Which place is cheaper, Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik?
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 Reykjavik. 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 Reykjavik?
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.
Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in the country of Iceland. The city is where the vast majority of the country's population resides and the urban area has about 200,000 residents. The city is sprawling, with a large area covered in suburbs. The the city center is quite compact, with many interesting and colorful houses. There are a lot of things that attract tourists to this city, including an interesting culture and history as well as plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.
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Penang Prices
Malaysia PricesReykjavik Prices
Iceland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPenang $147Reykjavik $298
The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $147, while the average daily cost in Reykjavik is $298. 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 Reykjavik in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPenang $56Reykjavik $155
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPenang $112Reykjavik $310
Compare Hotels in Penang and Reykjavik
Looking for a hotel in Penang or Reykjavik? 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 Reykjavik Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Penang $14Reykjavik $51
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$1.45
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Island Ferry$0.58
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Bus From Airport to George Town$0.65
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Taxi From Airport to George Town$11
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Motorbike Rental (One Day)$7.25
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Bicycle Rental (One Day)$2.42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Penang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Penang:
- Swettenham Pier to Penang Airport(PEN)-Departure Private Transfer: $22
- Swettenham Pier Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $56
- Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $111
- Private Transfer: Penang International Airport to or from Hotel: $49
- Private Transfer from Swettenham Cruise Terminal to Penang Island: $21
- Private Transfer from Penang Island to Swettenham Cruise Terminal: $21
- Private Transfer from Penang International Airport to Your Hotel: $18
- Private Transfer Penang Airport To/From Hotel (1way only): $20
- Private Transfer : Penang Hotel/Port to Kuala Lumpur Hotel: $174
- Private Transfer - Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Airport (PEN): $21
- Private Transfer - Penang Airport (PEN) to Swettenham Cruise Port: $21
- Private Half Day Tour to Penang Island with Transfer Included: $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik
Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer: Keflavik Airport (KEF) to Reykjavik Hotels: $52
- Airport Transfer: Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik Center in Iceland: $39
- Alesund : Private Transfer to/from Ålesund Airport and City: $116
- Blue Lagoon Admission with Mask, Drink, Transfers from Reykjavik: $236
- Blue Lagoon Entry Ticket with Optional Private or Shared Transfer: $216
- Blue Lagoon Private Transfer :From KEF or Reykjavik: $151
- Blue Lagoon Transfer from Reykjavik or Keflavik Airport: $200
- Blue Lagoon Transfer from/to Keflavik International Airport: $70
- Blue Lagoon with Private Roundtrip Transfer: $613
- Bus Transfer: Reykjavík / Hella / Hvolsvöllur to Thórsmörk: $95
- Cruise Port Transfer : Reykjavik to Cruise Port: $174
- From Reykjavík: Blue Lagoon Premium Admission with Transfer: $206
Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or Reykjavik?
Prices for flights to both Reykjavik 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 $66Reykjavik $58
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$1.93
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Dinner at The Suffolk House (for 2)$83
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Lunch at Sakae Sushi (for 2)$70
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Lassy Juice$1.69
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Dinner for 2$3.63
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Street Stall Food$0.68
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.59
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Italian Lunch (for Two)$12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Penang
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Penang.
