Which place is cheaper, Melbourne or Guangzhou?
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 Guangzhou or Melbourne?
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 Guangzhou and Melbourne can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Guangzhou or Melbourne?
Guangzhou
With a population of more than 12 million, Guangzhou is the third largest city in China after Beijing and Shanghai. Though it has a long history, founded in 214 BC, the city has also many modern attractions, a mix of the old and new with temples and parks as well as skyscrapers and shopping centers. Its location on the Pearl River has contributed to this growth, making Guangzhou a major port and commercial hub.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia.
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Guangzhou Prices
China PricesMelbourne Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGuangzhou $104Melbourne $195
The average daily cost (per person) in Guangzhou is $104, 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 Guangzhou and Melbourne in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuangzhou $58Melbourne $119
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuangzhou $116Melbourne $238
Compare Hotels in Guangzhou and Melbourne
Looking for a hotel in Guangzhou 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.Guangzhou $14Melbourne $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guangzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guangzhou:
- [Airport transfer] Guangzhou Airport - Guangzhou city transfer service with a good reputation! <Private charter: $27
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Guangzhou HTL-APT (CAN): $62
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Guangzhou APT-HTL (CAN): $62
- Shenzhen Day Tour from Guangzhou by Round Way Private Transfer: $255
- Private Transfer: Guangzhou hotel to Guangzhou Baiyun Airport: $33
- Private Transfer: Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Guangzhou hotel: $33
- Private Transfer in Guangzhou with Fluent English Speaking Driver: $90
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou city hotels to Shekou Cruise Port: $176
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou South Railway Station to Baiyun Airport : $53
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou Int Airport (CAN) to Shekou Port: $194
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou City Center to South Railway Station: $49
- Private Transfer from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Guangzhou Hotel: $90
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:
- Airport Transfers & Day Tours in a Chauffeur-Driven Luxury Van: $128
- Airport Transfers - Chauffeur Car & Limo Services of Melbourne: $101
- Airport to City Private Transfers : $128
- Avalon Airport Transfers: $168
- Ballarat - Melbourne Airport Transfers: $178
- CBD to Melbourne Airport Private Transfer - 11 traveler's: $129
- Express Bus Transfer to or from Melbourne City Center: $19
- Luxury Airport Transfer to Melbourne CBD : $85
- Luxury Private Airport Transfer Melbourne: $104
- MEL Airport Transfer to Melbourne CBD Private Van Hire: $201
- MEL Airport to CBD Private transfers 4 or more: $33
- Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport: Shared Transfer to Melbourne: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Guangzhou or Melbourne?
Prices for flights to both Melbourne and Guangzhou 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 dayGuangzhou $34Melbourne $53
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guangzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Guangzhou.
- Old Town Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $79
- Food Tour - Eat Like Local + Rice Roll Workshop: $96
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour VIP Cruise and Dim-Sum Dinner Option: $146
- Guangzhou walking tour with dimsum dinner&Zhujiang river cruise: $160
- Private Guangzhou Night Tour with Canton Tower and Dim-Sum Dinner: $176
- Pearl River Night Cruise and Karaoke Tour with Buffet Dinner in Guangzhou: $179
- Private Guangzhou Food Tour Michelin Restaurant&Local Food Market: $180
- Morning Tea, Cantonese Opera, and Food Tour: $183
- Cantonese Dim Sum Dinner with Pearl River Night Cruise in Guangzhou: $199
- Guangzhou Pearl River Night Cruise and Din Tai Feng Dinner: $199
- Guangzhou Private Night Tour: Lychee Bay, Beijing Road, Cruise, Dinner: $204
- Private Cooking Canton Cuisine Cooking Class in Guangzhou : $266
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.Guangzhou $18Melbourne $27
Tours and Activities in Guangzhou
Here are a few actual costs in Guangzhou for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Guangzhou Self-Guided Tour with Private Car and Driver Service: $75
- Liuxihe National Forest Park Private Day Tour from Guangzhou: $266
- 1 Day Historical Guangzhou Layover Tour from Airport: $260
- 1-Day Guangzhou Airport Layover Visa-Free Private City Tour: $185
- 3-Hour Private Tour to Museum of Nanyue King Tomb in Guangzhou: $91
- 4-Hour Baiyun Mountain Yuntai Garden Private Guangzhou City Tour: $180
- 4-Hour Flexible Private Guangzhou City Tour with Dim-Sum Options: $153
- 4-Hour Private Flexible Guangzhou City Tour with Dim-Sum Option: $100
- 4-Hour Private Tour to Museum of Nanyue King & Academy of Clan Chen in Guangzhou: $91
