Which place is cheaper, Malaga or Karachi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Karachi or Malaga?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Karachi or Malaga? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Karachi or Malaga?
Karachi
Karachi is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the most populous city in Pakistan, and sixth most populous city proper in the world. Karachi, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is the financial and commercial center of the nation, as well as its largest port. The pace of life here is more hurried, and social attitudes are far more liberal than elsewhere in Pakistan. Locals call it the City of Lights, the City of The Quaid, and the City that Never Sleeps. The city credits its growth to the mixed populations of economic and political migrants along with refugees from different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins, who generally come to the city to settle permanently.
Malaga
Malaga is a port city in the southern part of Spain. It is the 6th largest city in Spain and the southernmost large city in Europe. Malaga lies on the Mediterranean on the Costa del Sol, only 62 miles east of the Strait of Gibraltar, and 80 miles north of Africa. Malaga's history dates back about 2,800 years, which makes it one of the oldest cities in the world. The archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabic and Christian eras make the historic center of the city an "open museum", displaying its history of more than 3,000 years. Because of its important cultural infrastructure and the artistic heritage, Malaga has been nominated for the European Capital of Culture. Malaga's most important economic contributors include tourism, technology, and construction, but transportation and logistics are becoming increasingly important factors as well.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Pakistan, The Best Historical Tours in Pakistan, The Best Budget Tours to Spain, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKarachi $26Malaga $150
The average daily cost (per person) in Karachi is $26, while the average daily cost in Malaga is $150. 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 Karachi and Malaga in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKarachi $11Malaga $80
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKarachi $22Malaga $160
Compare Hotels in Karachi and Malaga
Looking for a hotel in Karachi or Malaga? 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: Karachi Hotel Prices and Malaga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Karachi $4.58Malaga $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malaga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malaga:
- Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) to Malaga Port - Arrival private Transfer: $19
- Private Transfer from Malaga Cruise Port to Málaga Airport (AGP): $19
- Private Transfer from Malaga hotels to Malaga Cruise Port: $19
- Private Transfer from Malaga Cruise Port to Malaga hotels: $19
- Malaga hotels to Malaga Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $19
- Private Transfer from Málaga Airport (AGP) to Malaga Cruise Port: $19
- Private Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport (AGP): $33
- Malaga to Malaga Airport (AGP) - Departure Private Transfer: $36
- Malaga Cruise Port to Malaga hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $37
- Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) to Malaga Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $37
- Private Transfer from Malaga airport (AGP) to Torremolinos: $39
- Transfer from Malaga Airport to Costa del Sol Hotels (Any Hotel): $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Karachi or Malaga?
Prices for flights to both Malaga and Karachi 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 dayKarachi $11Malaga $37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Karachi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Karachi.
- Private Karachi Street Food Tour: $94
- Half-Day Karachi Burns Road Private Victoria Ride with Dinner: $100
- Street Food Tour of Karachi: $199
Typical Food Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Malaga are as follows:
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Dinner for 2$32
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Dinner for 2$47
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Breakfast for 2$8.57
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malaga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Malaga.
- Horse and Flamenco Show in Malaga with Dinner: $76
- Malaga Tapas Cooking Class: $89
- Andalucia by Sunset - half day tour including dinner and Ronda pickup: $93
- Sardines On Skewers Show Cooking in Malaga beach: $147
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Karachi $5.07Malaga $33
Tours and Activities in Karachi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Karachi are as follows:
- Karachi City Tour : $129
- UNESCO World Heritage Tour Near Karachi : $150
- Karachi Sightseeing Private tour: $159
- Full Day Private Tour in Karachi City: $162
- Full Day Private Tour to Mohatta Palace Zainab and Burns road: $196
- Experience local village life in Sindh: $200
Typical Entertainment Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Malaga are as follows:
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Entrance to Castillos$7.61
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Concert$33
Tours and Activities in Malaga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Malaga are as follows:
- Skip the Line: Picasso's Birthplace Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.37
- Sightseeing Outdoor Escape Game in Malaga: $7.09
- Ronda Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.89
- Guided tour of Castillo Colomares: $9.83
- Alcazaba Malaga Guided Tour: $11
- Guided tour in Ronda: $13
- Andalucia's City Of Dreams: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Ronda: $15
- Essential Malaga City Tour: $16
- City Sightseeing Benalmadena Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $16
- Private Guided Tour to the only coffee farm in Europe: $16
- Tour around the Central Market of Malaga: $16
- 1.5-Hour Roman Theater and Alcazaba Castle Walking Tour: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKarachi $3.35Malaga $24
Sample the Local Flavors in Malaga
Also in Malaga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Malaga Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks and Clubs Entry: $17
- Sun and Wine Route - Small group, wine tasting and lunch included: $76
- Malaga City Wine Tour: $94
- Flamenco, Tapas and Wine Tour: Best of Málaga in one Evening: $104
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Karachi and Malaga, we can see that Malaga is more expensive. And not only is Karachi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Karachi is in Asia and Malaga is in Europe, 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 Karachi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karachi 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 Malaga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Malaga than you might in Karachi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Karachi Expensive? and Is Malaga Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Karachi or Malaga?
Karachi has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Malaga. When comparing the sizes of Karachi and Malaga, 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 Karachi or Malaga?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Karachi or Malaga in the Summer?
Both Malaga and Karachi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Malaga because of the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Karachi is a little warmer than Malaga. Typically, the summer temperatures in Karachi in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Malaga averages at about 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in Malaga. Karachi usually receives less sunshine than Malaga during summer. Karachi gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Malaga receives 348 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Karachi usually receives more rain than Malaga. Karachi gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Malaga receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKarachi 30°C (86°F)Malaga 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Malaga in the Autumn?
Both Malaga and Karachi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Malaga this time of year.
In October, Karachi is generally much warmer than Malaga. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 29°C (84°F), and Malaga fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).
In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Karachi. In the autumn, Karachi often gets more sunshine than Malaga. Karachi gets 284 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malaga receives 213 hours of full sun.
Karachi usually gets less rain in October than Malaga. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Malaga receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKarachi 29°C (84°F)Malaga 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Malaga in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Karachi and Malaga. Also, many travelers come to Malaga for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Karachi is much warmer than Malaga in the winter. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 19°C (66°F) in January, and Malaga fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In Karachi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Karachi usually receives more sunshine than Malaga during winter. Karachi gets 271 hours of sunny skies, while Malaga receives 171 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Karachi usually receives less rain than Malaga. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Malaga receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKarachi 19°C (66°F)Malaga 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Karachi or Malaga in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Karachi as well as Malaga. Also, many visitors come to Malaga in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Karachi is much warmer than Malaga. Typically, the spring temperatures in Karachi in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Malaga averages at about 16°C (60°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Karachi this time of the year. In the spring, Karachi often gets more sunshine than Malaga. Karachi gets 277 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malaga receives 220 hours of full sun.
Karachi usually gets less rain in April than Malaga. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Malaga receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKarachi 29°C (84°F)Malaga 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Malaga and Karachi
| Karachi | Malaga | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (4 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.