Which place is cheaper, Benxi or Penang?
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 Penang or Benxi?
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 Penang and Benxi. 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: Penang or Benxi?
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.
Benxi
Benxi, China is a city in the south east of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The city itself is a major industrial hub, but is best known for the Benxi Shuidong National Park where you'll find the famous five million year old water cave. Benxi experiences cold winters, with weather being less enjoyable for touring from November through March. May through August see much warmer weather, getting up to the high 80's Fahrenheit in late summer. September and October are also good times to visit as temperatures cool to 60-70 degrees.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China.
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Penang Prices
Malaysia PricesBenxi Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPenang $144Benxi $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $144, while the average daily cost in Benxi is $118. 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 Penang and Benxi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPenang $55Benxi $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPenang $110Benxi $94
Compare Hotels in Penang and Benxi
Looking for a hotel in Penang or Benxi? 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: Penang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Penang $14Benxi $32
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:
- Private Penang Arrival transfer to Hotel: $12
- Private Arrival Transfer : Penang International Airport: $13
- Private Transfer : Penang International Airport Departure: $13
- Private Departure Transfer : Penang International Airport: $19
- Private Arrival Transfer : Penang International Airport: $19
- Private Departure Transfer - Penang International Airport: $19
- Penang Island to Penang Airport(PEN) - Departure Private transfer: $19
- Private Transfer from Penang Island to Swettenham Cruise Terminal: $22
- Private Transfer - Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Airport (PEN): $22
- Private Transfer - Penang Airport (PEN) to Swettenham Cruise Port: $22
- Private Transfer from Swettenham Cruise Terminal to Penang Island: $22
- Swettenham Pier to Penang Airport(PEN)-Departure Private Transfer: $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or Benxi?
Prices for flights to both Benxi and Penang 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 dayPenang $64Benxi $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.Penang $55Benxi $7.41
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 dayPenang $18Benxi $7.81
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 Penang and Benxi, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Benxi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Benxi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Benxi 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 Benxi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Penang Expensive? and Is Benxi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Penang or Benxi?
Benxi has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Penang and Benxi, 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 Penang or Benxi?
Benxi has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Penang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Penang or Benxi in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Penang and Benxi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round.
In July, Penang is generally around the same temperature as Benxi. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 27°C (81°F), and Benxi fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Benxi this time of the year. In Penang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Penang usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Benxi during summer. Penang gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Benxi receives 214 hours of full sun in the summer.
Benxi receives a lot of rain in the summer. Penang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Penang usually receives around the same amount of rain as Benxi. Penang gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPenang 27°C (81°F)Benxi 25°C (78°F)
Should I visit Penang or Benxi in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Penang as well as Benxi. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Penang is much warmer than Benxi in the autumn. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Benxi fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Penang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Penang usually gets more rain in October than Benxi. Penang gets 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPenang 27°C (81°F)Benxi 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Penang or Benxi in the Winter?
Both Benxi and Penang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Benxi. In the winter, Penang is much warmer than Benxi. Typically, the winter temperatures in Penang in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Benxi averages at about -10°C (14°F).
In January, Penang usually receives more rain than Benxi. Penang gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPenang 28°C (82°F)Benxi -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Penang or Benxi in the Spring?
Both Benxi and Penang during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Penang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Penang is generally much warmer than Benxi. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 28°C (82°F), and Benxi fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In Benxi, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Penang. In the spring, Penang often gets less sunshine than Benxi. Penang gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Benxi receives 241 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Penang. Penang usually gets more rain in April than Benxi. Penang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPenang 28°C (82°F)Benxi 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Benxi and Penang
| Penang | Benxi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 12 mm (0.5 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.