Which place is cheaper, Penang or Hue?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Hue 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 Hue 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: Hue or Penang?
Hue
Hue is a major city in central Vietnam and was historically the imperial capital. The city was the base for the imperial Nguyen Dynasty, which ruled from 1802 to 1945. During the Vietnam War the city faced many challenges. It was conquered by the Viet Cong and held for 24 days. During this time about 3,000 people were slaughtered for their political views, education level, or religious affiliation.
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 Eco Tours in Vietnam, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Vietnam, The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHue $48Penang $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Hue is $48, 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 Hue and Penang in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHue $23Penang $49
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHue $46Penang $98
Compare Hotels in Hue and Penang
Looking for a hotel in Hue 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: Hue Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hue $12Penang $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hue
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Hue:
-
Cyclo$0.48
-
Short Taxi Ride$0.88
-
Taxi Ride to Tombs$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hue
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hue:
- Da Nang Airport: Private Transfer to/from Hue City: $107
- Da Nang City : Private Car Transfer to Da Nang/From Hue City: $95
- Da Nang: Airport Transfer Pick up Service: $5.91
- Da Nang: Private Car Transfer to Hue Via My Son Sanctuary: $139
- Daily Transfer Hue - Hoi An with sightseeing on the way: $63
- Danang: Transfer to/from Hue by Private Car via Hai Van Pass: $41
- Deluxe Transfer Hue to Hoi An by Amazing way: $25
- From Da Nang : Private Transfer to Hue via Hai Van pass: $35
- From Hue : Transfer Hue To Hoi An with Sightseeing: $16
- From Hue Private Transfer to Phong Nha via DMZ & sightseeing: $67
- From Hue to Golden Bridge - Ba Na Via Hai Van Pass (Private Roundtrip Transfer): $85
- From Bach Ma National Park Private Car Transfer: $121
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:
- Private Penang Arrival transfer to Hotel: $12
- Private Arrival Transfer : Penang International Airport: $13
- Private Transfer : Penang International Airport Departure: $13
- Private Departure Transfer : Penang International Airport: $15
- Private Arrival Transfer : Penang International Airport: $15
- Penang Airport Transfer to Georgetown/City Hotel or Resort/Beach Hotel: $18
- Private Economy Penang Airport Transfer-Arrival: $25
- Private Transfer From Penang Airport to Town Area: $26
- Private Economy Penang Airport Transfer-Departure: $29
- Penang Airport Transfer ( 24/7): $29
- Swettenham Pier to Penang Airport(PEN)-Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Swettenham Pier Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Hue or Penang?
Prices for flights to both Penang and Hue 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 dayHue $15Penang $33
Typical Food Prices in Hue
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hue are as follows:
-
River Night Market Dinner (for Two)$7.99
-
Two Sugarcane Drinks$0.80
-
Quick Lunch (for Two)$2.20
-
Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$4.39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hue
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hue.
- Private Healthy Cooking Class In Ancient Vietnamese Garden: $20
- Hue Walking Street Food Tour: $27
- Walking street food tour: $30
- Hue : Vegetarian Cooking Class with Local Family: $31
- Vietnamese Cooking Class with Local Family in Hue: $31
- Hue Food Tour by Walking or Cyclo or Motorcycle with Driver: $33
- Hue Food Tour by Walking or Cyclo or Motorbike with Driver: $33
- Home Cooking Class in Hue City : $35
- Hue Walking Food Tour: $35
- Best Hue Street Food Tour: $35
- Exploring Hue Food Tour with Local Guide : $35
- Home Vegan/Vegetarian Cooking Class with Local Girl: $35
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.Hue $11Penang $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hue
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hue are as follows:
-
Boat Ride$7.79
-
Bicycle Rental (One Day)$1.12
-
Imperial Citadel Entrance$3.20
-
Massage at Institute for the Blind$1.60
Tours and Activities in Hue
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hue are as follows:
- Traditional Singing on Huong River Ticket: $3.82
- Hue City Tour by Private Car & English Speaking Driver: $8.80
- Hue Car Rental: Sightseeing City Day Trip by Car with Driver: $9.23
- Sightseeing Travel Bus from Hue to Hoi An: $12
- Discover Vietnamese Cuisine E-Ticket: $15
- Hue Hoi An Bus Tour Sightseeing via Hai Van Pass 4 Stops: $15
- Sightseeing Bus from Hue to Hoi An (Seat in Coach): $15
- Hue Imperial City Sightseeing Full-Day Trip From Hue: $16
- From Hue : Full-Day Hue Imperial City Tour with Lunch: $16
- Hue : City Highlights Full Day Tour with Lunch: $16
- BUS TOUR HUE - PHONG NHA: $16
- HUE - HOI AN BUS TOUR (S.I.C): $16
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:
- Asia Camera Museum Admission Ticket: $5.38
- Malaysia: The Blue Mansion - Daily Tour: $5.67
- Tech Dome Entrance Ticket: $6.11
- Guided Tour of Cheong Fatt Tze's Blue Mansion in George Town: $6.35
- Tropical Spice Garden E-Ticket: $7.17
- Skip the Line: Admission Ticket - General: $7.18
- TeddyVille Museum Penang Malaysia Entry Ticket: $8.27
- Penang Hill Funicular Ticket: $8.35
- Wonderfood Museum in Penang Admission Ticket: $8.54
- Wonderfood Museum in Penang Admission Ticket: $8.71
- Admission Ticket for Dark Mansion Glow-in-the-Dark Museum in Penang: $8.80
- Penang Street Food in Georgetown and History Walking Audio Tour: $10
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHue $5.79Penang $15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hue
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hue:
-
Beer$1.00
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 Hue and Penang, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Hue much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hue would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hue 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 Hue.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hue Expensive? and Is Penang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hue or Penang?
Hue has a larger population, and is about 61% larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Hue 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 Hue or Penang?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Hue or Penang in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hue and Penang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hue year-round. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
March to August in Hue is the dry season. Also, September to December is the rainy season in Hue. Penang receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Hue usually receives less rain than Penang. Hue gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Penang receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Penang this time of the year. In Hue, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hue usually receives more sunshine than Penang during summer. Hue gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Penang receives 211 hours of full sun in the summer.
Hue is around the same temperature as Penang in the summer. The daily temperature in Hue averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Penang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyHue 29°C (85°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Hue or Penang in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hue as well as Penang. Hue attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year.
September to December in Hue is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Penang. Hue receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hue usually gets more rain in October than Penang. Hue gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Penang receives 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Hue is around the same temperature as Penang. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hue in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Penang averages at about 27°C (81°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHue 25°C (78°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Hue or Penang in the Winter?
Both Penang and Hue are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hue 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 Hue is March to August. It's quite rainy in Hue. In January, Hue usually receives more rain than Penang. Hue gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Penang receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In January, Hue is generally cooler than Penang. Daily temperatures in Hue average around 22°C (71°F), and Penang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHue 22°C (71°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Hue or Penang in the Spring?
Both Penang and Hue during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hue 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. Hue usually gets less rain in April than Penang. Hue gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Penang receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Penang, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hue. In the spring, Hue often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Penang. Hue gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Penang receives 218 hours of full sun.
Hue is around the same temperature as Penang in the spring. The daily temperature in Hue averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Penang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilHue 26°C (80°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Penang and Hue
| Hue | Penang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (85°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 331 mm (13 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 613 mm (24.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (76°F) | 376 mm (14.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 223 mm (8.8 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.