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

Should you visit Longsheng or Melbourne?

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 Longsheng and Melbourne. 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: Longsheng or Melbourne?

Longsheng

A county of the city, Guilin, Longsheng is a hub of several ethnic cultures that thrive on farming and tourism. It is located about 50 or so miles north of the Guilin city center. The region is perhaps most known for the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces located in Heping Township. These, along with many other natural features like hot springs, waterfalls, and meadows are a few of the main attractions that draw visitors to Longsheng.

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 Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Melbourne or Longsheng?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Longsheng is $78, while the average daily cost in Melbourne is $176. 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 Longsheng and Melbourne in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Longsheng $20
    Melbourne $118
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Longsheng $40
    Melbourne $236
Compare Hotels in Longsheng and Melbourne

Looking for a hotel in Longsheng 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 Longsheng


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: Melbourne Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Longsheng $41
    Melbourne $19

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melbourne

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


  • Airport Bus
    $10
  • Tram Ride
    $2.47

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melbourne

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

  • From Lake Mountain Ski Resort Tour with Transfers: $947
  • Yarra Valley: Hot Air Balloon with Breakfast & CBD Transfers: $372
  • Melbourne Airport (MEL): Private Transfer to Melbourne: $319
  • MEL Airport: Minibus Private Transfer to Southbank: $212
  • MEL Airport: Minibus Private Transfer to Melbourne CBD: $205
  • Mornington Peninsula - Melbourne Airport Transfers: $198
  • Melbourne Private Transfer to Melbourne Airport MEL in Luxury Car: $188
  • Melbourne Airport MEL Private Transfer to Melbourne in Luxury Car: $188
  • Ballarat - Melbourne Airport Transfers: $176
  • Avalon Airport Transfers: $165
  • Melbourne Airport MEL Private Transfer to Melbourne in Luxury Van: $163
  • Departure Transfer from Melbourne to Melbourne Airport MEL in Van: $163

Is it cheaper to fly into Longsheng or Melbourne?

Prices for flights to both Melbourne and Longsheng 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
    Longsheng $35
    Melbourne $30

Typical Food Prices in Melbourne

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


  • Coffee
    $2.60
  • Pizza
    $4.54

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
  • Sunset Kayak Tour with Dinner: $78
  • Melbourne Sunset Kayaking Experience with Dinner: $79
  • Melbourne Private Multicultural Markets Food Tour: $86
  • Pizza Making Party: $89
  • Chinese Dumpling Cooking Class with a Drink: $97
  • Secret Food Tour: $109
  • Chinese Cooking Class Master: $118
  • Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise: $122
  • Choose Your Asian Cuisine Cooking Masterclass: $129
  • Street Food of Asia Cooking Class: $130

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Longsheng $8.38
    Melbourne $27

Tours and Activities in Melbourne

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

  • 1 Day Penguin Island Tour from Melbourne Penguins express: $79
  • 1 day Puffing Billy Steam Train and Wildlife Tour from Melbourne: $125
  • 12 Apostles Great Ocean Road Eco Tour with lunch from Melbourne: $109
  • 2 Day Great Ocean Road Small Group Tour: $800
  • 2-Hour Farm Experience in Gateway Yarra Valley: $66
  • 2024 Mt Buller, Melbourne Snow and Sightseeing Day Tour: $92
  • 3 Hour Rainforest Walking Tour in Badger Creek: $40
  • 3-Day Great Ocean Road and Grampians Small-Group Tour: $1,486
  • 3.5 Hours Group tour Melbourne trouble-makers tour: $44
  • 3/4 Day Sports Lovers Bus Tour of Melbourne with Tour Options: $178
  • 4 Hours Sightseeing Small Group Tour in Melbourne City: $40
  • African Cat Experience at Werribee Open Range Zoo - excl. entry: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Longsheng $7.89
    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
    $5.03

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: $25
  • 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: $127
  • 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 Longsheng and Melbourne, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Longsheng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Longsheng 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 Longsheng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Longsheng 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 Longsheng.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Longsheng Expensive? and Is Melbourne Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Longsheng 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 Longsheng has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Longsheng or Melbourne in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Longsheng and Melbourne. Also, many travelers come to Melbourne for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Longsheng is much warmer than Melbourne in the summer. The daily temperature in Longsheng averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Melbourne fluctuates around 20°C (68°F)in January.

Longsheng gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Longsheng usually receives more rain than Melbournein January. Longsheng gets 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


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

Should I visit Longsheng or Melbourne in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Longsheng as well as Melbourne. Also, many visitors come to Melbourne in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Longsheng is a little warmer than Melbourne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Longsheng in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Melbourne averages at about 15°C (60°F)in April.

Longsheng usually gets more rain in October than Melbournein April. Longsheng gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Longsheng 23°C (73°F) 
    Melbourne 15°C (60°F)

Should I visit Longsheng or Melbourne in the Winter?

Both Melbourne and Longsheng are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Melbourne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Longsheng is generally around the same temperature as Melbournein July. Daily temperatures in Longsheng average around 10°C (49°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In January, Longsheng usually receives more rain than Melbournein July. Longsheng gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Longsheng 10°C (49°F) 
    Melbourne 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Longsheng or Melbourne in the Spring?

Both Melbourne and Longsheng during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

Longsheng is a little warmer than Melbourne in the spring. The daily temperature in Longsheng averages around 20°C (68°F) in April, and Melbourne fluctuates around 14°C (57°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Longsheng. Longsheng usually gets more rain in April than Melbournein October. Longsheng gets 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Longsheng 20°C (68°F) 
    Melbourne 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Melbourne and Longsheng

Longsheng Melbourne
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (49°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Feb 11°C (51°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Mar 15°C (59°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 19°C (65°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Apr 20°C (68°F) 263 mm (10.3 in) 15°C (60°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 334 mm (13.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 320 mm (12.6 in) 10°C (50°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 206 mm (8.1 in) 9°C (49°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Aug 30°C (86°F) 168 mm (6.6 in) 10°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 12°C (53°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 14°C (57°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 17°C (63°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 16°C (61°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 18°C (65°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)