Which place is cheaper, Penang or Koh Lanta?
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 Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta 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: Koh Lanta or Penang?
Koh Lanta
Located on the southern coast of Thailand is a place populated by long beaches and diving hotspots. Consisting of several islands, Koh Lanta is a large island with nine beaches along the coast. The beautiful scenery makes this a quiet and relaxing spot for tourists. The crowds on this island tend to be older than the party-seekers on Ko Phi Phi so you'll find more activities like serene walks on the beach or travelers catching a sunset.
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 Thailand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia.
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Koh Lanta Prices
Thailand PricesPenang Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Lanta $64Penang $144
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Lanta is $64, while the average daily cost in Penang is $144. 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 Koh Lanta and Penang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Lanta $28Penang $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Lanta $56Penang $110
Compare Hotels in Koh Lanta and Penang
Looking for a hotel in Koh Lanta 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: Koh Lanta Hotel Prices and Penang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Lanta $6.52Penang $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Lanta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Lanta:
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Ferry from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta$19
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$1.43
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Island Ferry$0.57
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Bus From Airport to George Town$0.64
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Taxi From Airport to George Town$11
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Motorbike Rental (One Day)$7.13
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Bicycle Rental (One Day)$2.38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Penang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Penang:
- Chauffeur: Penang Island to Singapore Van Transfer: $147
- Full-Day Private Transfer in Penang City : $277
- Penang Airport (PEN) to Swettenham Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Penang Airport Transfer ( 24/7): $59
- Penang Airport Transfer - Arrival or Departure: $36
- Penang Balik Pulau Countryside Morning Cycling with Transfers: $33
- Penang City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $140
- Penang City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City Hotels One-way Transfer: $140
- Penang City to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $107
- Penang City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $140
- Penang Island hotels to Swettenham Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $58
- Penang Island to Penang Airport(PEN) - Departure Private transfer: $19
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Lanta or Penang?
Prices for flights to both Penang and Koh Lanta 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 dayKoh Lanta $21Penang $64
Typical Food Prices in Koh Lanta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Lanta:
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Casual Breakfast$5.02
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Casual Lunch$8.48
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Casual Dinner$14
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$53
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$1.90
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Dinner at The Suffolk House (for 2)$81
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Lunch at Sakae Sushi (for 2)$69
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Lassy Juice$1.66
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Dinner for 2$3.57
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Street Stall Food$0.67
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.52
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Italian Lunch (for Two)$11
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: $45
- Good Morning Penang Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Penang Food Tour - Georgetown: $62
- Local Street Food Tour in Georgetown Penang : $62
- Eat Like A Local: Penang Street Food Tour: $62
- 3-Hour Heritage on a Plate Dinner Hop in George Town Penang: $65
- 4-Hour Georgetown Food Tour: $88
- Authentic Local Food Tour with Scenic Walk: $89
- Malay Culinary Journey Cooking Class for the Adventurous Foodie: $92
- Authentic Indian Penang Cooking Class: $92
- Penang Cooking Class:Dive into Malaysian Cuisine with PenangChiak: $94
- Private Half Day Penang Tasty Local Street Food Tour: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Lanta $35Penang $55
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Lanta
Here are a few typical costs in Koh Lanta for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Emerald Cave Tour$22
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Yoga Session (1 Hour)$11
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$7.37
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Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$7.13
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Fort Cornwallis Entrance$0.48
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Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Entrance$2.38
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: $6.10
- Guided Tour of Cheong Fatt Tze's Blue Mansion in George Town: $6.35
- Tech Dome Entrance Ticket: $6.92
- Straits and Oriental Museum Ticket: $7.32
- Tropical Spice Garden Entrance Ticket & Guided Tours: $8.16
- Penang Hill Funicular Ticket: $8.35
- The Vanilla Village Farm Tour by Kairos: $9.39
- Malaysia: Penang Habitat Entry Ticket: $15
- Explore Remarkable Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Malaysia: Discover Nature's Wonders with Entopia Entry Ticket: $17
- Penang Rainbow Skywalk at The Top Komtar Observation Deck Tickets: $22
- Entopia Butterfly and Nature Discovery Park Entry Ticket Penang : $28
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Lanta $4.36Penang $18
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$1.90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Lanta and Penang, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Koh Lanta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Lanta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Lanta Expensive? and Is Penang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Lanta or Penang?
Penang has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Koh Lanta. When comparing the sizes of Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta 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 Koh Lanta or Penang in the Summer?
Both Penang and Koh Lanta are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lanta throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Penang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Koh Lanta is June to September. It rains a lot this time of the year in Penang. It's quite rainy in Koh Lanta. In July, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Penang. Koh Lanta gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Penang receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Penang. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Penang during summer. Koh Lanta gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Penang receives 211 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Penang. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Lanta in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Penang averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Lanta 27°C (81°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Penang in the Autumn?
Both Penang and Koh Lanta during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lanta 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually gets less rain in October than Penang. Koh Lanta gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Penang receives 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Koh Lanta is generally around the same temperature as Penang. Daily temperatures in Koh Lanta average around 27°C (81°F), and Penang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Lanta 27°C (81°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Penang in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lanta and Penang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lanta year-round. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
January to April in Koh Lanta is the dry season. In January, Koh Lanta usually receives less rain than Penang. Koh Lanta gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Penang receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Penang in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Penang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Lanta 27°C (80°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Penang in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Koh Lanta as well as Penang. Koh Lanta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year.
Also, January to April in Koh Lanta is the dry season. June to September in Koh Lanta is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Penang. Koh Lanta receives a lot of rain in the spring. Koh Lanta usually gets less rain in April than Penang. Koh Lanta gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Penang receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Penang. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Koh Lanta this time of the year. In the spring, Koh Lanta often gets more sunshine than Penang. Koh Lanta gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Penang receives 218 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Penang. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Lanta in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Penang averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Lanta 29°C (85°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Penang and Koh Lanta
| Koh Lanta | Penang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 355 mm (14 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 116 mm (4.6 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.