- 5-Hour Private Guangzhou Yumcha Tasting with Local Food Market Experience : $118
- 5-Hour Sai Kwan Walking Tour with Unique Food Tasting: $72
- 6-Day Guangzhou to Guilin Scenic Tour: $1,598
Tours and Activities in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Melbourne Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $4.81
- Melbourne (St Kilda) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.41
- Melbourne City Centre Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.45
- Melbourne Vampire Quest: Self-Guided Gothic Adventure: $7.20
- Melbourne Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Immigration Museum Entry Ticket: $9.92
- Melbourne Gardens Explorer Minibus Tour: $9.92
- Scienceworks Entry Ticket: $9.92
- Questo Self-guided Haunted Melbourne Walking Tour: $11
- Melbourne Museum Entry Ticket: $12
- Upside Down House Photo Experience in Australia: $13
- Melbourne Museum Entry Ticket: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuangzhou $14Melbourne $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 Guangzhou and Melbourne, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Guangzhou much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guangzhou Expensive? and Is Melbourne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guangzhou or Melbourne?
Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 18% larger than the population of Guangzhou. When comparing the sizes of Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou 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 Guangzhou has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Guangzhou or Melbourne in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Guangzhou as well as Melbourne. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Guangzhou is a little warmer than Melbourne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Guangzhou in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Melbourne averages at about 20°C (68°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Melbourne. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Guangzhou this time of the year. In the summer, Guangzhou often gets less sunshine than Melbournein January. Guangzhou gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 271 hours of full sun.
Guangzhou receives a lot of rain in the summer. Guangzhou usually gets more rain in July than Melbournein January. Guangzhou gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryGuangzhou 29°C (84°F)Melbourne 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Guangzhou or Melbourne in the Autumn?
Both Melbourne and Guangzhou are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year.
In October, Guangzhou is generally much warmer than Melbournein April. Daily temperatures in Guangzhou average around 25°C (76°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).
Guangzhou usually receives more sunshine than Melbourne during autumn. Guangzhou gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 170 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Guangzhou usually receives more rain than Melbournein April. Guangzhou gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilGuangzhou 25°C (76°F)Melbourne 15°C (60°F)
Should I visit Guangzhou or Melbourne in the Winter?
Both Melbourne and Guangzhou during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Melbourne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Guangzhou is much warmer than Melbourne in the winter. The daily temperature in Guangzhou averages around 14°C (58°F) in January, and Melbourne fluctuates around 9°C (49°F)in July.
In the winter, Guangzhou often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Melbournein July. Guangzhou gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 139 hours of full sun.
Guangzhou usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Melbournein July. Guangzhou gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyGuangzhou 14°C (58°F)Melbourne 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Guangzhou or Melbourne in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Guangzhou and Melbourne. Also, many visitors come to Melbourne in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.
In the spring, Guangzhou is much warmer than Melbourne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Guangzhou in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Melbourne averages at about 14°C (57°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Melbourne this time of the year. Guangzhou usually receives less sunshine than Melbourne during spring. Guangzhou gets 78 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 216 hours of full sun in the spring.
Guangzhou gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Guangzhou usually receives more rain than Melbournein October. Guangzhou gets 182 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberGuangzhou 22°C (72°F)Melbourne 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Melbourne and Guangzhou
| Guangzhou | Melbourne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (58°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 15°C (59°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (65°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 284 mm (11.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (76°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 24 mm (0.9 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.