Which place is cheaper, Penang or Taipei?
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 Taipei or Penang?
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 Taipei and Penang. 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: Taipei or Penang?
Taipei
Few cities in the world are full of more diverse opportunities than the cultural crosshairs city of Taipei. As the capital of Taiwan, this 300-year-old city is the financial, cultural and governmental center of Taiwan. Located in the northern part of the island between the Yangming Mountains and Central Mountains, this city of 2.6 million people is always ready to welcome more visitors.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Taiwan, The Best Tours for Seniors to Taiwan, The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia.
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Taipei Prices
Taiwan PricesPenang Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTaipei $197Penang $147
The average daily cost (per person) in Taipei is $197, while the average daily cost in Penang is $147. 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 Taipei and Penang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTaipei $148Penang $56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTaipei $296Penang $112
Compare Hotels in Taipei and Penang
Looking for a hotel in Taipei or Penang? 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: Taipei Hotel Prices and Penang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Taipei $10Penang $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Taipei
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Taipei:
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Easycard$2.05
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Easycard$9.46
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Train$1.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taipei
Also for Taipei, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Beito to Taipei Taoyuan Airport (TPE)-Departure Transfer: $187
- Jiufen: one-way private transfer to or from Taipei City: $42
- Keelung(Taipei) Cruise Port to Taipei-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $203
- Keelung: one-way private transfer to or from Taipei City: $42
- Luxury Chartered Private Transfer Taoyuan Airport to Taipei City: $140
- One-way Private Transfer between Jiufen and Taipei: $47
- Private Airport Transfer: Taipei Hotel → Taipei Aiport (TPE): $46
- Private Airport Transfer: Taipei Hotel → Taipei Aiport (TSA): $32
- Private Transfer from Keelung (Taipei) Cruise Port to Taipei City: $75
- Private Transfer from TPE-Taoyuan int. Airport to Taipei City: $60
- Private Transfer from Taipei Taoyuan Airport to Taichung Port: $143
- Private Transfer from Taipei city hotels to Hualien Cruise Port: $273
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:
- Swettenham Pier Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $56
- 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: $172
- Private Transfer - Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Airport (PEN): $21
- Private Half Day Tour to Penang Island with Transfer Included: $80
- Private Economy Penang Airport Transfer-Arrival: $48
- Private Departure Transfer to Penang International Airport: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Taipei or Penang?
Prices for flights to both Penang and Taipei 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 dayTaipei $28Penang $66
Typical Food Prices in Taipei
For Taipei, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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EasyCard$16
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Lunch at The Can$6.94
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EasyCard$32
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Lunch$3.00
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Lunch$1.89
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Dinner$6.31
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Lunch$3.63
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Lunch$4.73
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Louisa coffee$3.00
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Lunch$5.99
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Lunch$3.63
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Taipei
For Taipei, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Food Tours w/ Top 10 Taiwan Food (Breakfast/Dinner): $45
- Taipei Food Tour: Night Market & Convenience Store(Food Included): $45
- Street Food & Hidden Eats Night Market Food Tour: $55
- Taipei Hidden Eats, Market & Street Food Tour with 8+ Tastings: $55
- Taipei Food Tours Local Market with 12+ tasters & Drinks Included: $57
- Xiao long bao, Pork thick soup, Bubble milk tea. (Taiwan Cooking Class)-B: $65
- Turnip cake, Pork thick soup, Tofu pudding. Taiwan Traditional Light Meals Experience-C (Taipei Cooking Class): $65
- Backstreet Food Tour: Food, Culture, and Fun: $75
- Private Walking Food Tour in Ningxia Night Market(10 Foods Incl.): $76
- Xiao Long Bao, Chicken vermicelli with mushroom and sesame oil, Tofu strips salad, Bubble milk tea. Taiwan Traditional Delicacies Experience-A (Taipei Cooking Class): $77
- Xiao Long Bao, Chicken vermicelli with mushroom and sesame oil, Tofu strips salad, Bubble milk tea. Taiwan Traditional Delicacies Experience-A (Taipei Cooking Class): $77
- Xiao Long Bao & Boba Tea Cooking Class in Taipei: $79
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Taipei $18Penang $56
Tours and Activities in Taipei
For Taipei, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Taipei's Origin & Longshan Temple - Taiwan Cultural Tour: $0.50
- Old Town Walking Tour: $0.55
- Vintage Taipei - Best of Taiwan and Sunset Walking Tour: $1.20
- Chiang Kai-Shek Shilin Residence Ticket: $3.28
- Zoo Entrance Ticket: $4.33
- Taipei's Origin & Longshan Temple - Taiwan Cultural Walking Tour: $5.00
- Taipei Historic Shared Walking Tour (Tip-based): $5.00
- Vintage Taipei - Best of Taiwan & Sunset Walking Tour (Tip-based): $5.00
- Taipei Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $5.10
- Self Guided Walking Tour of Tamsui with Audio Guide: $5.83
- Miramar Ferris Wheel Ticket: $6.57
- Taiwan Museum, MOCA Taipei & Miniatures Museum Entry Tickets: $8.53
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTaipei $18Penang $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Taipei
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Taipei:
- Taipei Authentic Night Sober-Friendly Pub Crawl: $20
- Taipei Nightlife: Taipei Pub Crawls (2 Different Routes): $27
- Yilan Kavalan Whisky Distillery,Jim&Dad's Brewing, Shenkeng Tour: $95
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Taipei and Penang, we can see that Taipei 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 Taipei would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Taipei 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 Taipei Expensive? and Is Penang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Taipei or Penang?
Taipei has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Taipei and Penang, 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.
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.