Which place is cheaper, Ulaanbaatar 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 Ulaanbaatar. 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.
Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia's capital city. It has a population of slightly over two million people, or about sixty percent of the country's entire population. You are likely to arrive in Ulaanbaatar either by train, coming from China or Russia, or by plane. Many people use Ulaanbaatar as a stop off while doing the Transsiberian Railway. The city is a great place to organize a tour of the surrounding countryside. It's also good city to relax, so make sure you allow yourself a few days to recover from your tour, enjoy some of the great food options, and see some of the fascinating cultural sights around town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mongolia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mongolia.
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 Ulaanbaatar is $25. 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 Ulaanbaatar in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Penang or Ulaanbaatar? 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 Ulaanbaatar:
Prices for flights to both Ulaanbaatar 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 Ulaanbaatar.
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 Ulaanbaatar 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 Ulaanbaatar, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Ulaanbaatar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ulaanbaatar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ulaanbaatar 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 Ulaanbaatar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Penang Expensive? and Is Ulaanbaatar Expensive?.
Ulaanbaatar has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Penang and Ulaanbaatar, 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.