A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Penang vs. Vienna for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Penang or Vienna?

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 Vienna. 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 Vienna?

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.

Vienna

Vienna is the largest city and capital of Austria. It has a population of over 1.7 million and is a cultural, political and economic center for the country. The historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and some complain that it feels more like a museum than a real city. Outside of the historical center though, is a young and vibrant city with a huge music scene, many street performers, and eclectic and fun restaurants and nightclubs.

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 Austria, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria.


Which place is cheaper, Vienna or Penang?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $153, while the average daily cost in Vienna is $206. 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 Vienna in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Penang $58
    Vienna $109
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Penang $116
    Vienna $218
Compare Hotels in Penang and Vienna

Looking for a hotel in Penang or Vienna? 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.

Hotels in Penang


Hotels in Vienna


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 Vienna Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Penang $15
    Vienna $22
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Penang

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Penang:


  • Local Bus
    $1.51
  • Island Ferry
    $0.60
  • Bus From Airport to George Town
    $0.68
  • Taxi From Airport to George Town
    $12
  • Motorbike Rental (One Day)
    $7.56
  • Bicycle Rental (One Day)
    $2.52

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Penang

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Penang:

  • Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal, Penang to Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Door to Door) Transfer: $120
  • Swettenham Pier Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $56
  • Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $113
  • Private Transfer: Penang Island to or from Perak: $140
  • Private Transfer: Penang International Airport to or from Hotel: $49
  • Private Transfer from Swettenham Cruise Terminal to Penang Island: $21
  • Private Transfer from Penang Island to Swettenham Cruise Terminal: $21
  • Private Transfer from Penang International Airport to Your Hotel: $18
  • Private Transfer Penang Airport To/From Hotel (1way only): $20
  • Private Transfer : Penang Hotel/Port to Kuala Lumpur Hotel: $177
  • Private Transfer - Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Airport (PEN): $21
  • Private Half Day Tour to Penang Island with Transfer Included: $80

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vienna

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Vienna:


  • Bus to Airport
    $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vienna

Also for Vienna, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfer: Vienna Airport VIE to Vienna by Business Car: $93
  • Airport Transfer: Vienna Airport VIE to Vienna by Luxury Car: $129
  • Airport Transfer: Vienna Airport VIE to Vienna by Luxury Van: $114
  • Airport Transfer: Vienna to Vienna Airport VIE by Business Car: $93
  • Arrival Private Transfer Vienna Airport VIE to Vienna by Sedan: $73
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Vienna Airport VIE to Vienna City by Luxury Van: $92
  • Arrival Transfer: Vienna Airport VIE to Vienna by Luxury Van: $117
  • Bratislava Bus Transfer to and from Vienna Airport: $21
  • Business Vienna City Private Transfer to Vienna Airport Schwechat: $151
  • Countryside Half Day Wine Tour near Vienna with meal & transfer: $136
  • Exclusive green transfer: $100
  • From Bratislava/Fast and Comfortable Bus Transfers: $10

Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or Vienna?

Prices for flights to both Vienna 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Penang $68
    Vienna $67
Typical Food Prices in Penang

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Penang:


  • Snack
    $2.01
  • Dinner at The Suffolk House (for 2)
    $86
  • Lunch at Sakae Sushi (for 2)
    $73
  • Lassy Juice
    $1.76
  • Dinner for 2
    $3.78
  • Street Stall Food
    $0.71
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $4.79
  • 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.

  • Penang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
  • Good Morning Penang 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
  • Local Street Food Tour in Georgetown Penang: $62
  • 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
  • Authentic Indian Penang Cooking Class: $92
  • Malay Culinary Journey Cooking Class for the Adventurous Foodie: $92
  • Penang Cooking Class:Dive into Malaysian Cuisine with PenangChiak: $94

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vienna

For Vienna, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hard Rock Cafe Vienna with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $35
  • Taste A Full Meal Walking Food Tour by Do Eat Better: $93
  • Strauss Dinner Show: $117
  • Sixx Paxx Dinner Show: $117
  • Vienna Guided Food Tour with 7 Food Tastings & a Secret Dish: $126
  • The Viennise Food Tour: The World of Yesterday: $142
  • Vienna Food Tour: Coffeehouses, Markets, Lunch & Street Food: $155
  • Austrian Delights: 3-course Austrian Dinner and Concert at Musikverein Vienna: $164
  • Exclusive Evening at Schönbrunn Palace: After-Hours Audiotour, Dinner, Concert: $173
  • Classic Food Tour of Vienna: $177
  • The Most Delicious Private Food Tour of 6 or 10 Tastings: $184

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Penang $59
    Vienna $45
Typical Entertainment Prices in Penang

Here are a few typical costs in Penang for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Butterfly Gardens
    $7.81
  • Trishaw Tour (One Hour)
    $7.56
  • Fort Cornwallis Entrance
    $0.50
  • 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:

