A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Melaka vs. Yangshuo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Melaka or Yangshuo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Melaka or Yangshuo, 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 Yangshuo?

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.

Yangshuo

A county of the city, Guilin, Yangshuo is located in a region famous for its karst topography. Surrounded by jagged mountain peaks and bordered on one side by the Li River, Yangshuo has become a popular home base for tourists looking to explore the region's natural wonders. Backpackers and tourists, both foreign and domestic, come to Yangshuo every year making it a city of many cultures. Most locals are even able to speak English, which is fairly uncommon for Chinese cities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Budget Tours to China, and The Best Tours for Seniors to China.


Which place is cheaper, Yangshuo or Melaka?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Melaka is $33, while the average daily cost in Yangshuo is $86. 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 Yangshuo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Melaka $9.51
    Yangshuo $26
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Melaka $19
    Yangshuo $52
Compare Hotels in Melaka and Yangshuo

Looking for a hotel in Melaka or Yangshuo? 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.

Hotels in Melaka


Hotels in Yangshuo


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Melaka $2.09
    Yangshuo $43
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melaka

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Melaka are as follows:


  • Taxi
    $4.75
  • 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 Cameron Highlands Transfer [Car]: $281
  • Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Johor Bahru city: $251
  • Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Shah Alam City: $239
  • Chauffeur: Malacca to Mersing Transfer [Car]: $212
  • Private Transfer : Taman Negara Kuala Tahan to Cameron Highlands: $165
  • Private Transfer : National Park Kuala Tahan to Cameron Highlands: $165
  • Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Kuala Lumpur city : $120
  • Malacca Hotel to Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Door to Door) Transfer: $99
  • ~Chauffeur: Malacca to Kuantan Transfer [Van]: $81
  • Chauffeur: Malacca to Fraser's Hill Transfer [Van]: $80
  • Chauffeur: Malacca to Cameron Highlands Transfer [Van]: $80
  • Private Transfer from Kuala Lumpur Airport (KUL) to Malacca Port: $66

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yangshuo

Also for Yangshuo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Xingping hotel to Longsheng hotel: $107
  • Guilin Private Transfer in English-speaking Services: Between Airport & Yangshuo: $106
  • Private Yangshuo Transfer from Hotel to Longji terraces Hotel: $96
  • From Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Transfer 3 hours Private Tour: $89
  • Private Impression Sanjie Liu Evening Show with Hotel Transfer: $88
  • Guilin: Li River Cruise with Transfer to Yangshuo: $80
  • From Rock Climbing with Transfer Private (3 hours): $69
  • Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Xingping hotel: $67
  • Impression Liu Sanjie - Ticket Booking (including Round-trip Transfer): $62
  • Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Yangshuo hotel: $56
  • Private Departure Transfer: Yangshuo to Guilin Train Stations: $49
  • Private One Way Transfer Service to Guilin City Hotel or Airport from Yangshuo: $48

Is it cheaper to fly into Melaka or Yangshuo?

Prices for flights to both Yangshuo 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Melaka $20
    Yangshuo $33
Typical Food Prices in Melaka

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Melaka:


  • Sitdown Lunch (for Two)
    $7.13
  • Dinner at the Market (for Two)
    $3.09
  • Asam Pedas (Fish Curry)
    $1.43
  • Taiwanese Noodle Soup
    $1.19
  • 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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yangshuo

For Yangshuo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Yangshuo Cooking Class with Market Trip: $45
  • Full-day Cultural Experience: Taichi, Cooking & Painting Lessons: $100
  • The impression Liu sanjie show and local dinner in town : $145
  • Combo Impression Sanjie Liu Show and Authentic Cooking Experience: $199
  • Yangshuo Full Day Tour: Cooking class, River boat, Light Show: $259

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Melaka $4.03
    Yangshuo $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Melaka

For Melaka, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Maritime Museum Entrance
    $0.71
  • Taming Sari Revolving Tower Entrance
    $4.75
  • Trishaw Tour (One Hour)
    $11
  • Baba and Nyonya Peranakan Museum Entrance
    $2.38
  • Melaka Zoo Entrance
    $1.66
  • Low Cost Kite
    $0.71
  • Malacca Duck Tour
    $9.51
  • 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 Yangshuo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Yangshuo.

  • Longji Rice Terraces Day Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $181
  • Yangshuo Helicopter Tour from Yangshuo hotel: $170
  • 1-Day Guilin City Tour and Ends of Longji Rice Terraces from Yangshuo: $218
  • 1-Day Private Yangshuo Bicycle Tour along Ten-Mile Gallery: $119
  • 1-Day Terracotta Warriors Tour from Beijing/Chengdu/Shanghai: $497
  • All Inclusive Private Hiking Tour in Yangshuo: $84
  • Day Tour in Yangshuo and Li River: $155
  • Enchanting Li River & Beyond: Cruise, Peaks & Panorama: $293
  • Entry Ticket to Liu San Jie Impression Show: $71
  • From Guilin: 6-Day Yangtze River Cruise with Excursions: $1,299
  • From Guilin: Yangshuo Rock-climbing & River-tracing Tour: $282
  • From Xingping River-tracing Half Day Private Tour: $102

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Melaka $8.25
    Yangshuo $34


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Melaka and Yangshuo, we can see that Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yangshuo 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 Yangshuo Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Melaka or Yangshuo?

Yangshuo has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Melaka. When comparing the sizes of Melaka and Yangshuo, 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.