Which place is cheaper, Penang or Krabi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Krabi or Penang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Krabi and Penang can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Krabi or Penang?
Krabi
Thailand is covered in beaches, but if you're more interested in immersion in Thai culture than the salty ocean, consider a trip to Krabi, also known as "Krabi Town". Pronounced "Grabee," this small, but bustling city is just up the river from the coast, and is the gateway to the beaches in the surrounding Province of Krabi. Krabi Town is full of hotels, agencies and western restaurants, but if you look hard enough, you'll easily see the energy and life of Thailand. While there are no beaches in the town itself, there is plenty of Thai culture to experience.
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 10-Day Tours in Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, 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 dayKrabi $55Penang $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Krabi is $55, 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 Krabi and Penang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKrabi $36Penang $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKrabi $72Penang $98
Compare Hotels in Krabi and Penang
Looking for a hotel in Krabi 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: Krabi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Krabi $3.80Penang $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Krabi
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Krabi are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$8.18
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Short Tuk-Tuk Ride$2.73
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2 Bottles of Gasoline$2.18
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Longboat Taxi from Town$5.46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krabi
Also for Krabi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- ATV Jungle Adventure in Krabi with Roundtrip Transfer: $33
- Air-Conditioned Van Charter for Krabi Airport Transfers & More: $26
- Airport transfer: $21
- Ao Nang Krabi Thai Boxing Stadium Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $81
- Ao Nang Krabi Thai Boxing Stadium Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $98
- Aonang any hotel to Koh Lanta any hotel Private transfer: $87
- From Ao Nang: Similan Islands Boat Trip with Transfer & Food: $102
- From Khaolak : One Way Private Transfer Phuket,Krabi and More: $75
- From Koh Lanta: Speedboat Transfer to/From Koh Lipe: $58
- From Krabi : One Way Private Transfer Phuket,Khaolak and More: $131
- From Speedboat Transfer to Ko Yao Yai or Koh Yao Noi: $31
- From Phuket :One Way Private Transfer Khaolak,Krabi and More: $70
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:
- Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal: Transfer to Penang Island: $115
- Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal, Penang to Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Door to Door) Transfer: $120
- Private Transfer from Penang Island to Swettenham Cruise Terminal: $38
- Private Transfer : Penang International Airport Departure: $13
- Private Transfer : Penang Hotel to Kuala Lumpur Hotel: $165
- Private Penang Arrival transfer to Hotel: $12
- Private Economy Penang Airport Transfer-Departure: $29
- Private Departure Transfer : Penang International Airport: $15
- Private Arrival Transfer : Penang International Airport: $15
- Private Arrival Transfer : Penang International Airport: $13
- Penang to Kuala Lumpur 1-way Transfer: $107
- Penang Intl Airport (PEN): Transfer to Penang Island hotels: $115
Is it cheaper to fly into Krabi or Penang?
Prices for flights to both Penang and Krabi 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 dayKrabi $13Penang $33
Typical Food Prices in Krabi
For Krabi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.82
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Drinks on the Beach$6.55
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$17
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Nice Dinner (for Two)$30
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Mango Shake$1.36
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Pad Thai$2.73
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Fruit from the Market$1.64
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Pancakes$2.73
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Coffee & Cake$2.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Krabi
For Krabi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Snorkeling and Sunset Dinner Trip From Krabi: $33
- 7 Islands Sunset Tour with BBQ Dinner & Night Snorkeling by Longtail Boat: $33
- Small-Group Smart Thai Cooking Class in Krabi: $36
- Traditional Thai Cooking Class with Smart Cook: $36
- 7 Islands Sunset Tour with BBQ Dinner & Plankton: $38
- 7 Islands Sunset Tour with BBQ Dinner and Snorkeling: $38
- Evening Thai Cooking Class at Ya's Cookery: $39
- 4 Islands Sunset Longtail Boat Tour with BBQ Dinner: $41
- Seven Islands Snorkel Cruise with Dinner: $41
- Authentic Thai cooking class with market tour: $42
- Krabi Thai Cooking Class: $43
- Krabi 4 Islands Sunset Premium Service Trip by Speedboat + BBQ Dinner: $43
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
- Local Street Food Tour in Georgetown Penang : $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
- 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
- Dinner at Penang Hill Including Train Ride: $141
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Krabi $10Penang $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Krabi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Krabi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Thai-English Book$9.00
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Thai Massages (for Two)$22
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Bikini & Sarong$16
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Yoga Class (1 Hour)$12
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Backgammon Set (travel size)$6.82
