Which place is cheaper, Melbourne or Hongcun?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Hongcun or Melbourne?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hongcun and Melbourne 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: Hongcun or Melbourne?
Hongcun
When you picture ancient China, you likely picture old cobblestone streets, white homes with pointed black roofs and a slight air of mysticism in the surroundings. This is Hongcun.
The backdrop for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is not usually on the top of many traveler's lists. This isn't a bustling tourist town with guides offering to show you the sights or carts peddling the latest tacky souvenir. It's a quiet village where you'll see the real Chinese culture. The homes along the complex water canals air their fish in their windows to preserve it for their family dinners. There is no bowing to tourism here.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia.
-
Hongcun Prices
China PricesMelbourne Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHongcun $67Melbourne $195
The average daily cost (per person) in Hongcun is $67, 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 Hongcun and Melbourne in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHongcun $23Melbourne $119
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHongcun $46Melbourne $238
Compare Hotels in Hongcun and Melbourne
Looking for a hotel in Hongcun 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hongcun $12Melbourne $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melbourne
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Melbourne:
-
Airport Bus$10
-
Tram Ride$2.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melbourne
Also for Melbourne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Melbourne Airport: Express Bus Transfer to/from City Center: $16
- Express Bus Transfer to or from Melbourne City Center: $19
- Melbourne CBD to Melbourne Airport Private Transfer 4 or more: $32
- Melbourne Airport(Tullamarine): Shared Transfer to Melbourne: $32
- MEL Airport to CBD Private transfers 4 or more: $33
- Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport: Shared Transfer to Melbourne: $33
- MEL Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $40
- Melbourne Airport Private Transfer to City: $44
- Transfer Melbourne Airport MEL to City Centre/St Kilda/Hawthorne: $45
- Airport to City Private Transfer (One-way): $66
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Melbourne HTL-APT (MEL): $69
- Private Car Transfer Melbourne Airport To CBD: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Hongcun or Melbourne?
Prices for flights to both Melbourne and Hongcun 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
-
Food Meals for one dayHongcun $33Melbourne $53
Typical Food Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hongcun are as follows:
-
Lunch for Two$4.91
-
Breakfast of Dumplings$2.10
Typical Food Prices in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Coffee$2.62
-
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hongcun $17Melbourne $27
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hongcun
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hongcun are as follows:
-
Two Entrance Tickets$29
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHongcun $14Melbourne $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Melbourne
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Melbourne from other travelers:
-
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 Hongcun and Melbourne, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Hongcun much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hongcun 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 Hongcun would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hongcun 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 Hongcun.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hongcun Expensive? and Is Melbourne Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Hongcun 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 Hongcun has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Hongcun or Melbourne in the Summer?
Both Melbourne and Hongcun during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Melbourne in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Hongcun is generally a little warmer than Melbournein January. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 29°C (85°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hongcun. Hongcun usually gets more rain in July than Melbournein January. Hongcun gets 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryHongcun 29°C (85°F)Melbourne 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Melbourne in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hongcun and Melbourne. Furthermore, most visitors come to Melbourne for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
Hongcun is a little warmer than Melbourne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hongcun averages around 19°C (65°F) in October, and Melbourne fluctuates around 15°C (60°F)in April.
In October, Hongcun usually receives more rain than Melbournein April. Hongcun gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilHongcun 19°C (65°F)Melbourne 15°C (60°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Melbourne in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Hongcun as well as Melbourne. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Hongcun can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Hongcun is much colder than Melbourne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hongcun in January average around 4°C (40°F), and Melbourne averages at about 9°C (49°F)in July.
Hongcun usually gets less rain in January than Melbournein July. Hongcun gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyHongcun 4°C (40°F)Melbourne 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Hongcun or Melbourne in the Spring?
Both Melbourne and Hongcun are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year.
In April, Hongcun is generally a little warmer than Melbournein October. Daily temperatures in Hongcun average around 17°C (62°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
It's quite rainy in Hongcun. In April, Hongcun usually receives more rain than Melbournein October. Hongcun gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberHongcun 17°C (62°F)Melbourne 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Melbourne and Hongcun
| Hongcun | Melbourne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (40°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (42°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (51°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (62°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 22°C (71°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 235 mm (9.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 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.