Which place is cheaper, Singapore or Penang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Penang or Singapore?
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 Singapore. 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 Singapore?
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.
Singapore
Singapore is a city-state that was originally founded in 1819 as a British trading colony. Today it is a very international country that is incredibly modern and cosmopolitan. There is a strong financial industry in this country, and a correspondingly strong work ethic. It is one of the most prosperous cities in the world, and has one of the world's busiest ports.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Budget Tours to Singapore, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Singapore.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPenang $103Singapore $151
The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $103, while the average daily cost in Singapore is $151. 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 Singapore in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPenang $49Singapore $98
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPenang $98Singapore $196
Compare Hotels in Penang and Singapore
Looking for a hotel in Penang or Singapore? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Penang $12Singapore $10
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:
- Private Penang Arrival transfer to Hotel: $12
- Private Arrival Transfer : Penang International Airport: $13
- Private Departure Transfer : Penang International Airport: $15
- Private Arrival Transfer : Penang International Airport: $15
- Private Departure Transfer - Penang International Airport: $15
- Private Economy Penang Airport Transfer-Arrival: $25
- Private Economy Penang Airport Transfer-Departure: $29
- Penang Airport Transfer ( 24/7): $29
- Swettenham Pier to Penang Airport(PEN)-Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Private Transfer - Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Airport (PEN): $38
- Private Transfer from Swettenham Cruise Terminal to Penang Island: $38
- Penang Island hotels to Swettenham Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $38
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Singapore
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Singapore:
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Taxi to Airport$24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Singapore
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Singapore:
- Adventure Cove Waterpark + 1 Way Transfer: $83
- Airport Transfer: $80
- Airport Transfer: Singapore Airport SIN to Singapore in Business Car: $99
- Airport Transfer: Singapore Airport SIN to Singapore in Luxury Van: $116
- Airport Transfer: Singapore to Singapore Airport SIN in Business Car: $99
- Airport Transfer: Singapore to Singapore Airport SIN in Luxury Van: $116
- Amazing City Experience + Roundtrip Transfers: $44
- Arrival Private Transfer Singapore Airport to Singapore City in a Business Car: $87
- Arrival Private Transfer: Singapore Airport SIN to Singapore in Luxury Car: $154
- Arrival Private Transfer: Singapore Airport to Singapore City by luxury vehicle: $95
- Changi International Airport Private MPV Transfer: $149
- City Experience + Roundtrip Transfers: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or Singapore?
Prices for flights to both Singapore 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 $33Singapore $27
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
- Local Street Food Tour in Georgetown Penang : $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
- Dinner at Penang Hill: $102
- 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
- Dinner at Penang Hill Including Train Ride: $141
Typical Food Prices in Singapore
Some typical examples of dining costs in Singapore are as follows:
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Breakfast$4.48
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Sugarcane Juice$1.47
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Singapore
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Singapore.
- Singapore : Traditional Snacks Cooking Class: $36
- Secrets of Singapore Kick Scooter Tour with Dinner: $46
- Secrets of Singapore Kick Scooter Tour with Dinner: $48
- Guided Hawker Culture & Street Food Tour at Night: $65
- Local Hawker Food Tour with Tastings: $65
- Marina Bay Sands Yacht Cruise with Dinner: $68
- Singapore Bike and Bites Food Tour: $69
- Eat Snap Tour - Katong Walking Food Tour: $73
- Small Group: Michelin and Local Hawker Food Tour: $73
- Private Korean Cooking Class in Balmoral Road: $75
- Zebra Urban Safari Bicycle Tour with Local Dinner and Drinks: $76
- Local Food Tour: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Penang $49Singapore $32
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:
- Asia Camera Museum Admission Ticket: $5.35
- Malaysia: The Blue Mansion - Daily Tour: $5.68
- Tech Dome Entrance Ticket: $6.09
- Guided Tour of Cheong Fatt Tze's Blue Mansion in George Town: $6.35
- Tropical Spice Garden E-Ticket: $7.14
- Skip the Line: Admission Ticket - General: $7.18
- TeddyVille Museum Penang Malaysia Entry Ticket: $8.28
- Penang Hill Funicular Ticket: $8.35
- Wonderfood Museum in Penang Admission Ticket: $8.54
- Wonderfood Museum in Penang Admission Ticket: $8.71
- Admission Ticket for Dark Mansion Glow-in-the-Dark Museum in Penang: $8.80
- Penang Street Food in Georgetown and History Walking Audio Tour: $10
Tours and Activities in Singapore
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Singapore are as follows:
- The Civic District: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $3.99
- Kampong Glam: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
- River Wonders Entry Ticket: $5.10
- Singapore Street Art Hunting in Kampong Glam: A Self-guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Singapore's Stories and Histories: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Artoholic A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Big Little India: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Singapore's History of Trade: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Follow the Money: A self-guided audio tour of Singapore's Financial District: $5.20
- Kampong Glam: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Singapore's Malay Culture: $5.20
- The Civic District: Hear stories about Singapore's past on an audio tour: $5.20
- The Civic District with Singapore Boy Hossan Leong: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPenang $15Singapore $27
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Singapore
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Singapore:
- Tour of Tiger Brewery in Singapore: $22
- Little India Pub Crawl : $23
- Party Singapore Bespoke Pub Crawl:Wildest Nightlife Clubbing: $25
- Singapore Pub Crawl - Party like a Local: $26
- Little India Pub Crawl: $26
- Singapore Pub Crawl (SG Pub Crawl): $27
- Halloween Horror Nightlife PartySingapore Bespoke Pub Crawl: $37
- Party Singapore Bespoke Pub Crawl Wildest Nightlife Experience: $38
- Enjoy Gin Distillery Tour with Tasting Flight and Singapore Sling Masterclass: $58
- Tiger Brewery Tour, Swim & Sunset Photo Session at Raffles Marina: $99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Penang and Singapore, we can see that Singapore is more expensive. And not only is Penang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Singapore would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Singapore 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 Singapore Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Penang or Singapore?
Singapore has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Penang and Singapore, 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.
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.