Verified answer

I was there a few months ago. I thought it was comparable to Thailand (perhaps a tad more expensive - not much).

The food is great there if you like Indian Food. I had tandoori chicken, a piece of Nan (a good size piece) and a Mango Lassi for under $3 USD.

What is cool about the restaurants here is that some of them are setup like cafeterias and you can pick and choose what you want. I found most of the restaurants around Chulia street to be Indian, but they also have Chinese, western food.....etc....

I love indian food, so I had my fill while I was there...I was happy....LOL

Then I stayed in a guesthouse for about $6 USD (which was ok, kind of a dive - clean enough though). There are nicer ones you can stay in which go for $15/20 USD per night.

Beer is roughly $2USD for a standard bottle.

Having lived in Thailand for over a year now, I thought as a whole the prices were not much higher, if not the same.

I was here for a few days waiting for my visa to get processed.

Have a great trip! It's an interesting city. I love the mix of nationalities (Indian, Chinese, Malay, Thai...etc...).

Travel to penang is cheap, especially with their local hawker foods and drinks. Generally for branded cloth, the price has been standardized throughout Malaysia, except East Malaysia where will add small amount of extra transport charge. Well for hotel, it's highly depends on which area you choose to live. There're many city hotel where the price will range from RM100 - RM200 where i feel it comfort and convenience. If you like to choose live beside beaches, the price would goes up to RM200 minimum per night. It's quite fun if you hold an international driving license, where you may ride a motorcycle round the island as you like.

Penang is an inexpensive place to travel to. One bowl of noodles or a palte of chicken rice will not be more tha USD 1.50. Do not take hotel food. They are not as tasty as those non-aircond restaurants and are more expensive. Maybe the prices could be triple. Go to the beaches and grab a cab or get those bicycle ride. Inexpensive. Maybe USD 5 or less... Enjoy your holiday in Malaysia. And go to Gurney Plaza for clothings. Must try char kuay teow and asam laksa too!

It's always lovely to 'return' to my hometown of Penang.

Prices are cheaper than Thailand in any count. Food is more plentiful and people here are very picky and passionate about food.

There are numerous places by the streets that one may try and taste anything.

In penang, look for 'peranakan' china, as it's quite unique than the normal blue and white stuff you see all over China.

You will find that Penang is predominantly Chinese as opposed to Malay when compared to the rest of the country.

the food here are really cheap, u can eat almost any type of food in the range of RM2 - RM5 ( if you do go to road side stalls) the food there are tastier rather than going to an enclosed, air-conditioned, high-class restaurant whereby u will not have the chance to taste the original local delicacies... at penang, u must try their asam laksa and nasi kandar, it's the best!! drink wise, they only cost about RM1 - RM3. the lime juice is great...

if you do buy clothing, u MUST bargain... initially, even though the sales person gives you a low price, try to bargain until it reach the lowest..

for transportation, you can sit the beca(tricycle).. i think it costs bout RM5(??).. not quite sure, but it will be below RM10.

anyways, do have fun when you come.. =)

Have a look at a Rough Guide - they're great for all sorts of information.