Which place is cheaper, Rotorua 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 Rotorua?
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 Rotorua. 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 Rotorua?
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.
Rotorua
Located on the banks of Lake Rotorua, Rotorua is famous as the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. The area has a variety of geothermal sights, but it is also close to several lakes and has more traditional activities as well, including fishing, boating and white water rafting.
Rotorua is located in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which is the largest volcano in the area. There are four major volcanic calderas that now have lakes, and several other volcanoes in the area. Rotorua sits on top of a thermal hot spring, and there are many vents and hot pools throughout the area. Many of the hot pools and sights are located within parks, with some of the best being Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rainbow Springs Nature Park, and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
Rotorua has a warm, temperate climate. Because of the area's inland location, it has less wind than many places in New Zealand. Temperatures during the winter months can fall to below freezing, but snow is incredibly rare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.
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Penang Prices
Malaysia PricesRotorua Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPenang $144Rotorua $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $144, while the average daily cost in Rotorua is $114. 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 Rotorua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPenang $55Rotorua $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPenang $110Rotorua $96
Compare Hotels in Penang and Rotorua
Looking for a hotel in Penang or Rotorua? 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 Rotorua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Penang $14Rotorua $4.99
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: $57
- 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 - 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
- Private Half Day Tour to Penang Island with Transfer Included: $70
- Private Economy Penang Airport Transfer-Departure: $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotorua
Also for Rotorua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Rotorua to Auckland Afternoon Transfer with Waitomo Glow Worms: $194
Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or Rotorua?
Prices for flights to both Rotorua 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 $64Rotorua $50
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 Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mitai Maori Village: Cultural Experience and Dinner Buffet: $98
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experience - Haka + Dinner: $113
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experience with Dinner: $117
- Lake Rotoiti Evening Kayak Tour including Hot Springs, Glowworm Caves and BBQ Dinner: $130
- Te Pa Tu Māori Cultural Experience with Dinner: $156
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Combo - Tour, Dinner + Haka: $161
- Evening Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour with dinner: $202
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Penang $55Rotorua $34
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
- 6 Hours Highlights of Penang Shared Tour : $75
- 6-Hours Penang Private Tour: $169
- 8 Hours of Penang Tour: $60
- Back of the Bike Street Food Experience – Real Penang!: $88
- Best of Historical George Town Half Day Tour: $80
- Bukit Merah Orang Utan and Penang City Private Tour: $140
- Colors of George Town Walking Tour: $138
- Countryside Cycling Tour. T1.0 by Matahari: $97
- ESCAPE Penang Theme Park Admission Ticket : $73
- Enjoy Amazing Night Tour in Penang : $84
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Rotorua's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Lunch Out for Two$27
Tours and Activities in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mini Golf Experience: $12
- Whaka Geothermal Trails Self-Guided Tour: $25
- Jade Carving Experience at a Local Studio: $26
- Mountain Jade Highlights Tour: $27
- Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour: $28
- Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour: $29
- Geothermal Mineral Baths Experience: Pavilion Pools for 12+: $29
- Geothermal Adults Only Mineral Bathing - Pavilion Pools Bathing Ticket: $30
- Authentic Kiwi Farm Experience at the Agrodome: $34
- Waimangu Volcanic Valley Ticket & Self-Guided Walk: $38
- The National Kiwi Hatchery Kiwi Encounter Tour: $38
- Waimangu Volcanic Valley Entry Ticket: $38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPenang $18Rotorua $12
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rotorua:
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Bottle of Wine$11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Penang and Rotorua, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Rotorua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Penang is in Asia and Rotorua 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 Rotorua would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rotorua 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 Rotorua.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Penang Expensive? and Is Rotorua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Penang or Rotorua?
Penang has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Penang and Rotorua, 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 Rotorua?
Rotorua 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 Rotorua in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Penang as well as Rotorua. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
Penang is much warmer than Rotorua in the summer. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Rotorua fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in January.
Penang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Penang usually gets more rain in July than Rotoruain January. Penang gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPenang 27°C (81°F)Rotorua 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Penang or Rotorua in the Autumn?
Both Rotorua 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 hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.
In the autumn, Penang is much warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Penang in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Rotorua averages at about 16°C (61°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Penang. In October, Penang usually receives more rain than Rotoruain April. Penang gets 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilPenang 27°C (81°F)Rotorua 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Penang or Rotorua in the Winter?
Both Rotorua 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, many travelers come to Rotorua for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Penang is generally around the same temperature as Rotoruain July. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 28°C (82°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Penang usually gets more rain in January than Rotoruain July. Penang gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyPenang 28°C (82°F)Rotorua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Penang or Rotorua in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Penang and Rotorua. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rotorua in the spring for the natural beauty.
Penang is a little warmer than Rotorua in the spring. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Rotorua fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.
Penang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Penang usually receives more rain than Rotoruain October. Penang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberPenang 28°C (82°F)Rotorua 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Rotorua and Penang
| Penang | Rotorua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 41 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.