Which place is cheaper, Melbourne or Xiamen?
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 Xiamen or Melbourne?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Xiamen and Melbourne 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: Xiamen or Melbourne?
Xiamen
Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia, after Sydney. It is also the capital city of the state of Victoria, in southeastern Australia. Melbourne is arguably the best city to experience culture and the arts in Australia. There is a friendly rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney over livability and popularity and Melbourne is definitely the city to visit for its parks, shopping, restaurants, galleries and theaters. Like Sydney, it is situated on the water, at the head of Port Phillip Bay. It's a beautiful city, and although it lacks the major sights that you'll find in Sydney such as the Sydney Opera House or the Harbour Bridge, you will never find yourself lacking for entertainment. It is also a wonderful base for exploring many of the nearby highlights, including Grampians National Park, The Great Ocean Road, and Phillip Island where you can view the penguin parade.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia.
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Xiamen Prices
China PricesMelbourne Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayXiamen $84Melbourne $195
The average daily cost (per person) in Xiamen is $84, while the average daily cost in Melbourne is $195. 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 Xiamen and Melbourne in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personXiamen $31Melbourne $119
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomXiamen $62Melbourne $238
Compare Hotels in Xiamen and Melbourne
Looking for a hotel in Xiamen or Melbourne? 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: Melbourne Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Xiamen $6.08Melbourne $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $25
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Departure Transfer from City Areas: $33
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng and HekengHakka Tulou fromXiamen: $90
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
- Private Transfer to Hongkeng Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Hongkeng Tulou from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer from Xiamen North Railway Station to City Area: $19
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hui'an county in Quanzhou: $89
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melbourne
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Melbourne:
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Airport Bus$10
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Tram Ride$2.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melbourne
Also for Melbourne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Yarra Valley: Hot Air Balloon with Breakfast & CBD Transfers: $377
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Melbourne HTL-APT (MEL): $69
- Transfer Melbourne Airport MEL to City Centre/St Kilda/Hawthorne: $45
- Sydney Airport Transfer to Sydney CBD/ Other Suburbs: $96
- Starways Chauffeur - Airport Transfer & Chauffeurs in Melbourne: $91
- Private Transfer from Melbourne Port to Melbourne Airport (MEL): $82
- Private Transfer from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Melbourne Port: $82
- Private Car Transfer Melbourne Airport To CBD: $80
- Private Arrival Transfer: Melbourne Airports to Hotel: $87
- Private Airport Transfer from Melbourne Airport to City Center: $129
- Mornington Peninsula - Melbourne Airport Transfers: $201
- Nighttime Private City Tour with Transfer & Stops: $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Xiamen or Melbourne?
Prices for flights to both Melbourne and Xiamen 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 dayXiamen $46Melbourne $53
Typical Food Prices in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee$2.62
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Pizza$4.58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Melbourne Flavors: Queen Victoria Market Food Tour: $40
- Multicultural Markets Food Tour – Melbourne’s Global Tastes: $51
- Queen Victoria Market: 'Flavours of Australia' Food Tour: $52
- Queen Victoria Market Early Access Food Tour: $53
- Eynesbury Homestead Dinner and Ghost Tour: $54
- Inner North Street Food Tour: $72
- Sunset Kayak Tour with Dinner: $79
- Melbourne Sunset Kayaking Experience with Dinner: $81
- Melbourne Private Multicultural Markets Food Tour: $86
- Best of Little Italy Dinner Tour: $92
- Carlton a Little Italy Dinner Tour: $93
- Chinese Dumpling Cooking Class with a Drink: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Xiamen $16Melbourne $27
Tours and Activities in Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Fujian Tulou Private Day Tour to World Heritage Site Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster: $178
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Local Food Market Experience: $103
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $115
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- Flexible Private Xiamen Layover Tour from Cruise Port or Airport : $155
- Flexible Private Xiamen Layover Tour with Meal: $176
- Flexible Xiamen Private Half Day Tour with Meal Option: $164
- From 3-Day Tulou and Gulangyu Island Tour: $589
- Fujian Hakka Tulou Private Day Tour of Tianluokeng and Daping Lou: $194
