Which place is cheaper, Melaka or Lahore?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lahore or Melaka?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lahore and Melaka. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Lahore or Melaka?
Lahore
As Pakistan's second largest city and the capital of the north-eastern Punjab province, Lahore is widely considered the country's cultural capital. Some of its best-known features include the Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque and Gurdwara, a mall surrounded by buildings from the British Raj, and many unique markets and neighborhoods.
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 Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLahore $57Melaka $21
The average daily cost (per person) in Lahore is $57, while the average daily cost in Melaka is $21. 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 Lahore and Melaka in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLahore $37Melaka $8.38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLahore $74Melaka $17
Compare Hotels in Lahore and Melaka
Looking for a hotel in Lahore 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.
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: Lahore Hotel Prices and Melaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lahore $9.98Melaka $1.84
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lahore
Also for Lahore, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transit Trip: Lahore Guided Day Trip With Round Trip Airport Transfers: $140
- Airport Transfer : $60
- Chauffeur: Lahore International Airport Transfer - Arrival : $30
- Chauffeur: Lahore International Airport Transfer - Departure: $30
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melaka
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Melaka are as follows:
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Taxi$4.19
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Bus Ride$0.31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melaka
Also for Melaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Cameron Highlands Transfer [Car]: $266
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Kuantan Transfer [Car]: $241
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Fraser's Hill Transfer [Car]: $216
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Mersing Transfer [Car]: $201
- Malacca to KUL City Hotel (One Way Transfer): $118
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Kuantan Transfer [Van]: $95
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Desaru Transfer [Van]: $83
- Local Transfer: Kuala Tembeling Jetty (Taman Negara) to Kuala Lumpur City Hotels: $72
- Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Subang Jaya city: $66
- Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Kuala Lumpur city : $66
- Malacca Hotels to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Departure Transfer: $52
- Malacca City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City Hotels 1-way Transfer: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Lahore or Melaka?
Prices for flights to both Melaka and Lahore 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 dayLahore $14Melaka $10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lahore
For Lahore, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Street Food Tour of Lahore's Walled City : $85
- Lahore's Complete Night Food Tour: Local Culinary Experience: $110
- Private Street Food Tour of Lahore: $163
Typical Food Prices in Melaka
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Melaka:
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Sitdown Lunch (for Two)$6.29
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Dinner at the Market (for Two)$2.73
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Asam Pedas (Fish Curry)$1.26
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Taiwanese Noodle Soup$1.05
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$6.71
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lahore $5.08Melaka $3.55
Tours and Activities in Lahore
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lahore.
- 1 Day Rohtas Fort & Khewra Salt Mines Tour: $120
- 2 Days Private Guided Tour in Lahore : $300
- Full Day Private Guided Lahore Sightseeing Tour : $95
- Guided Walking Tour: Walled City of Lahore : $90
- Half Day Private Shopping Tour for Ladies in Lahore: $152
- Kartarpur Corridor and Gurdwara Sahib Yatra Guided Tour: $175
- Kartarpur-Guru-Nanak sab One Day Tour : $250
- Khewra Salt Mines & Katas Raj Temple One Day Guided Tour: $210
- Ladies Special: Lahore Half day Guided Shopping Tour: $90
- Lahore Big Bus City Tour: $20
- Lahore City, Fort, Museums and Walled City Exploration Tour: $120
- Lahore Full Day Sightseeing Guided Tour: $145
Typical Entertainment Prices in Melaka
For Melaka, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Maritime Museum Entrance$0.63
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Taming Sari Revolving Tower Entrance$4.19
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Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$9.43
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Baba and Nyonya Peranakan Museum Entrance$2.10
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Melaka Zoo Entrance$1.47
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Low Cost Kite$0.63
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Malacca Duck Tour$8.39
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Melaka River Cruise (One Hour)$2.10
Tours and Activities in Melaka
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Melaka.
- *14 Hrs Kuala Lumpur Flexible Van Tour from Melaka w' Tour Guide: $102
- *15 Hrs KL & Genting Highlands Van Tour from Melaka w' Tour Guide: $110
- Full Day Private Shore Tour in Kuala Lumpur from Malacca Port: $295
- Malacca City Hotels To Kuala Lumpur Airport EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $48
- 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 City To Kuala Lumpur City En-route Putrajaya Tour: $49
- Malacca Illusion 3D Art Museum Admission Tickets: $19
- Malacca Instagram Tour: Top Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $219
- Malacca Shore Excursion from Cruise Port with Local Guide & Lunch: $222
- Malacca Shore Excursion with Tour Guide & Baba Nyonya Lunch: $222
- Malacca To Kuala Lumpur EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $61
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLahore $4.89Melaka $7.27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lahore and Melaka, we can see that Lahore 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 Lahore would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lahore 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 Lahore Expensive? and Is Melaka Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lahore or Melaka?
Lahore has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Melaka. When comparing the sizes of Lahore 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.
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.