Which place is cheaper, Sihanoukville or Penang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Penang and Sihanoukville. 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.
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.
Sihanoukville, also known by locals as Kompong Som, was named after King Sihanouk. Also Cambodia's youngest city, construction started in 1955 to build Cambodia's first and only deep water port so that ships would no longer have to go through the Mekong Delta in order to trade with Cambodia. Today, many visit Sihanoukville as a hub to visit Cambodia's islands.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Bicycle Tours in Cambodia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Cambodia.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $103, while the average daily cost in Sihanoukville is $51. 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 Sihanoukville in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Penang or Sihanoukville? 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Penang:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Penang:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sihanoukville:
Prices for flights to both Sihanoukville 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Penang:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Penang.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sihanoukville.
Here are a few typical costs in Penang for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Penang for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few actual costs in Sihanoukville for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Penang:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Penang and Sihanoukville, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Sihanoukville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sihanoukville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sihanoukville 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 Sihanoukville.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Penang Expensive? and Is Sihanoukville Expensive?.
Penang has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Sihanoukville. When comparing the sizes of Penang and Sihanoukville, 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.