A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Melaka vs. Kyoto for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Melaka or Kyoto?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Melaka or Kyoto, 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 Kyoto?

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.

Kyoto

Kyoto is a larger city of Japan, though it is very much set in the old ways. With quiet temples, sublime gardens, colorful shrines, and geisha walking amidst a city surrounded by stunning mountains, Kyoto feels like a world of another time and place. True to ancient Japanese tradition, most aspects of daily life are tied closely with the changing of the seasons.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.


Which place is cheaper, Kyoto or Melaka?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Melaka is $21, while the average daily cost in Kyoto is $96. 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 Kyoto in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Melaka $8.38
    Kyoto $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Melaka $17
    Kyoto $126
Compare Hotels in Melaka and Kyoto

Looking for a hotel in Melaka or Kyoto? 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 Melaka


Hotels in Kyoto


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 Kyoto Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Melaka $1.84
    Kyoto $7.55
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melaka

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Melaka are as follows:


  • Taxi
    $4.19
  • 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 Desaru Transfer [Van]: $83
  • Chauffeur: Malacca to Fraser's Hill Transfer [Car]: $216
  • Chauffeur: Malacca to Kuantan Transfer [Car]: $241
  • Chauffeur: Malacca to Kuantan Transfer [Van]: $95
  • Chauffeur: Malacca to Mersing Transfer [Car]: $201
  • Local Transfer: Kuala Tembeling Jetty (Taman Negara) to Kuala Lumpur City Hotels: $72
  • Malacca City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Airport 1-way Transfer: $43
  • Malacca City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Airport 1-way Transfer: $50
  • Malacca City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City Hotels 1-way Transfer: $50
  • Malacca City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Hotels 1-way Transfer: $43
  • Malacca Hotels to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Departure Transfer: $52

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:

  • Chubu Centrair Airport to/from Kyoto Private Transfer: $553
  • Customizable Private Tour with Hotel Transfers: $504
  • From Private 1-Way Transfer to Kansai Airport: $316
  • One-Way Private Transfer to/from Itami Airport: $316
  • Kyoto Early Bird Half Day Private Tour with Transfer: $291
  • Kansai Int Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $264
  • Kansai Intl. Airport KIX Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $222
  • Osaka City to/from Kyoto City Private transfer: $221
  • Osaka (Itami) Airport ITM Private Transfer to/from Kyoto: $212
  • Kansai Airport (KIX): Private One-Way Transfer to/from Kyoto: $207
  • Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kyoto City Private Transfer: $136
  • Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $107

Is it cheaper to fly into Melaka or Kyoto?

Prices for flights to both Kyoto 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 day
    Melaka $10
    Kyoto $24
Typical Food Prices in Melaka

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Melaka:


  • Sitdown Lunch (for Two)
    $6.29
  • Dinner at the Market (for Two)
    $2.73
  • Asam Pedas (Fish Curry)
    $1.26
  • Taiwanese Noodle Soup
    $1.05
  • Sitdown Dinner (for Two)
    $6.71

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.

  • Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $40
  • Japanese Washoku Bento Cooking Class with Lunch: $41
  • Nishiki Market Brunch Walking Food Tour: $45
  • Japanese Home Cooking Lesson with Local Hosts in Peaceful Kyoto Suburb Otsu: $49
  • Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $59
  • Morning Japanese Bento Cooking Class: $59
  • Afternoon Japanese Izakaya Cooking Class: $59
  • Japanese Cooking Class: $60
  • Sushi - Authentic Japanese Cooking Class - the best souvenir from Kyoto!: $61
  • Japanese Udon and Sushi Cooking Class with Tastings: $62
  • Wagashi(Japanese sweets) Cooking :Kyoto near Fushimiinari: $63
  • Japanese Udon and Sushi Cooking Class with Tastings: $63

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Melaka $3.55
    Kyoto $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Melaka

For Melaka, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Maritime Museum Entrance
    $0.63
  • Taming Sari Revolving Tower Entrance
    $4.19
  • Trishaw Tour (One Hour)
    $9.43
  • Baba and Nyonya Peranakan Museum Entrance
    $2.10
  • Melaka Zoo Entrance
    $1.47
  • Low Cost Kite
    $0.63
  • Malacca Duck Tour
    $8.39
  • 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.

  • Melaka Upside Down House Admission Tickets: $4.49
  • Melaka Upside Down House Admission Tickets: $12
  • Malacca Illusion 3D Art Museum Admission Tickets: $19
  • Malacca City Hotels To Kuala Lumpur Airport EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $48
  • Malacca City To Kuala Lumpur City En-route Putrajaya Tour: $49
  • Malacca City Hotels To Kuala Lumpur City Hotels En-route Putrajaya Tour: $49
  • Malacca To Kuala Lumpur EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $61
  • Malacca City To Kuala Lumpur City EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $61
  • *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
  • Malacca Instagram Tour: Top Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $219
  • Malacca Shore Excursion from Cruise Port with Local Guide & Lunch: $222

Tours and Activities in Kyoto

Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2 Hour Walking Historic Gion Tour in Kyoto Geisha Spotting Area: $300
  • Kyoto Private Full-day Walking Tour from Kyoto Station: $149
  • "Unlock Kyoto's Charm: Government-Certified Group Tour: $90
  • 1 Day Hiking Tour in the Mountains of Kyoto: $168
  • 1-Hour Japanese Archery Experience in Kyoto: $42
  • 1-Hour Japanese Archery Experience in Kyoto: $38
  • 1.5 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience: $61
  • 10 Hrs Full day Kyoto Tour w/Hotel Pick-up: $568
  • 2 Hour Night Walking Tour Throughout Gion in a Small Group: $32
  • 2 Hours Shared Kendo Experience In Kyoto Japan: $116
  • 2-Hour Miko Small Group Experience at Takenobu Inari Jinja Shrine: $58
  • 2-Hour Shopping Tour Plan / private: $126

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Melaka $7.27
    Kyoto $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto

Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Japanese Sake Brewery and Fushimi Inari Sightseeing Tour: $18
  • Kyoto Local Bar Crawl in Kawaramachi Area: $39
  • Sake Brewery and Tasting Tour in Fushimi: $80
  • Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Sake and Food Pairing: $83
  • Rural Brewery Town Walk: Half-Day Private Tour Near Kyoto: $97
  • Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour: $153
  • Rural Villages & Brewery Town: Private 1-Day Cycling Near Kyoto: $181
  • Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $189
  • Kyoto Sake Bar and Pub Crawl (Food & Sake Tour): $194
  • Kyoto Sake Brewery Tour with Lunch: $236
  • Kyoto Nightlife: Local Bar Crawl Experience: $435


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Melaka and Kyoto, we can see that Kyoto 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 Kyoto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kyoto 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 Kyoto Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Melaka or Kyoto?

Kyoto has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Melaka. When comparing the sizes of Melaka and Kyoto, 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.