Which place is cheaper, Seoul 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 Seoul?
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 Seoul. 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 Seoul?
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.
Seoul
With a population of more than 11 million, Seoul is easily the largest city in South Korea. It is also the financial, political, and cultural capital of the country and has much to offer open minded travelers. It is often overlooked by travelers who instead head to Tokyo or Shanghai, but Seoul has a wide range of cultural experiences, food options, and historical sights. Seoul is a city of contrasts with ancient traditions, flashy technology, religious temples and a modern youth culture. It is also more affordable than many of the other Asian metropolis' to which it is often compared. If you're looking for an interesting and different experience that is a little off the tourist trail, Seoul can definitely offer that opportunity.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea.
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Penang Prices
Malaysia PricesSeoul Prices
South Korea Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPenang $153Seoul $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $153, while the average daily cost in Seoul is $118. 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 Seoul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPenang $58Seoul $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPenang $116Seoul $100
Compare Hotels in Penang and Seoul
Looking for a hotel in Penang or Seoul? 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 Seoul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Penang $15Seoul $14
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$1.51
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Island Ferry$0.60
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Bus From Airport to George Town$0.68
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Taxi From Airport to George Town$12
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Motorbike Rental (One Day)$7.56
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Bicycle Rental (One Day)$2.52
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
- Penang Airport Arrival Transfer: $21
- 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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seoul
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Seoul:
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Subway Card$3.32
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Short Taxi Ride$4.64
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Metro Ride$0.90
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Seoul City Pass Plus$6.63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
- From Round-Trip Transfer to Dae Jang Geum Park: $50
- Gimpo Airport GMP Private Transfer To From Seoul Hotels: $108
- Incheon Airport (ICN) Transfer to Seoul/Suwon/Seongnam/Yongin: $68
- Incheon Airport transfer directly to Seoul city: $113
- Incheon International Airport (ICN): Private Seoul Transfer: $95
- Lotte World 1Day Pass+Obesrvatoy+Private round transfer(Seoul): $115
- Premium Seoul Airport Transfer: Affordable & Convenience: $105
- Private Airport Transfer * Incheon Airport Seoul (1-5 people): $91
- Private Airport Transfer : Gimpo airport to/from Seoul (1~7pax): $89
- Private Airport Transfer : Incheon to/from Seoul (up to 7 pax): $98
- Private Airport Transfer From Incheon Airport To Seoul(up to 12): $190
- Private Airport Transfer: Gimpo Airport → Hotel in the City: $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or Seoul?
Prices for flights to both Seoul 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 $68Seoul $47
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$2.01
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Dinner at The Suffolk House (for 2)$86
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Lunch at Sakae Sushi (for 2)$73
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Lassy Juice$1.76
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Dinner for 2$3.78
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Street Stall Food$0.71
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.79
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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 Seoul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
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Rice with Kimchi & Bacon$3.98
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Waffle$0.66
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Dippin' Dots$1.33
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Chicken Fried Rice$3.65
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Chicken Stick$1.33
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Drinking Yoghurt & Mi Chew$1.26
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Lunch Buffet$3.98
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Donut$0.66
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Mushroom Burger$3.45
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Green Tea Ice Cream$2.19
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Udon & Sushi$4.64
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Fresh Burger$3.18
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Soba Noodles Lunch$2.98
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Bibimbap Lunch$3.32
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Fried Rice$3.65
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Vietnamese Dinner$6.30
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Breakfast and Coffee for 2$6.30
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Donut$1.66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seoul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seoul.
