Which place is cheaper, Boracay or Penang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Penang or Boracay?
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 Boracay. 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 Boracay?
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.
Boracay
A small island in the Philippines known for its resorts and beaches, Boracay is a little escape. Each beach has its own unique character, each with new treasures waiting to be discovered.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, and The Best Adventure Tours to Philippines.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPenang $103Boracay $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $103, while the average daily cost in Boracay is $56. 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 Boracay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPenang $49Boracay $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPenang $98Boracay $46
Compare Hotels in Penang and Boracay
Looking for a hotel in Penang or Boracay? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Penang $12Boracay $28
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:
- Chauffeur: Penang Island to Singapore Van Transfer: $138
- Full-Day Private Transfer in Penang City : $211
- Penang Airport (PEN) to Penang Island - Arrival Private Transfer : $38
- Penang Airport (PEN) to Swettenham Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $39
- Penang Airport (PEN): Transfer to Swettenham Cruise Port: $115
- Penang Airport Transfer ( 24/7): $29
- Penang Airport(PEN) to Penang Island -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $76
- Penang City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $140
- Penang City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City Hotels One-way Transfer: $140
- Penang City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Hotels 1-way Transfer: $125
- Penang Intl Airport (PEN): Transfer to Penang Island hotels: $115
- Penang to Kuala Lumpur 1-way Transfer: $107
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boracay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boracay:
- Airport Transfer to Boracay or vice versa: $26
- Boracay Adventures Transfer Services Via Caticlan: $35
- Boracay Transfer round trip with Island Hopping: $69
- Private Transfer from Caticlan Airport to Boracay: $43
- Shared Transfer from/to MPH for Domestic Passports: $21
- Caticlan: Shared Airport Transfer From/To Boracay: $22
- Caticlan: Speedboat Airport Transfer To Boracay: $41
- Departure: Speedboat Transfer Boracay to Caticlan Airport: $30
- PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER TO BORACAY: $59
- Speedboat Caticlan to Boracay Transfer (Oneway): $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or Boracay?
Prices for flights to both Boracay 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 $33Boracay $14
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.Penang $49Boracay $15
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:
- Asia Camera Museum Admission Ticket: $5.37
- Tech Dome Entrance Ticket: $6.09
- Guided Tour of Cheong Fatt Tze's Blue Mansion in George Town: $6.35
- Tropical Spice Garden E-Ticket: $7.14
- Skip the Line: Admission Ticket - General: $7.18
- TeddyVille Museum Penang Malaysia Entry Ticket: $8.28
- Penang Hill Funicular Ticket: $8.35
- Wonderfood Museum in Penang Admission Ticket: $8.54
- Admission Ticket for Dark Mansion Glow-in-the-Dark Museum in Penang: $8.80
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- George Town: Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm Entry Ticket: $16
- THE TOP Komtar Penang Skywalk Admission Ticket : $18
Tours and Activities in Boracay
Here are a few actual costs in Boracay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Crystal Kayak Photo-op Experience: $6.32
- Boracay - Crystal Kayak phot-op Experience: $9.03
- Flying Donut Water Tubing Experience: $14
- Boracay UFO Adventure: $16
- Sunset Cruise with Water Activities: $16
- Boracay Sunset Cruise: $16
- 2 Hours Boracay Land Tour via Etrike: $17
- Island and Beach-Hopping Boat Tour with Snorkeling: $20
- Boracay Island Rhythm Sunset Cruise: $21
- Stand-up Paddleboard Experience: $22
- Helmet Diving Experience with Photos and Videos: $22
- All-Terrain Vehicle or Buggy Car Experience: $23
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPenang $15Boracay $16
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 Penang and Boracay, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Boracay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Boracay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boracay 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 Boracay.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Penang Expensive? and Is Boracay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Penang or Boracay?
Penang has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Boracay. When comparing the sizes of Penang and Boracay, 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.
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.