Which place is cheaper, Melbourne or Harbin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Harbin 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 Harbin and Melbourne can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Harbin or Melbourne?
Harbin
Harbin, China is the northernmost major city in the country, with a population of over 10 million. Harbin was founded in 1897 by Russia, which has resulted in a lot of Russian influence throughout the city and many Russian citizens. The city is most famous for their annual International Snow and Ice Festival, a two-month-long festival running from January through February of each year.
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 2-Week Tours in China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHarbin $54Melbourne $176
The average daily cost (per person) in Harbin is $54, while the average daily cost in Melbourne is $176. 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 Harbin and Melbourne in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHarbin $21Melbourne $118
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHarbin $42Melbourne $236
Compare Hotels in Harbin and Melbourne
Looking for a hotel in Harbin 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.Harbin $1.49Melbourne $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Harbin
Also for Harbin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Transfer Service to Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Snow Festival: $250
- Shared Night Transfer Service to Harbin Ice and Snow World: $85
- Private HRB Airport Departure Transfer from Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private HRB Airport Arrival Transfer to Harbin City Hotel: $70
- Private Full Day Transfer Service to Harbin Top Winter Attractions: $168
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin West Railway Station from Harbin City Hotel: $60
- Private Departure Transfer to Harbin Railway Station from Harbin City Hotel: $50
- Private Arrival Transfer:Any Harbin Railway Station to City Hotel: $29
- Private Arrival Transfer from Harbin West Railway Station to Harbin City Hotel: $65
- Harbin Taiping Airport Chauffeur Service , Harbin Airport Transfer,Pick up: $78
- Harbin City Car Transfer Service with Driver: $168
- Harbin Airport Chauffeur Service, Harbin Airport Transfer: $27
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$2.47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melbourne
Also for Melbourne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Yarra Valley: Hot Air Balloon with Breakfast & CBD Transfers: $372
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Melbourne HTL-APT (MEL): $99
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Melbourne APT-HTL (MEL): $99
- Private Transfer from Melbourne hotels to Melbourne Cruise Port: $38
- Private Transfer from Melbourne Port to Melbourne Airport (MEL): $52
- Private Transfer from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Melbourne Port: $52
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Melbourne Airports: $86
- Private Car Transfer Melbourne Airport To CBD: $79
- Private Arrival Transfer: Melbourne Airports to Hotel: $86
- Private Airport Transfer in Melbourne: $99
- Mt Buller 1 Day Snow Tour (Direct Transfer To Mt Buller Village From Melbourne): $89
- Mornington Peninsula - Melbourne Airport Transfers: $198
Is it cheaper to fly into Harbin or Melbourne?
Prices for flights to both Melbourne and Harbin 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 dayHarbin $14Melbourne $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Harbin
For Harbin, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Harbin Dumpling Cooking Class: $154
- Half-Day Private Harbin Beer Museum and Food Tour Including Harbin Beer1900: $157
- 4-Hour Private Night Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World with Dinner Options: $261
- Private Full Day Tour to Harbin Beifang Forest Zoo and Optional Seafood Dinner: $261
Typical Food Prices in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee$2.60
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Pizza$4.54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Queen Victoria Market: 'Flavours of Australia' Food Tour: $52
- Eynesbury Homestead Dinner and Ghost Tour: $53
- Sunset Kayak Tour with Dinner: $78
- Melbourne Sunset Kayaking Experience with Dinner: $79
- Melbourne Private Multicultural Markets Food Tour: $86
- Pizza Making Party: $89
- Chinese Dumpling Cooking Class with a Drink: $97
- Secret Food Tour: $109
- Chinese Cooking Class Master: $118
- Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise: $122
- Choose Your Asian Cuisine Cooking Masterclass: $129
- Street Food of Asia Cooking Class: $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Harbin $52Melbourne $27
Tours and Activities in Harbin
For Harbin, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Harbin Private Tour: $130
- 2-Day Harbin City Private Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $280
- 4-Hour Private Tour of the Largest Indoor Ice and Snow Paradise: $136
- From Amazing Day Trip Including tickets: $400
- Full Day Private Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow Festival: $250
- Group Tour to Harbin Ice and Snow World plus Sun Island Snow Sculpture Festival: $298
- Half Day Tour for Harbin Guandong Ancient Lane and Wood Sculpture Museum: $104
- Harbin City Group Tour including Crossing Songhua River by Ropeway and Ice Swimming Show: $290
- Harbin City Guided Tour to Zhongyang Street and Sophia Church: $180
