Which place is cheaper, Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour?
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 Coffs Harbour. 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 Coffs Harbour?
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.
Coffs Harbour
Coffs Harbour is in New South Wales between Brisbane and Sydney. Historically, Coffs Harbour has been a popular vacation destination among families, particularly Australian families. Most visitors today are families that are carrying on a longstanding tradition and bringing their children to the holiday destination of their childhood. You'll also find backpackers who spend up to a week here, dividing the trip between Sydney and Brisbane. The area has a well established tourist infrastructure that is not as trendy as that in Byron Bay, but it remains a wonderful community to visit if you're not looking for the party atmosphere.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia.
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Penang Prices
Malaysia PricesCoffs Harbour Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPenang $144Coffs Harbour $174
The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $144, while the average daily cost in Coffs Harbour is $174. 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 Coffs Harbour in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPenang $55Coffs Harbour $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPenang $110Coffs Harbour $126
Compare Hotels in Penang and Coffs Harbour
Looking for a hotel in Penang or Coffs Harbour? 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 Coffs Harbour Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Penang $14Coffs Harbour $22
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:
- Swettenham Pier to Penang Airport(PEN)-Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Swettenham Pier Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $57
- Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $115
- Private Transfer: Penang Island to or from Perak: $131
- Private Transfer from Swettenham Cruise Terminal to Penang Island: $22
- 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 Penang Arrival transfer to Hotel: $12
- Private Half Day Tour to Penang Island with Transfer Included: $70
- Private Economy Penang Airport Transfer-Departure: $29
- Private Economy Penang Airport Transfer-Arrival: $48
Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or Coffs Harbour?
Prices for flights to both Coffs Harbour 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 $64Coffs Harbour $89
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.
- Good Morning Penang Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Penang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- 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
- 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
- Private Dinner at THE TOP with Skywalk Experience from Penang: $103
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Penang $55Coffs Harbour $42
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:
- George Town Highlights & Upside Down Museum tours (5 Hours): $67
- 6 Hours Highlights of Penang Shared Tour : $75
- 6-Hours Penang Private Tour: $169
- 8 Hours of Penang Tour: $60
- All-Inclusive Penang George Town Private Tour: $154
- Asia Camera Museum Admission Ticket: $6.10
- Back of the Bike Street Food Experience – Real Penang!: $88
- Best of Historical George Town Half Day Tour: $80
- Bukit Merah Orang Utan and Penang City Private Tour: $140
- Colors of George Town Walking Tour: $138
- Countryside Cycling Tour. T1.0 by Matahari: $97
- ESCAPE Penang Theme Park Admission Ticket : $73
Typical Entertainment Prices in Coffs Harbour
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Coffs Harbour's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Surfing Museum (for 2)$7.20
Tours and Activities in Coffs Harbour
For Coffs Harbour, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Treetops Adventure Tree Ropes Course: $46
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPenang $18Coffs Harbour $8.41
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 Coffs Harbour, we can see that Coffs Harbour is more expensive. And not only is Penang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Penang is in Asia and Coffs Harbour is in Pacific, 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 Penang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Penang 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 Coffs Harbour would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Coffs Harbour than you might in Penang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Penang Expensive? and Is Coffs Harbour Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Penang or Coffs Harbour?
Penang has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Coffs Harbour. When comparing the sizes of Penang and Coffs Harbour, 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 Coffs Harbour?
Coffs Harbour 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 Coffs Harbour in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Penang as well as Coffs Harbour. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Coffs Harbour because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Penang is a little warmer than Coffs Harbour. Typically, the summer temperatures in Penang in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Coffs Harbour averages at about 23°C (74°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Penang this time of the year. In the summer, Penang often gets less sunshine than Coffs Harbourin January. Penang gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Coffs Harbour receives 237 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Coffs Harbour. Penang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Penang usually gets more rain in July than Coffs Harbourin January. Penang gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 187 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPenang 27°C (81°F)Coffs Harbour 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Penang or Coffs Harbour in the Autumn?
Both Coffs Harbour and Penang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Coffs Harbour this time of year.
In October, Penang is generally a little warmer than Coffs Harbourin April. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 27°C (81°F), and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Coffs Harbour. It's quite rainy in Penang. In October, Penang usually receives more rain than Coffs Harbourin April. Penang gets 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 215 mm (8.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilPenang 27°C (81°F)Coffs Harbour 20°C (67°F)
Should I visit Penang or Coffs Harbour in the Winter?
Both Coffs Harbour and Penang during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Penang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Coffs Harbour for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Penang is much warmer than Coffs Harbour in the winter. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Coffs Harbour fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in July.
Penang usually gets more rain in January than Coffs Harbourin July. Penang gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyPenang 28°C (82°F)Coffs Harbour 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Penang or Coffs Harbour in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Penang and Coffs Harbour. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Coffs Harbour in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Penang is a little warmer than Coffs Harbour. Typically, the spring temperatures in Penang in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Coffs Harbour averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coffs Harbour this time of the year. In Penang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Penang usually receives less sunshine than Coffs Harbour during spring. Penang gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Coffs Harbour receives 257 hours of full sun in the spring.
Coffs Harbour receives a lot of rain in the spring. Penang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Penang usually receives more rain than Coffs Harbourin October. Penang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Coffs Harbour receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberPenang 28°C (82°F)Coffs Harbour 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Coffs Harbour and Penang
| Penang | Coffs Harbour | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 241 mm (9.5 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 215 mm (8.5 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 177 mm (7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 136 mm (5.4 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 143 mm (5.6 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.