Which place is cheaper, Melaka or Bangkok?
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 Bangkok 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 Bangkok 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: Bangkok or Melaka?
Bangkok
Bangkok: a name synonymous with all things exotic. The vibrant and exciting capital of Thailand is not just a hub for Southeast Asia, but also a destination into itself. Known for an active nightlife and party scene, as well as great food, historic temples, and busy markets, Bangkok offers a diversity to entertain even the most experienced travelers.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Malaysia.
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Bangkok Prices
Thailand PricesMelaka Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBangkok $99Melaka $34
The average daily cost (per person) in Bangkok is $99, 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 Bangkok and Melaka in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBangkok $48Melaka $9.79
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBangkok $96Melaka $20
Compare Hotels in Bangkok and Melaka
Looking for a hotel in Bangkok 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: Bangkok Hotel Prices and Melaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bangkok $6.24Melaka $2.15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk to bus station$2.39
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Skytrain Ticket$4.78
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Chao Phraya River Express Ticket$0.96
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Ferry Ride$0.78
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Taxi From Airport$7.46
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Short Taxi Ride$2.69
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Boat Taxi$1.49
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Trains to airport$4.78
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
- Private Transfer from Bangkok to Krabi with 2h of Sightseeing: $295
- Private Transfer from Bangkok to Chiang Mai with 2h of Sightseeing: $273
- Private Transfer from Don Mueang (DMK) Airport to Aranyaprathet: $229
- Private Transfer from Ayutthaya to Hua Hin: $223
- Private Transfer from Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport to Trat: $220
- Private Transfer Bangkok and Pattaya: $214
- Private Transfer from Bangkok or Airport to Koh Chang Island: $202
- Private Transfer from Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport to Rayong: $196
- Suvarnabhumi Airport BKK to Kanchanaburi Round Trip Transfer: $192
- Limousine one way transfer: BKKAirport to/from U-Tapao Airport: $183
- Bangkok Airport DMK to Kanchanaburi Round Trip Private Transfer: $183
- Limousine one way transfer: BKKAirport to/from ChaAm or Hua Hin: $183
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melaka
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Melaka are as follows:
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Taxi$4.90
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Bus Ride$0.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melaka
Also for Melaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Desaru Transfer [Van]: $89
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Genting Highlands Transfer [Van]: $76
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Kuala Besut Transfer [Van]: $119
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Mersing Transfer [Van]: $81
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Singapore Car Transfer: $221
- Malacca Hotel to Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Door to Door) Transfer: $74
- Malacca to KUL City Hotel (One Way Transfer): $120
- Private Transfer : Taman Negara Kuala Tahan to Cameron Highlands: $170
- Private Transfer from Kuala Lumpur Airport (KUL) to Malacca Port: $63
- Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Subang Jaya city: $229
Is it cheaper to fly into Bangkok or Melaka?
Prices for flights to both Melaka and Bangkok 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 dayBangkok $34Melaka $21
Typical Food Prices in Bangkok
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:
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Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (for Two)$27
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Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)$5.97
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2 Rotis (Bread)$1.34
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Mango & Sticky Rice$0.90
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Lunch at KFC (for Two)$5.97
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Pad Thai$2.09
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Airport Lunch for 2$16
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Lunch for 2$22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
- Mahanakorn Pad Thai & Tom Yum Cooking Class in Bangkok: $21
- Meridian Dinner and Sunset Cruise in Bangkok: $23
- Meridian Sunset Dinner Cruise - Floating Paradise From ICONSIAM Bangkok: $26
- Bangkok Sawasdee Sunset Dinner Cruise from ICONSIAM Beer FreeFlow: $26
- 2-Hour Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $26
- Twilight Dinner Cruise Along Chao Phraya River in Bangkok: $27
- Calypso Cabaret Show with Thai Set Dinner: $27
- Baiyoke Sky Dinner Experience with Observation Deck Access: $29
- Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise with Cabaret Show and Sunset View: $29
- Bangkok Sunset or Evening Dinner Cruise (The Planet Cruise): $30
- Peaceful Wat Pho and Authentic Street Food Tour: $31
- Bangkok The Luxury White Sunset or Dinner Cruise (Asiatique Pier): $31
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)$7.34
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Dinner at the Market (for Two)$3.18
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Asam Pedas (Fish Curry)$1.47
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Taiwanese Noodle Soup$1.22
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$7.83
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melaka
For Melaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Small Group Melaka After Dark Food Tour: $50
- Rempah Routes Melaka Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
- Melaka Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
- Private Traditional Peranakan & Malay Cooking Class in Melaka: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bangkok $17Melaka $4.15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangkok
Here are a few typical costs in Bangkok for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Movie Ticket$4.78
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Grand Palace Entrance Ticket$10
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Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket$1.49
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Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)$5.97
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Club Cover Charge$11
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Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)$72
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Fish Pedicure$4.48
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Wat Pho entrance ticket$2.98
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Siriraj Museum (2)$12
Tours and Activities in Bangkok
Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Hour Axe Throwing Experience: $19
- 2 Day Guided Tour from Bangkok to Ayutthaya: $91
- 2 Days Pattaya Sunset Boat Party Tour: $137
- 2 Days Private Experience from Bangkok Big City Farm: $250
- 2 Hour Electric Tuk Tuk Cultural Tour of Bangkok: $29
- 2 Hour Muay Thai Training Experience with Fighters in Bangkok: $22
- 2 Hours Bangkok Canal Tour By Longtail Boat: $70
- 3 Hours Heritage Ayutthaya Bus Tour to Famous Temples: $27
- 3hr Sunset Canal Cruise & Stop at Biggest Buddha (fully guided): $73
- 5-Hours Private Walking Tour in Bangkok with Guide: $95
- 8 hours Bangkok Customized Private Day Tour Pick up from Hotel: $76
- A Leisure Day At The Lotus Farm Tour Including Lunch: $138
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$0.73
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Taming Sari Revolving Tower Entrance$4.90
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Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$11
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Baba and Nyonya Peranakan Museum Entrance$2.45
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Melaka Zoo Entrance$1.71
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Low Cost Kite$0.73
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Malacca Duck Tour$9.79
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Melaka River Cruise (One Hour)$2.45
Tours and Activities in Melaka
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Melaka.
- Melaka UNESCO City Guided Walking Tour: $5.02
- Malaysia: Melaka Upside Down House Entry Ticket: $7.22
- Malaysia Melaka - Breakout Escape Game E-Ticket: $12
- Essential Self-Guided Tour of it's UNESCO Heritage Centre: $15
- Malaysia: A'famosa Melaka Ticket: $18
- From Kuala Lumpur Full Day A'Famosa Theme Park Experience: $40
- Malacca City To Kuala Lumpur City En-route Putrajaya Tour: $49
- Malacca Hotels To Kuala Lumpur Hotels En-route Putrajaya Tour: $49
- Small Group Melaka Flavours Food and Culture Tour: $50
- Malacca To Kuala Lumpur EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $61
- Malacca City To Kuala Lumpur City EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $61
- Melaka UNESCO Private Half-Day Walking Tour: $82
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBangkok $5.46Melaka $8.49
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:
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Beer$1.19
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
- Sunset Rooftop, TukTuk Ride, Night Market & Bar Crawl: $29
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bangkok and Melaka, we can see that Bangkok 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 Bangkok would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bangkok 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 Bangkok Expensive? and Is Melaka Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bangkok or Melaka?
Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Melaka. When comparing the sizes of Bangkok 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.