Which place is cheaper, Yakushima 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 Yakushima?
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 Yakushima. 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 Yakushima?
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.
Yakushima
Yakushima, Japan is a UNESCO World Heritage island located north of Okinawa and off the south east of of Kyushu. The island is well-known to Japanese tourists but not so much to international ones, making it a bit of a hidden gem to international tourists. This also means that English isn't spoken as much as in larger cities, so make sure to brush up on your Japanese and bring a dictionary.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan, and The Best Luxury Tours to Japan.
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Penang Prices
Malaysia PricesYakushima Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPenang $144Yakushima $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $144, while the average daily cost in Yakushima is $141. 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 Yakushima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPenang $55Yakushima $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPenang $110Yakushima $122
Compare Hotels in Penang and Yakushima
Looking for a hotel in Penang or Yakushima? 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 Yakushima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Penang $14Yakushima $51
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$1.43
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Island Ferry$0.57
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Bus From Airport to George Town$0.64
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Taxi From Airport to George Town$11
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Motorbike Rental (One Day)$7.13
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Bicycle Rental (One Day)$2.38
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 Transfer : Penang International Airport Departure: $13
- Private Departure Transfer : Penang International Airport: $19
- Private Arrival Transfer : Penang International Airport: $19
- Private Departure Transfer - Penang International Airport: $19
- Penang Island to Penang Airport(PEN) - Departure Private transfer: $19
- Private Transfer from Penang Island to Swettenham Cruise Terminal: $22
- Private Transfer - Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Airport (PEN): $22
- Private Transfer - Penang Airport (PEN) to Swettenham Cruise Port: $22
- Private Transfer from Swettenham Cruise Terminal to Penang Island: $22
- Swettenham Pier to Penang Airport(PEN)-Departure Private Transfer: $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or Yakushima?
Prices for flights to both Yakushima 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 $64Yakushima $50
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$1.90
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Dinner at The Suffolk House (for 2)$81
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Lunch at Sakae Sushi (for 2)$69
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Lassy Juice$1.66
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Dinner for 2$3.57
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Street Stall Food$0.67
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.52
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Italian Lunch (for Two)$11
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: $45
- Good Morning Penang Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Penang Food Tour - Georgetown: $62
- Local Street Food Tour in Georgetown Penang : $62
- Eat Like A Local: Penang Street Food Tour: $62
- 3-Hour Heritage on a Plate Dinner Hop in George Town Penang: $65
- 4-Hour Georgetown Food Tour: $88
- Authentic Local Food Tour with Scenic Walk: $89
- Malay Culinary Journey Cooking Class for the Adventurous Foodie: $92
- Authentic Indian Penang Cooking Class: $92
- Penang Cooking Class:Dive into Malaysian Cuisine with PenangChiak: $94
- Private Half Day Penang Tasty Local Street Food Tour: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Penang $55Yakushima $21
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$7.37
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Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$7.13
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Fort Cornwallis Entrance$0.48
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Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Entrance$2.38
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: $6.10
- Guided Tour of Cheong Fatt Tze's Blue Mansion in George Town: $6.35
- Tech Dome Entrance Ticket: $6.92
- Straits and Oriental Museum Ticket: $7.32
- Tropical Spice Garden Entrance Ticket & Guided Tours: $8.16
- Penang Hill Funicular Ticket: $8.35
- The Vanilla Village Farm Tour by Kairos: $9.39
- Malaysia: Penang Habitat Entry Ticket: $15
- Explore Remarkable Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Malaysia: Discover Nature's Wonders with Entopia Entry Ticket: $17
- Penang Rainbow Skywalk at The Top Komtar Observation Deck Tickets: $22
- Entopia Butterfly and Nature Discovery Park Entry Ticket Penang : $28
Tours and Activities in Yakushima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yakushima are as follows:
- Private Guided Tour: $336
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPenang $18Yakushima $6.61
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$1.90
When comparing the travel costs between Penang and Yakushima, we can see that Penang is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Penang Expensive? and Is Yakushima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Penang or Yakushima?
Yakushima 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 Yakushima in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Penang and Yakushima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round.
In July, Penang is generally around the same temperature as Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 27°C (81°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Yakushima receives a lot of rain in the summer. Penang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Penang usually receives more rain than Yakushima. Penang gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 189 mm (7.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPenang 27°C (81°F)Yakushima 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Penang or Yakushima in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Penang as well as Yakushima. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Penang is a little warmer than Yakushima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Yakushima fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
It's quite rainy in Yakushima. Penang receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Penang usually gets more rain in October than Yakushima. Penang gets 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPenang 27°C (81°F)Yakushima 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Penang or Yakushima in the Winter?
Both Yakushima and Penang are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year.
In the winter, Penang is much warmer than Yakushima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Penang in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Yakushima averages at about 11°C (52°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Yakushima. In January, Penang usually receives less rain than Yakushima. Penang gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPenang 28°C (82°F)Yakushima 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Penang or Yakushima in the Spring?
Both Yakushima and Penang during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Penang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Penang is generally much warmer than Yakushima. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 28°C (82°F), and Yakushima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Yakushima 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 April than Yakushima. Penang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Yakushima receives 207 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPenang 28°C (82°F)Yakushima 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Yakushima and Penang
| Penang | Yakushima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 288 mm (11.3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 352 mm (13.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 253 mm (10 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 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.