Which place is cheaper, Penang or Yangon?
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 Yangon or Penang?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Yangon 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: Yangon or Penang?
Yangon
Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, is the largest city and economic center for the nation of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. The city is a mix of British, Burmese, Chinese, and Indian influences, and is host to beautiful 19th-century colonial architecture as well as modern skyscrapers. The people of Yangon mainly follow the Buddhist religion and it is common to see monks wandering along the busy streets amidst gilded temples.
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 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia.
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Yangon Prices
Myanmar PricesPenang Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYangon $70Penang $150
The average daily cost (per person) in Yangon is $70, while the average daily cost in Penang is $150. 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 Yangon and Penang in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYangon $31Penang $57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYangon $62Penang $114
Compare Hotels in Yangon and Penang
Looking for a hotel in Yangon 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: Penang Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yangon $2.38Penang $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Yangon:
- Bagan (Nyaung Oo) Airport Private Transfer: $27
- One Way Yangon Hotel to Airport Transfer with Airport Lounge access: $52
- Private Airport Transfer: Yangon Airport (RGN) → Yangon Hotel: $35
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon International Airport (RGN): $23
- Private Transfer from or to Rangon International Airport (YIA): $31
- Private Yangon Departure Transfer: Hotel to Yangon Airport: $80
- Yangon Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $60
- Yangon Airport Private Transfer: $45
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$1.49
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Island Ferry$0.59
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Bus From Airport to George Town$0.67
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Taxi From Airport to George Town$11
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Motorbike Rental (One Day)$7.43
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Bicycle Rental (One Day)$2.48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Penang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Penang:
- Penang Airport Transfer: $15
- Private Departure Transfer to Penang International Airport: $18
- Private Transfer from Penang International Airport to Your Hotel: $18
- Penang Island to Penang Airport(PEN) - Departure Private transfer: $19
- Penang Airport (PEN) to Penang Island - Arrival Private transfer: $19
- Penang Airport Arrival Transfer: $21
- Private Transfer from Swettenham Cruise Terminal to Penang Island: $21
- Private Transfer - Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Airport (PEN): $21
- Private Transfer - Penang Airport (PEN) to Swettenham Cruise Port: $21
- Swettenham Pier to Penang Airport(PEN)-Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Penang Airport Transfer - Arrival or Departure: $37
- Penang Airport(PEN) to Penang Island -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Yangon or Penang?
Prices for flights to both Penang and Yangon 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 dayYangon $17Penang $67
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Yangon.
- Cooking class in the down town of Yangon, half day tour (07:30 AM - 12:30 PM): $65
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$1.98
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Dinner at The Suffolk House (for 2)$85
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Lunch at Sakae Sushi (for 2)$72
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Lassy Juice$1.73
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Dinner for 2$3.71
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Street Stall Food$0.69
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.70
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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.
- Penang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Good Morning Penang 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: $54
- Penang Food Tour - Georgetown: $62
- 3-Hour Heritage on a Plate Dinner Hop in George Town Penang: $65
- Eat Like A Local: Penang Street Food Tour: $65
- Authentic Local Food Tour with Scenic Walk: $89
- 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
- Malay Culinary Journey Cooking Class for the Adventurous Foodie: $102
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yangon -Penang $58
Tours and Activities in Yangon
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Yangon are as follows:
- Yangon Cosmopolitan City Walking Tour: $22
- Half-Day Spiritual Shwedagon Pagoda Join in Tour in Yangon: $33
- Walking Tour in Downtown Yangon: $35
- Yangon Breakfast and Market Tour - The must try dishes!: $36
- Yangon City Tour With English Speaking Driver: $40
- Discover Bagan Day Tour: $45
- Old Bagan Full Day Tour: $46
- Bagan Cultrue Tour: $50
- Half Day Spiritual Shwedagon Pagoda Tour in Yangon: $50
- One Bagan Sightseeing Tour: $52
- Bagan Sightseeing Tour by Private Guide and Car: $53
- Private Day Adventure Tour to Dalah: $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$7.68
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Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$7.43
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Fort Cornwallis Entrance$0.50
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Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Entrance$2.48
Tours and Activities in Penang
Here are a few actual costs in Penang for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Culture, Faith and Trade: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of George Town: $5.00
- Guided Tour of Cheong Fatt Tze's Blue Mansion in George Town: $6.35
- Tech Dome Entrance Ticket: $6.92
- Tropical Spice Garden Entrance Ticket & Guided Tours: $8.15
- The Vanilla Village Farm Tour by Kairos: $9.39
- George Town Penang App Guided Street Art Tour: $11
- Penang Hill Funicular Ticket - Non-Malaysian: $11
- Explore Remarkable Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Malaysia: Penang Habitat Entry Ticket: $15
- Malaysia: Discover Nature's Wonders with Entopia Entry Ticket: $16
- The Top Komtar Penang Observation Deck and Rainbow Skywalk Ticket: $21
- Penang Rainbow Skywalk at The Top Komtar Observation Deck Tickets: $22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYangon -Penang $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$1.98
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yangon and Penang, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Yangon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Yangon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yangon 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 Yangon.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yangon Expensive? and Is Penang Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yangon or Penang?
Yangon has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Yangon 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.