Which place is cheaper, Buenos Aires, Argentina or Penang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Penang or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
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 Buenos Aires, Argentina. 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina?
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.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires, federal capital of Argentina, also known as "The City of Tango", is best known for its energetic and unpredictable character. Like a restless child, Buenos Aires is a dynamic and modern city full of surprises. While its French-style palaces, rooftop restaurants, wide avenues and green plazas resemble European-style architecture, Buenos Aires preserves its musical, literary and culinary traditions. You can't miss dining in front of a Tango show, walking around the colourful streets of La Boca and visiting the renowned Recoleta Cemetery, designed by Argentina's most important architects and home to hundreds of illustrious corpses.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires.
-
Penang Prices
Malaysia PricesBuenos Aires, Argentina Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPenang $153Buenos Aires, Argentina $59
The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $153, while the average daily cost in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $59. 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPenang $58Buenos Aires, Argentina $42
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPenang $116Buenos Aires, Argentina $84
Compare Hotels in Penang and Buenos Aires, Argentina
Looking for a hotel in Penang or Buenos Aires, Argentina? 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 and Buenos Aires, Argentina Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Penang $15Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Penang
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Penang:
-
Local Bus$1.51
-
Island Ferry$0.60
-
Bus From Airport to George Town$0.68
-
Taxi From Airport to George Town$12
-
Motorbike Rental (One Day)$7.56
-
Bicycle Rental (One Day)$2.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Penang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Penang:
- Chauffeur: Penang Island to Singapore Van Transfer: $147
- Full-Day Private Transfer in Penang City: $272
- Penang Airport (PEN) to Swettenham Port - Round-Trip Transfer: $45
- Penang Airport Arrival Transfer: $21
- Penang Airport PEN to Penang Island - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $38
- Penang Airport Transfer: $15
- Penang Airport Transfer ( 24/7): $59
- Penang Airport Transfer - Arrival or Departure: $37
- Penang Balik Pulau Countryside Morning Cycling with Transfers: $32
- 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 Hotes to Kuala Lumpur City Hotels 1-way Transfer: $125
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
- 8hr Buenos Aires City Tour and Airport Transfer Combo: $298
- Airport Transfer: Airport EZE to Buenos Aires by Business Car: $118
- Airport Transfer: Airport EZE to Buenos Aires by Luxury Van: $145
- Airport Transfer: Buenos Aires to Airport EZE by Business Car: $111
- Airport Transfer: Buenos Aires to Airport EZE by Luxury Van: $145
- Arrival Private Transfers from Airport AEP to Buenos Aires in Luxury Car: $128
- Arrival Private Transfers from Ezeiza Airport EZE to Buenos Aires: $145
- Arrival Transfer Ezeiza Airport EZE to Buenos Aires City by Sedan: $68
- Arrival Transfer: Airport AEP to Buenos Aires by Business Car: $118
- Arrival Transfer: Ezeiza Airport EZE to Buenos Aires by Sedan: $118
- Best Tango Show with Private Transfer: $111
- Buenos Aires : Aljibe, Tango and folklore show with Transfers.: $72
Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
Prices for flights to both Buenos Aires, Argentina 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
-
Food Meals for one dayPenang $68Buenos Aires, Argentina $7.95
Typical Food Prices in Penang
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Penang:
-
Snack$2.01
-
Dinner at The Suffolk House (for 2)$86
-
Lunch at Sakae Sushi (for 2)$73
-
Lassy Juice$1.76
-
Dinner for 2$3.78
-
Street Stall Food$0.71
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.79
-
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.
