Which place is cheaper, Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou?
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 Guangzhou. 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 Guangzhou?
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.
Guangzhou
With a population of more than 12 million, Guangzhou is the third largest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai. Though it has a long history, founded in 214 BC, the city has also many modern attractions, a mix of the old and new with temples and parks as well as skyscrapers and shopping centers. Its location on the Pearl River has contributed to this growth, making Guangzhou a major port and commercial hub.
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 in China, and The Best 2-Week Tours in China.
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Penang Prices
Malaysia PricesGuangzhou Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPenang $144Guangzhou $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $144, while the average daily cost in Guangzhou is $104. 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 Guangzhou in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPenang $55Guangzhou $58
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPenang $110Guangzhou $116
Compare Hotels in Penang and Guangzhou
Looking for a hotel in Penang or Guangzhou? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Penang $14Guangzhou $14
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:
- Chauffeur: Penang Island to Singapore Van Transfer: $146
- Full-Day Private Transfer in Penang City : $275
- Penang Airport (PEN) to Swettenham Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Penang Airport Transfer ( 24/7): $59
- Penang Airport Transfer - Arrival or Departure: $36
- Penang City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $140
- Penang City to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $107
- Penang City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $140
- Penang Island to Penang Airport(PEN) - Departure Private transfer: $19
- Penang to KUL Hotel (One Way Transfer): $237
- Penang to Kuala Lumpur 1-way Transfer: $107
- ATV Ride in Balik Pulau with Snacks and Transfers: $66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:
- Canton Fair Private Transfer between Guangzhou City Center and Pazhou Complex : $32
- Chimelong International Circus Ticket with Transfer: $80
- Guangzhou : Private One-Way Transfers to/from Baiyun Airport(CAN): $30
- Guangzhou Airport & Train Station Private Transfer English Driver: $32
- Guangzhou Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou Round-Trip Private Transfer: $74
- Guangzhou Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 15 Pax: $170
- Guangzhou Airport to Hotel: Private Transfer for up to 5 pax: $120
- Guangzhou Airport: Private Transfer to/from Guangzhou: $24
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou City - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport (CAN) to Guangzhou City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $74
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service , To Guangzhou Transfer,Pickup: $59
- Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service, To Dongguan Transfer: $135
Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or Guangzhou?
Prices for flights to both Guangzhou 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 $64Guangzhou $34
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guangzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guangzhou.
- Old Town Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $79
- Food Tour - Eat Like Local + Rice Roll Workshop: $96
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour VIP Cruise and Dim-Sum Dinner Option: $146
- Guangzhou walking tour with dimsum dinner&Zhujiang river cruise: $160
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour with Canton Tower and Dim-Sum Dinner: $176
- Pearl River Night Cruise and Karaoke Tour with Buffet Dinner in Guangzhou: $179
- Private Guangzhou Food Tour Michelin Restaurant&Local Food Market: $180
- Morning Tea, Cantonese Opera, and Food Tour: $183
- Cantonese Dim Sum Dinner with Pearl River Night Cruise in Guangzhou: $199
- Guangzhou Pearl River Night Cruise and Din Tai Feng Dinner: $199
- Guangzhou Private Night Tour: Lychee Bay, Beijing Road, Cruise, Dinner: $204
- Private Cooking Canton Cuisine Cooking Class in Guangzhou : $266
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Penang $55Guangzhou $18
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:
- Guided Tour of Cheong Fatt Tze's Blue Mansion in George Town: $6.35
- Tech Dome Entrance Ticket: $6.92
- Straits and Oriental Museum Ticket: $7.31
- Tropical Spice Garden Entrance Ticket & Guided Tours: $8.15
- Penang Hill Funicular Ticket: $8.35
- The Vanilla Village Farm Tour by Kairos: $9.39
- Malaysia: Penang Habitat Entry Ticket: $15
- Malaysia: Discover Nature's Wonders with Entopia Entry Ticket: $17
- Penang Rainbow Skywalk at The Top Komtar Observation Deck Tickets: $22
- Entopia Butterfly and Nature Discovery Park Entry Ticket Penang : $28
- Half-Day Penang Countryside Cycling Tour: $32
- Georgetown Half Day City Tour: $42
Tours and Activities in Guangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Guangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guangzhou：New Cultural Landmark Ticket -Explore Tang Style: $2.56
- 2,000-Year-Old Wonder-Nanyue King’s Tomb Ticket: $3.18
- Reputable Private Guangzhou Tour Guide Service by Xaq: $5.00
- Cantonese Heritage Tour with Key Cultural Stops: $6.72
- Discover Private Tour of Culture, Food & Pearl River: $6.99
- Foshan Classic Old Town Tour : $15
- Private Guangzhou Tour with Comfortable Transportation: $16
- Lychee Bay River Cruise: $24
- Grandview Museum of Nature Science Ticket: $25
- Pick Up Service and Tour for Canton Culture and Food: $26
- Roundtrip Cruise Night View from Canton Tower: $30
- Chen Clan Academy In-Depth 2-Hour Guided Tour: $31
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPenang $18Guangzhou $14
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 Guangzhou, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Guangzhou much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Guangzhou would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Penang Expensive? and Is Guangzhou Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Penang or Guangzhou?
Guangzhou has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Penang and Guangzhou, 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 Guangzhou?
Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou in the Summer?
Both Guangzhou 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 the summer, Penang is around the same temperature as Guangzhou. Typically, the summer temperatures in Penang in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Guangzhou averages at about 29°C (84°F).
It's quite sunny in Guangzhou. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Penang. Penang usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Guangzhou during summer. Penang gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Guangzhou receives 220 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guangzhou. It's quite rainy in Penang. In July, Penang usually receives less rain than Guangzhou. Penang gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPenang 27°C (81°F)Guangzhou 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Penang or Guangzhou in the Autumn?
Both Guangzhou 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.
In October, Penang is generally around the same temperature as Guangzhou. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 27°C (81°F), and Guangzhou fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Penang. Penang usually gets more rain in October than Guangzhou. Penang gets 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPenang 27°C (81°F)Guangzhou 25°C (76°F)
Should I visit Penang or Guangzhou in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Penang and Guangzhou. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round.
Penang is much warmer than Guangzhou in the winter. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Guangzhou fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
In January, Penang usually receives more rain than Guangzhou. Penang gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPenang 28°C (82°F)Guangzhou 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Penang or Guangzhou in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Penang as well as Guangzhou. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Penang is a little warmer than Guangzhou. Typically, the spring temperatures in Penang in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Guangzhou averages at about 22°C (72°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Penang this time of the year. In the spring, Penang often gets more sunshine than Guangzhou. Penang gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Guangzhou receives 78 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Guangzhou. Penang receives a lot of rain in the spring. Penang usually gets more rain in April than Guangzhou. Penang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Guangzhou receives 182 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPenang 28°C (82°F)Guangzhou 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Guangzhou and Penang
| Penang | Guangzhou | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.1 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 24 mm (0.9 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.