Which place is cheaper, Penang or Mombasa?
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 Mombasa 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 Mombasa 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: Mombasa or Penang?
Mombasa
Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesPenang Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $81Penang $148
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $81, 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 Mombasa and Penang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Penang $57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Penang $114
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Penang
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa 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: Mombasa Hotel Prices and Penang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Penang $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Diani Taxi and Airport Transfers: $70
- From Mombasa Airport Diani Transfer in a Minivan 5 Pax: $75
- Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $73
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Nyali/bamburi/shanzu: $36
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To South Coast Diani Hotels: $80
- Mombasa Airport Transfers: $129
- Mombasa Kenya Minivan Airport Transfer: $100
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $42
- Private Transfer from Mombasa: $22
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $42
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $57
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa Port: $57
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:
- Swettenham Pier to Penang Airport(PEN)-Departure Private Transfer: $22
- Swettenham Pier Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $56
- Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $113
- Private Transfer: Penang International Airport to or from Hotel: $49
- Private Transfer from Swettenham Cruise Terminal to Penang Island: $21
- Private Transfer from Penang Island to Swettenham Cruise Terminal: $21
- Private Transfer from Penang International Airport to Your Hotel: $18
- Private Transfer : Penang Hotel/Port to Kuala Lumpur Hotel: $174
- Private Transfer - Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Airport (PEN): $21
- Private Transfer - Penang Airport (PEN) to Swettenham Cruise Port: $21
- Private Half Day Tour to Penang Island with Transfer Included: $80
- Private Economy Penang Airport Transfer-Arrival: $48
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Penang?
Prices for flights to both Penang and Mombasa 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 dayMombasa $41Penang $66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Special African Dinner: $46
- Sultan's Spoon Mombasa Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Mombasa Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Swahili Street Food Tour: $55
- Swahili Cooking Class Experience with a Local Chef: $65
- Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise & Nightlife: $136
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 Food Tour : A Feast That Taste Like History : 17+ Tasting: $48
- Good Morning Penang Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Penang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Private Half-Day Hawker Trails Food Tour in George Town: $51
- Penang Food Tour - Georgetown: $62
- Local Street Food Tour in Georgetown Penang: $62
- 3-Hour Heritage on a Plate Dinner Hop in George Town Penang: $65
- Eat Like A Local: Penang Street Food Tour: $65
- 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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Penang $57
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Sunset Canoe Tour on a River within the Mangroves: $24
- Mombasa Guided City Tour Experience: $25
- Mombasa city tour: $30
- Mombasa walking tour: $30
- Mombasa old town Walking Tour and Fort Jesus: $38
- Private Mombasa Food & Sightseeing Tour: $39
- Private Mombasa City Tour Watamu Diani and Malindi: $40
- Half day city tour of mombasa: $40
- Mombasa City Tour: $40
- Haller Park Tour observing hippos, giraffes, birds, monkeys, crocs & others: $45
- 4 Hours Guided Mombasa City Tour: $45
- Half day Mombasa City Tour: $45
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:
- 4-Hour Private Heritage Tour in George Town: $70
- 6 Hours Highlights of Penang Shared Tour: $75
- 8 Hours of Penang Tour: $60
- Back of the Bike Street Food Experience – Real Penang!: $119
- Best of Historical George Town Half Day Tour: $80
- Bukit Merah Orang Utan and Penang City Private Tour: $140
- Chinese Clan Secrets and History Guided Walking Tour in Penang: $56
- Countryside Cycling Tour. T1.0 by Matahari: $100
- Culture, Faith and Trade: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of George Town: $5.00
- Customizable Penang Private Tour (8hrs usage): $65
- Day Tour of Penang with Train Ride To Penang Hill: $170
- Discover Penang City Tour: $51
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.84Penang $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$1.96
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Penang, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Mombasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mombasa is in Africa and Penang is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Mombasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mombasa 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 Mombasa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is Penang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Penang?
Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa 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 Mombasa 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 Mombasa or Penang in the Summer?
Both Penang and Mombasa during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa 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. Mombasa usually gets less rain in July than Penang. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 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 Mombasa. In the summer, Mombasa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Penang. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Penang receives 211 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Mombasa is cooler than Penang. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mombasa in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Penang averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMombasa 24°C (75°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Penang in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Penang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Penang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mombasa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Penang. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Penang receives 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Mombasa is generally around the same temperature as Penang. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 26°C (79°F), and Penang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMombasa 26°C (79°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Penang in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Penang. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year.
Mombasa usually gets less rain in January than Penang. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Penang receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
Mombasa is around the same temperature as Penang in the winter. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Penang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMombasa 27°C (81°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Penang in the Spring?
Both Penang and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa 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 Mombasa. In April, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Penang. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 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 Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Penang during spring. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Penang receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Mombasa is around the same temperature as Penang. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mombasa in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Penang averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMombasa 27°C (81°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Penang and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Penang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.