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

Should you visit Mount Everest 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 Mount Everest 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: Mount Everest or Penang?

Mount Everest

More commonly known as Mount Everest, Qomolangma is the highest mountain in the world with a peak reaching 8,848 meters above sea level. Pilgrims trek long distances to worship its divine aura, climbing enthusiasts run great risks to challenge its high altitude, and visitors from all over come to see where the tallest reaches of earth meet the heavens.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Kathmandu, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Pokhara, The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia.


Which place is cheaper, Penang or Mount Everest?

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 Mount Everest is $56, 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 Mount Everest and Penang in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mount Everest $6.46
    Penang $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mount Everest $13
    Penang $110
Compare Hotels in Mount Everest and Penang

Looking for a hotel in Mount Everest 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 Mount Everest


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: Penang Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mount Everest -
    Penang $14

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Penang

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


  • Local Bus
    $1.43
  • Island Ferry
    $0.57
  • Bus From Airport to George Town
    $0.64
  • Taxi From Airport to George Town
    $11
  • Motorbike Rental (One Day)
    $7.13
  • Bicycle Rental (One Day)
    $2.38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Penang

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Penang:

  • Private Transfer : Penang International Airport Departure: $13
  • Private Arrival Transfer : Penang International Airport: $13
  • Private Departure Transfer : Penang International Airport: $19
  • Private Arrival Transfer : Penang International Airport: $19
  • Private Departure Transfer - Penang International Airport: $19
  • Penang Airport (PEN) to Penang Island - Arrival Private transfer: $19
  • Penang Island to Penang Airport(PEN) - Departure Private transfer: $19
  • Private Transfer - Penang Airport (PEN) to Swettenham Cruise Port: $22
  • Private Transfer from Penang Island to Swettenham Cruise Terminal: $22
  • Private Transfer from Swettenham Cruise Terminal to Penang Island: $22
  • Private Transfer - Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Airport (PEN): $22
  • Penang Airport (PEN) to Swettenham Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $23

Is it cheaper to fly into Mount Everest or Penang?

Prices for flights to both Penang and Mount Everest 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
    Mount Everest $43
    Penang $64

Typical Food Prices in Penang

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


  • Snack
    $1.90
  • Dinner at The Suffolk House (for 2)
    $81
  • Lunch at Sakae Sushi (for 2)
    $69
  • Lassy Juice
    $1.66
  • Dinner for 2
    $3.57
  • Street Stall Food
    $0.67
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $4.52
  • 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
  • Private Half-Day Hawker Trails Food Tour in George Town: $51
  • Local Street Food Tour in Georgetown Penang : $62
  • Eat Like A Local: Penang Street Food Tour: $62
  • Penang Food Tour - Georgetown: $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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mount Everest $17
    Penang $55

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
    $7.37
  • Trishaw Tour (One Hour)
    $7.13
  • Fort Cornwallis Entrance
    $0.48
  • 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
  • Explore Remarkable Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • 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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mount Everest -
    Penang $18

Typical Alcohol Prices in Penang

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


  • Beer
    $1.90


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mount Everest and Penang, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Mount Everest much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mount Everest would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mount Everest 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 Mount Everest.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mount Everest Expensive? and Is Penang Expensive?.