- Harbin City Private Day Tour in Your Way in Winter Season: $200
- Harbin City Walking Sightseeing : $198
- Harbin Ice Festival New Year Eve Countdown Group Tour on December 31: $200
Tours and Activities in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Penguin Island Tour from Melbourne Penguins express: $79
- 1 day Puffing Billy Steam Train and Wildlife Tour from Melbourne: $125
- 12 Apostles Great Ocean Road Eco Tour with lunch from Melbourne: $109
- 2 Day Great Ocean Road Small Group Tour: $800
- 2-Hour Farm Experience in Gateway Yarra Valley: $66
- 2024 Mt Buller, Melbourne Snow and Sightseeing Day Tour: $92
- 3 Hour Rainforest Walking Tour in Badger Creek: $40
- 3-Day Great Ocean Road and Grampians Small-Group Tour: $1,486
- 3.5 Hours Group tour Melbourne trouble-makers tour: $44
- 3/4 Day Sports Lovers Bus Tour of Melbourne with Tour Options: $178
- 4 Hours Sightseeing Small Group Tour in Melbourne City: $40
- African Cat Experience at Werribee Open Range Zoo - excl. entry: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHarbin $7.83Melbourne $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$5.03
Sample the Local Flavors in Melbourne
Also in Melbourne, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Melbourne Pub Crawl: $17
- Weekly Bar Crawl: 5 Free shots, Club Entry: $19
- Spirits and Ales Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $25
- Melbourne Halloween Bar Crawl: $33
- Laid back,Small-Group Yarra Valley Wine Tour :Wine,Gin,Cider+more: $86
- Yarra Valley Day Trip with Local Wine Tastings from Melbourne: $102
- Yarra Valley Wine Tour inc lunch with a glass of wine, tastings and chocolate: $116
- Yarra Valley Gourmet Food & Wine Tasting Tour: $127
- Southern Gippsland boutique Wine Tour with Tapas from Melbourne : $139
- Wine Tour Yarra Valley, Vic - inc. 2 course lunch + glass of wine: $165
- Mornington Peninsula Premium Tour with Wine Tasting at Yabby Lake : $172
- Yarra Valley Premium Tour Lunch and Sparkling Wine Tasting at Domaine Chandon: $178
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Harbin and Melbourne, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Harbin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Harbin 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 Harbin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Harbin 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 Harbin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Harbin Expensive? and Is Melbourne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Harbin or Melbourne?
Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 15% larger than the population of Harbin. When comparing the sizes of Harbin 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 Harbin 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 Harbin has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Harbin or Melbourne in the Summer?
Both Melbourne and Harbin are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Harbin is a little warmer than Melbourne in the summer. The daily temperature in Harbin averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Melbourne fluctuates around 20°C (68°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in Harbin. In July, Harbin usually receives more rain than Melbournein January. Harbin gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryHarbin 24°C (75°F)Melbourne 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Melbourne in the Autumn?
Both Melbourne and Harbin during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year.
In the autumn, Harbin is much colder than Melbourne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Harbin in October average around 7°C (44°F), and Melbourne averages at about 15°C (60°F)in April.
Harbin usually gets less rain in October than Melbournein April. Harbin gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilHarbin 7°C (44°F)Melbourne 15°C (60°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Melbourne in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Harbin and Melbourne. Furthermore, many travelers come to Melbourne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Harbin in the winter. In January, Harbin is generally much colder than Melbournein July. Daily temperatures in Harbin average around -18°C (-0°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
In January, Harbin usually receives less rain than Melbournein July. Harbin gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyHarbin -18°C (-0°F)Melbourne 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Harbin or Melbourne in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Harbin as well as Melbourne. Additionally, many visitors come to Melbourne in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.
Harbin is much colder than Melbourne in the spring. The daily temperature in Harbin averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Melbourne fluctuates around 14°C (57°F)in October.
Harbin usually gets less rain in April than Melbournein October. Harbin gets 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberHarbin 8°C (46°F)Melbourne 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Melbourne and Harbin
| Harbin | Melbourne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -18°C (-0°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | -14°C (7°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (26°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (44°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | -14°C (7°F) | 5 mm (0.2 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.