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

Should you visit Tampere or Penang?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Tampere and Penang can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Tampere or Penang?

Tampere

Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It sits between Nasijarvi Lake and Pyhajarvi Lake, with the Tammerkoski rapids in between. It is one of the larger Finnish cities, with more than 200,000 inhabitants, but Tampere has managed to keep the small town feel. The city center is compact in size, and the atmosphere is friendly and casual. The city is located on a scenic spot on a narrow isthmus. The Tammerkoski rapids and their riverbanks form the backdrop for the old industrial buildings, and ridges formed thousands of years ago by ancient seas and retreating ice offer fantastic views over the two lakes. Original architecture and innovative urban development blend together to please both viewers and users of the built environment. Enjoy the surrounding lakes on peaceful rowboat trips or on cruises on larger vessels, or concentrate on the urban sights from a sightseeing bus. Regenerated industrial buildings now house quirky museums, enticing shops, pubs, cinemas and cafes. Tampere has a down-to-earth vitality that makes it a favorite for many 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 Luxury Tours to Finland, The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia.


Which place is cheaper, Penang or Tampere?

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 Tampere is €172, while the average daily cost in Penang is €128. 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 Tampere and Penang in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tampere 80
    Penang 49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tampere 160
    Penang 98
Compare Hotels in Tampere and Penang

Looking for a hotel in Tampere 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.

Hotels in Tampere


Hotels in Penang


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: Tampere Hotel Prices and Penang Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tampere 59
    Penang 12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tampere

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

  • Tampere Private Transfer from Tampere city centre to Tampere airport: $117

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Penang

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


  • Local Bus
    1.27
  • Island Ferry
    0.51
  • Bus From Airport to George Town
    0.57
  • Taxi From Airport to George Town
    9.72
  • Motorbike Rental (One Day)
    6.34
  • Bicycle Rental (One Day)
    2.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Penang

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Penang:

  • Private Transfer : Penang Hotel/Port to Kuala Lumpur Hotel: $174
  • Chauffeur: Penang Island to Singapore Van Transfer: $145
  • Penang City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $140
  • Penang City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $140
  • Penang City Hotes to Kuala Lumpur City Hotels 1-way Transfer: $125
  • Penang City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Hotels 1-way Transfer: $125
  • Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $111
  • Penang to Kuala Lumpur 1-way Transfer: $107
  • Penang City to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $107
  • Private Half Day Tour to Penang Island with Transfer Included: $80
  • ATV Ride in Balik Pulau with Snacks and Transfers: $66
  • Penang Airport Transfer ( 24/7): $59

Is it cheaper to fly into Tampere or Penang?

Prices for flights to both Penang and Tampere 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
    Tampere 57
    Penang 57

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tampere

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

  • Tampere Food Tour Local Tastings, Meal & Rooftop City Views: $103

Typical Food Prices in Penang

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


  • Snack
    1.69
  • Dinner at The Suffolk House (for 2)
    72
  • Lunch at Sakae Sushi (for 2)
    61
  • Lassy Juice
    1.48
  • Dinner for 2
    3.17
  • Street Stall Food
    0.59
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    4.02
  • Italian Lunch (for Two)
    10

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Penang

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Penang.

  • Penang Food Tour : A Feast That Taste Like History : 17+ Tasting: $48
  • 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 - 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tampere 24
    Penang 49

Tours and Activities in Tampere

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tampere.

  • Tampere Private Walking Tour with a Local: $47
  • Tampere Scenic Bike Tour with Sauna and Local Flavors: $103

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
    6.55
  • Trishaw Tour (One Hour)
    6.34
  • Fort Cornwallis Entrance
    0.42
  • Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Entrance
    2.11

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: $70
  • 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
  • Customizable Penang Private Tour (8hrs usage): $65
  • Day Tour of Penang with Train Ride To Penang Hill: $170
  • Discover Penang City in Amazing Tour: $87

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tampere 10
    Penang 16

Typical Alcohol Prices in Penang

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


  • Beer
    1.69


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tampere and Penang, we can see that Tampere is more expensive. And not only is Penang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tampere is in Europe and Penang is in Asia, 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 Tampere would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tampere 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 Tampere Expensive? and Is Penang Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Tampere or Penang?

Tampere has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Tampere 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.


When is the best time to visit Tampere or Penang?

Tampere 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 Tampere or Penang in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tampere as well as Penang. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year.

In the summer, Tampere is much colder than Penang. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tampere in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Penang averages at about 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Penang. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampere this time of the year. In the summer, Tampere often gets more sunshine than Penang. Tampere gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Penang receives 211 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Penang. Tampere usually gets less rain in July than Penang. Tampere gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Penang receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tampere 16°C (61°F) 
    Penang 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Tampere or Penang in the Autumn?

Both Penang and Tampere are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Penang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Tampere is generally much colder than Penang. Daily temperatures in Tampere average around 5°C (42°F), and Penang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Penang. In October, Tampere usually receives less rain than Penang. Tampere gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Penang receives 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tampere 5°C (42°F) 
    Penang 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Tampere or Penang in the Winter?

Both Penang and Tampere during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round.

The weather in Tampere can be very cold. Tampere is much colder than Penang in the winter. The daily temperature in Tampere averages around -7°C (19°F) in January, and Penang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Tampere usually gets less rain in January than Penang. Tampere gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Penang receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tampere -7°C (19°F) 
    Penang 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Tampere or Penang in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampere and Penang. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

It's quite cold in Tampere in the spring. In the spring, Tampere is much colder than Penang. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tampere in April average around 3°C (38°F), and Penang averages at about 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Penang this time of the year. Tampere usually receives less sunshine than Penang during spring. Tampere gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Penang receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

Penang receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Tampere usually receives less rain than Penang. Tampere gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Penang receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tampere 3°C (38°F) 
    Penang 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Penang and Tampere

Tampere Penang
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -7°C (19°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Feb -7°C (19°F) 24 mm (0.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Mar -3°C (27°F) 25 mm (1 in) 28°C (82°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Apr 3°C (38°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 240 mm (9.4 in)
May 10°C (50°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 240 mm (9.4 in)
Jun 15°C (58°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 210 mm (8.3 in)
Aug 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 190 mm (7.5 in)
Sep 10°C (50°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 330 mm (13 in)
Oct 5°C (42°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 340 mm (13.4 in)
Nov 0°C (32°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 230 mm (9.1 in)
Dec -4°C (24°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)