Which place is cheaper, Newcastle 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 Newcastle?
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 Newcastle. 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 Newcastle?
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.
Newcastle
Newcastle is 150 kilometers north of Sydney in New South Wales. It is also the second largest city in the state, and serves as a central point to explore the area's beaches, wineries, and beautiful natural landscape. North of the city is Stockton beach, which has many miles of isolated, beautiful beaches, stretching all the way up to Nelson Bay. The wineries are inland to the west and have some of Australia's finest wine which you can taste. If you want to see rainforests, you can head northwest to Barrington Tops National Park, which has great rainforests and freshwater streams. You may even get to see a platypus. The city also has the country's oldest sea port. In the past the city's economy was centered around the steel industry, but today the University of Newcastle is one of the area's most important employers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.
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Penang Prices
Malaysia PricesNewcastle Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPenang $144Newcastle $117
The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $144, while the average daily cost in Newcastle is $117. 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 Newcastle in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPenang $55Newcastle $45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPenang $110Newcastle $90
Compare Hotels in Penang and Newcastle
Looking for a hotel in Penang or Newcastle? 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 Newcastle Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Penang $14Newcastle $8.41
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Newcastle
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Newcastle:
- Newcastle Airport (NTL) to Newcastle - Arrival Private Transfer: $74
- Newcastle Airport to Newcastle - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $148
- Newcastle to Newcastle Airport (NTL) - Departure Private Transfer: $74
- Private Transfer from Newcastle City Hotels to Newcastle Port: $80
- Private Transfer from Newcastle Port to Newcastle Airport (NTL): $82
Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or Newcastle?
Prices for flights to both Newcastle 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 $64Newcastle $61
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 Newcastle
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Newcastle.
- Harbour Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $69
- Earp Distilling Co: Date Night with Blending Class & Dinner: $73
- Cooking Classes at the Yellow Door Kitchen: $96
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Penang $55Newcastle $15
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 Newcastle
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Newcastle are as follows:
- Wine & Cheese Tasting Experience in Hunter Valley: $14
- Mead and Honey Tasting Experience: $19
- True Crime Guided Walking Tour: $22
- Newcastle Dark Stories True Crime Tour: $23
- Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Tasting Experience in Hunter Valley: $23
- Port Stephens: Dolphin Discovery Cruise: $28
- Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard - Sweet Indulgence Experience: $40
- Shared Newcastle Harbor Cruise: $43
- Tree Ropes Course Adventure: $46
- Lake Macquarie Cruise with Lunch: $46
- Newcastle Harbour Luncheon Cruise: $47
- Port Stephens: Whale Watching Cruise: $53
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPenang $18Newcastle $10
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Newcastle
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Newcastle:
- Cael’s Gate Wine Tasting in Hunter Valley: $6.66
- Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Seated Wine Tasting : $10
- Boutique Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $11
- Newcastle Bar Crawl Experience: $15
- Tulloch Wines - Wine Tasting paired with Local Handmade Chocolates: $23
- Cheese and Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $26
- Wonnarua Sparkling Wine Tasting: $30
- Ivanhoe Wines: Trip Advisor Premium Wine Tasting: $30
- Tintilla Estate: Wine Tasting with a Meat and Cheese Platter: $33
- Tulloch Wines- Mystery Wine Tasting Experience with Local Cheese and Charcuterie: $35
- Tulloch Wines Hunter Heroes Wine Tasting with Local Cheese & Charcuterie Board: $35
- Premium Wine Tasting Experience in Pokolbin: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Penang and Newcastle, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Newcastle much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Penang is in Asia and Newcastle is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Newcastle would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Newcastle 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 Newcastle.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Penang Expensive? and Is Newcastle Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Penang or Newcastle?
Newcastle has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Penang and Newcastle, 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 Newcastle?
Newcastle 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 Newcastle in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Penang and Newcastle. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Newcastle for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Penang is a little warmer than Newcastle in the summer. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Newcastle fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Newcastle this time of the year. In Penang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Penang usually receives less sunshine than Newcastle during summer. Penang gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Newcastle receives 232 hours of full sun in the summer.
Newcastle 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 Newcastlein January. Penang gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPenang 27°C (81°F)Newcastle 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Penang or Newcastle in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Penang as well as Newcastle. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Newcastle in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Penang is a little warmer than Newcastle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Penang in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Newcastle averages at about 19°C (67°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Newcastle. Penang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Penang usually gets more rain in October than Newcastlein April. Penang gets 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilPenang 27°C (81°F)Newcastle 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Penang or Newcastle in the Winter?
Both Newcastle and Penang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Newcastle for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Penang is generally much warmer than Newcastlein July. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 28°C (82°F), and Newcastle fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In January, Penang usually receives more rain than Newcastlein July. Penang gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyPenang 28°C (82°F)Newcastle 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Penang or Newcastle in the Spring?
Both Newcastle 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. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Newcastle because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
Penang is much warmer than Newcastle in the spring. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Newcastle fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in October.
In Newcastle, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Penang. In the spring, Penang often gets less sunshine than Newcastlein October. Penang gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newcastle receives 237 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Penang. Penang usually gets more rain in April than Newcastlein October. Penang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Newcastle receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberPenang 28°C (82°F)Newcastle 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Newcastle and Penang
| Penang | Newcastle | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 82 mm (3.2 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.