Which place is cheaper, Penang or Vientiane?
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 Vientiane or Penang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Penang, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Vientiane or Penang?
Vientiane
You wouldn't expect the capital city to have such a relaxing environment, but in Vientiane, Laos you can sit back and take in the beautiful scenery without feeling pressure to see every little thing. With Vientiane, what you see is what you get.
While picturesque temples and markets line the streets, the city is still experiencing a successful building boom. Even the Presidential Palace has undergone some hefty renovations.
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 Bicycle Tours in Laos, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos, The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia.
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Vientiane Prices
Laos PricesPenang Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $24Penang $144
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $24, while the average daily cost in Penang is $144. 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 Vientiane and Penang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $8.45Penang $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $17Penang $110
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Penang
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane 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: Vientiane Hotel Prices and Penang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $2.01Penang $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
- Vientiane Private Transfer: Wattay Airport -Hotel-Railway Station: $9.90
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $20
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 Departure Transfer : Penang International Airport: $19
- Private Arrival Transfer : Penang International Airport: $19
- Penang Island to Penang Airport(PEN) - Departure Private transfer: $19
- Private Transfer from Swettenham Cruise Terminal to Penang Island: $22
- 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
- Swettenham Pier to Penang Airport(PEN)-Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Penang Airport (PEN) to Swettenham Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Private Economy Penang Airport Transfer-Departure: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Penang?
Prices for flights to both Penang and Vientiane 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 dayVientiane $12Penang $64
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
- Vientiane classic Food tour ( Included Food ): $78
- Night Market, Dinner, and Nightclub: $90
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour and Lunch: $95
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour: $122
- Cooking Class Garden House: $335
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.
- Good Morning Penang Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Penang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- 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
- 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
- Private Dinner at THE TOP with Skywalk Experience from Penang: $103
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.80Penang $55
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- Laos Railway Tickets Easily: Avoid Long Queues & Wasted Time: $30
- Laos Railway Tickets Online: Skip Long Queues, Avoid Missing: $30
- Art, Culture, & Inspiration Guided Half-Day Tour: $52
- Half-Day City Tour with Patuxai and Buddha Park: $52
- Vientiane Sky Luge and Roller Zipline Experience: $55
- Vientiane Landmarks and Cultural Immersion Tour: $56
- Cultural Tour with Buddha Park and Patuxay: $58
- Vientiane IG tour & Patuxay monument: $59
- Half-Day City Tour - Morning or Afternoon: $65
- Vientiane Half Day City Tour: $80
- Vientiane : Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $88
- Vientiane Half-Day City Tour: $89
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:
- 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: $7.31
- Tropical Spice Garden Entrance Ticket & Guided Tours: $8.15
- Penang Hill Funicular Ticket: $8.35
- The Vanilla Village Farm Tour by Kairos: $9.39
- Malaysia: Penang Habitat Entry Ticket: $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
- Half-Day Penang Countryside Cycling Tour: $32
- Georgetown Half Day City Tour: $42
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.12Penang $18
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Penang, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vientiane would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vientiane 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 Vientiane.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vientiane Expensive? and Is Penang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Penang?
Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 10% larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane 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 Vientiane or Penang?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Vientiane or Penang in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Penang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Penang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Vientiane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Penang. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Penang receives 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Penang this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than Penang during summer. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Penang receives 211 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Vientiane is generally around the same temperature as Penang. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 30°C (85°F), and Penang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Penang in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Penang. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Penang. Vientiane usually gets less rain in October than Penang. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Penang receives 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
Vientiane is around the same temperature as Penang in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Penang fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Penang 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Penang in the Winter?
Both Penang and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Penang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Penang. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Penang receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In the winter, Vientiane is cooler than Penang. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vientiane in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Penang averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Penang in the Spring?
Both Penang and Vientiane during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round.
Penang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vientiane usually gets less rain in April than Penang. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Penang receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Penang, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the spring, Vientiane often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Penang. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Penang receives 218 hours of full sun.
Vientiane can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Vientiane is generally a little warmer than Penang. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 31°C (88°F), and Penang fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Penang 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Penang and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Penang | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 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.