A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kao-hsiung vs. Melaka for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kao-hsiung or Melaka?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kao-hsiung and Melaka 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: Kao-hsiung or Melaka?

Kao-hsiung

Kaohsiung is the second-most populated city and also the largest port city in the country, located in the south of Taiwan. Compared to Taipei, the lifestyle in Kaohsiung is laid-back and noticeably slower, populated with friendly locals. However, with Taipei in the spotlight, Kaohsiung is often overlooked, though it offers so much in the way of art and culture, history, and delicious food.

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 Historical Tours in Taiwan, The Best Adventure Tours to Taiwan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia.


Which place is cheaper, Melaka or Kao-hsiung?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kao-hsiung is $134, while the average daily cost in Melaka is $33. 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 Kao-hsiung and Melaka in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kao-hsiung $60
    Melaka $9.51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kao-hsiung $120
    Melaka $19
Compare Hotels in Kao-hsiung and Melaka

Looking for a hotel in Kao-hsiung 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.

Hotels in Kao-hsiung


Hotels in Melaka


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: Kao-hsiung Hotel Prices and Melaka Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kao-hsiung $12
    Melaka $2.09

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kao-hsiung

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kao-hsiung:

  • Private Kaohsiung Airport to Taitung Resorts Arrival Transfer: $192
  • Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport to Kenting: $138
  • Guanziling Resorts to Kaohsiung Airport KHH Departure Transfer: $134
  • Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $134
  • Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port : $75
  • Kaohsiung Airport Chauffeur service , Kaohsiung Airport Transfer : $50
  • Kaohsiung Airport -> Kaohsiung Hotel Private Transfer (Large room for luggage) : $35

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melaka

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Melaka are as follows:


  • Taxi
    $4.75
  • Bus Ride
    $0.36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melaka

Also for Melaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Malacca Hotels to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Departure Transfer: $52
  • Private Transfer from Kuala Lumpur Airport (KUL) to Malacca Port: $66
  • Chauffeur: Malacca to Fraser's Hill Transfer [Van]: $80
  • Chauffeur: Malacca to Cameron Highlands Transfer [Van]: $80
  • ~Chauffeur: Malacca to Kuantan Transfer [Van]: $81
  • Malacca Hotel to Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Door to Door) Transfer: $99
  • Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Kuala Lumpur city : $120
  • Private Transfer : National Park Kuala Tahan to Cameron Highlands: $165
  • Private Transfer : Taman Negara Kuala Tahan to Cameron Highlands: $165
  • Chauffeur: Malacca to Mersing Transfer [Car]: $212
  • Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Shah Alam City: $239
  • Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Johor Bahru city: $251

Is it cheaper to fly into Kao-hsiung or Melaka?

Prices for flights to both Melaka and Kao-hsiung 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 day
    Kao-hsiung $59
    Melaka $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kao-hsiung

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kao-hsiung.

  • Sunset Dinner on Monkey Mountain : $100

Typical Food Prices in Melaka

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Melaka:


  • Sitdown Lunch (for Two)
    $7.13
  • Dinner at the Market (for Two)
    $3.09
  • Asam Pedas (Fish Curry)
    $1.43
  • Taiwanese Noodle Soup
    $1.19
  • Sitdown Dinner (for Two)
    $7.61

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melaka

For Melaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Traditional Peranakan and Malay Cooking Class in Malacca: $90

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kao-hsiung $22
    Melaka $4.03

Tours and Activities in Kao-hsiung

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kao-hsiung are as follows:

  • 1 day tour - Kaohsiung: $200
  • Alishan Day Tour from Kaohsiung (Incl. Park Entrance): $90
  • Buddha Museum- Half Day Tour : $90
  • Classic Northern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
  • Classic Southern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
  • Food and Culture Walking Tour in Tainan: $78
  • Kaohsiung Area Classic Tour: $255
  • Kaohsiung City Walking Day Tour: $70
  • Kaohsiung Departure - Tainan City Day Tour: $220
  • Kaohsiung Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $48
  • Kaohsiung Private Tour with Transportation : $249
  • Kaohsiung Suburbs Full-Day Tour: $220

Typical Entertainment Prices in Melaka

For Melaka, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Maritime Museum Entrance
    $0.71
  • Taming Sari Revolving Tower Entrance
    $4.75
  • Trishaw Tour (One Hour)
    $11
  • Baba and Nyonya Peranakan Museum Entrance
    $2.38
  • Melaka Zoo Entrance
    $1.66
  • Low Cost Kite
    $0.71
  • Malacca Duck Tour
    $9.51
  • Melaka River Cruise (One Hour)
    $2.38

Tours and Activities in Melaka

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Melaka.

  • Malaysia: Melaka Upside Down House Entry Ticket: $7.15
  • Malaysia Melaka - Breakout Escape Game E-Ticket: $13
  • Malaysia: Melaka A'famosa Water Park & Safari Wonderland Ticket: $15
  • Essential Self-Guided Tour of it's UNESCO Heritage Centre: $15
  • A'Famosa Safari and Water Park in Melaka Ticket (Only Malaysian): $28
  • From Kuala Lumpur Full Day A'Famosa Theme Park Experience: $40
  • 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 Hotels To Kuala Lumpur Hotels En-route Putrajaya Tour: $49
  • 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 To Kuala Lumpur EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $61

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kao-hsiung $11
    Melaka $8.25


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kao-hsiung and Melaka, we can see that Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung Expensive? and Is Melaka Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kao-hsiung or Melaka?

Kao-hsiung has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Melaka. When comparing the sizes of Kao-hsiung 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.