Which place is cheaper, Xiamen or Penang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Penang or Xiamen?
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 Xiamen. 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 Xiamen?
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.
Xiamen
Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
-
Penang Prices
Malaysia PricesXiamen Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPenang $144Xiamen $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Penang is $144, while the average daily cost in Xiamen is $84. 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 Xiamen in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPenang $55Xiamen $31
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPenang $110Xiamen $62
Compare Hotels in Penang and Xiamen
Looking for a hotel in Penang or Xiamen? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Penang $14Xiamen $6.08
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:
- 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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen City and Yongding Hakka Tulou : $115
- Private Arrival Transfer from Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen City Hotel: $10
- Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hui'an county in Quanzhou: $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
- Private Transfer from Xiamen North Railway Station to City Area: $19
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Hongkeng Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng and HekengHakka Tulou fromXiamen: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Penang or Xiamen?
Prices for flights to both Xiamen 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
-
Food Meals for one dayPenang $64Xiamen $46
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
- 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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Penang $55Xiamen $16
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:
- 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
Tours and Activities in Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Sailing & Sea Experience.: $22
- Quanzhou Kaiyuan Temple & Luoyang Bridge Tour: $70
- Xiamen Private English Tour Guide Service: $93
- Xiamen Private Half Day Tour of Gulangyu Island and Shuzhuang Garden: $97
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Local Food Market Experience: $103
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $115
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
- Shanghai Metro Tour: $127
- Xiamen Layover Day Tour-Gulangyu,Shuzhuang Garden And Piano Museum: $132
- Xiamen Half-Day Private Tour include Gulang Yu Island and Garden : $135
- Tour Guide and Car: Private Day Tour to Yunshuiyao Ancient Village from Xiamen: $140
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPenang $18Xiamen $17
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 Penang and Xiamen, we can see that Penang is more expensive. And not only is Xiamen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Xiamen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xiamen 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 Xiamen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Penang Expensive? and Is Xiamen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Penang or Xiamen?
Xiamen has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Penang. When comparing the sizes of Penang and Xiamen, 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 Xiamen?
Xiamen 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 Xiamen in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Penang as well as Xiamen. Penang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Penang is around the same temperature as Xiamen in the summer. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Xiamen fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
It's quite rainy in Xiamen. Penang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Penang usually gets more rain in July than Xiamen. Penang gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyPenang 27°C (81°F)Xiamen 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Penang or Xiamen in the Autumn?
Both Xiamen and Penang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Penang throughout the year.
In the autumn, Penang is around the same temperature as Xiamen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Penang in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Xiamen averages at about 25°C (77°F).
It's quite rainy in Penang. In October, Penang usually receives more rain than Xiamen. Penang gets 340 mm (13.4 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPenang 27°C (81°F)Xiamen 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Penang or Xiamen in the Winter?
Both Xiamen 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.
In January, Penang is generally much warmer than Xiamen. Daily temperatures in Penang average around 28°C (82°F), and Xiamen fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
Penang usually gets more rain in January than Xiamen. Penang gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPenang 28°C (82°F)Xiamen 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Penang or Xiamen in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Penang and Xiamen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Penang year-round.
Penang is a little warmer than Xiamen in the spring. The daily temperature in Penang averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Xiamen fluctuates around 20°C (69°F).
Xiamen receives a lot of rain in the spring. Penang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Penang usually receives more rain than Xiamen. Penang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilPenang 28°C (82°F)Xiamen 20°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Xiamen and Penang
| Penang | Xiamen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 330 mm (13 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 340 mm (13.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 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.