Which place is cheaper, Sapporo 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 Sapporo?
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 Sapporo. 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 Sapporo?
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.
Sapporo
Capital of the northern Japanese island Hokkaido, Sapporo is a city surrounded by mountains and known for its beer, skiing, and annual snow festival with stunning ice sculptures. As host to the 1972 Winter Olympics, the city limits are dotted with ski jumps, hills, and popular ski resorts still in use today.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
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Penang Prices
Malaysia PricesSapporo Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPenang $144Sapporo $132
The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $144, while the average daily cost in Sapporo is $132. 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 Sapporo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPenang $55Sapporo $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPenang $110Sapporo $130
Compare Hotels in Penang and Sapporo
Looking for a hotel in Penang or Sapporo? 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 Sapporo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Penang $14Sapporo $16
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:
- Full-Day Private Transfer in Penang City : $277
- Penang to KUL Hotel (One Way Transfer): $237
- Private Transfer : Penang Hotel to Kuala Lumpur Hotel: $207
- Chauffeur: Penang Island to Singapore Van Transfer: $147
- Penang City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $140
- Penang City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City Hotels One-way Transfer: $140
- Penang City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $140
- Private Transfer: Penang Island to or from Perak: $131
- Swettenham Cruise Port to Penang Island hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $115
- Penang City to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $107
- Penang to Kuala Lumpur 1-way Transfer: $107
- Private Half Day Tour to Penang Island with Transfer Included: $70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sapporo
Also for Sapporo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer! Hotel in center of Sapporo to New Chitose Airport (CTS): $140
- Private Departure Transfer : Sapporo City to New Chitose Airport: $237
- Private Transfer from Muroran Cruise Port to Sapporo Airport(CTS): $274
- Private Transfer from Sapporo City Hotels to Otaru Cruise Port: $113
- Sapporo City: Private Transfer to/from New Chitose Airport: $132
- New Chitose Airport (CTS) Private Transfer: $284
- Shin Chitose Airport to/from Sapporo City: Shared Transfer: $93
Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or Sapporo?
Prices for flights to both Sapporo 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 $64Sapporo $54
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.
- Penang Plates Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Good Morning Penang Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $45
- Penang Food Tour - Georgetown: $62
- Local Street Food Tour in Georgetown Penang : $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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sapporo
For Sapporo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Japanese Cooking Class in Sapporo with Local Host Kanae: $72
- Japanese Cooking Class in the Heart of Sapporo with Sakura: $72
- Private Market Tour and Cooking Class with Kanae, a Sapporo Local: $82
- Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour: $97
- Hands-on Japanese Home Cooking Class in Sapporo with Noriko: $108
- Sapporo Night Food Tour: 3 Hidden Restaurants with a Foodie Guide: $218
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Penang $55Sapporo $17
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
- 4 Hour Food and Heritage Walking Tour in Penang George Town: $93
- 4-Hour Heritage Walking Tour of Georgetown: $60
- 4-Hour Private Heritage Tour in George Town: $68
- 6 Hours Highlights of Penang Shared Tour : $75
- 6-Hours Penang Private Tour: $169
- 8 Hours of Penang Tour: $60
- All-Inclusive Penang George Town Private Tour: $154
- Asia Camera Museum Admission Ticket: $6.10
- Back of the Bike Street Food Experience – Real Penang!: $88
- Best of Historical George Town Half Day Tour: $80
Tours and Activities in Sapporo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sapporo.
- JR Tower Observatory Admission Ticket: $4.33
- Historical Village of Hokkaido Entry Ticket: $6.76
- Sapporo TV Tower Admission Ticket: $6.76
- JR Tower Observation Deck T38 Ticket in Hokkaido: $9.00
- Sapporo Highlights: Golden Route Morning Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Sapporo Highlights: Golden Route Morning Walking Tour: $31
- Hokkaido Shrine Tour with Rituals, History & Sweets: $43
- Beer Museum Tour with Tasting of Local Brews: $49
- Tour of the Historic Red Brick Government Office: $50
- Sapporo Afternoon Walking Tour 2h 30mins: $55
- Sapporo Walking Tour: $61
- Authentic Nijo Market Seafood Lunch & History Tour: $64
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPenang $18Sapporo $8.26
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 Sapporo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sapporo:
- Sapporo Tour in the Port City of Otaru and Local beer brewery: $174
- 1-Day Tour The port city of Otaru & Local Brewery: $178
When comparing the travel costs between Penang and Sapporo, we can see that Penang is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Penang Expensive? and Is Sapporo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Penang or Sapporo?
Sapporo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Penang and Sapporo, 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 Sapporo?
Sapporo 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 Sapporo in the Summer?
Both Sapporo and Penang during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Penang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Sapporo because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Penang is a little warmer than Sapporo in the summer. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Sapporo fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
It's quite sunny in Penang. In the summer, Penang often gets more sunshine than Sapporo. Penang gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sapporo receives 179 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Penang. Penang usually gets more rain in July than Sapporo. Penang gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPenang 27°C (81°F)Sapporo 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Penang or Sapporo in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Penang and Sapporo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Sapporo this time of year.
In the autumn, Penang is much warmer than Sapporo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Penang in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Sapporo averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Sapporo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Penang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Penang usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Penang gets 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPenang 27°C (81°F)Sapporo 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Penang or Sapporo in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Penang as well as Sapporo. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Sapporo for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Sapporo. In January, Penang is generally much warmer than Sapporo. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 28°C (82°F), and Sapporo fluctuates around -5°C (24°F).
It's quite rainy in Sapporo. Penang usually gets less rain in January than Sapporo. Penang gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPenang 28°C (82°F)Sapporo -5°C (24°F)
Should I visit Penang or Sapporo in the Spring?
Both Sapporo and Penang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Sapporo in the spring for the activities around the city.
Penang is much warmer than Sapporo in the spring. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Sapporo fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Penang. Penang usually receives more sunshine than Sapporo during spring. Penang gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Sapporo receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Penang. In April, Penang usually receives more rain than Sapporo. Penang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Sapporo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPenang 28°C (82°F)Sapporo 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Sapporo and Penang
| Penang | Sapporo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | -5°C (24°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.