Penangis 12% cheaper — BDI "Fair" (49/10) vs Quito "Fair" (46/10). Dorms avg $11/night vs $11/night.
Quick Verdict
Best For…
Traveler type
🇲🇾 Penang
🇪🇨 Quito
Solo budget traveler
★★★★★
15 hostels, avg 8.0 rating
★★★★★
14 hostels, avg 8.3 rating
Couple on a budget
★★★★★
Private rooms avg $25/night
★★★★★
Private rooms avg $28/night
Digital nomad
★★★★★
Coffee $3.07, dorms avg $11
★★★★★
Coffee $3.00, dorms avg $12
Nightlife seeker
★★★★★
Beer $4.48, 15 hostels
★★★★★
Beer $2.50, 14 hostels
First-time Europer
★★★★★
23 attractions
★★★★★
27 attractions
Cost Comparison
Daily Budget
| Tier | 🇲🇾 Penang | 🇪🇨 Quito | You Save / day |
|---|---|---|---|
brokepackr Dorm bed · street food · free activities | $17 cheaper | $20 | $2/day |
backpackr Mix of dorm & private · restaurants | $33 cheaper | $43 | $10/day |
flashpackr Private rooms · dining out · some tours | $56 cheaper | $82 | $25/day |
Price Intelligence
Seasonal Price Curve
Everyday Costs
Cost of Living
| Item | 🇲🇾 Penang | 🇪🇨 Quito |
|---|---|---|
| 🥙Street food meal Local market, street stall | $3.84 23% less | $5 |
| 🍽️Mid-range meal Sit-down restaurant, one person | $10.25 52% less | $21.25 |
| 🍺Beer (local draft) 500ml at a bar | $4.48 | $2.50 44% less |
| ☕Coffee Espresso or flat white | $3.07 | $3 2% less |
| 🚇Single metro / bus Standard single ticket | $0.51 | $0.35 31% less |
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Our Verdict + Hostel Quality
🇲🇾▼
Penang
Malaysia
49
BDI: Fair
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Moderate dorm prices (avg $11/night).
Hostel Quality
Avg guest rating8.5
Top-rated hostelSome Place Else (9.6)
Annual dorm avg$11/night
Total hostels15
🇪🇨▼
Quito
Ecuador
46
BDI: Fair
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Moderate dorm prices (avg $12/night).
Hostel Quality
Avg guest rating8.5
Top-rated hostelColonial House Inn (9.8)
Annual dorm avg$11/night
Total hostels14
Entry Requirements
Visa & Entry
Passport
🇲🇾 Penang
🇪🇨 Quito
🇪🇺 EU / EEA
Visa Free (90d)
Visa Free (90d)
🇺🇸 US
Visa Free (90d)
Visa Free (90d)
🇬🇧 UK
Visa Free (90d)
Visa Free (90d)
🇦🇺 Australia
Visa Free (90d)
Visa Free (90d)
🇨🇦 Canada
Visa Free (90d)
Visa Free (90d)
Flights
Getting There
City to City
Getting Between Penang & Quito
Climate
Weather & Best Time to Visit
°C · mm
🇲🇾 Penang
29°C
High
/
25°C
Low
🌧 Rainfall: 174mm/month
Best months: Mar
🇪🇨 Quito
17°C
High
/
11°C
Low
🌧 Rainfall: 304mm/month
Best months: Jul, Aug, Sep
Things To Do
Top Attractions
🇲🇾 Penang
1. Anjung IndahFree
2. Bellevue Ginger Gardens & Aviary
3. Bukit Genting ViewpointFree
4. Lily PondFree
5. Menara PandangFree
🇪🇨 Quito
1. Museo Alberto Mena CaamañoFree
2. Francisco de OrellanaFree
3. Galeria de Arte de ChillogalloFree
4. Instituto Geografico MilitarFree
5. Mirador de San JuanFree
Common Questions
FAQ
Is Penang or Quito cheaper for backpackers?+
How many hostels are in Penang vs Quito?+
Do I need a visa for Penang or Quito?+
When is the best time to visit Penang or Quito?+
What's the cheapest month to visit Penang and Quito?+
Keep Exploring
People Also Compared
Keep Exploring
Explore These Cities
Ready to book?
Plan a trip to both cities
Full itinerary with real-time flights, hostels & transport — built on our 64k+ price index.
Build Your Itinerary →Free · No account required · Results in under 30 seconds