- Hakka Tulou Private Day Tour of Yunshuiyao Ancient Village and Hekeng Tulou : $203
- Half-Day Private Tour to Xiamen Gulangyu Island Highlights: $192
Tours and Activities in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- English Melbourne Walking Tour: $17
- Experience Yarra Valley: A Tailored private Wine Journey: $269
- Melbourne Laneways and Galleries Impressionist Art Walking Tour: $84
- Wilsons Promontory Hiking Day Tour - 8 Person Max Small Group : $147
- 1 day Lake mountain snow tour : $73
- 1 day Puffing Billy Steam Train and Wildlife Tour from Melbourne: $147
- 1.5Hr Yarra River Crown Flames and City Lights Cruise: $317
- 12 Apostles Great Ocean Road Private Smal Group Tour FREE entries: $83
- 12 Apostles, Otways & Great Ocean Road Day Tour - 8 person max: $147
- 2 Day Great Ocean Road Small Group Tour: $843
- 4 Hours Sightseeing Small Group Tour in Melbourne City: $60
- 4D3N Best Bits Victoria Sightseeing Tour: $992
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayXiamen $17Melbourne $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Melbourne
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Melbourne from other travelers:
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Bottle of Wine$5.07
Sample the Local Flavors in Melbourne
Also in Melbourne, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Melbourne Christmas Bar Crawl: $15
- Melbourne Pub Crawl (Batmania Tours): $19
- Weekly Bar Crawl: 5 Free shots, Club Entry: $20
- Melbourne Halloween Bar Crawl: $24
- Spirits and Ales Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $26
- MELBOURNE Spirits and Ales Haunted Pub Tour: $26
- Melbourne Music Venue Pub Crawl with History + 2 Free Drinks: $26
- Laid back, Yarra Valley Wine Tour: Wine, Cider, Gin, Beer + Choc: $87
- New Chocolate and wine tasting tour in the Yarra Valley: $89
- Cruise Ship Friendly Yarra Valley Wine Tour with Port Pickup: $114
- Yarra Valley: Bus Wine Tour with Lunch and a Glass of Wine: $116
- Yarra Valley Wine Tour & Lunch & Gin/Beer Option: $129
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xiamen and Melbourne, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Xiamen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Xiamen is in Asia and Melbourne is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Xiamen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xiamen 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 Melbourne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Melbourne than you might in Xiamen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Xiamen Expensive? and Is Melbourne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Xiamen or Melbourne?
Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Xiamen. When comparing the sizes of Xiamen and Melbourne, 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.
When is the best time to visit Xiamen or Melbourne?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Melbourne is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Xiamen has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Xiamen or Melbourne in the Summer?
Both Melbourne and Xiamen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Melbourne in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Xiamen is generally much warmer than Melbournein January. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 30°C (86°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
It's quite rainy in Xiamen. In July, Xiamen usually receives more rain than Melbournein January. Xiamen gets 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryXiamen 30°C (86°F)Melbourne 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Melbourne in the Autumn?
Both Melbourne and Xiamen during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Melbourne for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
Xiamen is much warmer than Melbourne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Xiamen averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Melbourne fluctuates around 15°C (60°F)in April.
Xiamen usually gets less rain in October than Melbournein April. Xiamen gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilXiamen 25°C (77°F)Melbourne 15°C (60°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Melbourne in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Xiamen and Melbourne. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Xiamen is much warmer than Melbourne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Xiamen in January average around 14°C (58°F), and Melbourne averages at about 9°C (49°F)in July.
In January, Xiamen usually receives less rain than Melbournein July. Xiamen gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyXiamen 14°C (58°F)Melbourne 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Xiamen or Melbourne in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Xiamen as well as Melbourne. Additionally, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year.
In April, Xiamen is generally a little warmer than Melbournein October. Daily temperatures in Xiamen average around 20°C (69°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
Xiamen receives a lot of rain in the spring. Xiamen usually gets more rain in April than Melbournein October. Xiamen gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberXiamen 20°C (69°F)Melbourne 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Melbourne and Xiamen
| Xiamen | Melbourne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
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.