A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Tarutao vs. Penang for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Koh Tarutao or Penang?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Koh Tarutao and Penang. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Koh Tarutao or Penang?

Koh Tarutao

While much of Thailand has been built up into a tourist destination of hotels and resorts, there are spots that are still untouched and covered in the beauty of this part of the world. The unspoiled regions of the Ko Tarutao Marine National Park is 51 islands of rainforest ready for visitors. Established in 1974, the park is the second oldest in the country, and was the setting for the 2002 season of the reality television show Survivor. The park includes stunning coral reefs, pristine white beaches and wildlife of all shapes and sizes. Trek through and keep your eyes out for mouse deer, wild pigs, sea otters, tree pythons, sea eagles, hornbills, reef egrets and so much more.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best Cultural Tours in Thailand, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia.


Which place is cheaper, Penang or Koh Tarutao?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Tarutao is $99, while the average daily cost in Penang is $104. 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 Tarutao and Penang in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Tarutao $50
    Penang $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Tarutao $100
    Penang $98
Compare Hotels in Koh Tarutao and Penang

Looking for a hotel in Koh Tarutao 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.

Hotels in Koh Tarutao


Hotels in Penang


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koh Tarutao $34
    Penang $12

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Penang

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Penang:


  • Local Bus
    $1.27
  • Island Ferry
    $0.51
  • Bus From Airport to George Town
    $0.57
  • Taxi From Airport to George Town
    $9.71
  • Motorbike Rental (One Day)
    $6.33
  • Bicycle Rental (One Day)
    $2.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Penang

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Penang:

  • Swettenham Pier to Penang Airport(PEN)-Departure Private Transfer: $38
  • 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: $38
  • Private Transfer: Penang Island to or from Perak: $131
  • Private Transfer: Penang International Airport to or from Hotel: $49
  • Private Transfer from Penang Island to Swettenham Cruise Terminal: $39
  • Private Transfer : Penang International Airport Departure: $13
  • Private Transfer : Penang Hotel to Kuala Lumpur Hotel: $188
  • Private Transfer - Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Airport (PEN): $38
  • Private Transfer - Penang Airport (PEN) to Swettenham Cruise Port: $38
  • Private Economy Penang Airport Transfer-Departure: $29
  • Private Economy Penang Airport Transfer-Arrival: $25

Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Tarutao or Penang?

Prices for flights to both Penang and Koh Tarutao 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 day
    Koh Tarutao $29
    Penang $33

Typical Food Prices in Penang

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Penang:


  • Snack
    $1.69
  • Dinner at The Suffolk House (for 2)
    $72
  • Lunch at Sakae Sushi (for 2)
    $61
  • Lassy Juice
    $1.48
  • Dinner for 2
    $3.17
  • Street Stall Food
    $0.59
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $4.01
  • 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
  • 3-Hour Heritage on a Plate Dinner Hop in George Town Penang: $62
  • Eat Like A Local: Penang Street Food Tour: $62
  • 4-Hour Georgetown Food Tour: $88
  • Cooking Classes In Penang By Penang Chiak: $93
  • Dinner at Penang Hill: $102
  • 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: $138
  • Penang's Night Eat-Venture Vespa Food Tour: $160

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Tarutao $15
    Penang $49

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
    $6.54
  • Trishaw Tour (One Hour)
    $6.33
  • Fort Cornwallis Entrance
    $0.42
  • Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Entrance
    $2.11

Tours and Activities in Penang

Here are a few actual costs in Penang for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Penang City Temple Tour with Penang Hill(Fast Lane) & Kek Lok Si: $100
  • 4-Hour Heritage Walking Tour of Georgetown: $58
  • 4-Hour Private Heritage Tour in George Town: $61
  • 6-Hours Penang Private Tour: $152
  • Admission Ticket for Dark Mansion Glow-in-the-Dark Museum in Penang: $8.80
  • Asia Camera Museum Admission Ticket: $5.42
  • City Tour to Penang Hill(Fast Lane), Kek Lok Si &Reclining Buddha: $104
  • Discover Georgetown Heritage Private Tour in Penang: $51
  • Discover Penang City Tour: $47
  • Discover Penang City in Amazing Tour: $82
  • Enjoy Hill & Temple Sightseeing Private Tour - Penang City: $90
  • Enjoy Hill & Temple Sightseeing Tour - Penang City: $69

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Tarutao $7.09
    Penang $16

Typical Alcohol Prices in Penang

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Penang:


  • Beer
    $1.69


When comparing the travel costs between Koh Tarutao and Penang, we can see that Penang is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Tarutao Expensive? and Is Penang Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Koh Tarutao or Penang?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Penang in the Summer?

Both Penang and Koh Tarutao during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tarutao 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 Tarutao. Koh Tarutao usually gets more rain in July than Penang. Koh Tarutao gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Penang receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Koh Tarutao is around the same temperature as Penang in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Tarutao averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Penang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Koh Tarutao 27°C (81°F) 
    Penang 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Penang in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Tarutao and Penang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tarutao year-round. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

November to April in Koh Tarutao is the dry season. Also, May and October is the rainy season in Koh Tarutao. Penang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Tarutao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Tarutao usually receives less rain than Penang. Koh Tarutao gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Penang receives 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In the autumn, Koh Tarutao is around the same temperature as Penang. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Tarutao in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Penang averages at about 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Koh Tarutao 27°C (81°F) 
    Penang 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Penang in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Koh Tarutao as well as Penang. Koh Tarutao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year.

Koh Tarutao usually gets less rain in January than Penang. Koh Tarutao gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Penang receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

In January, Koh Tarutao is generally around the same temperature as Penang. Daily temperatures in Koh Tarutao average around 27°C (80°F), and Penang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Koh Tarutao 27°C (80°F) 
    Penang 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Koh Tarutao or Penang in the Spring?

Both Penang and Koh Tarutao are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tarutao 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 Koh Tarutao is November to April. The rainy season in Koh Tarutao is May and October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Penang. It's quite rainy in Koh Tarutao. In April, Koh Tarutao usually receives less rain than Penang. Koh Tarutao gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Penang receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Koh Tarutao is around the same temperature as Penang in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Tarutao averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Penang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Koh Tarutao 29°C (85°F) 
    Penang 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Penang and Koh Tarutao

Koh Tarutao 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)