Which place is cheaper, Penang or Kathmandu?
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 Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu 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: Kathmandu or Penang?
Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the capital and largest city in the country of Nepal. Its metropolitan area forms one large urban area that includes the area of Patan to the south. As of 2011 there were 2.5 million residents in the Kathmandu metropolis and over 3 million in the entire metropolitan area. Kathmandu is likely to be your entry point into Nepal and is a great place to pick up supplies and arrange the details for any treks you hope to do. Many travelers rush through Kathmandu, turned off by the pollution and crowds, but to skip Kathmandu is to miss a major cultural, financial, and influential part of what defines the country of Nepal. The city itself is quite fun to explore if you allow it enough time and an open mind.
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 Nepal, The Best 10-Day Tours in Nepal, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia.
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Kathmandu Prices
Nepal PricesPenang Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKathmandu $55Penang $148
The average daily cost (per person) in Kathmandu is $55, while the average daily cost in Penang is $148. 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 Kathmandu and Penang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKathmandu $35Penang $57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKathmandu $70Penang $114
Compare Hotels in Kathmandu and Penang
Looking for a hotel in Kathmandu 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: Kathmandu Hotel Prices and Penang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kathmandu $6.10Penang $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kathmandu
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Kathmandu:
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Taxi Ride$1.32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kathmandu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kathmandu:
- Buddha Air Mount Everest Experience with Transfers: $190
- Chandragiri Hill Cable Car Tour with Hotel Transfers from Kathmandu: $60
- Chitwan to Pokhara Transfer by Private AC Car (One Way): $80
- Kathmandu ↔ Chitwan Private Transfer: $131
- Kathmandu Airport Departure Transfer – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $9.00
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer Service: $7.50
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfer: Arrival or Departure Service: $15
- Kathmandu Airport Private Transfers: $16
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer (Airport to Hotel or Hotel to Airport): $8.00
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer Service: $18
- Kathmandu Airport Transfer to hotels – Easy, Safe & Hassle-Free: $20
- Kathmandu VIP Airport Arrival Meet & Greet with Private Transfer: $150
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$1.47
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Island Ferry$0.59
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Bus From Airport to George Town$0.66
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Taxi From Airport to George Town$11
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Motorbike Rental (One Day)$7.34
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Bicycle Rental (One Day)$2.45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Penang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Penang:
- Penang Airport Transfer: $15
- Private Transfer from Penang International Airport to Your Hotel: $18
- Penang Island to Penang Airport(PEN) - Departure Private transfer: $18
- Private Transfer - Penang Airport (PEN) to Swettenham Cruise Port: $21
- Private Transfer - Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Airport (PEN): $21
- Private Transfer from Swettenham Cruise Terminal to Penang Island: $21
- Private Transfer from Penang Island to Swettenham Cruise Terminal: $21
- Penang One-Way Private Airport Transfer (TO or FROM Hotel): $24
- Penang Airport Transfer - Arrival or Departure: $37
- Private Economy Penang Airport Transfer-Arrival: $48
- Private Transfer: Penang International Airport to or from Hotel: $49
- Penang Island hotels to Swettenham Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $55
Is it cheaper to fly into Kathmandu or Penang?
Prices for flights to both Penang and Kathmandu 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 dayKathmandu $13Penang $66
Typical Food Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Dessert$1.19
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Dinner for Two$2.64
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kathmandu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kathmandu.
- Local Foodie Food Tour around Durbar Square: $15
- Momo, Dhalbhat & Thukpa Cooking Class, Nepal: $25
- Best Nepali Cooking Class in Thamel with Local Market Trip: $30
- Momo Cooking Class -The Art Of Making MoMo with Home Chef: $35
- Kathmandu Kitchens Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
- Newari Cooking Class with a Home Chef- From market to the plate.: $50
- Yomari and Bara Newari Food Cooking Class Cultural Experience: $50
- Food Tour in Kathmandu: $57
- Cooking Class with HSJ: $60
- Half Day Nepal Cooking Class in Thamel: $60
- Authentic Nepali Dinner with Live Cultural Show: $65
- Cooking Tour in Kathmandu - Learn as Local with Nepalese Family: $70
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$1.96
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Dinner at The Suffolk House (for 2)$84
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Lunch at Sakae Sushi (for 2)$71
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Lassy Juice$1.71
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Dinner for 2$3.67
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Street Stall Food$0.69
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.65
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Italian Lunch (for Two)$12
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: $49
- Good Morning Penang 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: $54
- 3-Hour Heritage on a Plate Dinner Hop in George Town Penang: $65
- Eat Like A Local: Penang Street Food Tour: $65
- Penang Forest Island Catamaran Cruise with Dinner and Activities: $80
- Authentic Local Food Tour with Scenic Walk: $89
- Penang Cooking Class:Dive into Malaysian Cuisine with PenangChiak: $94
- Private Half Day Penang Tasty Local Street Food Tour: $99
- Malay Culinary Journey Cooking Class for the Adventurous Foodie: $102
- Rathika's Malaysian Cooking Class with Wet Market Tour: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kathmandu $7.05Penang $57
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kathmandu
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kathmandu are as follows:
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Monkey Temple for Two$1.32
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Patan Durbar Square Entrance for Two$3.30
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Swayambhunath Stupa$1.32
Tours and Activities in Kathmandu
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kathmandu are as follows:
- Private Chandragiri Cable Car, Temple Visit & Monkey Temple Tour: $5.00
- Full Day Top 4 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $7.60
- Full Day 7 UNESCO Tour with Lunch - Private/Group: $7.60
- Kathmandu Sightseeing | UNESCO World Heritage sites Private/Group: $8.00
- Private UNESCO World Heritage Tour | Top 4 UNESCO Site: $9.00
- Kathmandu to Chitwan Tourist Bus Tickets: $9.50
- Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha Hike & Tour - Private/Group: $9.50
- KATHMANDU FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING TOUR (6-hrs): $10
- Kathmandu UNESCO Tour & Tibetan Singing Bowl/Sound Healing: $10
- Chitwan to Bandipur Tourist Bus Luxury Sofa Seater: $10
- Nagarkot Sunrise & Hike to Changu Narayan Day Tour from Kathmandu: $10
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites Private & Small Group Tour: $10
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$7.59
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Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$7.34
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Fort Cornwallis Entrance$0.49
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Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Entrance$2.45
Tours and Activities in Penang
Here are a few actual costs in Penang for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- George Town Penang App Guided Street Art Tour: $5.00
- Self Guided Podcast Tour George Town Tapestry of Faith: $5.48
- Malaysia: Penang The Blue Mansion - Daily Tour: $6.06
- Guided Tour of Cheong Fatt Tze's Blue Mansion in George Town: $6.35
- Podcast Tour George Town Unveiling the Peranakan Tapestry: $6.85
- Tech Dome Entrance Ticket: $6.92
- Straits and Oriental Museum Ticket: $7.53
- Tropical Spice Garden Entrance Ticket & Guided Tours: $8.15
- The Vanilla Village Farm Tour by Kairos: $9.39
- Penang Hill Funicular Ticket - Non-Malaysian: $11
- Entopia by Night Entrance Ticket: $12
- Malaysia: Penang Habitat Entry Ticket: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKathmandu $5.02Penang $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Kathmandu
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kathmandu:
- Kathmandu Nightlife and Pub Crawl Tour: $50
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$1.96
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kathmandu and Penang, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Kathmandu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kathmandu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kathmandu 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 Kathmandu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kathmandu Expensive? and Is Penang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kathmandu or Penang?
Kathmandu has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Kathmandu 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.
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.