Which place is cheaper, Melaka or Ao Nang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Ao Nang or Melaka?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ao Nang or Melaka? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Ao Nang or Melaka?
Ao Nang
If you're looking for a relaxing beach on the coast of Thailand, it might be time to make a trip to Ao Nang. This developed and "westernized" beach was once the place to be for backpackers, but is now quite popular with package tourist crowds, too, as prices have risen in recent decades. Here you'll find nice hotels, restaurants, and plenty of fun activities at the beach and nearby, too.
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 Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia.
-
Ao Nang Prices
Thailand PricesMelaka Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAo Nang $130Melaka $34
The average daily cost (per person) in Ao Nang is $130, while the average daily cost in Melaka is $34. 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 Ao Nang and Melaka in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAo Nang $50Melaka $9.83
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAo Nang $100Melaka $20
Compare Hotels in Ao Nang and Melaka
Looking for a hotel in Ao Nang 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: Ao Nang Hotel Prices and Melaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ao Nang $61Melaka $2.16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ao Nang
Also for Ao Nang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Phuket - Krabi, Aonang: $150
- From Krabi: Private Taxi Transfer to Phuket: $120
- Krabi: Private Transfer Between Ao Nang Area and Ko Lanta: $107
- From Ao Nang (Krabi): Private To Phuket (Phuket) Transfer: $86
- Krabi: 4 Islands Speed Catamaran Tour with Lunch/Transfers: $75
- Krabi : Muay Thai Live Fight Experience with Transfer: $55
- Phuket: Speedboat Transfer to Ao Nang or Railay via Ko Yao: $46
- Ferry Transfer from Aonang To Phuket (Rassada Pier): $39
- Krabi ATV Jungle Adventure with Hotel Transfer: $37
- Railay : Ferry Transfer from Railay to Ko Lanta: $34
- Aonang : Ferry Transfer from Aonang to Ko Lanta: $34
- Krabi: 4-Island Deluxe Speedboat Tour with Lunch & Transfer: $31
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melaka
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Melaka are as follows:
-
Taxi$4.91
-
Bus Ride$0.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melaka
Also for Melaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Malacca Port to Kuala Lumpur Airport (KUL): $65
- Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Shah Alam City: $232
- Private Transfer : Taman Negara Kuala Tahan to Cameron Highlands: $169
- Malacca Hotel to Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Door to Door) Transfer: $73
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Singapore Car Transfer: $218
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Mersing Transfer [Car]: $212
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Kuala Besut Transfer [Van]: $118
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Fraser's Hill Transfer [Van]: $80
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Desaru Transfer [Van]: $88
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Cameron Highlands Transfer [Car]: $281
- °Sit Back & Relax - Malacca to Kuala Lumpur MPV Transfer: $206
- °Sit Back & Relax - Malacca to KLIA Airport MPV Transfer: $206
Is it cheaper to fly into Ao Nang or Melaka?
Prices for flights to both Melaka and Ao Nang 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 dayAo Nang $46Melaka $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ao Nang
For Ao Nang, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Krabi: Traditional Thai Cooking Class with Local Chef: $37
- Authentic Thai Local Cooking Class: $38
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class Krabi Province: $39
- 7 Islands Sunset Tour with Dinner & Snorkeling: $40
- Krabi: 7 Islands Sunset Tour by Longtail Boat & BBQ Dinner: $43
- Krabi: Hong Island Cruise with Thai Buffet Dinner: $45
- From Ao Nang Hong Island Longtail Cruise with Sunset Dinner: $49
- Krabi: Morning/Afternoon Thai Cooking Class at Ya's Cookery: $51
- Krabi: Romantic Beachfront Sunset Dinner: $64
- Krabi: Ao Thalane Sunset Kayaking & BBQ Dinner: $110
- Local Krabi: Cooking Demo, Market Walk, Bamboo Raft & Fruit: $133
Typical Food Prices in Melaka
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Melaka:
-
Sitdown Lunch (for Two)$7.37
-
Dinner at the Market (for Two)$3.19
-
Asam Pedas (Fish Curry)$1.47
-
Taiwanese Noodle Soup$1.23
-
Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$7.86
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melaka
For Melaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Melaka Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
- Rempah Routes Melaka Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
- Small Group Melaka After Dark Food Tour: $75
- Private Traditional Peranakan & Malay Cooking Class in Melaka: $95
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ao Nang $12Melaka $4.17
Tours and Activities in Ao Nang
For Ao Nang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- ATV adventure (30 min) and Archery (30 min): $39
- ATV adventure 1hour drive: $45
- ATV adventure 30 mins drive: $33
- ATV adventure and shooting range: $79
- Ao Nang Kayak Adventure: Explore the Stunning Flooded Forest: $27
- Ao Nang Night Tour – Swim with bioluminescent plankton: $28
- 4 Island Awesomeness Adventure: $48
- ATV Ride and Natural Swimming Experience: $54
- Crystal Pool Kayaking, ATV, and Pineapple Farm Tour: $74
- Hong Islands Full day Tour with Lunch and 360 view: $38
- Horse Riding Tour and kayaking clongrood: $75
- Hot Springs, Emerald Pool, and Tiger Cave Day Tour: $43
Typical Entertainment Prices in Melaka
For Melaka, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Maritime Museum Entrance$0.74
-
Taming Sari Revolving Tower Entrance$4.91
-
Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$11
-
Baba and Nyonya Peranakan Museum Entrance$2.46
-
Melaka Zoo Entrance$1.72
-
Low Cost Kite$0.74
-
Malacca Duck Tour$9.83
-
Melaka River Cruise (One Hour)$2.46
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
- Essential Self-Guided Tour of it's UNESCO Heritage Centre: $15
- From Kuala Lumpur Full Day A'Famosa Theme Park Experience: $40
- 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 Tour Guide & Baba Nyonya Lunch: $182
- Malacca To Kuala Lumpur EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $61
- Malaysia: A'famosa Melaka Ticket: $17
- Malaysia: Melaka Upside Down House Entry Ticket: $7.15
- Melaka UNESCO City Guided Walking Tour: $5.01
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAo Nang $16Melaka $8.52
Sample the Local Flavors in Ao Nang
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ao Nang:
- K-Bunk Pub Crawl - The Best Bars in Ao Nang in One Night!: $1.20
- Krabi: Summer Club Pub Crawl with Fire Show: $15
- Krabi Pub Crawl - Join Nomads For The Best Night in Ao Nang!: $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ao Nang and Melaka, we can see that Ao Nang 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 Ao Nang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ao Nang 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 Ao Nang Expensive? and Is Melaka Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Melaka?
Melaka has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Ao Nang 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.