- Guided Street Food Tour at Namdaemun Market: $45
- Seoul Night Run for Local-Favorite Korean BBQ Dinner: $50
- [Wine & K-BBQ] A Perfect Pairing Dinner in Sinchon: $51
- Korean Grandma Cooking Class l Gimbap & Kimchi Pancake l Seoul: $52
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals;Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $57
- Sunset Walking Tour in Naksan Park with Dinner: $58
- Wine & K-BBQ: A Perfect Pairing Dinner: $59
- Dinner at a Local's Hanok & Seoul's Night Life: $60
- Kimchi Dishes Cooking Class with Wine Pairing: $61
- Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour: $64
- Incheon Full-Day Sunset and Sea Food Tour: $65
- Guided City Wall Sunset Hike with Korean Dinner: $67
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Penang $59Seoul $24
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$7.81
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Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$7.56
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Fort Cornwallis Entrance$0.50
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Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Entrance$2.52
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Seoul are as follows:
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Palace Tickets$5.30
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Movie Ticket$5.30
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Kimchi Museum$1.99
Tours and Activities in Seoul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:
- K-Culture Adventure in Seoul Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.53
- Seoul Walking Tour 3h30 and 19 audio reviews: $6.72
- Changdeokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience in Seoul: $7.00
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience in Seoul: $7.00
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience Hanboknam (내국인불가): $7.00
- Seoul Changdeokgung Palace Hanbok Experience Hanboknam (내국인불가): $7.10
- Gwanghwamun Tour l 120 Minutes to Understand South Korea: $10
- Street Hustle Adventure in Seoul: $10
- Rabbithole Drag Show Entry Ticket: $10
- Bukchon Hanok Village Seoul Walking Tour with Audioguide: $12
- Seoul : Essential History Walking Tour for Visitor: $13
- K-Beauty Scalp Spa Experience in Hongdae: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPenang $19Seoul $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$2.01
Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Seoul Pub Crawl by Absolute: $20
- Pub Crawl: $25
- The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $26
- LGBTQ+ Pub Crawl and Drag Show with Local Drag Queen: $28
- Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli (& Soju): $46
- Soju Tasting at Distillery: $51
- Premium Pub Crawl with Open Bottles: $57
- Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $67
- Learn and Craft Makgeolli in a Traditional Brewery: $78
- Gangnam Premium Pub Crawl with VIP Bottle Service: $81
- From Yeongdong Day Trip with Wine Tasting and Janggu: $91
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Penang and Seoul, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Seoul much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Seoul would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Seoul 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 Seoul.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Penang Expensive? and Is Seoul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Penang or Seoul?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Penang and Seoul, 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 Seoul?
Seoul 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 Seoul in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Penang and Seoul. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Seoul in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Penang is generally around the same temperature as Seoul. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 27°C (81°F), and Seoul fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
In Penang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Penang usually receives more sunshine than Seoul during summer. Penang gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Seoul receives 121 hours of full sun in the summer.
Seoul receives a lot of rain in the summer. Penang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Penang usually receives less rain than Seoul. Penang gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 369 mm (14.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPenang 27°C (81°F)Seoul 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Penang or Seoul in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Penang as well as Seoul. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Seoul for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.
Penang is much warmer than Seoul in the autumn. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Seoul fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Penang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Penang usually gets more rain in October than Seoul. Penang gets 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPenang 27°C (81°F)Seoul 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Penang or Seoul in the Winter?
Both Seoul 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 winter months attract visitors to Seoul because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Seoul can be very cold. In the winter, Penang is much warmer than Seoul. Typically, the winter temperatures in Penang in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Seoul averages at about -3°C (27°F).
In January, Penang usually receives more rain than Seoul. Penang gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPenang 28°C (82°F)Seoul -3°C (27°F)
Should I visit Penang or Seoul in the Spring?
Both Seoul 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, the activities around the city are the main draw to Seoul this time of year.
In April, Penang is generally much warmer than Seoul. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 28°C (82°F), and Seoul fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In Seoul, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Penang. In the spring, Penang often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Seoul. Penang gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seoul receives 205 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Penang. Penang usually gets more rain in April than Seoul. Penang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPenang 28°C (82°F)Seoul 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Seoul and Penang
| Penang | Seoul | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 369 mm (14.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 0°C (33°F) | 22 mm (0.9 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.