Which place is cheaper, New York City or Penang?
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 Penang or New York City?
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 Penang and New York City. 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: Penang or New York City?
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.
New York City
The most populated city in the United States, New York City, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River and encompasses both the island of Manhattan as well as the surrounding land on Long Island, most of which is known as Brooklyn. It's a cultural, culinary, theatrical, and art center that has much to offer domestic and international travelers alike. The city covers an area of 305 square miles and has a population of about 8.2 million people in the city proper with 18.7 million in the metropolitan area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
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Penang Prices
Malaysia PricesNew York City Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPenang $144New York City $363
The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $144, while the average daily cost in New York City is $363. 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 Penang and New York City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPenang $55New York City $175
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPenang $110New York City $350
Compare Hotels in Penang and New York City
Looking for a hotel in Penang or New York City? 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 and New York City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Penang $14New York City $49
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:
- Swettenham Pier to Penang Airport(PEN)-Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Swettenham Pier Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $57
- Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $115
- Private Transfer: Penang Island to or from Perak: $131
- Private Transfer: Penang International Airport to or from Hotel: $49
- 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
- Private Penang Arrival transfer to Hotel: $12
- Private Half Day Tour to Penang Island with Transfer Included: $70
- Private Economy Penang Airport Transfer-Departure: $29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in New York City
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New York City are as follows:
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Subway$4.50
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Taxi Ride$8.00
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Subway$2.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New York City
Also for New York City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Limousine Transfer one-way - LaGuardia Airport - Lincoln MKT: $275
- Airport Transfer: New York to Newark Airport EWR by Business Car: $165
- Cape Cruise Port to J.F. Kennedy Airport (JFK)-Departure Transfer: $44
- Cape Cruise Port to LaGuardia Airport (LGA) - Departure Transfer: $44
- Central Park Private Walking Tour with Transfers : $171
- Central Park Zoo Skip-the-line Tickets & Private Transfers: $291
- Departure Transfer: New York to J.F. Kennedy Airport JFK in Sedan: $167
- Departure Transfer: New York to New York Airport JFK in SUV: $177
- Departure Transfer: New York to Newark Airport EWR by Luxury SUV: $177
- EWR, LGA, JFK Private Airport Transfer in NYC with SUV or Sedan: $252
- Empire State Building NYC Tour, Pre-booked Tickets, Transfer: $300
- First Class Transfer from Manhattan to NYC Airports (JFK/EWR/LGA): $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or New York City?
Prices for flights to both New York City and Penang 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 dayPenang $64New York City $87
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
Typical Food Prices in New York City
For New York City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Gelato$7.50
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Snacks for Two at Yankees Game$34
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Coffee$6.53
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Smoothie$6.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New York City
For New York City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- East Village Noho Food Tour: $32
- The Chinatown, Little Italy, Food Tour: $35
- The Lower East Side Food Tour: $35
- Sweets and Slices Greenwich Village Walking Food Tour: $49
- New York City's Best Pizza tour: $59
- Made in Brooklyn Food Tour: $65
- Greenwich Village Pizza Walk: $75
- Brooklyn Pizza Walk: $75
- New York's Classic Eats West Village Food Tour: $75
- New York's Classic Eats Lower East Side Food Tour: $75
- Union Square Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour: $75
- East Village Pizza Walk: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Penang $55New York City $180
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:
- George Town Highlights & Upside Down Museum tours (5 Hours): $67
- Penang City Temple Tour with Penang Hill(Fast Lane) & Kek Lok Si: $147
- 6 Hours Highlights of Penang Shared Tour : $75
- 6-Hours Penang Private Tour: $169
- 8 Hours of Penang Tour: $60
- Back of the Bike Street Food Experience – Real Penang!: $88
- Best of Historical George Town Half Day Tour: $80
- Bukit Merah Orang Utan and Penang City Private Tour: $140
- Colors of George Town Walking Tour: $138
- Countryside Cycling Tour. T1.0 by Matahari: $97
- ESCAPE Penang Theme Park Admission Ticket : $73
- Enjoy Amazing Night Tour in Penang : $84
Typical Entertainment Prices in New York City
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New York City's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Comedy Show Tickets$56
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City Map$8.00
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Broadway Musical$111
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Broadway Show Program$10
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Magazine$6.99
Tours and Activities in New York City
For New York City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- New York's Hidden Gems: Self-Guided City Tour: $3.56
- Central Park Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $4.75
- Self Guided Central Park Bike or Walking Tour Application: $5.00
- Broadway: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the World's Iconic Theatre District: $5.39
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in New York: $5.94
- Brooklyn, NY Street Art Puzzle Quest: Self-Guided Tour: $5.94
- New York City Audio Tour: $6.41
- Self Guided "Central Park Movie Tour" Solo Walking Tour in New York City: $6.75
- Private Haunted and Historic Audio Tour in Greenwich Village: $6.95
- Luxury Horse and Carriage Tours in Central Park: $6.99
- Central Park Outdoor Escape Adventure: $7.00
- Movie Magic in Central Park: Self-Guided Puzzle Adventure: $7.09
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Things to do in New York City with Kids, Things to Do in Central Park in NYC, and The Best Museums in New York City.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPenang $18New York City $29
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
Sample the Local Flavors in New York City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New York City:
- Brooklyn Distillery Tour : $22
- NYC Pub Crawl Experience: $24
- Distillery Tour and Tasting: $25
- NYC Pub Crawl Tour: $30
- NYC Pub Crawl with Rooftop Clubbing Experience: $33
- Top Shelf Distillery Tour: $33
- New York Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $36
- Cheers to Chinatown Tour and Bar Crawl: $40
- Brooklyn Literary Pub Crawl: $49
- Greenwich Village Piano Bar Crawl: $50
- Broadway Prohibition Pub Crawl: $64
- Little Italy Prohibition Pub Crawl: $64
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Penang and New York City, we can see that New York City is more expensive. And not only is Penang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Penang is in Asia and New York City is in North America, 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 New York City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New York City 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 Penang Expensive? and Is New York City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Penang or New York City?
New York City has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Penang and New York City, 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 Penang or New York City?
New York City 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 Penang or New York City in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Penang as well as New York City. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to New York City this time of year.
In the summer, Penang is around the same temperature as New York City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Penang in July average around 27°C (81°F), and New York City averages at about 77°F (25°C).
It's quite rainy in New York City. Penang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Penang usually gets more rain in July than New York City. Penang gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPenang 27°C (81°F)New York City 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Penang or New York City in the Autumn?
Both New York City and Penang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to New York City for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Penang is generally much warmer than New York City. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 27°C (81°F), and New York City fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
It's quite rainy in Penang. In October, Penang usually receives more rain than New York City. Penang gets 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPenang 27°C (81°F)New York City 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Penang or New York City in the Winter?
Both New York City and Penang during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Penang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to New York City in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
New York City can get quite cold in the winter. Penang is much warmer than New York City in the winter. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).
Penang usually gets less rain in January than New York City. Penang gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPenang 28°C (82°F)New York City 31°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Penang or New York City in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Penang and New York City. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to New York City for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Penang is much warmer than New York City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Penang in April average around 28°C (82°F), and New York City averages at about 52°F (11°C).
Penang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Penang usually receives more rain than New York City. Penang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPenang 28°C (82°F)New York City 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for New York City and Penang
| Penang | New York City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 3.4 inches (88 mm) |
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.