Which place is cheaper, Mashiko or Penang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Penang or Mashiko?
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 Mashiko. 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 Mashiko?
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.
Mashiko
Mashiko is a town in Japan famous for its pottery, called "Mashiko yaki." Large noborigama kilns were first brought to the area in 1853 by immigrant potters from a neighboring community in the Ibaraki prefecture. It is also home to the site of Saimyoji temple, one of the oldest temples in Tochigi prefecture, as well as the shrine of the Utsunomiya han.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPenang $103Mashiko $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $103, while the average daily cost in Mashiko is $64. 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 Mashiko in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPenang $49Mashiko $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPenang $98Mashiko $66
Compare Hotels in Penang and Mashiko
Looking for a hotel in Penang or Mashiko? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Penang $12Mashiko $11
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$1.26
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Island Ferry$0.50
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Bus From Airport to George Town$0.57
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Taxi From Airport to George Town$9.64
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Motorbike Rental (One Day)$6.29
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Bicycle Rental (One Day)$2.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Penang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Penang:
- Full-Day Private Transfer in Penang City : $210
- Penang City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City Hotels One-way Transfer: $140
- Penang City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $140
- Chauffeur: Penang Island to Singapore Van Transfer: $138
- Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal, Penang to Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Door to Door) Transfer: $120
- Penang Intl Airport (PEN): Transfer to Penang Island hotels: $116
- Penang Airport (PEN): Transfer to Swettenham Cruise Port: $116
- Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal: Transfer to Penang Island: $116
- Penang City to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $107
- Penang to Kuala Lumpur 1-way Transfer: $107
- Penang Airport PEN to Penang Island - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $85
- Penang Airport to Swettenham Cruise Port - Round Trip Transfer: $76
Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or Mashiko?
Prices for flights to both Mashiko 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 $33Mashiko $23
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$1.68
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Dinner at The Suffolk House (for 2)$72
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Lunch at Sakae Sushi (for 2)$61
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Lassy Juice$1.47
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Dinner for 2$3.14
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Street Stall Food$0.59
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$3.98
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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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Penang $49Mashiko $8.85
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$6.50
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Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$6.29
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Fort Cornwallis Entrance$0.42
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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:
- Penang City Temple Tour with Penang Hill(Fast Lane) & Kek Lok Si: $100
- 4 Hour Food and Heritage Walking Tour in Penang George Town: $75
- 4-Hour Heritage Walking Tour of Georgetown: $58
- 6-Hours Penang Private Tour: $151
- Admission Ticket for Dark Mansion Glow-in-the-Dark Museum in Penang: $8.80
- Asia Camera Museum Admission Ticket: $5.38
- Countryside Cycling Tour by Matahari: $82
- Discover Georgetown Heritage Private Tour in Penang: $51
- Discover Penang City Tour: $47
- Discover Penang City in Amazing Tour: $82
- Enjoy Hill & Temple Sightseeing Tour - Penang City: $68
- Entopia Butterfly Farm & Tropical Spice Garden Tour: $81
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPenang $15Mashiko $5.13
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$1.68
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Penang and Mashiko, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Mashiko much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mashiko would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mashiko 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 Mashiko.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Penang Expensive? and Is Mashiko Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Penang or Mashiko?
Penang has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Mashiko. When comparing the sizes of Penang and Mashiko, 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 Mashiko?
Mashiko 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 Mashiko in the Summer?
Both Mashiko and Penang during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Penang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mashiko for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Penang is a little warmer than Mashiko in the summer. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Mashiko fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
It's quite sunny in Penang. In the summer, Penang often gets more sunshine than Mashiko. Penang gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mashiko receives 130 hours of full sun.
Mashiko 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 July than Mashiko. Penang gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPenang 27°C (81°F)Mashiko 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Penang or Mashiko in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Penang and Mashiko. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Mashiko because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.
In the autumn, Penang is much warmer than Mashiko. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Penang in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Mashiko averages at about 16°C (60°F).
Mashiko receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Penang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Penang usually receives more rain than Mashiko. Penang gets 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPenang 27°C (81°F)Mashiko 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Penang or Mashiko in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Penang as well as Mashiko. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Mashiko this time of year.
It's quite cold in Mashiko in the winter. In January, Penang is generally much warmer than Mashiko. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 28°C (82°F), and Mashiko fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
Penang usually gets more rain in January than Mashiko. Penang gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPenang 28°C (82°F)Mashiko 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Penang or Mashiko in the Spring?
Both Mashiko and Penang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Mashiko for the small town charm.
Penang is much warmer than Mashiko in the spring. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Mashiko fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Penang. Penang usually receives more sunshine than Mashiko during spring. Penang gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Mashiko receives 160 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Mashiko. It's quite rainy in Penang. In April, Penang usually receives more rain than Mashiko. Penang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Mashiko receives 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPenang 28°C (82°F)Mashiko 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Mashiko and Penang
| Penang | Mashiko | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 175 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.