- Penang Food Tour : A Feast That Taste Like History : 17+ Tasting: $48
- Good Morning Penang Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Penang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Private Half-Day Hawker Trails Food Tour in George Town: $51
- 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
- Authentic Local Food Tour with Scenic Walk: $89
- Malay Culinary Journey Cooking Class for the Adventurous Foodie: $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 Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner (Fish Market)$198
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Harbor Cruise with 3-Course Dinner: $137
- Food Tour by locals: $140
- Authentic Reykjavik Food Tour with Flea Market Delights: $146
- Icelandic Food Tour: $147
- The Reykjavik Harbor Food Tour: $147
- 3-Hour Shared Christmas Food Tour with Guide in Reykjavik: $149
- Reykjavík Food Tour with 5 Authentic Local Tastings & Secret Dish: $151
- Food Tour with 6+ Tastings of Icelandic Classics: $154
- The Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $171
- Christmas Food Tour with Tastings and Drinks: $171
- Reykjavík All In One Food Tour - Eat, Drink & Explore with Locals: $203
- Private Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $241
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Penang $56Reykjavik $80
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$7.49
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Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$7.25
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Fort Cornwallis Entrance$0.48
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Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Entrance$2.42
Tours and Activities in Penang
Here are a few actual costs in Penang for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3 Hour of Penang Street Food Walkabout Tour The Heritage Site: $49
- 4-Hour Private Heritage Tour in George Town: $70
- 6 Hours Highlights of Penang Shared Tour: $75
- 6-Hours Penang Private Tour: $172
- 8 Hours of Penang Tour: $60
- Back of the Bike Street Food Experience – Real Penang!: $119
- Best of Historical George Town Half Day Tour: $80
- Bukit Merah Orang Utan and Penang City Private Tour: $140
- Countryside Cycling Tour. T1.0 by Matahari: $100
- Customizable Penang Private Tour (8hrs usage): $65
- Day Tour of Penang with Train Ride To Penang Hill: $170
- Discover Penang City in Amazing Tour: $87
Typical Entertainment Prices in Reykjavik
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Museum$12
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Wine and Spa$32
Tours and Activities in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Tour in Reykjavik: $5.00
- A Self-Guided Thingvellir National Park Walking Tour: $8.99
- TOP Iceland : Private Guided Tour with your mobile: $12
- Reykjavík: National Museum of Iceland Entry Ticket: $21
- Reykjavik Art Museum Entry Ticket: $21
- Volcano Express Entry Ticket at Harpa: $24
- Mosfellsbæ: Authentic Icelandic Wool Yarn Factory Tour: $26
- Icelandic Phallological Museum Entry Ticket: $29
- Private audio guide of the island for self-exploration tour: $29
- Volcano Express Iceland Admission Ticket: Immersive Experience: $32
- Saga Museum Entry Ticket: $33
- Whales of Iceland Museum Entrance Ticket: $34
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPenang $18Reykjavik $31
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$1.93
Typical Alcohol Prices in Reykjavik
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:
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Beer$9.77
Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:
- Flóki Whisky Distillery Tour & Tasting in Reykjavík: $48
- Craft Beer and Brewery Tour in Iceland: $48
- Eimverk Distillery Guided Tour with Tasting: $48
- Icelandic Bar Crawl and Karaoke Experience: $169
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Penang and Reykjavik, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Penang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Penang is in Asia and Reykjavik is in Europe, 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 Penang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Penang 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik than you might in Penang.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Penang Expensive? and Is Reykjavik Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Penang or Reykjavik?
Penang has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Penang and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?
Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Penang as well as Reykjavik. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Penang is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the summer temperatures in Penang in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 11°C (52°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Penang this time of the year. In the summer, Penang often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Penang gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun.
Penang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Penang usually gets more rain in July than Reykjavik. Penang gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPenang 27°C (81°F)Reykjavik 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Penang or Reykjavik in the Autumn?
Both Reykjavik and Penang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. In October, Penang is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 27°C (81°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
It's quite rainy in Penang. In October, Penang usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Penang gets 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPenang 27°C (81°F)Reykjavik 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Penang or Reykjavik in the Winter?
Both Reykjavik and Penang during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Penang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.
It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the winter. Penang is much warmer than Reykjavik in the winter. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).
Penang usually gets less rain in January than Reykjavik. Penang gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPenang 28°C (82°F)Reykjavik -0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Penang or Reykjavik in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Penang and Reykjavik. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Reykjavik for the natural beauty.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. In the spring, Penang is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the spring temperatures in Penang in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 3°C (38°F).
In Penang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Penang usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during spring. Penang gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun in the spring.
Penang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Penang usually receives more rain than Reykjavik. Penang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPenang 28°C (82°F)Reykjavik 3°C (38°F)
Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Penang
| Penang | Reykjavik | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 79 mm (3.1 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.