Which place is cheaper, Salzburg 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 Salzburg?
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 Salzburg. 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 Salzburg?
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.
Salzburg
Most people know of Salzburg from its roll in the infamous movie "The Sound of Music." Every child who fell in love with this movie knows the gazebo scene in the rain, or could sing "My Favorite Things" as they skip down the Salzach River, but once you get past the obvious cliches, you can see that Salzburg is a city with a lot of depth and culture aside from the movie.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria.
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Penang Prices
Malaysia PricesSalzburg Prices
Austria Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPenang $147Salzburg $214
The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $147, while the average daily cost in Salzburg is $214. 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 Salzburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPenang $56Salzburg $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPenang $112Salzburg $212
Compare Hotels in Penang and Salzburg
Looking for a hotel in Penang or Salzburg? 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 Salzburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Penang $14Salzburg $23
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:
- Penang Airport Transfer: $15
- Private Departure Transfer to Penang International Airport: $18
- Private Transfer from Penang International Airport to Your Hotel: $18
- Penang Airport (PEN) to Penang Island - Arrival Private transfer: $19
- Penang Island to Penang Airport(PEN) - Departure Private transfer: $19
- Private Transfer Penang Airport To/From Hotel (1way only): $20
- Private Transfer from Swettenham Cruise Terminal to Penang Island: $21
- Private Transfer from Penang Island to Swettenham Cruise Terminal: $21
- Private Transfer - Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Airport (PEN): $21
- Penang Airport (PEN) to Swettenham Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $22
- Penang Hotel to Airport Departure Transfer: $23
- Penang Airport Transfer - Arrival or Departure: $36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salzburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salzburg:
- Airport Transfer: Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg by Luxury Car: $116
- Arrival Private Transfers: Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Luxury Van: $99
- Departure Private Transfers: Salzburg to Salzburg Airport SZG in Business Car: $97
- Departure Private Transfers: Salzburg to Salzburg Airport SZG in Luxury Van: $99
- From Salzburg to Munich Airport- Private Transfer - punctual & friendly Driver: $274
- Private Salzburg transfer: $233
- Private Transfer From Salzburg To Innsbruck, English Speaking Driver: $281
- Private Transfer From Salzburg To Kitzbuhel, English Speaking Driver: $197
- Private Transfer From Salzburg To Zell am See, Innsbruck or Kitzbuhel: $123
- Private Transfer From Zell am See To Munich: $239
- Private Transfer From Zell am See To Salzburg, English Speaking Driver: $197
- Private Transfer Salzburg → Munich, Hotel-to-Hotel, English-speaking driver: $269
Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or Salzburg?
Prices for flights to both Salzburg 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 $66Salzburg $83
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.
- 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 : A Feast That Taste Like History : 17+ Tasting: $55
- 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 Salzburg
Some typical examples of dining costs in Salzburg are as follows:
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Lunch Salad$10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salzburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salzburg.
- Apple Strudel & Salzburg Prezel Cooking Class Experience & Lunch: $70
- Austrian Apple Strudel Cooking Class including Lunch in Salzburg: $70
- Salzburg Christmas Cookies and Apple Strudel Cooking Lesson: $76
- Best of Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $98
- Apple Strudel & Prezel Cooking Class incl. Dinner & Music: $99
- Mozart Dinner Concert in Salzburg: $99
- Mozart and Advent/Christmas Concert with Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $99
- Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Salzburg with River Cruise: $132
- Best of Mozart Concert and GOLDEN VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $156
- Original Sound of Music Tour & Edelweiss Cooking Class Salzburg: $170
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Penang $56Salzburg $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$7.49
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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:
- Guided Tour of Cheong Fatt Tze's Blue Mansion in George Town: $6.35
- Tech Dome Entrance Ticket: $6.92
- Tropical Spice Garden Entrance Ticket & Guided Tours: $8.15
- The Vanilla Village Farm Tour by Kairos: $9.39
- Penang Hill Funicular Ticket - Non-Malaysian: $11
- Malaysia: Penang Habitat Entry Ticket: $15
- Malaysia: Discover Nature's Wonders with Entopia Entry Ticket: $16
- The Top Komtar Penang Observation Deck and Rainbow Skywalk Ticket: $21
- Entopia Penang Admission Ticket: $22
- Penang Rainbow Skywalk at The Top Komtar Observation Deck Tickets: $22
- Half-Day Penang Countryside Cycling Tour: $33
- Private George Town UNESCO Heritage Walking Tour: $45
Tours and Activities in Salzburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Salzburg are as follows:
- Salzburg City Self-Guided Audio Tour With 100 Captivating Stories: $3.49
- Self-Guided Walking Tour of Salzburg with Audio Guide: $5.83
- Kaprun Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $5.84
- Bad Ischl Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.34
- Salzburg Audio Guided Walking Tour 1h45 and 24 reviews: $6.88
- Salzburg Music, Myths and Baroque Beauty Self-Guided Walking Tour: $7.99
- Salzburg Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.18
- Salzburg Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $12
- Sightseeing with the Sound of Music: A Salzburg Audio Tour: $12
- Introducing A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Stiegl Brauwelt Museum ticket: $16
- Nuns and Nazis Walking Tour in Salzburg: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPenang $18Salzburg $30
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 Salzburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salzburg:
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Beer$4.29
Sample the Local Flavors in Salzburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Salzburg:
- Guided Wine Tasting in a Hidden Wine Bar: $44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Penang and Salzburg, we can see that Salzburg 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 Salzburg 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 Salzburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salzburg 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 Salzburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Penang or Salzburg?
Penang has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Salzburg. When comparing the sizes of Penang and Salzburg, 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 Salzburg?
Salzburg 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 Salzburg in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Penang and Salzburg. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Salzburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Penang is a little warmer than Salzburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Salzburg fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Salzburg this time of the year. In Penang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Penang usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Salzburg during summer. Penang gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.
Penang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Penang usually receives more rain than Salzburg. Penang gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPenang 27°C (81°F)Salzburg 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Penang or Salzburg in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Penang as well as Salzburg. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Penang is much warmer than Salzburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Penang in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Salzburg averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Penang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Penang usually gets more rain in October than Salzburg. Penang gets 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPenang 27°C (81°F)Salzburg 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Penang or Salzburg in the Winter?
Both Salzburg 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, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year.
It's quite cold in Salzburg in the winter. In January, Penang is generally much warmer than Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 28°C (82°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).
In January, Penang usually receives more rain than Salzburg. Penang gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPenang 28°C (82°F)Salzburg -0°C (31°F)
Should I visit Penang or Salzburg in the Spring?
Both Salzburg 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, many travelers come to Salzburg for the natural beauty.
Penang is much warmer than Salzburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
It's quite sunny in Penang. In the spring, Penang often gets more sunshine than Salzburg. Penang gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 155 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Penang. Penang usually gets more rain in April than Salzburg. Penang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPenang 28°C (82°F)Salzburg 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Salzburg and Penang
| Penang | Salzburg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 93 mm (3.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 64 mm (2.5 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.