Airport to Your Hotel: $18
- Private Transfer Penang Airport To/From Hotel (1way only): $20
- Private Transfer : Penang Hotel/Port to Kuala Lumpur Hotel: $176
- Private Transfer - Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Airport (PEN): $21
- Private Half Day Tour to Penang Island with Transfer Included: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Helsinki or Penang?
Prices for flights to both Penang and Helsinki 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 dayHelsinki €59Penang €59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Helsinki Authentic Walking Food Tour with 8 Local Tastings: $121
- From Moose & Wildlife Safari with Campfire Dinner: $171
- FOOD Tour with Roof Top Bar in Helsinki: $176
- Stones & Slices: Raasepori Castle Ruins, Ekenäs Old Town & Pizza: $235
- Helsinki Food Tour: A Culinary Experience with a Local: $270
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€1.73
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Dinner at The Suffolk House (for 2)€74
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Lunch at Sakae Sushi (for 2)€63
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Lassy Juice€1.52
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Dinner for 2€3.25
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Street Stall Food€0.61
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Casual Lunch (for Two)€4.12
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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: $49
- Penang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Private Half-Day Hawker Trails Food Tour in George Town: $51
- Penang Food Tour : A Feast That Taste Like History : 17+ Tasting: $55
- 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
- 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
- Private Dinner at THE TOP with Skywalk Experience from Penang: $103
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Helsinki €27Penang €50
Tours and Activities in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- The 1st Helsinki Free Tour - Since 2016: $3.54
- Helsinki Free Walking Tour en Español Small Group: $5.88
- Helsinki Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Helsinki Historic Downtown Self Guided Walking Audio Tour: $7.19
- Helsinki Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.24
- A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Helsinki's Historical Highlights: $12
- A Finntastic Walking Tour in Helsinki: $24
- Discover Helsinki City Walk - Multiple Tours Daily: $24
- TAITO: The Helsinki Design, Industry & Architecture Walking Tour: $29
- Suomenlinna Ferry and Guided Walking Tour in the Fortress: $31
- Sightseeing Cruise in Archipelago of Helsinki: $33
- Helsinki Evening Cruise: $33
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€6.72
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Trishaw Tour (One Hour)€6.50
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Fort Cornwallis Entrance€0.43
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Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Entrance€2.17
Tours and Activities in Penang
Here are a few actual costs in Penang for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3 Hour of Penang Street Food Walkabout Tour The Heritage Site: $49
- 4-Hour Private Heritage Tour in George Town: $71
- 8 Hours of Penang Tour: $60
- All-Inclusive Penang George Town Private Tour: $159
- Back of the Bike Street Food Experience – Real Penang!: $119
- Best of Historical George Town Half Day Tour: $80
- Bukit Merah Orang Utan and Penang City Private Tour: $140
- Customizable Penang Private Tour (8hrs usage): $66
- Day Tour of Penang with Train Ride To Penang Hill: $170
- Discover Georgetown Heritage Private Tour in Penang: $55
- Discover Penang City in Amazing Tour: $88
- Discover Penang Heritage Gems Hill Views and Nature Full Day Tour: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHelsinki €16Penang €16
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€1.73
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Helsinki and Penang, we can see that Helsinki is more expensive. And not only is Penang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Helsinki is in Europe 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 Helsinki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Helsinki 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 Helsinki Expensive? and Is Penang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Penang?
Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki 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 Helsinki or Penang?
Helsinki has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Penang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Helsinki or Penang in the Summer?
Both Penang and Helsinki during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round.
In the summer, Helsinki is much colder than Penang. Typically, the summer temperatures in Helsinki in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Penang averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In Penang, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Helsinki. In the summer, Helsinki often gets more sunshine than Penang. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Penang receives 211 hours of full sun.
Penang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Helsinki usually gets less rain in July than Penang. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Penang receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHelsinki 17°C (62°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or Penang in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Penang. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Helsinki is generally much colder than Penang. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 6°C (42°F), and Penang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Penang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Penang. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Penang receives 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHelsinki 6°C (42°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or Penang in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Penang. Many visitors come to Helsinki in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year.
Helsinki can get quite cold in the winter. Helsinki is much colder than Penang in the winter. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around -6°C (21°F) in January, and Penang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Helsinki usually gets less rain in January than Penang. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Penang receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHelsinki -6°C (21°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or Penang in the Spring?
Both Penang and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Helsinki for the natural beauty during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Penang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Helsinki can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Helsinki is much colder than Penang. Typically, the spring temperatures in Helsinki in April average around 3°C (37°F), and Penang averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Penang. Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Penang during spring. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Penang receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Penang. In April, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Penang. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Penang receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHelsinki 3°C (37°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Penang and Helsinki
| Helsinki | Penang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -6°C (21°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (27°F) | 34 mm (1.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (51°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (33°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Dec | -4°C (26°F) | 58 mm (2.3 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.