Which place is cheaper, Dali or Melaka?
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 Melaka or Dali?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Melaka or Dali, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Melaka or Dali?
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.
Dali
Dali is a city in southern China with a long and glorious history dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Xiaguan neighborhood of the city is the modern industrial center where most public transportation arrives; however, the Old Town of Dali is the place that draws the most visitors. Being one of China's ancient cities, Dali is said to have been a gateway to the Silk Road, and still attracts attention with its traditional architecture, beautiful scenery, ethnic cultures, and nightlife.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, and The Best Adventure Tours to China.
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Melaka Prices
Malaysia PricesDali Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMelaka $33Dali $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Melaka is $33, while the average daily cost in Dali is $62. 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 Melaka and Dali in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMelaka $9.51Dali $17
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMelaka $19Dali $34
Compare Hotels in Melaka and Dali
Looking for a hotel in Melaka or Dali? 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: Melaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Melaka $2.09Dali $9.34
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dali
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dali:
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Local Bus$0.42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dali
Also for Dali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang/Shuhe hotel and Stops at Shaxi Old Town: $160
- Private Transfer from Dali to Lijiang hotel/airport(LJG): $149
- Dali Airport Chauffeur Service, Private Dali Airport Transfer: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Melaka or Dali?
Prices for flights to both Dali and Melaka 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 dayMelaka $20Dali $32
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
Typical Food Prices in Dali
For Dali, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch$4.49
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Breakfast$3.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dali
For Dali, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cangshan Mountain hike and organic homemade dinner: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Melaka $4.03Dali $18
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
Tours and Activities in Dali
For Dali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Dali Erhai Sightseeing Tour: $250
- 1-Day Dali Tie Dye Experience Private Tour: $230
- 1-Day Dali tour with the Daili old town, Xizhou Village and Three Pagodas: $195
- 2-Days Self-Guided tour from Dali to Lijiang and overnight in Shaxi old town: $205
- All Inclusive Private Day Tour to Shaxi Ancient Town from Dali: $213
- Dali City Tour with Private Guide: $71
- Dali Day Tour: Scenic Lakes, Bai Heritage & Tie-Dye Workshop: $262
- Dali Private Tour to Xizhou Ancient Town and Erhai Lake : $186
- Dali XIzhou Ancient Town Private Tour: $87
- Dali Yunnan Local Market Pottery Making Eco Tour: $197
- Ancient City, Three Pagodas, and Longkan (ErHai) Tour: $85
- Donglianhua (East Lotus) & Hui Muslim Culture Tour: $70
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMelaka $8.25Dali $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Melaka and Dali, we can see that Dali 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 Dali would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dali 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 Melaka Expensive? and Is Dali Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Melaka or Dali?
Melaka has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Dali. When comparing the sizes of Melaka and Dali, 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.