Which place is cheaper, Xiamen 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 Xiamen. 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.
Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
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 Xiamen is $64. 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 Xiamen in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Penang or Xiamen? 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:
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Xiamen 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.
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:
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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 Xiamen, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Xiamen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Xiamen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xiamen 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 Xiamen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Penang Expensive? and Is Xiamen Expensive?.
Xiamen has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Penang and Xiamen, 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.
Xiamen has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Penang experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
The summer brings many poeple to Penang as well as Xiamen. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Penang is around the same temperature as Xiamen in the summer. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Xiamen fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
It's quite rainy in Xiamen. Penang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Penang usually gets more rain in July than Xiamen. Penang gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Xiamen and Penang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year.
In the autumn, Penang is around the same temperature as Xiamen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Penang in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Xiamen averages at about 25°C (77°F).
It's quite rainy in Penang. In October, Penang usually receives more rain than Xiamen. Penang gets 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Xiamen 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.
In January, Penang is generally much warmer than Xiamen. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 28°C (82°F), and Xiamen fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
Penang usually gets more rain in January than Xiamen. Penang gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Penang and Xiamen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round.
Penang is a little warmer than Xiamen in the spring. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Xiamen fluctuates around 20°C (69°F).
Xiamen receives a lot of rain in the spring. Penang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Penang usually receives more rain than Xiamen. Penang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Penang | Xiamen | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
May | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) |
Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |