Which place is cheaper, Penang or Pattaya?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pattaya 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 Pattaya 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: Pattaya or Penang?
Pattaya
Go where the locals go. If that is your vacation motto, you will want to take a look at the popular weekend getaway of Pattaya, Thailand. This seaside resort on the Eastern Gulf Coast of Thailand is just outside of Bangkok, and full of resorts, beer bars and beaches.
Hosting more than five million visitors a year, Pattaya is easily accessed from the capital and the airport. Keep in mind, the sex tourism industry is still a large money earner for this city, but efforts by local authorities have created resorts and attractions for families and vacationers from all around the world.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, 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 dayPattaya $66Penang $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Pattaya is $66, 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 Pattaya and Penang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPattaya $24Penang $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPattaya $48Penang $98
Compare Hotels in Pattaya and Penang
Looking for a hotel in Pattaya 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: Pattaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pattaya $12Penang $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pattaya
Also for Pattaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Big Bee farm Pattaya ( Entry & Return Transfers): $11
- Private Hotel in Pattaya to U-Tapao Airport Transfer: $38
- Admission Ticket to Underwater World Pattaya with Return Transfer: $37
- Bangkok Hotel Transfer: to/from Pattaya Hotel Transfer: $96
- Bangkok Private Transfer from Pattaya city to Bangkok (BKK) Airport: $141
- Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport to Pattaya Transfer: $39
- Bus transfer between Pattaya and Bangkok: $3.67
- DMK Airport to Pattaya Hotel Transfer (Private): $68
- Frost Magical Ice Of Siam at Pattaya with Return Transfer: $33
- Frost Magical Ice Of Siam in Pattaya with Return Transfer: $24
- Frost Magical Ice of Siam Pattaya Admission Ticket with Transfer: $32
- Mini Siam Miniature World Admission with Roundtrip Transfer from Pattaya: $25
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:
- Full-Day Private Transfer in Penang City : $210
- Private Transfer : Penang Hotel to Kuala Lumpur Hotel: $165
- Penang City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City Hotels One-way Transfer: $140
- Penang City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $140
- Penang City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $140
- Penang City Hotes to Kuala Lumpur City Hotels 1-way Transfer: $125
- Penang City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Hotels 1-way Transfer: $125
- Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal, Penang to Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Door to Door) Transfer: $120
- Penang Intl Airport (PEN): Transfer to Penang Island hotels: $115
- Penang Airport (PEN): Transfer to Swettenham Cruise Port: $115
- Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal: Transfer to Penang Island: $115
- Penang City to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $107
Is it cheaper to fly into Pattaya or Penang?
Prices for flights to both Penang and Pattaya 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 dayPattaya $22Penang $33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pattaya
For Pattaya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- All Star Dinner Cruise with Cabaret Show: $32
- Thai Cooking Class in Pattaya: $67
- 3 Islands Catamaran Tour with Dinner Buffet: $70
- Islands Hopping Tour by Catamaran with Dinner Buffet in Chon Buri: $98
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.Pattaya $21Penang $49
Tours and Activities in Pattaya
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pattaya.
- Floating Market Entry Ticket: $3.18
- Pattaya sheep Farm Entrance Tickets: $3.60
- FlowerLand Pattaya Admission Ticket (Optional Activities): $5.02
- Fairy Sweet Village Pattaya Entry ticket: $5.46
- Art in Paradise Pattaya Admission Ticket: $6.00
- Mini Siam Entry Ticket: $6.69
- LAZGAM Laser Game at Pattaya Admission Ticket: $7.15
- Entry Ticket for Art in Paradise 3D Art Museum in Pattaya: $7.25
- Pattaya : Coral Island Tour by Speedboat with Indian Lunch & Pick Up from Hotel: $7.67
- Adventure Coral Island Koh Larn Pattaya with Indian Lunch: $7.97
- Underwater World Pattaya (Ticket Only): $8.09
- Pattaya Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
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 Heritage Walking Tour of Georgetown: $58
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPattaya $8.18Penang $15
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 Pattaya and Penang, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Pattaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pattaya would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pattaya 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 Pattaya.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pattaya Expensive? and Is Penang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Penang?
Penang has a larger population, and is about 83% larger than the population of Pattaya. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya 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 Pattaya 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 Pattaya or Penang in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Pattaya as well as Penang. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Penang. Pattaya usually gets less rain in July than Penang. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Penang receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Penang. In the summer, Pattaya often gets less sunshine than Penang. Pattaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Penang receives 211 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Pattaya is around the same temperature as Penang. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pattaya in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Penang averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPattaya 29°C (84°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Pattaya or Penang in the Autumn?
Both Penang and Pattaya are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pattaya 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 Pattaya is December to April. The rainy season in Pattaya is June to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Penang. It's quite rainy in Pattaya. In October, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Penang. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Penang receives 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Pattaya is generally around the same temperature as Penang. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 28°C (82°F), and Penang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPattaya 28°C (82°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Pattaya or Penang in the Winter?
Both Penang and Pattaya during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pattaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round.
Pattaya usually gets less rain in January than Penang. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Penang receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
Pattaya is around the same temperature as Penang in the winter. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Penang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPattaya 27°C (80°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Pattaya or Penang in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Penang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to April in Pattaya is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Pattaya. Penang receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Penang. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Penang receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Penang this time of the year. In Pattaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Penang during spring. Pattaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Penang receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Pattaya is around the same temperature as Penang. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pattaya in April average around 30°C (86°F), and Penang averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPattaya 30°C (86°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Penang and Pattaya
| Pattaya | Penang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 30°C (86°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 30°C (85°F) | 202 mm (7.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (85°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 232 mm (9.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 16 mm (0.6 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.