Which place is cheaper, Melaka or Pattaya?
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 Pattaya 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 Pattaya 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: Pattaya or Melaka?
Pattaya
Go where the locals go. If that is your vacation motto, you will want to take a look at the popular weekend getaway of Pattaya, Thailand. This seaside resort on the Eastern Gulf Coast of Thailand is just outside of Bangkok, and full of resorts, beer bars and beaches.
Hosting more than five million visitors a year, Pattaya is easily accessed from the capital and the airport. Keep in mind, the sex tourism industry is still a large money earner for this city, but efforts by local authorities have created resorts and attractions for families and vacationers from all around the world.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia.
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Pattaya Prices
Thailand PricesMelaka Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPattaya $93Melaka $33
The average daily cost (per person) in Pattaya is $93, 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 Pattaya and Melaka in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPattaya $27Melaka $9.51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPattaya $54Melaka $19
Compare Hotels in Pattaya and Melaka
Looking for a hotel in Pattaya 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: Pattaya Hotel Prices and Melaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pattaya $13Melaka $2.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pattaya
Also for Pattaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Paramotor Experience in Pattaya Include Pickup Transfer: $212
- Full-Day Enduro Adventure in Pattaya with Hotel Transfers: $205
- Private Transfer from Rayong to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $204
- Private Transfer from Pattaya to Ayutthaya: $191
- Private Transfer from Laem Chabang Cruise Port to Bangkok hotels: $155
- Private Transfer from Laem Chabang Cruise Port to Bangkok City : $141
- Half-Day Enduro Adventure in Pattaya with Hotel Transfers: $139
- Bangkok Private Transfer from Pattaya city to Bangkok (BKK) Airport: $124
- Private Transfer from Laem Chabang to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $123
- Private Transfer from Sattahip to Don Mueang (DMK) Airport: $111
- Private Transfer from Sattahip to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport: $104
- Columbia Pictures Aquaverse Theme Park Pattaya with Transfer: $95
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 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Pattaya or Melaka?
Prices for flights to both Melaka and Pattaya 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 dayPattaya $43Melaka $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pattaya
For Pattaya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- All Star Dinner Cruise with Cabaret Show in Pattaya: $44
- Ocean Sky Pattaya Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment : $53
- Pattaya Night Guided Tour with Dinner: $53
- Ocean Sky Dinner Cruise with Live Cabaret Show in Pattaya: $59
- All Star Dinner Cruise Pattaya with Private Hotel Transfer: $73
- Thai Cooking Class in Pattaya: $76
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.Pattaya $24Melaka $4.03
Tours and Activities in Pattaya
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pattaya.
- Andamanda Waterpark Phuket Ticketed Fun: $52
- Private Wachira Benchathat Tour with Transportation: $285
- 1 Hour ATV Off Road Adventure In Pattaya: $71
- 6 Hour Private Selfie City Tour in the Landmark of Pattaya: $101
- Admission Ticket to Ramayana Water Park in Pattaya: $38
- Alcazar Cabaret Show Pattaya Admission Ticket: $50
- All Star Cabaret Cruise Pattaya with Indian Buffet Lunch: $48
- Art in Paradise in Pattaya Admission Ticket: $14
- Baliblue Sunset Yacht Cruise Party with Music, Dancer at Pattaya: $134
- Baliblue Sunset Yacht Party Cruise with Music and Dancer: $273
- Bangkok Temples Private Tour from Pattaya – Full Day: $155
- Bangkok Tour from Laem Chabang Port including Canal Cruise: $213
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 dayPattaya $9.42Melaka $8.25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pattaya and Melaka, we can see that Pattaya 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 Pattaya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pattaya 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 Pattaya Expensive? and Is Melaka Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Melaka?
Melaka has a larger population, and is about 86% larger than the population of Pattaya. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya 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.