A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Karachi vs. Melbourne for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Karachi or Melbourne?

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

Should I visit Karachi or Melbourne? 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 Melbourne?

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.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Pakistan, The Best Historical Tours in Pakistan, The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Melbourne or Karachi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Karachi is $26, while the average daily cost in Melbourne is $179. 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 Melbourne in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Karachi $11
    Melbourne $120
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Karachi $22
    Melbourne $240
Compare Hotels in Karachi and Melbourne

Looking for a hotel in Karachi 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.

Hotels in Karachi


Hotels in Melbourne


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 Melbourne Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Karachi $4.58
    Melbourne $20

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melbourne

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Melbourne:


  • Airport Bus
    $11
  • Tram Ride
    $2.51

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
  • Melbourne Airport: One-Way Transfer to Melbourne: $30
  • GoBlu-EV: 100% Electric Cabs for Airport & City Transfer in MEL: $33
  • Private Transfer from Melbourne hotels to Melbourne Cruise Port: $38
  • Private Transfer from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Melbourne Port: $52
  • Private Transfer from Melbourne Port to Melbourne Airport (MEL): $52
  • Melbourne Airport Luxury Car Transfer: $73
  • Private Car Transfer Melbourne Airport To CBD: $79
  • From Melbourne Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Melbourne: $79
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Melbourne Airports: $86
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Melbourne Airports to Hotel: $86
  • Melbourne Airport: 1-Way Melbourne Airport Private Transfer: $86

Is it cheaper to fly into Karachi or Melbourne?

Prices for flights to both Melbourne 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Karachi $11
    Melbourne $31

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 Melbourne

For Melbourne, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Coffee
    $2.64
  • Pizza
    $4.62

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
  • Melbourne Sunset Kayaking Experience with Dinner: $79
  • Sunset Kayak Tour with Dinner: $79
  • Melbourne Private Multicultural Markets Food Tour: $86
  • Pizza Making Party: $89
  • Chinese Dumpling Cooking Class with a Drink: $98
  • Secret Food Tour: $109
  • Chinese Cooking Class Master: $118
  • Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise: $122
  • Street Food of Asia Cooking Class: $130
  • Choose Your Asian Cuisine Cooking Masterclass: $130

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Karachi $5.07
    Melbourne $28

Tours and Activities in Karachi

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Karachi are as follows:

  • Experience local village life in Sindh: $200
  • Full Day Private Tour in Karachi City: $162
  • Full Day Private Tour to Mohatta Palace Zainab and Burns road: $196
  • Karachi City Tour : $129
  • Karachi Sightseeing Private tour: $159
  • UNESCO World Heritage Tour Near Karachi : $150

Tours and Activities in Melbourne

For Melbourne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Melbourne:Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $3.23
  • Melbourne Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $3.28
  • Escape Game and Tour: $6.46
  • Marvellous A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Melbourne Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • MoPA Children's Museum Admission Ticket: $9.25
  • Melbourne Museum Entry Ticket: $9.91
  • Melbourne Gardens Explorer Minibus Tour: $9.91
  • Scienceworks Entry Ticket: $9.91
  • Immigration Museum Entry Ticket: $9.91
  • Questo Self-guided Haunted Melbourne Walking Tour: $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Karachi $3.35
    Melbourne $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
    $5.12

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: $26
  • 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: $129
  • 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 Karachi and Melbourne, we can see that Melbourne 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 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 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 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 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 Melbourne Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Karachi or Melbourne?

Karachi has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Melbourne. When comparing the sizes of Karachi 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 Karachi 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 Karachi has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Karachi or Melbourne in the Summer?

Both Melbourne and Karachi during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year.

In the summer, Karachi is much warmer than Melbourne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Karachi in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Melbourne averages at about 20°C (68°F)in January.

In Melbourne, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Karachi often gets less sunshine than Melbournein January. Karachi gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 271 hours of full sun.

Karachi usually gets less rain in July than Melbournein January. Karachi gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Karachi 30°C (86°F) 
    Melbourne 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Karachi or Melbourne in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Karachi and Melbourne. Also, many travelers come to Melbourne for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Karachi is generally much warmer than Melbournein April. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 29°C (84°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

In Karachi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Karachi usually receives more sunshine than Melbourne during autumn. Karachi gets 284 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 170 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Karachi usually receives less rain than Melbournein April. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Karachi 29°C (84°F) 
    Melbourne 15°C (60°F)

Should I visit Karachi or Melbourne in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Karachi as well as Melbourne. Also, many visitors come to Melbourne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Karachi is much warmer than Melbourne in the winter. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 19°C (66°F) in January, and Melbourne fluctuates around 9°C (49°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Karachi this time of the year. In the winter, Karachi often gets more sunshine than Melbournein July. Karachi gets 271 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 139 hours of full sun.

Karachi usually gets less rain in January than Melbournein July. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Karachi 19°C (66°F) 
    Melbourne 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Karachi or Melbourne in the Spring?

Both Melbourne and Karachi are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Melbourne for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Karachi is much warmer than Melbourne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Karachi in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Melbourne averages at about 14°C (57°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Melbourne. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karachi. Karachi usually receives more sunshine than Melbourne during spring. Karachi gets 277 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 216 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Karachi usually receives less rain than Melbournein October. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Karachi 29°C (84°F) 
    Melbourne 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Melbourne and Karachi

Karachi Melbourne
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Mar 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 19°C (65°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 15°C (60°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 31°C (88°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 31°C (88°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 10°C (50°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 9°C (49°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Aug 30°C (86°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 10°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 12°C (53°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 14°C (57°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 16°C (61°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 18°C (65°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)