Which place is cheaper, Melaka or Da Nang?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Da Nang or Melaka?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Da 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: Da Nang or Melaka?
Da Nang
Halfway between Ho Chi Minh City in the south and Hanoi in the North is the easy-going beach city of Da Nang (or Danang, for some). The third most populated city in Vietnam, Da Nang draws in crowds with its beautiful and calm beaches as well as its history as a French colonial port.
With beaches, mountains, and cityscape, there's bound to be a point of interest for all travelers. Da Nang is also a transit hub to get to the four Vietnamese UNESCO World heritage sites: Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, Hue, Hoi An, and My Son.
Da Nang experiences wet season from September through March and dry season from April through August with average temperatures of around 80℉.
Da Nang is also known to have some of the friendliest locals, probably due to the peace and quiet and lack of heavy traffic, even in the city.
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 Hanoi, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDa Nang $47Melaka $25
The average daily cost (per person) in Da Nang is $47, while the average daily cost in Melaka is $25. 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 Da Nang and Melaka in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDa Nang $20Melaka $9.70
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDa Nang $40Melaka $19
Compare Hotels in Da Nang and Melaka
Looking for a hotel in Da 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: Da Nang Hotel Prices and Melaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Da Nang $12Melaka $2.13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Da Nang
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Da Nang:
- Scenic Stops to Da Nang and Phong Nha Cave with Car Transfer: $199
- Private Transfer from Da Nang (DAD) Airport to Dong Hoi: $191
- Da Nang to Quy Nhon Private Transfer with Professional Driver: $164
- Private Limousine DCar Transfer Danang, Hoian to Hue | Vietnam : $160
- Private Bana Hills - Golden Hands Bridge Guided Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $135
- Da Nang to Phong Nha Private Transfer with Sightseeing Stops: $115
- Private Roundtrip Transfer to GOLDEN BRIDGE BA NA HILLS & MARBLE MOUNTAIN : $115
- Hue Transfer to Hoi An Via Hai Van Pass -Sightseeing Stop: $109
- Private Car Transfer to Visit Ba Na Hills - Golden Bridge and Marble Mountain: $108
- Hue: Transfer Hue to Hoi An by Private Car- English Driver: $101
- Golden Bridge Ba Na Hills & Cable Car Ride With Transfer: $100
- GOLDEN BRIDGE-COCONUT JUNGLE-HOI AN-NIGHT MARKET-Private Transfer: $98
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melaka
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Melaka are as follows:
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Taxi$4.85
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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:
- Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Seremban city: $39
- Malacca City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Airport 1-way Transfer: $43
- Melaka Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Hotels 1-way Transfer: $50
- Malacca City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City Hotels 1-way Transfer: $50
- Malacca Hotels to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Departure Transfer: $52
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Singapore Van Transfer: $62
- Private Transfer from Malacca Port to Kuala Lumpur Airport (KUL): $67
- Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Kuala Lumpur city : $67
- Private Transfer from Malacca Port to Kuala Lumpur Airport (KUL): $74
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Taman Negara Transfer [Van]: $82
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Desaru Transfer [Van]: $87
- Malacca Hotel to Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Door to Door) Transfer: $99
Is it cheaper to fly into Da Nang or Melaka?
Prices for flights to both Melaka and Da 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
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Food Meals for one dayDa Nang $17Melaka $12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Da Nang
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Da Nang.
- Dragon bridge show and Da Nang local food tour: $4.19
- Explore Ba Na Hill, Golden Bridge in the sunset with dinner: $9.22
- Coffee Making and Cooking Class: $17
- Half Day Ba Na Hills – Golden bridge with Vietnamese Dinner: $21
- Da Nang Family Cooking Class - with Local Family in Da Nang: $23
- Da Nang Cooking: Market tour, farming, cooking and foot bath: $25
- Experience Vegan/Vegetarian Cooking Class in Da Nang : $25
- Vegetarian Cooking class and Basket Boat Riding: $25
- Experience Vegan/Vegetarian Cooking Class in Da Nang : $27
- Private Traditional Cooking Class and Pho with Local Girl : $29
- Da Nang Vegetarian Cooking Class: $29
- Da Nang Street Walking Food Tour : $29
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)$7.27
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Dinner at the Market (for Two)$3.15
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Asam Pedas (Fish Curry)$1.45
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Taiwanese Noodle Soup$1.21
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$7.76
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Da Nang $14Melaka $4.11
Tours and Activities in Da Nang
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Da Nang are as follows:
- 5 days Center Vietnam Package Tour with Danang Hue and Hoian: $94
- Bach Ma National Park: Private Tour from Da Nang & Hoi An: $109
- Da Nang City Private Tour: $86
- Experience Hoi an Rural Eco Tour from Da Nang or Hoi An city: $76
- GOLDEN BRIDGE BA NA HILLS & MARBLE MOUNTAIN -Private Guided Tour: $148
- Golden Bridge- Early Departure & Marble Mountains- Private Tour: $133
- HUE CITY 1 DAY GUIDED TOURS from DA NANG CITY : $55
- Hoi An Walking Tour, Lantern Making Class & Basket Boat Ride to Coconut Jungle: $85
- INSTAGRAM Tour - Da Nang & Hoi An city Private Tour ( 11 Hours): $140
- Lady Buddha, Marble Mountains, Hoi An Ancient Town Tour: $40
- MARBLE MOUNTAIN, LADY BUDDHA STATUE & HAI VAN PASS, LAP AN LAGOON(Private Tour): $92
- Marble Mountains & Basket Boat Ride - Morning or Afternoon Tour: $84
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$4.85
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Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$11
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Baba and Nyonya Peranakan Museum Entrance$2.42
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Melaka Zoo Entrance$1.70
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Low Cost Kite$0.73
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Malacca Duck Tour$9.70
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Melaka River Cruise (One Hour)$2.42
Tours and Activities in Melaka
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Melaka.
- Melaka Upside Down House Admission Tickets: $4.55
- Upside Down House Gallery Melaka Admission Ticket: $7.08
- A'Famosa Safari and Water Park in Melaka Ticket (Only Malaysian): $15
- Malacca Illusion 3D Art Museum Admission Tickets: $19
- Malaysian: A'Famosa Malacca Entry Ticket: $20
- Luxury Full Day Tour to Saqqara,Giza Pyramids and sphinx, Memphis: $21
- Malacca City To Kuala Lumpur Airport EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $48
- Malacca City Hotels To Kuala Lumpur Airport EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $48
- Malacca City To Kuala Lumpur City En-route Putrajaya Tour: $49
- Malacca City To Kuala Lumpur City EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $61
- Malacca To Kuala Lumpur EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $61
- *13 Hrs Best of Melaka Full Day Flexible Van Tour w' Tour Guide: $83
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDa Nang $9.55Melaka $8.41
Sample the Local Flavors in Da Nang
Also in Da Nang, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Hai Van Pass/Son Tra Peak/Marble Mountain & Rice Wine Distillery: $79
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Da Nang and Melaka, we can see that Da 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 Da Nang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Da 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 Da Nang Expensive? and Is Melaka Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Da Nang or Melaka?
Da Nang has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Melaka. When comparing the sizes of Da 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.