Which place is cheaper, Melaka or Dubai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dubai or Melaka?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dubai and Melaka can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dubai or Melaka?
Dubai
Ever wonder what it would be like to see the lifestyles of the rich and famous up close. There's no more upscale destination than Dubai. It's by far and away the spot for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining and the most luxurious of luxury. As the most modern and progressive of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, this area has experienced an unbelievable economic boom and tourism spike. It's a desert city with an amazing infrastructure.
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 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, 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 dayDubai $248Melaka $21
The average daily cost (per person) in Dubai is $248, while the average daily cost in Melaka is $21. 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 Dubai and Melaka in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDubai $170Melaka $8.38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDubai $340Melaka $17
Compare Hotels in Dubai and Melaka
Looking for a hotel in Dubai 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: Dubai Hotel Prices and Melaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dubai $13Melaka $1.84
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Dubai:
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Taxi Ride$12
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Airport Taxi$12
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Sea Taxi$0.54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dubai
Also for Dubai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Burj Khalifa: Skip-the-Line Entry, Gourmet Meal, & Transfer: $799
- From Private Van Transfer in Maybach: $735
- Dubai Parasailing Tour With Private Transfers: $300
- Guided Abu Dhabi City Tour Private Transfer: $300
- Hot Air Balloon Flight with 4X4 Transfers: $299
- Hot Air Balloon with 60 Minutes Balloon Ride with Transfers: $299
- The Dubai Mall Tour with Private Transfers : $299
- Jet Car Ride for 2 Pax with Optional Transfer: $299
- Sky Dining Experience at Dubai Marina with Optional Transfers: $290
- 4 Seater Jet Car Adventure in Dubai with Optional Transfer: $280
- Jet Ski Self Ride in Dubai With Private Transfers: $280
- Afternoon High Tea in Burj Al Arab with Transfer: $275
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melaka
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Melaka are as follows:
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Taxi$4.19
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Bus Ride$0.31
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]: $266
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Kuantan Transfer [Car]: $241
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Fraser's Hill Transfer [Car]: $216
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Mersing Transfer [Car]: $201
- Malacca to KUL City Hotel (One Way Transfer): $118
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Kuantan Transfer [Van]: $95
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Desaru Transfer [Van]: $83
- Local Transfer: Kuala Tembeling Jetty (Taman Negara) to Kuala Lumpur City Hotels: $72
- Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Subang Jaya city: $66
- Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Kuala Lumpur city : $66
- Malacca Hotels to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Departure Transfer: $52
- Malacca City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City Hotels 1-way Transfer: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Dubai or Melaka?
Prices for flights to both Melaka and Dubai 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 dayDubai $56Melaka $10
Typical Food Prices in Dubai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Dubai:
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French bread$0.95
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Sumo salad in Dubai Mall + Juice$10
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Lemon Mint Tea$4.36
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Coffee & Cake$6.54
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Smoothie$5.45
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Shawarma$1.91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dhow Cruise Dinner Dubai Creek with Buffet Dinner: $14
- Dubai:Desert Safari BBQ dinner, Dune bashing,Camel&Sandboarding: $14
- Dhow Dinner Cruise with International Buffet in Dubai: $14
- Scenic Dhow Cruise with Buffet Dinner and Live Shows: $14
- 2-Hour Evening Dhow Cruise and Dinner: $15
- Romantic Sightseeing Dhow Cruise Dinner: $15
- Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner in Dubai Creek: $17
- Dubai Creek Dhow Cruise Dinner: $18
- Desert Safari with Dinner and Live Show: $18
- Dhow Dinner Cruise with International Buffet: $18
- Romantic Dhow Cruise Dinner: $19
- Dhow Cruise Dinner Creek: $19
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)$6.29
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Dinner at the Market (for Two)$2.73
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Asam Pedas (Fish Curry)$1.26
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Taiwanese Noodle Soup$1.05
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$6.71
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dubai $19Melaka $3.55
Typical Entertainment Prices in Dubai
For Dubai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Visit to the Dubai Museum$0.82
Tours and Activities in Dubai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dubai.
- 60 Minutes Dubai Yellow Boat Marina Tour: $78
- Abu Dhabi City Tour Including Ferrari World Ticket : $170
- Bur Dubai Abra Tour and Boat Ride with Museum of Illusions : $135
- Burj Khalifa Observation deck Dubai Admission Ticket : $71
- Classical Dubai Highlights City Tour : $44
- DXB Tour and Aquaventure water park & lost Chambers PRIVATE tour: $215
- Dubai (Marina Luxury Yacht) Tour with BF : $95
- Dubai (Marina Luxury Yacht) Tour with Breakfast: $105
- Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo Explorer Tickets: $95
- Dubai City Tour : Half Day: $45
- Dubai City Tour(Full Day) with Burj Khalifa Ticket 'At the Top' : $225
- Dubai Frame Entry Ticket: $22
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$0.63
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Taming Sari Revolving Tower Entrance$4.19
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Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$9.43
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Baba and Nyonya Peranakan Museum Entrance$2.10
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Melaka Zoo Entrance$1.47
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Low Cost Kite$0.63
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Malacca Duck Tour$8.39
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Melaka River Cruise (One Hour)$2.10
Tours and Activities in Melaka
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Melaka.
- *14 Hrs Kuala Lumpur Flexible Van Tour from Melaka w' Tour Guide: $102
- *15 Hrs KL & Genting Highlands Van Tour from Melaka w' Tour Guide: $110
- Full Day Private Shore Tour in Kuala Lumpur from Malacca Port: $295
- 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 Illusion 3D Art Museum Admission Tickets: $19
- Malacca Instagram Tour: Top Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $219
- Malacca Shore Excursion from Cruise Port with Local Guide & Lunch: $222
- Malacca Shore Excursion with Tour Guide & Baba Nyonya Lunch: $222
- Malacca To Kuala Lumpur EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $61
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDubai $23Melaka $7.27
Typical Alcohol Prices in Dubai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Dubai:
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A Couple Drinks$25
Sample the Local Flavors in Dubai
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dubai:
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tours: $66
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour: $67
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Melaka, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Melaka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East and Melaka is in Asia, 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 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai 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 Dubai Expensive? and Is Melaka Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dubai or Melaka?
Dubai has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Melaka. When comparing the sizes of Dubai 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.