Which place is cheaper, Dewa Sanzan 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 Dewa Sanzan?
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 Dewa Sanzan. 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 Dewa Sanzan?
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.
Dewa Sanzan
Dewa Sanzan, Japan is a picturesque city in the Tohoku region which consists solely of the three sacred mountains: Mount Haguro, Mount Gassan, and Mount Yudono. The mountains are considered holy to the Japanese Shinto religion and are a popular pilgrimage site, especially since many ascetic pilgrims live in the mountains and are occasionally spotted throughout the various hiking trails.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.
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Penang Prices
Malaysia PricesDewa Sanzan Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPenang $144Dewa Sanzan $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $144, while the average daily cost in Dewa Sanzan is $86. 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 Dewa Sanzan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPenang $55Dewa Sanzan $29
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPenang $110Dewa Sanzan $58
Compare Hotels in Penang and Dewa Sanzan
Looking for a hotel in Penang or Dewa Sanzan? 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 Dewa Sanzan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Penang $14Dewa Sanzan $23
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: $58
- Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $115
- Private Transfer: Penang Island to or from Perak: $131
- Private Transfer: Penang International Airport to or from Hotel: $49
- Private Transfer from Swettenham Cruise Terminal to Penang Island: $22
- Private Transfer from Penang Island to Swettenham Cruise Terminal: $22
- Private Transfer : Penang International Airport Departure: $13
- Private Transfer : Penang Hotel to Kuala Lumpur Hotel: $207
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or Dewa Sanzan?
Prices for flights to both Dewa Sanzan 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 $64Dewa Sanzan $43
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 $55Dewa Sanzan $9.56
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
- Penang City Temple Tour with Penang Hill(Fast Lane) & Kek Lok Si: $147
- 4 Hour Food and Heritage Walking Tour in Penang George Town: $93
- 4-Hour Heritage Walking Tour of Georgetown: $60
- 4-Hour Private Heritage Tour in George Town: $68
- 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
Tours and Activities in Dewa Sanzan
For Dewa Sanzan, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mount Haguro E-Bike Sightseeing Tour in Yamagata, Japan: $202
- Tsuruoka & Dewa-Sanzan Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $248
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPenang $18Dewa Sanzan $7.53
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 Dewa Sanzan, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Dewa Sanzan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dewa Sanzan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dewa Sanzan 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 Dewa Sanzan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Penang Expensive? and Is Dewa Sanzan Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Penang or Dewa Sanzan?
Dewa Sanzan 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 Dewa Sanzan in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Penang as well as Dewa Sanzan. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Dewa Sanzan in the summer for the hiking.
In July, Penang is generally a little warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 27°C (81°F), and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Penang this time of the year. In the summer, Penang often gets more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan. Penang gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 124 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Dewa Sanzan. Penang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Penang usually gets more rain in July than Dewa Sanzan. Penang gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPenang 27°C (81°F)Dewa Sanzan 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Penang or Dewa Sanzan in the Autumn?
Both Dewa Sanzan 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, most visitors come to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking trails during these months.
Penang is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Dewa Sanzan. It's quite rainy in Penang. In October, Penang usually receives more rain than Dewa Sanzan. Penang gets 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPenang 27°C (81°F)Dewa Sanzan 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Penang or Dewa Sanzan in the Winter?
Both Dewa Sanzan 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, the winter months attract visitors to Dewa Sanzan because of the museums and the cuisine.
The weather in Dewa Sanzan can be very cold. In the winter, Penang is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Penang in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about -1°C (30°F).
Dewa Sanzan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Penang usually gets less rain in January than Dewa Sanzan. Penang gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPenang 28°C (82°F)Dewa Sanzan -1°C (30°F)
Should I visit Penang or Dewa Sanzan in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Penang and Dewa Sanzan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round.
In April, Penang is generally much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 28°C (82°F), and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).
In Penang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Penang usually receives more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during spring. Penang gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 188 hours of full sun in the spring.
Penang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Penang usually receives more rain than Dewa Sanzan. Penang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPenang 28°C (82°F)Dewa Sanzan 9°C (47°F)
Typical Weather for Dewa Sanzan and Penang
| Penang | Dewa Sanzan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 151 mm (6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 191 mm (7.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 174 mm (6.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 231 mm (9.1 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.