Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Melaka?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Melaka or Arequipa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Melaka or Arequipa, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Melaka or Arequipa?
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.
Arequipa
Sitting in the middle of the Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu volcanoes of Peru is the enchanting city of Arequipa. With 468 years of history, the city is full of Spanish colonial architecture. Known to locals as the "white city," the city center, Plaza de Armas, is quite the sight with buildings of sillar white stone made from the rocks of the surrounding volcanoes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru, and The Best Cultural Tours in Peru.
-
Melaka Prices
Malaysia PricesArequipa Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMelaka $34Arequipa $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Melaka is $34, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $62. 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 Melaka and Arequipa in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMelaka $9.83Arequipa $25
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMelaka $20Arequipa $50
Compare Hotels in Melaka and Arequipa
Looking for a hotel in Melaka or Arequipa? 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: Melaka Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Melaka $2.16Arequipa $6.53
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melaka
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Melaka are as follows:
-
Taxi$4.91
-
Bus Ride$0.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melaka
Also for Melaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Ipoh Transfer [Van]: $98
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Kuala Besut Transfer [Van]: $118
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Mersing Transfer [Van]: $80
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Singapore Car Transfer: $218
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Taman Negara Transfer [Van]: $83
- Malacca City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Airport 1-way Transfer: $43
- Malacca Hotel to Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Door to Door) Transfer: $74
- Malacca Hotels to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Departure Transfer: $52
- Private Transfer : Taman Negara Kuala Tahan to Cameron Highlands: $169
- Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Seremban city: $117
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$1.47
-
Bus Ride$0.47
-
Taxi Ride$1.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
- Private Transfer between Arequipa and Puno: $300
- 3 Day Trek Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon: $214
- 2 Day Trek Including Transfer to Puno / Colca Canyon: $179
- 2 Days Colca Canyon Tour with Transfer to Puno: $115
- Colca Canyon + Transfer To Puno: $103
- Colca Canyon 2 days from Arequipa with final transfer to Puno: $85
- Colca Canyon full day tour with transfer to Puno: $80
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $78
- Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
- Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
- Arequipa Airport Private Transfer: $38
- Private Transfer from Arequipa to Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón (AQP) Airport: $37
Is it cheaper to fly into Melaka or Arequipa?
Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Melaka 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 dayMelaka $21Arequipa $26
Typical Food Prices in Melaka
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Melaka:
-
Sitdown Lunch (for Two)$7.37
-
Dinner at the Market (for Two)$3.19
-
Asam Pedas (Fish Curry)$1.47
-
Taiwanese Noodle Soup$1.23
-
Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$7.86
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melaka
For Melaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Melaka Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
- Rempah Routes Melaka Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
- Small Group Melaka After Dark Food Tour: $75
- Private Traditional Peranakan & Malay Cooking Class in Melaka: $95
Typical Food Prices in Arequipa
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:
-
Coke$0.44
-
Lunch$3.09
-
Ice Cream$1.18
-
Fruit$0.88
-
Ice Cream$1.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Arequipa.
- Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
- Cooking Class at La Plantation: $36
- Peruvian Cooking Class in arequipa: $50
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $63
- Arequipa Food Tour: Ancestral Cuisine & City Tour: $79
- Arequipa Food Tour Experience: $115
- Food Tour Gastronomic Guided: $119
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Melaka $4.17Arequipa $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Melaka
For Melaka, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Maritime Museum Entrance$0.74
-
Taming Sari Revolving Tower Entrance$4.91
-
Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$11
-
Baba and Nyonya Peranakan Museum Entrance$2.46
-
Melaka Zoo Entrance$1.72
-
Low Cost Kite$0.74
-
Malacca Duck Tour$9.83
-
Melaka River Cruise (One Hour)$2.46
Tours and Activities in Melaka
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Melaka.
- Melaka UNESCO City Guided Walking Tour: $5.02
- Malaysia: Melaka Upside Down House Entry Ticket: $7.15
- Essential Self-Guided Tour of it's UNESCO Heritage Centre: $15
- Malaysia: A'famosa Melaka Ticket: $17
- From Kuala Lumpur Full Day A'Famosa Theme Park Experience: $40
- 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
- Small Group Melaka Flavours Food and Culture Tour: $75
- Private Half-Day Melaka Walking Tour: $82
Typical Entertainment Prices in Arequipa
Here are a few typical costs in Arequipa for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Monastery Entry$2.94
-
Salsa Class$2.94
-
Movie Ticket$3.21
-
Hot Springs$2.94
Tours and Activities in Arequipa
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Day Tour to Colca Canyon: $43
- 2 Days Colca Living Experience Nature Culture and Tradition: $173
- 2 days 1 night Colca Canyon tour ending in Puno: $145
- 2 days and 1 night tour in the Colca Canyon: $205
- 2-Day Group Tour to Colca Canyon from Arequipa: $230
- 2-Day Hiking Tour to the Colca Canyon: $120
- 2-Day Tour to the Magical Colca Canyon: $68
- 3-day Colca Canyon Trek Tour Adventure: $90
- 3-hour guided tour in Arequipa: $65
- 8-Hours Tour in Arequipa Laguna de Salinas with Pick-up: $30
- Añashuayco Quarries and Sillar Route Tour from Arequipa: $25
- Afternoon : Arequipa Walking tour: $55
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMelaka $8.52Arequipa $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:
-
Beer$2.65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Melaka and Arequipa, we can see that Arequipa is more expensive. And not only is Melaka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Melaka is in Asia and Arequipa is in South America, 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 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 Arequipa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arequipa 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 Melaka Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Melaka or Arequipa?
Arequipa has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Melaka. When comparing the sizes of Melaka and Arequipa, 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.