Which place is cheaper, Hongcun 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 Hongcun?
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 Hongcun. 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 Hongcun?
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.
Hongcun
When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.
The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.
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 China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.
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Penang Prices
Malaysia PricesHongcun Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPenang $144Hongcun $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $144, while the average daily cost in Hongcun is $67. 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 Hongcun in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPenang $55Hongcun $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPenang $110Hongcun $46
Compare Hotels in Penang and Hongcun
Looking for a hotel in Penang or Hongcun? 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 $14Hongcun $12
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:
- Private Penang Arrival transfer to Hotel: $12
- Private Arrival Transfer : Penang International Airport: $13
- Private Departure Transfer : Penang International Airport: $19
- Private Arrival Transfer : Penang International Airport: $19
- Penang Island to Penang Airport(PEN) - Departure Private transfer: $19
- 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
- Swettenham Pier to Penang Airport(PEN)-Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Penang Airport (PEN) to Swettenham Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Private Economy Penang Airport Transfer-Departure: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or Hongcun?
Prices for flights to both Hongcun 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 $64Hongcun $33
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
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.91
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Breakfast of Dumplings$2.10
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Penang $55Hongcun $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:
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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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:
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Two Entrance Tickets$29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPenang $18Hongcun $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 Hongcun, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Hongcun much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hongcun would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hongcun 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 Hongcun.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Penang Expensive? and Is Hongcun Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Penang or Hongcun?
Hongcun 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 Hongcun in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Penang and Hongcun. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round.
Penang is around the same temperature as Hongcun in the summer. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Hongcun fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
Hongcun receives a lot of rain in the summer. Penang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Penang usually receives more rain than Hongcun. Penang gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPenang 27°C (81°F)Hongcun 29°C (85°F)
Should I visit Penang or Hongcun in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Penang as well as Hongcun. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Penang is a little warmer than Hongcun. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Penang in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Hongcun averages at about 19°C (65°F).
Penang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Penang usually gets more rain in October than Hongcun. Penang gets 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPenang 27°C (81°F)Hongcun 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Penang or Hongcun in the Winter?
Both Hongcun and Penang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Hongcun. In January, Penang is generally much warmer than Hongcun. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 28°C (82°F), and Hongcun fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
In January, Penang usually receives more rain than Hongcun. Penang gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPenang 28°C (82°F)Hongcun 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Penang or Hongcun in the Spring?
Both Hongcun and Penang during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Penang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Penang is much warmer than Hongcun in the spring. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Hongcun fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
Hongcun gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Penang. Penang usually gets more rain in April than Hongcun. Penang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Hongcun receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPenang 28°C (82°F)Hongcun 17°C (62°F)
Typical Weather for Hongcun and Penang
| Penang | Hongcun | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 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.