Which place is cheaper, Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo?
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 Sao Paulo. 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 Sao Paulo?
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.
Sao Paulo
With a population of around 11 million, and 20 million in the metropolitan area, Sao Paulo is the largest city in Brazil. It's also one of the wealthiest cities in the southern hemisphere, although you don't have to look far to see the income disparities and inequalities that exist. The city is diverse and culturally rich, with excellent food, music, and entertainment.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil.
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Penang Prices
Malaysia PricesSao Paulo Prices
Brazil Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPenang $144Sao Paulo $60
The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $144, while the average daily cost in Sao Paulo is $60. 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 Sao Paulo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPenang $55Sao Paulo $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPenang $110Sao Paulo $56
Compare Hotels in Penang and Sao Paulo
Looking for a hotel in Penang or Sao Paulo? 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 Sao Paulo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Penang $14Sao Paulo $5.76
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:
- Full-Day Private Transfer in Penang City : $275
- Penang to KUL Hotel (One Way Transfer): $237
- Chauffeur: Penang Island to Singapore Van Transfer: $146
- Penang City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $140
- Penang City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $140
- Private Transfer: Penang Island to or from Perak: $131
- Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $115
- Penang City to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $107
- Penang to Kuala Lumpur 1-way Transfer: $107
- Private Half Day Tour to Penang Island with Transfer Included: $70
- ATV Ride in Balik Pulau with Snacks and Transfers: $66
- Penang Airport Transfer ( 24/7): $59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU) to Sao Paulo Private Transfer: $79
- Airport Transfer: Sao Paulo to Airport GRU by Business Car: $143
- Airport Transfer: Sao Paulo to Airport GRU by Luxury Van: $176
- Arrived in Guarulhos or Congonhas? Your Transfer is Ready: $90
- Private Arrival Transfer | Congonhas Airport (CGH) x São Paulo City: $95
- Private Arrival Transfer: Congonhas Airport to São Paulo Hotels: $39
- Private Arrival Transfer: Guarulhos International Airport to São Paulo Hotels: $47
- Private Departure Transfer: São Paulo Hotels to Congonhas Airport: $39
- Private Transfer from Alphaville to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport: $125
- Private Transfer from Gru Airport to Port or City of Santos (1 to 15 people): $229
- Private Transfer from Guarulhos to Santos: $80
- Private Transfer from Morumbi to Sao Paulo (GRU) Airport: $178
Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or Sao Paulo?
Prices for flights to both Sao Paulo 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 $64Sao Paulo $24
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 Sao Paulo
For Sao Paulo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Make 9 Brazilian Faves in a 4-Hour Cooking Workshop in Sao Paulo: $85
- Authentic Brazilian Cooking Experience in SP: Feijoada & Moqueca: $189
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Penang $55Sao Paulo $3.89
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
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- Sao Paulo Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Downtown-Center History Walking Tour - in English: $31
- São Paulo: 2 Hour Immersion Waling Tour in Paulista Avenue: $34
- São Paulo Must-see Attractions Walking Tour with a Guide: $48
- Boat Trip Billings Dam and Experience Bororé Island: $50
- São Paulo: 2 Hours - Liberdade "Street Food" Tour - In English: $55
- Sao Paulo, Pinheiros - Food & Graffiti Tour - In English: $65
- São Paulo Highlights Walking Tour with a Guide: $66
- City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day: $68
- Sao Paulo Culture Walking Tour: $69
- Shared tour of the tourist attractions of São Paulo: $77
- São Paulo’s Full Day City Tour: Main City Sights in 7 Hours – (Shared Group): $79
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPenang $18Sao Paulo $3.38
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 Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
- Fine wine tastings in São Roque - Tour with local guides: $192
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Penang and Sao Paulo, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Penang is in Asia and Sao Paulo is in South America, 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 Sao Paulo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Penang Expensive? and Is Sao Paulo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Penang or Sao Paulo?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Penang and Sao Paulo, 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 Sao Paulo?
Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo in the Summer?
Both Sao Paulo and Penang during the summer 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 Sao Paulo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Penang is around the same temperature as Sao Paulo in the summer. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.
Sao Paulo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Penang. Penang usually gets more rain in July than Sao Pauloin January. Penang gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPenang 27°C (81°F)Sao Paulo 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Penang or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Penang and Sao Paulo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Sao Paulo because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Penang is a little warmer than Sao Paulo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Penang in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 22°C (72°F)in April.
Penang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Penang usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin April. Penang gets 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilPenang 27°C (81°F)Sao Paulo 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Penang or Sao Paulo in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Penang as well as Sao Paulo. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sao Paulo this time of year.
In January, Penang is generally a little warmer than Sao Pauloin July. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 28°C (82°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
Penang usually gets more rain in January than Sao Pauloin July. Penang gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Sao Paulo is the dry season.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyPenang 28°C (82°F)Sao Paulo 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Penang or Sao Paulo in the Spring?
Both Sao Paulo and Penang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Sao Paulo for the activities around the city.
Penang is a little warmer than Sao Paulo in the spring. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Penang. In April, Penang usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin October. Penang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. The rainy season in Sao Paulo is October to March.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberPenang 28°C (82°F)Sao Paulo 21°C (70°F)
Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Penang
| Penang | Sao Paulo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 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.