- 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 : A Feast That Taste Like History : 17+ Tasting: $55
- Local Street Food Tour in Georgetown Penang: $62
- Penang Food Tour - Georgetown: $62
- Eat Like A Local: Penang Street Food Tour: $62
- 3-Hour Heritage on a Plate Dinner Hop in George Town Penang: $65
- Authentic Local Food Tour with Scenic Walk: $89
- Authentic Indian Penang Cooking Class: $92
- Malay Culinary Journey Cooking Class for the Adventurous Foodie: $92
- Penang Cooking Class:Dive into Malaysian Cuisine with PenangChiak: $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Piazzolla Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $35
- BA: Premium Empanadas Cooking Class in Palermo: $39
- Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $39
- Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $40
- BA: Premium Empanadas Cooking Class & Wine Tasting in Palermo: $43
- BA: Premium Empanadas & Alfajores Cooking Experience in Palermo: $43
- Tango Porteño Show in Buenos Aires (with optional dinner): $43
- Early Tango Dinner Show with Optional Traditional Bus Transfer: $46
- El Aljibe Tango Show in Buenos Aires with Optional Dinner: $47
- El Viejo Almacen Tango Show with Optional Dinner and Transfers: $47
- Tango Dinner Show Homero Manzi menu Sur: $49
- BA: Empanadas and Alfajores Cooking Experience in Palermo: $49
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Penang $59Buenos Aires, Argentina $32
Typical Entertainment Prices in Penang
Here are a few typical costs in Penang for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Butterfly Gardens$7.81
-
Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$7.56
-
Fort Cornwallis Entrance$0.50
-
Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Entrance$2.52
Tours and Activities in Penang
Here are a few actual costs in Penang for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guided Tour of Cheong Fatt Tze's Blue Mansion in George Town: $6.35
- Tech Dome Entrance Ticket: $6.92
- Tropical Spice Garden Entrance Ticket & Guided Tours: $8.15
- The Vanilla Village Farm Tour by Kairos: $9.39
- Penang Hill Funicular Ticket - Non-Malaysian: $11
- Malaysia: Penang Habitat Entry Ticket: $15
- Malaysia: Discover Nature's Wonders with Entopia Entry Ticket: $16
- The Top Komtar Penang Observation Deck and Rainbow Skywalk Ticket: $21
- The TOP Penang Rainbow Skywalk and Observatory Deck Entry Ticket: $22
- Entopia Penang Admission Ticket: $22
- Penang Rainbow Skywalk at The Top Komtar Observation Deck Tickets: $22
- Half-Day Penang Countryside Cycling Tour: $33
Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Literature Self-Guided Audio Tour in Buenos Aires: $6.72
- Buenos Aires Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h30 and 18 reviews: $7.16
- Discover Buenos Aires: A Self-Guided Tour: $8.27
- Recoleta Cemetery Buenos Aires Tour with Audioguide (no ticket): $9.46
- The Women Behind Puerto Madero’s Streets: A Self Guided Tour: $9.99
- Small Group Buenos Aires Walking Tour: $10
- Walking Tour in Retreat Palaces and Trains and Authentic Mate.: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Discover Caminito and Tango: $11
- Private Tour of La Boca and Caminito: $12
- Guided tour of the Mate Museum: $13
- Palermo Graffiti Tour: $13
- Graffiti Tour: $14
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPenang $19Buenos Aires, Argentina $9.69
Typical Alcohol Prices in Penang
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Penang:
-
Beer$2.01
Sample the Local Flavors in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also in Buenos Aires, Argentina, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Exclusive Malbec Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $42
- Argentine Wine Tasting in Caminito with Appetizers Included: $45
- BA: Small Group Wine Tasting and Blending in Palermo: $54
- Malbec Wine Tasting at Boutique Hotel in Palermo: $59
- Wine Tasting at Encuentro Nativo a Historic Tenement in Caminito: $60
- Buenos Aires Small-Group Wine Tasting: $60
- Tango Lesson and Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires, Argentina: $65
- Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $65
- Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $85
- Wine Tasting Boutique in Buenos Aires: $94
- Private Malbec Wine Tasting Experience in Buenos Aires: $95
- Private argentinian wine tasting in downtown: $97
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Penang and Buenos Aires, Argentina, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Buenos Aires, Argentina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Penang is in Asia and Buenos Aires, Argentina is in South America, 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Penang Expensive? and Is Buenos Aires, Argentina Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Penang or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Penang and Buenos Aires, Argentina, 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina?
Buenos Aires, Argentina 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 Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Summer?
Both Buenos Aires, Argentina and Penang are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year.
In July, Penang is generally around the same temperature as Buenos Aires, Argentinain January. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 27°C (81°F), and Buenos Aires, Argentina fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Penang. Penang usually receives less sunshine than Buenos Aires, Argentina during summer. Penang gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It's quite rainy in Penang. In July, Penang usually receives more rain than Buenos Aires, Argentinain January. Penang gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPenang 27°C (81°F)Buenos Aires, Argentina 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Penang or Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Autumn?
Both Buenos Aires, Argentina and Penang during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Penang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Penang is a little warmer than Buenos Aires, Argentina in the autumn. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Buenos Aires, Argentina fluctuates around 18°C (65°F)in April.
Buenos Aires, Argentina gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Penang. Penang usually gets more rain in October than Buenos Aires, Argentinain April. Penang gets 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilPenang 27°C (81°F)Buenos Aires, Argentina 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Penang or Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Penang and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round.
In the winter, Penang is much warmer than Buenos Aires, Argentina. Typically, the winter temperatures in Penang in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Buenos Aires, Argentina averages at about 12°C (53°F)in July.
In January, Penang usually receives around the same amount of rain as Buenos Aires, Argentinain July. Penang gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyPenang 28°C (82°F)Buenos Aires, Argentina 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Penang or Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Penang as well as Buenos Aires, Argentina. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Penang is generally much warmer than Buenos Aires, Argentinain October. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 28°C (82°F), and Buenos Aires, Argentina fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Buenos Aires, Argentina. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Penang this time of the year. In the spring, Penang often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Buenos Aires, Argentinain October. Penang gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 227 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Penang receives a lot of rain in the spring. Penang usually gets more rain in April than Buenos Aires, Argentinain October. Penang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Buenos Aires, Argentina receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberPenang 28°C (82°F)Buenos Aires, Argentina 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Buenos Aires, Argentina and Penang
| Penang | Buenos Aires, Argentina | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 104 mm (4.1 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.