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

Should you visit Penang or Hengyang?

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 Hengyang. 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 Hengyang?

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.

Hengyang

Hengyang, China is a stunning, historically significant, city in southern China. With an almost six-thousand-year old history, Hengyang is the second largest city in the Hunan Province and is known for its agricultural, fishing, and rice. Near Hengyang is Mount Heng, a mountain famous in Chinese history and religion; it has 72 peaks and dozens of temples in the town below it.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Tours for Seniors to China, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing.


Which place is cheaper, Hengyang 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 Hengyang 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 Hengyang in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Penang $49
    Hengyang $26
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Penang $98
    Hengyang $52
Compare Hotels in Penang and Hengyang

Looking for a hotel in Penang or Hengyang? 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 Hengyang


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Penang $12
    Hengyang $14
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

Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or Hengyang?

Prices for flights to both Hengyang 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
    Hengyang $21
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
    Hengyang $19
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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Penang $15
    Hengyang $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Penang

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


  • Beer
    $1.68


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Penang and Hengyang, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Hengyang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hengyang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hengyang 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 Hengyang.

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


Which is Bigger, Penang or Hengyang?

Hengyang has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Penang and Hengyang, 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.