Which place is cheaper, Tokyo 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 Tokyo?
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 Tokyo. 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 Tokyo?
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.
Tokyo
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan.
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Penang Prices
Malaysia PricesTokyo Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPenang $147Tokyo $174
The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $147, while the average daily cost in Tokyo is $174. 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 Tokyo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPenang $56Tokyo $73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPenang $112Tokyo $146
Compare Hotels in Penang and Tokyo
Looking for a hotel in Penang or Tokyo? 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 Tokyo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Penang $14Tokyo $17
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$1.45
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Island Ferry$0.58
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Bus From Airport to George Town$0.65
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Taxi From Airport to George Town$11
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Motorbike Rental (One Day)$7.25
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Bicycle Rental (One Day)$2.42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Penang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Penang:
- Private Transfer : Penang Hotel/Port to Kuala Lumpur Hotel: $172
- 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: $140
- 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: $80
- ATV Ride in Balik Pulau with Snacks and Transfers: $66
- Penang Airport Transfer ( 24/7): $59
- Swettenham Pier Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $56
- Penang Island hotels to Swettenham Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- (HND) Haneda Airport Private Transfer to Central Tokyo: $95
- Airport Shuttle Arrival Transfer : from Haneda Airport to Tokyo City: $61
- Airport Transfer: Haneda Airport and Tokyo 23 wards: $135
- Arrival Private Transfer: Haneda Airport HND to Tokyo in Sedan: $283
- Center Tokyo Private One Way Transfer To Haneda Airport: $108
- Center Tokyo Private One Way Transfer To Narita Airport (License): $133
- DECKS Tokyo Beach & Odaiba 1 Way Door to Door Shared Transfer: $51
- Disney/Universal Studio/Harry Potter Warner Bros Transfer One way: $124
- Experience Private Transfer Between Yokohama and Tokyo: $127
- HND Airport Private Transfer to/from Tokyo City Center: $45
- Haneda Airport (HND) Private Transfer to Central Tokyo: $111
- Haneda Airport (HND): Private Transfer to Hakone/Mount Fuji: $157
Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or Tokyo?
Prices for flights to both Tokyo 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 $66Tokyo $61
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$1.93
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Dinner at The Suffolk House (for 2)$83
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Lunch at Sakae Sushi (for 2)$70
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Lassy Juice$1.69
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Dinner for 2$3.63
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Street Stall Food$0.68
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.59
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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 Tokyo
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:
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Late Night Noodles$4.96
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Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack$4.96
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Meal at Airport$6.47
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market: Traditional Culture & Street Food Tour: $19
- Hide's Table A Unique Dinner Gathering Every Wednesday Night: $19
- Tokyo : Vintage, Music & Food Tour in Shimokitazawa with a Local: $22
- Asakusa: Senso-ji Sightseeing & Street Food Tour with Photos: $29
- Shinjuku Chef‐Led Night Food Tour — What Guides Don’t Show: $29
- Shinjuku 7-Dishes vegetarian dinner at a Japanese izakaya: $29
- Guided Tsukiji’s Local Food Tour: $32
- For First Time Visitor：Tsukiji Food Tour with Tokyo Travel Advice: $32
- Ueno Private Walking Tour and Night Food Tour: $38
- Authentic Homestyle Japanese Cooking Class near Tokyo with Risa: $39
- Private Yanaka District Walking & Food Tour: $44
- Tokyo Shinjuku Night Food Tour: $51
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Penang $56Tokyo $65
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$7.49
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Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$7.25
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Fort Cornwallis Entrance$0.48
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Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Entrance$2.42
Tours and Activities in Penang
Here are a few actual costs in Penang for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3 Hour of Penang Street Food Walkabout Tour The Heritage Site: $49
- 4-Hour Private Heritage Tour in George Town: $69
- 6 Hours Highlights of Penang Shared Tour: $75
- 6-Hours Penang Private Tour: $172
- 8 Hours of Penang Tour: $60
- Back of the Bike Street Food Experience – Real Penang!: $119
- Best of Historical George Town Half Day Tour: $80
- Bukit Merah Orang Utan and Penang City Private Tour: $140
- Countryside Cycling Tour. T1.0 by Matahari: $100
- Culture History and Local Life Penang Half Day Experience: $51
- Customizable Penang Private Tour (8hrs usage): $64
- Day Tour of Penang with Train Ride To Penang Hill: $170
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
- Tsukiji Market Early Morning Tour: $6.34
- Private Walking Tour Discover Lost Tales of Asakusa: $6.34
- Tokyo Walking Tour 2h15 and 19 audio reviews: $6.75
- Cross Roppongi Karaoke Nightclub Ticket (For Foreign): $6.76
- TOKYO Audio Guide Tour in The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace: $7.61
- Tokyo Fuji Art Museum Admission Ticket + Special Exhibition (when being held): $7.61
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Tokyo: $8.18
- Hidden Yanaka & Nezu: Authentic Old Tokyo Escape – Walking Tour: $9.51
- Tokyo / Shibuya / Yokohama Tours! Choose, Explore and Enjoy!: $10
- Shibuya drinking tour: $10
- Chiikawa Bakery Exploration with Shopping Ticket: $11
- Kadokawa Culture Museum Standard Ticket: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPenang $18Tokyo $31
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$1.93
Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
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Sake$3.72
Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: Unique Japanese Drinks in Shimokitazawa: $34
- 3 Hours Pub Crawl Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya: $35
- Tokyo Shinjuku Gay Bar Crawl with Drinks: $90
- Shibuya Bar Crawl Tour -3 Drinks & Local Foods-: $101
- Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and jump into historic town: $108
- Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo: $120
- Private Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl: $146
- Private Tour: Tokyo's Oldest Sake Brewery and Riverside Walk: $238
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Penang and Tokyo, we can see that Tokyo 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo 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 Tokyo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Penang or Tokyo?
Tokyo has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Penang and Tokyo, 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 Tokyo?
Tokyo 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 Tokyo in the Summer?
Both Tokyo 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. Also, many travelers come to Tokyo for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Penang is around the same temperature as Tokyo in the summer. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Tokyo fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
It's quite sunny in Penang. In the summer, Penang often gets more sunshine than Tokyo. Penang gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tokyo receives 137 hours of full sun.
Tokyo 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 Tokyo. Penang gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPenang 27°C (81°F)Tokyo 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Penang or Tokyo in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Penang and Tokyo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round. Also, many visitors come to Tokyo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Penang is much warmer than Tokyo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Penang in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Tokyo averages at about 18°C (64°F).
Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Penang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Penang usually receives more rain than Tokyo. Penang gets 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPenang 27°C (81°F)Tokyo 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Penang or Tokyo in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Penang as well as Tokyo. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Tokyo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Penang is generally much warmer than Tokyo. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 28°C (82°F), and Tokyo fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
Penang usually gets more rain in January than Tokyo. Penang gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPenang 28°C (82°F)Tokyo 5°C (42°F)
Should I visit Penang or Tokyo in the Spring?
Both Tokyo 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, the spring months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Penang is much warmer than Tokyo in the spring. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Tokyo fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Penang. Penang usually receives more sunshine than Tokyo during spring. Penang gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Tokyo receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. It's quite rainy in Penang. In April, Penang usually receives more rain than Tokyo. Penang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPenang 28°C (82°F)Tokyo 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Tokyo and Penang
| Penang | Tokyo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 46 mm (1.8 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.