Which place is cheaper, Koyasan 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 Koyasan?
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 Koyasan. 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 Koyasan?
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.
Koyasan
Mount Koya, Japan is a mountain city located just south of Osaka in the Wakayama prefecture. The area is known as the headquarters of the Shingnon sect of Japanese Buddhism and was first settled in 816. Over time, it has developed into the small town of Koya that is now home to a religious studies university and over 100 temples, many of which offer accommodation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Japan, and The Best Historical Tours in Japan.
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Penang Prices
Malaysia PricesKoyasan Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPenang $144Koyasan $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $144, while the average daily cost in Koyasan is $95. 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 Koyasan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPenang $55Koyasan $41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPenang $110Koyasan $82
Compare Hotels in Penang and Koyasan
Looking for a hotel in Penang or Koyasan? 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 Koyasan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Penang $14Koyasan $34
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or Koyasan?
Prices for flights to both Koyasan 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 $64Koyasan $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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Penang $55Koyasan $14
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPenang $18Koyasan $5.07
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 Koyasan, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Koyasan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koyasan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koyasan 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 Koyasan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Penang Expensive? and Is Koyasan Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Penang or Koyasan?
Koyasan 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 Koyasan in the Summer?
Both Koyasan and Penang are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year. Also, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Koyasan this time of year.
In July, Penang is generally around the same temperature as Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 27°C (81°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Penang. Penang usually receives more sunshine than Koyasan during summer. Penang gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 183 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Koyasan. It's quite rainy in Penang. In July, Penang usually receives more rain than Koyasan. Penang gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPenang 27°C (81°F)Koyasan 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Penang or Koyasan in the Autumn?
Both Koyasan 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Koyasan for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Penang is a little warmer than Koyasan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Koyasan fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
Koyasan 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 October than Koyasan. Penang gets 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPenang 27°C (81°F)Koyasan 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Penang or Koyasan in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Penang and Koyasan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Koyasan in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.
In the winter, Penang is much warmer than Koyasan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Penang in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Koyasan averages at about 6°C (42°F).
In January, Penang usually receives more rain than Koyasan. Penang gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPenang 28°C (82°F)Koyasan 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Penang or Koyasan in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Penang as well as Koyasan. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Koyasan for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Penang is generally much warmer than Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 28°C (82°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 15°C (59°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 Koyasan. Penang gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 176 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Koyasan. Penang receives a lot of rain in the spring. Penang usually gets more rain in April than Koyasan. Penang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPenang 28°C (82°F)Koyasan 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Koyasan and Penang
| Penang | Koyasan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 208 mm (8.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 35 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.