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Kayak Trip (for Two)$52
Tours and Activities in Krabi
For Krabi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- DIY tour - Finest selection of Krabi Hidden Gems: $7.13
- Krabi 4 Islands Tour and Snorkeling with Shared boat: $22
- 4 Islands Separated Sea - The Unseen of Thailand Tour: $24
- Ao Nang, Group Boat Tour to 4 Islands with Lunch: $24
- Krabi Sea Kayaking Tour Adventure at Ao Thalane: $26
- Krabi 4 island tour: $26
- Half Day Tour Mangrove Tour Kayaking Tour With Lunch: $27
- 4 Islands & Thale Waek's Sandbar Tour By Speedboat: $27
- Aonang wonder Cocktail testing tour: $28
- 4 Island Tour by Traditional Big Longtail Boat from Krabi: $28
- 4 Islands Snorkeling Tour by Longtail Boat from Krabi with Walk on Tombolo: $28
- The Krabi 4 Island Tour by Longtail Boat: $28
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:
- Penang City Temple Tour with Penang Hill(Fast Lane) & Kek Lok Si: $100
- 4 Hour Food and Heritage Walking Tour in Penang George Town: $75
- 4-Hour Private Heritage Tour in George Town: $60
- 6-Hours Penang Private Tour: $150
- Admission Ticket for Dark Mansion Glow-in-the-Dark Museum in Penang: $8.80
- Asia Camera Museum Admission Ticket: $5.35
- Discover Georgetown Heritage Private Tour in Penang: $50
- Discover Penang City Tour: $47
- Discover Penang City in Amazing Tour: $82
- Enjoy Hill & Temple Sightseeing Tour - Penang City: $68
- Entopia Butterfly Farm & Tropical Spice Garden Tour: $81
- Entopia Butterfly Farm And Tropical Spice Garden Tour: $83
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKrabi $4.34Penang $15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Krabi
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Krabi are as follows:
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Beer$2.45
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Cocktails (for Two)$8.18
Sample the Local Flavors in Krabi
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Krabi:
- Railay Pub Crawl: $14
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 Krabi and Penang, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Krabi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Krabi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Krabi 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 Krabi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Krabi Expensive? and Is Penang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Krabi or Penang?
Penang has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Krabi. When comparing the sizes of Krabi 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 Krabi 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 Krabi or Penang in the Summer?
Both Penang and Krabi during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Krabi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round.
August to October is the rainy season in Krabi. Penang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually gets more rain in July than Penang. Krabi gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Penang receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Penang, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Krabi. In the summer, Krabi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Penang. Krabi gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Penang receives 211 hours of full sun.
In July, Krabi is generally around the same temperature as Penang. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 28°C (82°F), and Penang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKrabi 28°C (82°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Krabi or Penang in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Krabi and Penang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Krabi year-round. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to March in Krabi is the dry season. Also, August to October is the rainy season in Krabi. Penang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Krabi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Krabi usually receives less rain than Penang. Krabi gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Penang receives 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Krabi is around the same temperature as Penang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Penang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKrabi 27°C (81°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Krabi or Penang in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Krabi as well as Penang. Krabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year.
Also, December to March in Krabi is the dry season. Krabi usually gets less rain in January than Penang. Krabi gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Penang receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Krabi is around the same temperature as Penang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Krabi in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Penang averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKrabi 28°C (82°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Krabi or Penang in the Spring?
Both Penang and Krabi are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Krabi throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Penang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Penang. It's quite rainy in Krabi. In April, Krabi usually receives less rain than Penang. Krabi gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Penang receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Penang. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually receives more sunshine than Penang during spring. Krabi gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Penang receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Krabi is generally around the same temperature as Penang. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 29°C (84°F), and Penang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKrabi 29°C (84°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Penang and Krabi
| Krabi | Penang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.