Which place is cheaper, Melaka or Hat Yai?
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 Hat Yai or Melaka?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hat Yai and Melaka can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Hat Yai or Melaka?
Hat Yai
The fourth largest city of Thailand, Hat Yai is a popular tourist destination, especially on weekends and holidays for people in neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. It is best known as a commercial hub and shopping destination, and for its floating market and Buddhist temple.
Melaka
Melaka (or Malacca) is a large city on the western coast of Malaysia about half way between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. This historical city grew up as a result of trading in the region due to its position on the namesake Straights of Malacca, a natural waterway formed from the peninsula of Malaysia and the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia.
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Hat Yai Prices
Thailand PricesMelaka Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHat Yai $36Melaka $33
The average daily cost (per person) in Hat Yai is $36, while the average daily cost in Melaka is $33. 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 Hat Yai and Melaka in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHat Yai $16Melaka $9.51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHat Yai $32Melaka $19
Compare Hotels in Hat Yai and Melaka
Looking for a hotel in Hat Yai or Melaka? 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: Hat Yai Hotel Prices and Melaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hat Yai $0.72Melaka $2.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hat Yai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hat Yai:
- Private Hatyai Airport Transfer to Pak Bara Pier by Van: $80
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melaka
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Melaka are as follows:
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Taxi$4.75
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Bus Ride$0.36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melaka
Also for Melaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Malacca Hotels to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Departure Transfer: $52
- Private Transfer from Kuala Lumpur Airport (KUL) to Malacca Port: $66
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Fraser's Hill Transfer [Van]: $80
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Cameron Highlands Transfer [Van]: $80
- ~Chauffeur: Malacca to Kuantan Transfer [Van]: $81
- Malacca Hotel to Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Door to Door) Transfer: $99
- Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Kuala Lumpur city : $120
- Private Transfer : National Park Kuala Tahan to Cameron Highlands: $165
- Private Transfer : Taman Negara Kuala Tahan to Cameron Highlands: $165
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Mersing Transfer [Car]: $212
- Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Shah Alam City: $239
- Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Johor Bahru city: $251
Is it cheaper to fly into Hat Yai or Melaka?
Prices for flights to both Melaka and Hat Yai 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 dayHat Yai $18Melaka $20
Typical Food Prices in Hat Yai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hat Yai are as follows:
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Roti Snack$0.63
Typical Food Prices in Melaka
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Melaka:
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Sitdown Lunch (for Two)$7.13
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Dinner at the Market (for Two)$3.09
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Asam Pedas (Fish Curry)$1.43
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Taiwanese Noodle Soup$1.19
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$7.61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melaka
For Melaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Peranakan and Malay Cooking Class in Malacca: $90
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hat Yai -Melaka $4.03
Typical Entertainment Prices in Melaka
For Melaka, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Maritime Museum Entrance$0.71
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Taming Sari Revolving Tower Entrance$4.75
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Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$11
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Baba and Nyonya Peranakan Museum Entrance$2.38
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Melaka Zoo Entrance$1.66
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Low Cost Kite$0.71
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Malacca Duck Tour$9.51
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Melaka River Cruise (One Hour)$2.38
Tours and Activities in Melaka
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Melaka.
- Malaysia: Melaka Upside Down House Entry Ticket: $7.15
- Malaysia Melaka - Breakout Escape Game E-Ticket: $13
- Malaysia: Melaka A'famosa Water Park & Safari Wonderland Ticket: $15
- Essential Self-Guided Tour of it's UNESCO Heritage Centre: $15
- A'Famosa Safari and Water Park in Melaka Ticket (Only Malaysian): $28
- From Kuala Lumpur Full Day A'Famosa Theme Park Experience: $40
- Malacca City Hotels To Kuala Lumpur Airport EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $48
- Malacca City To Kuala Lumpur City En-route Putrajaya Tour: $49
- Malacca Hotels To Kuala Lumpur Hotels En-route Putrajaya Tour: $49
- Malacca City Hotels To Kuala Lumpur City Hotels En-route Putrajaya Tour: $49
- Malacca City To Kuala Lumpur City EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $61
- Malacca To Kuala Lumpur EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $61
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHat Yai $2.64Melaka $8.25
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hat Yai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hat Yai:
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Beer$1.88
When comparing the travel costs between Hat Yai and Melaka, we can see that Hat Yai is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hat Yai Expensive? and Is Melaka Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hat Yai or Melaka?
Hat Yai has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Melaka. When comparing the sizes of Hat Yai and Melaka, 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.
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.