Which place is cheaper, Rockhampton 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 Rockhampton?
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 Rockhampton. 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 Rockhampton?
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.
Rockhampton
Rockhampton is a city in Queensland, Australia with a population of around 75,000. It dates back to 1855 and historically the economy was driven by gold, mining, and agriculture. Today it feels more bustling than you would expect in an "outback town." There's traffic, suburban sprawl, and continuing growth and development. The city sits on the Fitzroy River about 45 kilometers from the river's mouth.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia, and The Best Photography Tours in Australia.
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Penang Prices
Malaysia PricesRockhampton Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPenang $144Rockhampton $208
The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $144, while the average daily cost in Rockhampton is $208. 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 Rockhampton in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPenang $55Rockhampton $102
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPenang $110Rockhampton $204
Compare Hotels in Penang and Rockhampton
Looking for a hotel in Penang or Rockhampton? 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 Rockhampton Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Penang $14Rockhampton $19
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:
- Swettenham Pier to Penang Airport(PEN)-Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Swettenham Pier Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $58
- Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $115
- Private Transfer: Penang Island to or from Perak: $131
- Private Transfer: Penang International Airport to or from Hotel: $49
- Private Transfer from Swettenham Cruise Terminal to Penang Island: $22
- Private Transfer from Penang Island to Swettenham Cruise Terminal: $22
- Private Transfer : Penang International Airport Departure: $13
- Private Transfer : Penang Hotel to Kuala Lumpur Hotel: $207
- Private Transfer - Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Airport (PEN): $22
- Private Transfer - Penang Airport (PEN) to Swettenham Cruise Port: $22
- Private Penang Arrival transfer to Hotel: $12
Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or Rockhampton?
Prices for flights to both Rockhampton 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 $64Rockhampton $86
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.
- Penang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Good Morning Penang Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Penang Food Tour - Georgetown: $62
- Local Street Food Tour in Georgetown Penang : $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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Penang $55Rockhampton $40
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:
- George Town Highlights & Upside Down Museum tours (5 Hours): $67
- Penang City Temple Tour with Penang Hill(Fast Lane) & Kek Lok Si: $147
- 4 Hour Food and Heritage Walking Tour in Penang George Town: $93
- 4-Hour Heritage Walking Tour of Georgetown: $60
- 4-Hour Private Heritage Tour in George Town: $68
- 6 Hours Highlights of Penang Shared Tour : $75
- 6-Hours Penang Private Tour: $169
- 8 Hours of Penang Tour: $60
- All-Inclusive Penang George Town Private Tour: $154
- Asia Camera Museum Admission Ticket: $6.10
- Back of the Bike Street Food Experience – Real Penang!: $88
- Best of Historical George Town Half Day Tour: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPenang $18Rockhampton $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$1.90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Penang and Rockhampton, we can see that Rockhampton 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 Rockhampton 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 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 Rockhampton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rockhampton 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 Rockhampton Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Penang or Rockhampton?
Penang has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Rockhampton. When comparing the sizes of Penang and Rockhampton, 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 Rockhampton?
Rockhampton 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 Rockhampton in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Penang as well as Rockhampton. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Rockhampton for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Penang is around the same temperature as Rockhampton in the summer. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Rockhampton fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in Rockhampton. Penang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Penang usually gets more rain in July than Rockhamptonin January. Penang gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Rockhampton receives 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPenang 27°C (81°F)Rockhampton 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Penang or Rockhampton in the Autumn?
Both Rockhampton 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, many visitors come to Rockhampton in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere.
In the autumn, Penang is a little warmer than Rockhampton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Penang in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Rockhampton averages at about 23°C (74°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Penang. In October, Penang usually receives more rain than Rockhamptonin April. Penang gets 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain, while Rockhampton receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilPenang 27°C (81°F)Rockhampton 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Penang or Rockhampton in the Winter?
Both Rockhampton 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, most visitors come to Rockhampton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Penang is generally much warmer than Rockhamptonin July. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 28°C (82°F), and Rockhampton fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Penang usually gets more rain in January than Rockhamptonin July. Penang gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rockhampton receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyPenang 28°C (82°F)Rockhampton 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Penang or Rockhampton in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Penang and Rockhampton. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Rockhampton because of the beaches and the small town charm.
Penang is a little warmer than Rockhampton in the spring. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Rockhampton fluctuates around 23°C (74°F)in October.
Penang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Penang usually receives more rain than Rockhamptonin October. Penang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Rockhampton receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberPenang 28°C (82°F)Rockhampton 23°C (74°F)
Typical Weather for Rockhampton and Penang
| Penang | Rockhampton | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 125 mm (4.9 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.