Which place is cheaper, Sendai or Penang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Penang or Sendai?
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 Sendai. 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 Sendai?
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.
Sendai
Sendai, Japan is located in the Toohoku region on the main Honshu island. It is often referred to as "Forest City" due to the large amount of green space throughout the city and the tree filled parks and public spaces. Sendai is a very pleasant city to visit; they are in close proximity to both mountains and the sea and have many large universities throughout the city, making it a popular college town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPenang $103Sendai $105
The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $103, while the average daily cost in Sendai is $105. 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 Sendai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPenang $49Sendai $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPenang $98Sendai $118
Compare Hotels in Penang and Sendai
Looking for a hotel in Penang or Sendai? 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: Sendai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Penang $12Sendai $18
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$1.26
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Island Ferry$0.50
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Bus From Airport to George Town$0.57
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Taxi From Airport to George Town$9.64
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Motorbike Rental (One Day)$6.29
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Bicycle Rental (One Day)$2.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Penang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Penang:
- Swettenham Pier to Penang Airport(PEN)-Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal: Transfer to Penang Island: $116
- Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal, Penang to Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Door to Door) Transfer: $120
- Swettenham Pier Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $76
- Private Transfer: Penang International Airport to or from Hotel: $49
- Private Transfer from Swettenham Cruise Terminal to Penang Island: $38
- Private Transfer From Penang Airport to Town Area: $26
- Private Transfer : Penang International Airport Departure: $13
- Private Transfer - Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Airport (PEN): $38
- Private Penang Arrival transfer to Hotel: $12
- Private Economy Penang Airport Transfer-Departure: $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sendai
Also for Sendai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sendai Airport to/from Sendai City private transfer: $76
Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or Sendai?
Prices for flights to both Sendai 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 $33Sendai $33
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$1.68
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Dinner at The Suffolk House (for 2)$72
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Lunch at Sakae Sushi (for 2)$61
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Lassy Juice$1.47
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Dinner for 2$3.14
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Street Stall Food$0.59
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$3.98
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Italian Lunch (for Two)$10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Penang
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Penang.
- 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
- Private Half Day Penang Tasty Local Street Food Tour: $87
- 4-Hour Georgetown Food Tour: $88
- Cooking Classes In Penang By Penang Chiak: $93
- Private Dinner at THE TOP with Skywalk Experience from Penang: $103
- Chef Samuel's Private Malaysian Cooking Class with Wet Market Tour: $116
- Food Tour at Penang - Eat Like a Local, Feel Like a Local: $120
- Experience Malaysia: Authentic Malaysia Cooking Tour: $121
- Dinner at Penang Hill Including Train Ride: $141
- Penang's Night Eat-Venture Vespa Food Tour: $160
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Penang $49Sendai $18
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$6.50
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Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$6.29
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Fort Cornwallis Entrance$0.42
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Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Entrance$2.10
Tours and Activities in Penang
Here are a few actual costs in Penang for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Penang City Temple Tour with Penang Hill(Fast Lane) & Kek Lok Si: $100
- 4 Hour Food and Heritage Walking Tour in Penang George Town: $75
- 4-Hour Heritage Walking Tour of Georgetown: $58
- 6-Hours Penang Private Tour: $151
- Admission Ticket for Dark Mansion Glow-in-the-Dark Museum in Penang: $8.80
- Asia Camera Museum Admission Ticket: $5.38
- Countryside Cycling Tour by Matahari: $82
- Discover Georgetown Heritage Private Tour in Penang: $51
- Discover Penang City Tour: $47
- Discover Penang City in Amazing Tour: $82
- Enjoy Hill & Temple Sightseeing Tour - Penang City: $68
- Entopia Butterfly Farm & Tropical Spice Garden Tour: $81
Tours and Activities in Sendai
For Sendai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Japanese Taiko Drum Experience at Sairi Yashiki : $71
- Sendai, Okama: Private tour from Sendai city to Okama: $251
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPenang $15Sendai $11
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$1.68
When comparing the travel costs between Penang and Sendai, we can see that Sendai is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Penang Expensive? and Is Sendai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Penang or Sendai?
Sendai has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Penang and Sendai, 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 Sendai?
Sendai 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 Sendai in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Penang as well as Sendai. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Sendai for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Penang is generally a little warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 27°C (81°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 23°C (73°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 Sendai. Penang gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 124 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Sendai. Penang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Penang usually gets more rain in July than Sendai. Penang gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPenang 27°C (81°F)Sendai 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Penang or Sendai in the Autumn?
Both Sendai 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 Sendai because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Penang is much warmer than Sendai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Sendai fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sendai. It's quite rainy in Penang. In October, Penang usually receives more rain than Sendai. Penang gets 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPenang 27°C (81°F)Sendai 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Penang or Sendai in the Winter?
Both Sendai 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 museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sendai this time of year.
It's quite cold in Sendai in the winter. In the winter, Penang is much warmer than Sendai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Penang in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Sendai averages at about 2°C (35°F).
Penang usually gets more rain in January than Sendai. Penang gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPenang 28°C (82°F)Sendai 2°C (35°F)
Should I visit Penang or Sendai in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Penang and Sendai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sendai for the beaches and the activities around the city.
In April, Penang is generally much warmer than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 28°C (82°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).
In Penang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Penang usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during spring. Penang gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 188 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 Sendai. Penang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPenang 28°C (82°F)Sendai 10°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Sendai and Penang
| Penang | Sendai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 36 mm (1.4 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.