Should you visit Melaka or Singapore?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Melaka or Singapore, 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 Singapore?
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.
Singapore
Singapore is a city-state that was originally founded in 1819 as a British trading colony. Today it is a very international country that is incredibly modern and cosmopolitan. There is a strong financial industry in this country, and a correspondingly strong work ethic. It is one of the most prosperous cities in the world, and has one of the world's busiest ports.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Budget Tours to Singapore, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Singapore.
Which place is cheaper, Singapore or Melaka?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Melaka is $33, while the average daily cost in Singapore is $179. 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 Singapore in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Melaka or Singapore? 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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melaka
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Melaka are as follows:
-
Taxi
$4.75
-
Bus Ride
$0.36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melaka
Also for Melaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Malacca Hotels to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Departure Transfer:
$52
-
Private Transfer from Kuala Lumpur Airport (KUL) to Malacca Port:
$66
-
Chauffeur: Malacca to Fraser's Hill Transfer [Van]:
$80
-
Chauffeur: Malacca to Cameron Highlands Transfer [Van]:
$80
-
~Chauffeur: Malacca to Kuantan Transfer [Van]:
$81
-
Malacca Hotel to Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Door to Door) Transfer:
$99
-
Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Kuala Lumpur city :
$120
-
Private Transfer : National Park Kuala Tahan to Cameron Highlands:
$165
-
Private Transfer : Taman Negara Kuala Tahan to Cameron Highlands:
$165
-
Chauffeur: Malacca to Mersing Transfer [Car]:
$212
-
Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Shah Alam City:
$239
-
Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Johor Bahru city:
$251
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Singapore
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Singapore:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Singapore
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Singapore:
-
Small Group Full Day Singapore City Tour with Roundtrip Transfers:
$280
-
Singapore to Tioman island (Mersing jetty) - Private Transfer:
$270
-
Transfer to Zoo/Night Safari/Bird Paradise/Rainforest Asia:
$233
-
Harbourfront Cruise Center, Singapore to Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Door to Door) Transfer:
$215
-
Singapore Zoo & Night Safari Day ( Tickets & Transfer ) :
$201
-
Singapore City Tour with Roundtrip Transfer:
$192
-
Singapore Zoo & River Wonder Day Ticket & Transfer :
$190
-
Singapore Bird Park & River Wonder (Tickets & Transfer ) :
$190
-
Singapore Bird Paradise & Zoo Full Day (Ticket & Transfer ) :
$182
-
Singapore River Cruise with Two Way Return Transfer:
$180
-
Singapore River & Night Safari-COMBO (Shared Transfer):
$180
-
Sentosa Deluxe and Roundtrip Transfers:
$180
Is it cheaper to fly into Melaka or Singapore?
Prices for flights to both Singapore 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 $20
Singapore $50
Typical Food Prices in Melaka
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Melaka:
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
Typical Food Prices in Singapore
Some typical examples of dining costs in Singapore are as follows:
-
Breakfast
$4.75
-
Sugarcane Juice
$1.56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Singapore
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Singapore.
-
Secrets of Singapore Kick Scooter Tour with Dinner:
$53
-
Chinatown Food Tour with 6 Tastings:
$54
-
Secrets of Singapore Kick Scooter Tour with Dinner:
$55
-
Singapore Food Tours - Chinatown Complex Hawker:
$58
-
Authentic Singapore Street Food Tour:
$60
-
Plant-Based Food Tour with Local Guide:
$61
-
Small Group: Michelin and Local Hawker Food Tour:
$68
-
Hawker Center Street Food Tour with Guide:
$68
-
Guided Street Food Tour at Night:
$74
-
Local Hawker Food Tour with Tastings:
$74
-
Hawker Culture Food Tour and Sightseeing:
$75
-
Eat and Snap in Chinatown Walking Food Tour:
$76
Entertainment
Typical Entertainment Prices in Melaka
For Melaka, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Maritime Museum Entrance
$0.71
-
Taming Sari Revolving Tower Entrance
$4.75
-
Trishaw Tour (One Hour)
$11
-
Baba and Nyonya Peranakan Museum Entrance
$2.38
-
Melaka Zoo Entrance
$1.66
-
Low Cost Kite
$0.71
-
Malacca Duck Tour
$9.51
-
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.
-
Malaysia: Melaka Upside Down House Entry Ticket:
$7.15
-
Malaysia Melaka - Breakout Escape Game E-Ticket:
$13
-
Malaysia: Melaka A'famosa Water Park & Safari Wonderland Ticket:
$15
-
Essential Self-Guided Tour of it's UNESCO Heritage Centre:
$15
-
A'Famosa Safari and Water Park in Melaka Ticket (Only Malaysian):
$28
-
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 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
Tours and Activities in Singapore
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Singapore are as follows:
-
Marina Bay Sands SkyPark for Observation Deck Ticket singapore:
$40
-
Private Singapore Tour: Bus and Car Transportation:
$200
-
Singapore Early Migrants Tour:
$140
-
Singapore River Cruise Tour Ticket Pass:
$29
-
#16Hrs Melaka Highlights Van Tour from Singapore w' Tour Guide:
$143
-
(Small Group) Night Wonders of Cruise & Light Shows:
$79
-
(Small Group) Starry Night Singapore Sentosa Tour :
$119
-
1-way Singapore hotel pickup (Batam private tour guests only):
$120
-
2 Pax Bundle Singapore River Cruise and Stunning Light Shows:
$70
-
3 Hour Private Sunset Tour in Singapore:
$256
-
3h Chinatown, Little India,Arab Street SPANISH Walking Tour:
$81
-
3h Historical Civic District & Marina Bay Walking Tour:
$68
Alcohol
Sample the Local Flavors in Singapore
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Singapore:
-
Party Singapore Bespoke Pub Crawl:
$30
-
Singapore Pub Crawl:
$36
-
Singapore Pub Crawl - Party like a Local:
$39
-
Brass Lion Gin Distillery Tour Ticket:
$41
-
LeVeL33 Rooftop Brewery Tour & Craft Beer Tasting:
$77
-
LeVeL33 Craft-Brewery Restaurant & Lounge Package:
$192
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Melaka and Singapore, we can see that Singapore 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 Singapore would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Singapore 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 Singapore Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Melaka or Singapore?
Singapore has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Melaka. When comparing the sizes of Melaka and Singapore, 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.
Related Articles for Melaka
Related Articles for Singapore