Which place is cheaper, Sydney 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 Sydney?
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 Sydney. 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 Sydney?
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.
Sydney
Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.
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Penang Prices
Malaysia PricesSydney Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPenang $144Sydney $207
The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $144, while the average daily cost in Sydney is $207. 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 Sydney in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPenang $55Sydney $103
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPenang $110Sydney $206
Compare Hotels in Penang and Sydney
Looking for a hotel in Penang or Sydney? 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 Sydney Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Penang $14Sydney $15
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:
- Chauffeur: Penang Island to Singapore Van Transfer: $146
- Full-Day Private Transfer in Penang City : $275
- Penang Airport (PEN) to Swettenham Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Penang Airport Transfer ( 24/7): $59
- Penang Airport Transfer - Arrival or Departure: $36
- Penang City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $140
- Penang City to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $107
- Penang City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $140
- Penang Island to Penang Airport(PEN) - Departure Private transfer: $19
- Penang to KUL Hotel (One Way Transfer): $237
- Penang to Kuala Lumpur 1-way Transfer: $107
- ATV Ride in Balik Pulau with Snacks and Transfers: $66
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:
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Taxi Ride$13
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Taxi to Airport$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:
- 11:30AM Sydney Airport-Hotel transfer with Bondi Tour: $125
- 9:30AM Sydney Airport-Hotel transfer with City Half Day Tour: $112
- Airport Transfer from Sydney Airport to Hotels: $295
- Airport Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney by Business Car: $113
- Airport Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney by Luxury Van: $126
- Arrival Transfer from Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney city by Sedan: $90
- Arrival Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney in Business Car: $113
- Chauffeur Airport Transfers Sydney - Up to 15 Passengers: $99
- Chauffeur Service Sydney For Luxury Airport Transfers: $112
- Departure Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD in Business Car: $113
- Featherdale Wildlife Park with Exclusive Private Transfers: $234
- From Sydney Hotels - Hotel Transfer to Airport: $355
Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or Sydney?
Prices for flights to both Sydney 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 $64Sydney $77
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 Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:
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Tea$2.62
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Lunch Special$9.81
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Food/Drink Coogie Beach$9.81
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Meat Pies$3.27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.
- Vivid Festival of Light Harbor Cruise with Dinner: $36
- City Highlights Walking Food Tour with Harbor Cruise: $45
- Roti Making Class with 5-Course Dinner: $50
- Harbour Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $50
- Sydney Harbour Discovery Dinner Cruise Scenic Sights and Buffet: $50
- Foraging Food Tour Sydney Native Aussie Food: $53
- Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $54
- Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $59
- Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
- Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise: $60
- Taste of Sydney Fish Market Food Tour: $64
- Kids Cooking Classes: $64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Penang $55Sydney $31
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney
Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Theatre Show$29
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Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)$30
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Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)$125
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Powerhouse Museum$9.85
Tours and Activities in Sydney
Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Sydney's Hidden Gems Self Guided City Tour: $1.79
- Sydney Cockatoo Island Escape: Convict Adventure Game: $7.20
- Sydney Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $7.20
- Sydney Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $8.40
- Sydney Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Haunted Sydney Self-Guided Audio Ghost Tour: $10
- Experience Sydney Audio Tour Adventure: $15
- Discover Self-Guided Audio Tour: $16
- Aboriginal Art Exhibition Ticket, Art Gallery of NSW: $17
- Razor Gangs True Crime Tour: $17
- Tickets & Tours at Art Gallery of New South Wales: $17
- Tours & Exhibitions at Art Gallery of New South Wales: $17
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPenang $18Sydney $15
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:
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Wine$10
Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:
- Wollongong Bar Crawl Go Out with a Gong: $15
- Big Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Party Hosts: $32
- Private Wine Tasting at The Rocks: $46
- Sydney Cellar Door - Old Vine Expressions Wine Tasting: $47
- Marrickville Brewery Tour: $78
- From: Sydney - Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Guided Day Tour: $89
- Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour: $103
- Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $112
- From Full-Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour & Lunch: $145
- From Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Day Tour: $145
- From Hunter Valley Multi-Brewery Tour with Lunch: $149
- Small Group Hunter Valley Wine Tour + Lunch, Gin & Choc ex Sydney: $151
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Penang and Sydney, we can see that Sydney 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 Sydney is in Pacific, 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney 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 Sydney Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Penang or Sydney?
Sydney has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Penang and Sydney, 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 Sydney?
Sydney 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 Sydney in the Summer?
Both Sydney and Penang are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Sydney for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Penang is a little warmer than Sydney in the summer. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Sydney fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Sydney. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Penang. Penang usually receives less sunshine than Sydney during summer. Penang gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Sydney receives 236 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sydney. It's quite rainy in Penang. In July, Penang usually receives more rain than Sydneyin January. Penang gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPenang 27°C (81°F)Sydney 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Penang or Sydney in the Autumn?
Both Sydney and Penang during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Penang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Sydney because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Penang is a little warmer than Sydney. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Penang in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Sydney averages at about 19°C (65°F)in April.
Sydney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Penang. Penang usually gets more rain in October than Sydneyin April. Penang gets 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilPenang 27°C (81°F)Sydney 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Penang or Sydney in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Penang and Sydney. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sydney this time of year.
In January, Penang is generally much warmer than Sydneyin July. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 28°C (82°F), and Sydney fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
In January, Penang usually receives more rain than Sydneyin July. Penang gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyPenang 28°C (82°F)Sydney 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Penang or Sydney in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Penang as well as Sydney. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Sydney for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Penang is much warmer than Sydney in the spring. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Sydney fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sydney. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Penang this time of the year. In the spring, Penang often gets less sunshine than Sydneyin October. Penang gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sydney receives 240 hours of full sun.
Penang receives a lot of rain in the spring. Penang usually gets more rain in April than Sydneyin October. Penang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberPenang 28°C (82°F)Sydney 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Sydney and Penang
| Penang | Sydney | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 81 mm (3.2 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.