Which place is cheaper, Gold Coast or Melaka?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Melaka or Gold Coast?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Melaka or Gold Coast, 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 Gold Coast?
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.
Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is one of Australia's premier destinations. Famous for gorgeous beaches, warm weather, watersports, and plenty of activities for all ages, millions of tourists from Australia as well as everywhere in the world flock to this region every year. With beaches, national parks, theme parks, shopping and dining, nice resorts, boating, fishing, diving, theme parks and more, the Gold Coast offers something for everyone.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia, and The Best Photography Tours in Australia.
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Melaka Prices
Malaysia PricesGold Coast Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMelaka $33Gold Coast $119
The average daily cost (per person) in Melaka is $33, while the average daily cost in Gold Coast is $119. 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 Gold Coast in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMelaka $9.51Gold Coast $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMelaka $19Gold Coast $110
Compare Hotels in Melaka and Gold Coast
Looking for a hotel in Melaka or Gold Coast? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Melaka $2.09Gold Coast $23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melaka
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Melaka are as follows:
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Taxi$4.75
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Bus Ride$0.36
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]: $281
- Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Johor Bahru city: $251
- Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Shah Alam City: $239
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Mersing Transfer [Car]: $212
- Private Transfer : Taman Negara Kuala Tahan to Cameron Highlands: $165
- Private Transfer : National Park Kuala Tahan to Cameron Highlands: $165
- Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Kuala Lumpur city : $120
- Malacca Hotel to Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Door to Door) Transfer: $99
- ~Chauffeur: Malacca to Kuantan Transfer [Van]: $81
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Fraser's Hill Transfer [Van]: $80
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Cameron Highlands Transfer [Van]: $80
- Private Transfer from Kuala Lumpur Airport (KUL) to Malacca Port: $66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gold Coast
Also for Gold Coast, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Gold Coast Airport Arrival Transfer to Byron Bay: $140
- Arrival Transfer: Airport OOL to Gold Coast by Luxury Van: $139
- Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Luxury Car: $139
- Departure Private Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Luxury Van: $133
- From Gold Coast : Australia Zoo Transfer and Entry Ticket: $131
- Arrival Transfer: Airport OOL to Gold Coast by Business Car: $113
- Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Airport OOL to Gold Coast in Business Car: $108
- Gold Coast Airport Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Business Car: $108
- Departure Private Transfer: Gold Coast to Airport OOL in Business Car: $108
- Gold Coast to Byron Bay scenic One Way Transfer: $81
- Chill Out at Byron Bay Bus Transfer: $72
- Mt Tamborine Shuttle Service - Gold Coast Return Transfer: $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Melaka or Gold Coast?
Prices for flights to both Gold Coast 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
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Food Meals for one dayMelaka $20Gold Coast $47
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)$7.13
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Dinner at the Market (for Two)$3.09
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Asam Pedas (Fish Curry)$1.43
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Taiwanese Noodle Soup$1.19
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$7.61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melaka
For Melaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Peranakan and Malay Cooking Class in Malacca: $90
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Gold Coast
For Gold Coast, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Australian Outback Spectacular Dinner & Show: $79
- Brisbane/Sunset, Dinner, Stars/Premium Telescope: $79
- Gold Coast Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $87
- Gold Coast Private Sunset Sailing Charter w/ dinner & drinks: $309
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Melaka $4.03Gold Coast $19
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$0.71
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Taming Sari Revolving Tower Entrance$4.75
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Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$11
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Baba and Nyonya Peranakan Museum Entrance$2.38
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Melaka Zoo Entrance$1.66
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Low Cost Kite$0.71
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Malacca Duck Tour$9.51
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Melaka River Cruise (One Hour)$2.38
Tours and Activities in Melaka
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Melaka.
- *13 Hrs Best of Melaka Full Day Flexible Van Tour w' Tour Guide: $84
- A'Famosa Safari and Water Park in Melaka Ticket (Only Malaysian): $28
- Essential Self-Guided Tour of it's UNESCO Heritage Centre: $15
- From Kuala Lumpur Full Day A'Famosa Theme Park Experience: $40
- 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 Hotels To Kuala Lumpur Hotels En-route Putrajaya Tour: $49
- Malacca Instagram Tour: Top Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $328
- Malacca Shore Excursion with Professional Tour Guide & Lunch: $228
- Malacca Shore Excursion with Tour Guide & Baba Nyonya Lunch: $228
Tours and Activities in Gold Coast
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gold Coast.
- 1 Hour Amore Tour: $235
- 1.5 hr Jet Ski Safari tour to South Stradbroke Island!: $201
- 2 Hour Ultimate Learn to Surf Adventure: $44
- 2 Hours Dolphin Kayaking & Snorkeling Tour on the Broadwater: $58
- 2-Day Dreamworld and SkyPoint Admission Ticket: $87
- 2.5 hr Jet Ski Safaris tour - Ultimate Adventure + island stop: $268
- 30 Minutes Virtual Reality Gaming Experience in Southport: $40
- Aquaduck Gold Coast 1 hour City and River Tour: $39
- Barefoot Luxury Mount Tamborine Winery Tour from Gold Coast: $220
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $108
- Book Private Tour for Banff-Yoho-Kootenay & Jasper Parks: $682
- Brisbane: Springbrook 7 Waterfalls and Natural Bridge Tour: $125
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMelaka $8.25Gold Coast $5.23
Sample the Local Flavors in Gold Coast
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gold Coast:
- Granddad Jack's Distillery Gin Tasting & Talk: $43
- Queensland Distillery Tour: $76
- Craft Distillery and Brewery Tour on Gold Coast: $77
- Sirromet Wine Tasting and Blending Workshop for 2: $84
- Wine, Distillery & Rainforest Day Tour: $151
- Private Bespoke Hinterland Heritage Wine Tour: $161
- Tamborine Mountain Wine Tour with 2-Course Lunch: $165
- Full-Day Guided Wine Tour in Mt Tamborine From Gold Coast : $167
- Luxury Wine Tour with Gourmet Lunch & Distillery: $197
- Gold Coast and Craft Brewery VIP Tour from Brisbane: $956
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Melaka and Gold Coast, we can see that Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast 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 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 Gold Coast would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gold Coast 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 Gold Coast Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Melaka or Gold Coast?
Gold Coast has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Melaka. When comparing the sizes of Melaka and Gold Coast, 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.