Which place is cheaper, Melaka or Hoi An?
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 Hoi An or Melaka?
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 Hoi An and Melaka. 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: Hoi An or Melaka?
Hoi An
Located just south of the city of Da Nang, Hoi An is famous for it's beautiful old town. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, since its designation as a World Heritage Site in 1999, mass tourism has grown and the city has felt the growing pains. Most of the homes and shops in the old town are now used for commercial purposes. The city is still quaint, but the old town is lined with tailor shops, souvenir stores, and restaurants. Foreigners are required to purchase a ticket to enter the old town of Hoi An (120,000 VND, about $5).
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Vietnam, The Best Historical Tours in Vietnam, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia.
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Hoi An Prices
Vietnam PricesMelaka Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHoi An $51Melaka $33
The average daily cost (per person) in Hoi An is $51, 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 Hoi An and Melaka in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHoi An $20Melaka $9.51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHoi An $40Melaka $19
Compare Hotels in Hoi An and Melaka
Looking for a hotel in Hoi An 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: Hoi An Hotel Prices and Melaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hoi An $18Melaka $2.09
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hoi An
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Hoi An are as follows:
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Taxi From Danang to Hoi An$8.34
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Bus From Hoi An Bus Station to Town$0.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hoi An
Also for Hoi An, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Private Transfer to Hue with Photo Stops: $88
- My Son Sanctuary & Hai Van Pass Transfer Hoi An to/from Hue: $63
- My Son Sanctuary Roundtrip Transfer from HoiAn hotel: $35
- My Son sanctuary and Marble mountain tours and transfer: $35
- Best Tours/ Transfer to Bana Hills & Golden Bridge: $32
- Early My Son tour/transfer to avoid crowd and the heat: $28
- Best tour/ transfer to My Son Sanctuary: $28
- Best tour/transfer to My Son sanctuary from Da Nang/HoiAn: $28
- Ba Na Hills Private Car Transfer from Hue, Hoi An or Da Nang: $27
- Hue: Private Transfer to Hoi An via Top Sights: $25
- Private Transfer To My Son Sanctuary From Hoi An or Da Nang: $22
- Private Transfer To My Son Sanctuary From Hoi An or Da Nang: $22
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:
- ~Chauffeur: Malacca to Kuantan Transfer [Van]: $81
- Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Shah Alam City: $239
- Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Kuala Lumpur city : $120
- Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Johor Bahru city: $251
- Private Transfer from Kuala Lumpur Airport (KUL) to Malacca Port: $66
- Private Transfer : Taman Negara Kuala Tahan to Cameron Highlands: $165
- Private Transfer : National Park Kuala Tahan to Cameron Highlands: $165
- Malacca Hotels to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Departure Transfer: $52
- Malacca Hotel to Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Door to Door) Transfer: $99
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Mersing Transfer [Car]: $212
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Fraser's Hill Transfer [Van]: $80
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Cameron Highlands Transfer [Van]: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Hoi An or Melaka?
Prices for flights to both Melaka and Hoi An 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 dayHoi An $16Melaka $20
Typical Food Prices in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Bamboo Village (for Two)$13
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$3.79
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Casual Dinner (for Two)$7.58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hoi An Food Tour - Street Eats And Hoi An Hidden Gems: $2.00
- BASKET BOAT & FISHING CRAB & COOKING CLASS: $3.90
- COOKING CLASS & BASKET BOAT: $13
- Basket Boat Ride, Cooking Class by Hangcoconut: $17
- Market Tour - Cooking Class - Coconut Boat Riding: $17
- From Market Tour, Basket Boat Ride and Cooking Class: $17
- Da Nang/Market Tour, basket Boat Ride, Cooking Class: $18
- Hoi An Cooking Class - Traditional Chinese Dumpling: $18
- Hoi An : Traditional Cooking Class w Optional Lantern Making: $20
- Cooking Class, Crab Fishing-Basket Boat, Market Tour: $20
- Eat Like a Local – Hoi An Evening Food Tour: $22
- Hoi An : Vegetarian Cooking Class W Optional Coconut Village: $22
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.Hoi An $12Melaka $4.03
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hoi An
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hoi An's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Golf (for Two)$140
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Short Boat Ride$1.52
Tours and Activities in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Hours Hoi An Countryside Bicycle Tour: $35
- 3 hours Hoi An Countryside Motorbike Tour: $55
- Amazing Cham Island Snorkeling Tour From Hoi An or Da Nang: $45
- BUFFALO RIDING -BASKET BOAT & BIKE TOUR-HOI AN: $29
- Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge Private Tour: $131
- Cam Thanh: Coconut Basket Boat and Enjoy Free Coconut Ticket: $4.12
- Cham Island Tour: Snorkeling & Spa from Da Nang/Hoi An: $32
- Cham Island: Experience Snorkeling and Lunch In A Day Tour: $69
- Cham Island: Small group Snorkeling Tour with Lunch: $85
- Cham Island: Snorkeling Tour: $53
- Cham Island: Underwater Walking & Snorkeling Tour: $77
- Coconut Jungle - Hoi An City Tour & Release Flower Lantern: $47
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.
- *13 Hrs Best of Melaka Full Day Flexible Van Tour w' Tour Guide: $84
- A'Famosa Safari and Water Park in Melaka Ticket (Only Malaysian): $28
- Essential Self-Guided Tour of it's UNESCO Heritage Centre: $15
- 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 Hotels To Kuala Lumpur City Hotels En-route Putrajaya Tour: $49
- Malacca City To Kuala Lumpur City EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $61
- Malacca City To Kuala Lumpur City En-route Putrajaya Tour: $49
- Malacca Hotels To Kuala Lumpur Hotels En-route Putrajaya Tour: $49
- Malacca Instagram Tour: Top Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $328
- Malacca Shore Excursion with Professional Tour Guide & Lunch: $228
- Malacca Shore Excursion with Tour Guide & Baba Nyonya Lunch: $228
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHoi An $8.59Melaka $8.25
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hoi An
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Hoi An are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$9.10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hoi An and Melaka, we can see that Hoi An is more expensive. And not only is Melaka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Melaka would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Melaka 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 Hoi An would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hoi An than you might in Melaka.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hoi An Expensive? and Is Melaka Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hoi An or Melaka?
Melaka has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Hoi An. When comparing the sizes of Hoi An 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.