A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Penang vs. Dunedin for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Penang or Dunedin?

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 Dunedin. 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 Dunedin?

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.

Dunedin

Dunedin is the second largest city on the South Island of New Zealand. It is situated on the southeast coast and is largely Scottish in its heritage. It is part of the Otago region and has mild temperatures during the spring and summer, but extremely cold temperatures during the end of fall and winter. Dunedin is a university town; The University of Otago is the oldest in New Zealand, established in 1869. The students make up over a tenth of the entire city's population.

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 New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Dunedin or Penang?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $103, while the average daily cost in Dunedin is $102. 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 Dunedin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Penang $49
    Dunedin $52
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Penang $98
    Dunedin $104
Compare Hotels in Penang and Dunedin

Looking for a hotel in Penang or Dunedin? 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.

Hotels in Penang


Hotels in Dunedin


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: Dunedin Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Penang $12
    Dunedin $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Penang

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Penang:


  • Local Bus
    $1.26
  • Island Ferry
    $0.50
  • Bus From Airport to George Town
    $0.57
  • Taxi From Airport to George Town
    $9.64
  • Motorbike Rental (One Day)
    $6.29
  • 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 : $210
  • Penang Airport (PEN) to Penang Island - Arrival Private Transfer : $38
  • Penang Airport (PEN) to Penang Island - Arrival Private transfer: $43
  • Penang Airport (PEN): Transfer to Swettenham Cruise Port: $116
  • Penang Airport PEN to Penang Island - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $85
  • Penang Airport Transfer ( 24/7): $29
  • Penang Airport Transfer to Georgetown/City Hotel or Resort/Beach Hotel: $18
  • Penang Airport to Swettenham Cruise Port - Round Trip Transfer: $76
  • 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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dunedin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dunedin:

  • Dunedin Int Airport(DUD) to Dunedin - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $72
  • Momona Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Momona: $90
  • ONE WAY MOMONA: Transfer from /to Dunedin Airport: $125
  • Private Transfer from Chalmers Cruise Port to Dunedin City Hotels: $44
  • Private Transfer from Chalmers Port to Dunedin Airport (DUD): $44

Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or Dunedin?

Prices for flights to both Dunedin 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 day
    Penang $33
    Dunedin $29
Typical Food Prices in Penang

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Penang:


  • Snack
    $1.68
  • Dinner at The Suffolk House (for 2)
    $72
  • Lunch at Sakae Sushi (for 2)
    $61
  • Lassy Juice
    $1.47
  • Dinner for 2
    $3.14
  • Street Stall Food
    $0.59
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $3.98
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Experience Malaysia: Authentic Malaysia Cooking Tour: $121
  • Dinner at Penang Hill Including Train Ride: $141
  • Penang's Night Eat-Venture Vespa Food Tour: $160

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Penang $49
    Dunedin $17
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
    $6.50
  • Trishaw Tour (One Hour)
    $6.29
  • Fort Cornwallis Entrance
    $0.42
  • 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: $5.38
  • Malaysia: The Blue Mansion - Daily Tour: $5.67
  • Tech Dome Entrance Ticket: $6.11
  • Guided Tour of Cheong Fatt Tze's Blue Mansion in George Town: $6.35
  • Tropical Spice Garden E-Ticket: $7.17
  • Skip the Line: Admission Ticket - General: $7.18
  • TeddyVille Museum Penang Malaysia Entry Ticket: $8.27
  • Penang Hill Funicular Ticket: $8.35
  • Wonderfood Museum in Penang Admission Ticket: $8.54
  • Wonderfood Museum in Penang Admission Ticket: $8.71
  • Admission Ticket for Dark Mansion Glow-in-the-Dark Museum in Penang: $8.80
  • Penang Street Food in Georgetown and History Walking Audio Tour: $10

Tours and Activities in Dunedin

Here are a few actual costs in Dunedin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Dunedin Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Dunedin Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Olveston Historic Home Guided Tour: $15
  • Quickie Tours 1 Hour City Sights Tour CRUISE PASSENGERS ONLY: $24
  • Skip the Line: Larnach Castle & Gardens Admission Ticket: $27
  • Heritage Dunedin City Walking Guided Tour: $30
  • Garden and City tour: $36
  • Monarch Wildlife Cruise: $38
  • Shore Excursion: V8 Trike, Peninsula and City Tour: $48
  • Larnach Castle & Gardens Tour from Dunedin: $49
  • Nature and City Tour: $54
  • A 2 hour Small Group Dunedin City Highlights Tour: $57

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Penang $15
    Dunedin $14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Penang

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Penang:


  • Beer
    $1.68

Sample the Local Flavors in Dunedin

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dunedin:

  • Speight Brewery Small Group Guided Tour from Dunedin: $21
  • Emerson's Brewery Tour: $24


When comparing the travel costs between Penang and Dunedin, we can see that Penang is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Penang is in Asia and Dunedin is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Penang Expensive? and Is Dunedin Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Penang or Dunedin?

Penang has a larger population, and is about 56% larger than the population of Dunedin. When comparing the sizes of Penang and Dunedin, 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.