  • 3 Hour of Penang Street Food Walkabout Tour The Heritage Site: $49
  • 4 Hour Food and Heritage Walking Tour in Penang George Town: $96
  • 4-Hour Heritage Walking Tour of Georgetown: $60
  • 4-Hour Private Heritage Tour in George Town: $71
  • 8 Hours of Penang Tour: $60
  • All-Inclusive Penang George Town Private Tour: $159
  • 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
  • Customizable Penang Private Tour (8hrs usage): $66
  • Day Tour of Penang with Train Ride To Penang Hill: $170
  • Discover Georgetown Heritage Private Tour in Penang: $55

Tours and Activities in Vienna

For Vienna, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Belvedere Palace and Gardens - Audio Guide (No Palace Ticket): $3.53
  • Vienna's Hidden Gems: A Self-Guided Imperial Adventure: $3.53
  • Krems an der Donau Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.40
  • Vienna Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h10 and 26 Audio Commentaries: $6.96
  • Schönbrunn - Audio Guide and Self Guided Tour (No Palace Ticket): $7.06
  • Vienna Christmas Magic Self Guided Walking Tour with an App: $9.99
  • Audio Tour Ikonen Mautner Orthodox Icon Gallery Vienna: $11
  • Siege of Vienna GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $11
  • Austrian Food, Vienna Restaurants Self-Guided Tour Booklet: $12
  • Vienna's Old Town and Attractions Self-Guided Tour Booklet: $12
  • Vienna Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $12
  • Historical Hitler Self Guided Walking Tour and Audio Guide: $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Penang $19
    Vienna $20
Typical Alcohol Prices in Penang

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Penang:


  • Beer
    $2.01

Sample the Local Flavors in Vienna

Also in Vienna, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Vienna Nights Pub Crawl: $14
  • Ottakringer Brewery Tour in Vienna - in German: $29
  • Local Pub Crawl Vienna: $29
  • Austrian Wine Tasting: $142
  • Vienna : Vienna Forest Tour with Underground Lake and Wine Tasting: $153
  • Wine Tasting Tour: $159
  • Vienna Private Wachau Tour with Wine Tasting to Dürnstein: $188
  • Private tour Neusiedler See, Rust (wine tasting), Purbach: $188
  • Wachau Valley Small-Group Tour and Wine Tasting from Vienna: $235
  • Vienna Uncorked Premium Wine Tasting with Cellar Tour: $246


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Penang and Vienna, we can see that Vienna is more expensive. And not only is Penang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Penang is in Asia and Vienna is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Vienna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vienna 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 Vienna Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Penang or Vienna?

Vienna has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Penang and Vienna, 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 Vienna?

Vienna 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 Vienna in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Penang as well as Vienna. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Vienna for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Penang is generally a little warmer than Vienna. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 27°C (81°F), and Vienna fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vienna. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Penang this time of the year. In the summer, Penang often gets less sunshine than Vienna. Penang gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vienna receives 255 hours of full sun.

Penang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Penang usually gets more rain in July than Vienna. Penang gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Penang 27°C (81°F) 
    Vienna 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Penang or Vienna in the Autumn?

Both Vienna and Penang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Vienna because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Penang is much warmer than Vienna in the autumn. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Vienna fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

It's quite rainy in Penang. In October, Penang usually receives more rain than Vienna. Penang gets 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Penang 27°C (81°F) 
    Vienna 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Penang or Vienna in the Winter?

Both Vienna and Penang during the winter 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 museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Vienna this time of year.

It's quite cold in Vienna in the winter. In the winter, Penang is much warmer than Vienna. Typically, the winter temperatures in Penang in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Vienna averages at about 2°C (36°F).

Penang usually gets more rain in January than Vienna. Penang gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Penang 28°C (82°F) 
    Vienna 2°C (36°F)

Should I visit Penang or Vienna in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Penang and Vienna. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round. Also, many travelers come to Vienna for the natural beauty.

In April, Penang is generally much warmer than Vienna. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 28°C (82°F), and Vienna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vienna this time of the year. In Penang, it's very sunny this time of the year. Penang usually receives more sunshine than Vienna during spring. Penang gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Vienna receives 202 hours of full sun in the spring.

Penang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Penang usually receives more rain than Vienna. Penang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Vienna receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Penang 28°C (82°F) 
    Vienna 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Vienna and Penang

Penang Vienna
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 2°C (36°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 4°C (38°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 8°C (46°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 28°C (82°F) 240 mm (9.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 51 mm (2 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 240 mm (9.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 20°C (69°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 210 mm (8.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 190 mm (7.5 in) 22°C (72°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 330 mm (13 in) 18°C (64°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 340 mm (13.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 230 mm (9.1 in) 7°C (45°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Dec 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in) 3°C (37°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)