Which place is cheaper, Penang or Karachi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Karachi or Penang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Karachi 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: Karachi or Penang?
Karachi
Karachi is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the most populous city in Pakistan, and sixth most populous city proper in the world. Karachi, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is the financial and commercial center of the nation, as well as its largest port. The pace of life here is more hurried, and social attitudes are far more liberal than elsewhere in Pakistan. Locals call it the City of Lights, the City of The Quaid, and the City that Never Sleeps. The city credits its growth to the mixed populations of economic and political migrants along with refugees from different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins, who generally come to the city to settle permanently.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Pakistan, The Best Historical Tours in Pakistan, The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKarachi $26Penang $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Karachi is $26, 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 Karachi and Penang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKarachi $11Penang $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKarachi $22Penang $98
Compare Hotels in Karachi and Penang
Looking for a hotel in Karachi 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: Karachi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Karachi $4.58Penang $12
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$1.26
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Island Ferry$0.50
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Bus From Airport to George Town$0.57
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Taxi From Airport to George Town$9.64
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Motorbike Rental (One Day)$6.29
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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 Karachi or Penang?
Prices for flights to both Penang and Karachi 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 dayKarachi $11Penang $33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Karachi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Karachi.
- Private Karachi Street Food Tour: $94
- Half-Day Karachi Burns Road Private Victoria Ride with Dinner: $100
- Street Food Tour of Karachi: $199
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$1.68
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Dinner at The Suffolk House (for 2)$72
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Lunch at Sakae Sushi (for 2)$61
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Lassy Juice$1.47
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Dinner for 2$3.14
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Street Stall Food$0.59
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$3.98
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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.
- 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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Karachi $5.07Penang $49
Tours and Activities in Karachi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Karachi are as follows:
- Karachi City Tour : $129
- UNESCO World Heritage Tour Near Karachi : $150
- Karachi Sightseeing Private tour: $159
- Full Day Private Tour in Karachi City: $161
- Full Day Private Tour to Mohatta Palace Zainab and Burns road: $195
- Experience local village life in Sindh: $200
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$6.50
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Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$6.29
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Fort Cornwallis Entrance$0.42
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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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKarachi $3.35Penang $15
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$1.68
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Karachi and Penang, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Karachi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Karachi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karachi 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 Karachi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Karachi Expensive? and Is Penang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Karachi or Penang?
Karachi has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Karachi 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 Karachi or Penang?
Karachi 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 Karachi or Penang in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Karachi and Penang. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Karachi is generally a little warmer than Penang. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 30°C (86°F), and Penang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Penang this time of the year. Karachi usually receives less sunshine than Penang during summer. Karachi gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Penang receives 211 hours of full sun in the summer.
Penang receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Karachi usually receives less rain than Penang. Karachi gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Penang receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKarachi 30°C (86°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Penang in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Karachi as well as Penang. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year.
Karachi is around the same temperature as Penang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Penang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite rainy in Penang. Karachi usually gets less rain in October than Penang. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Penang receives 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKarachi 29°C (84°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Penang in the Winter?
Both Penang and Karachi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Penang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Karachi is cooler than Penang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Karachi in January average around 19°C (66°F), and Penang averages at about 28°C (82°F).
In January, Karachi usually receives less rain than Penang. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Penang receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKarachi 19°C (66°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Penang in the Spring?
Both Penang and Karachi during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round.
In April, Karachi is generally around the same temperature as Penang. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 29°C (84°F), and Penang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Penang, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Karachi. In the spring, Karachi often gets more sunshine than Penang. Karachi gets 277 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Penang receives 218 hours of full sun.
Penang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Karachi usually gets less rain in April than Penang. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Penang receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKarachi 29°C (84°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Penang and Karachi
| Karachi | Penang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.