Penang on a backpacker budget
Penang costs a backpacker about €22 a day before a bed. Here is what that covers, where to sleep near the centre, and which overland corridors run through it.
Modelled estimates, not quotes. Last rebuilt 2026-09-23.
What to see
George Town street art, Kek Lok Si, hawker stalls.
Eating
Char kway teow €1.50.
Beds near the centre
Distances are from the city centre point the planner uses.
| 6orgeous 6race | hostel | 0.6 km |
| Cocoa Mews | hostel | 0.7 km |
| Toh Aka Inn | guest house | 0.6 km |
| Clan Jetty Heritage Home | hotel | 0.3 km |
| SAVV Hotel | hotel | 0.4 km |
Markets and cheap eats
| Pasar Borong Pulau Mutiara | market | 0.6 km |
| Pasar Malam Gat Lebuh Macallum | market | 0.8 km |
| Presgrave Street Hawker Centre | market | 1.1 km |
Nearest hospital
Worth knowing before you need it.
| Hospital Pulau Pinang | emergency | 3.3 km |
Routes through Penang
Costed corridors that pass through, each with the full leg-by-leg breakdown.
Next stops on the network
Common questions
How much does Penang cost per day?
Budget about €22 a day for food and local transport, plus a bed. A dorm bunk runs around €9, a twin room about €25, and a small guesthouse room about €34. Two people sharing a twin usually beat two dorm beds here.
What is worth seeing in Penang?
George Town street art, Kek Lok Si, hawker stalls.
Where do you eat cheaply in Penang?
Char kway teow €1.50.
Build a route that runs through Penang, costed end to end.
Open the planner