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

Should you visit Melbourne or Guatemala City?

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

Should I visit Melbourne or Guatemala City? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Melbourne or Guatemala City?

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.

Guatemala City

Referred to by the locals as "Guate," Guatemala City is the largest and most modern city in Guatemala, as well as its capital. While the atmosphere of the place is big, dirty, and dangerous with city fumes and skyscrapers, it is the hub of the country. It is the place where travelers first step foot into Guatemala and, though it is a place of modern chaos, it does have some of the best galleries and museums as well as a selection of bars, cafes, and restaurants.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Guatemala, and The Best Adventure Tours to Guatemala.


Which place is cheaper, Guatemala City or Melbourne?

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 Melbourne is $213, while the average daily cost in Guatemala City is $56. 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 Melbourne and Guatemala City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Melbourne $130
    Guatemala City $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Melbourne $260
    Guatemala City $50
Compare Hotels in Melbourne and Guatemala City

Looking for a hotel in Melbourne or Guatemala City? 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 Melbourne


Hotels in Guatemala City


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 and Guatemala City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Melbourne $21
    Guatemala City $6.28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melbourne

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


  • Airport Bus
    $11
  • Tram Ride
    $2.71

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melbourne

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

  • Melbourne Airport: Express Bus Transfer to/from City Center: $16
  • Express Bus Transfer to or from Melbourne City Center: $21
  • Melbourne Airport to City/CBD Private transfers 4 or more: $32
  • Melbourne CBD/City to MEL Airport Private Transfer 4 or more: $32
  • Melbourne Airport(Tullamarine): Shared Transfer to Melbourne: $32
  • MEL Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $40
  • Melbourne Private Taxi Airport Transfers and Day Trips: $57
  • Airport to City Private Transfer (One-way): $66
  • Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) Private one way transfer: $75
  • Private Transfer from Melbourne Port to Melbourne Airport (MEL): $80
  • Private Transfer from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Melbourne Port: $80
  • Nighttime Private City Tour with Transfer & Stops: $81

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:

  • Transfer from La Aurora airport to Antigua Guatemala.: $80
  • Transfer Private Group Airport to Antigua or Viceversa: $120
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Hotels: $43
  • Private transfer from Airport to Panajachel: $78
  • Private Transfers from Guatemala city to Panajachel: $200
  • Private Transfer: Guatemala City Airpot(GUA) to Antigua Guatemala: $29
  • Private Transfer from La Aurora International Airport to Antigua: $32
  • Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Puerto Quetzal Port: $206
  • Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Panajachel or Atitlan: $254
  • Private Transfer from Guatemala City to Antigua: $74
  • Private Transfer from Guatemala Airport GUA to Lake Atitlán: $96
  • Private Transfer from Airport to Santa Catarina Palopó: $88

Is it cheaper to fly into Melbourne or Guatemala City?

Prices for flights to both Guatemala City and Melbourne 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
    Melbourne $57
    Guatemala City $27
Typical Food Prices in Melbourne

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


  • Coffee
    $2.85
  • Pizza
    $4.99

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melbourne

For Melbourne, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Melbourne Flavors: Queen Victoria Market Food Tour: $40
  • Queen Victoria Market: 'Flavours of Australia' Food Tour: $52
  • Multicultural Markets Food Tour – Melbourne’s Global Tastes: $55
  • Inner North Street Food Tour: $72
  • Street Food Tour in Melbourne's Inner North: $78
  • Sunset Kayak Tour with Dinner: $79
  • Best of Little Italy Dinner Tour: $92
  • Chinese Dumpling Cooking Class with a Drink: $99
  • Secret Food Tour: $109
  • Melbourne Food Tour with 8+ Food Tastings in Hidden Laneways: $116
  • Yarra Valley Full Day Grazing Tour: Gin, Wine, Pizza, Cheese: $125
  • Spanish Hands on Cooking Class: $128

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City

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

  • Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
  • Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $188
  • Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza Surrounded by The Volcano: $195

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Melbourne $30
    Guatemala City $1.23

Tours and Activities in Melbourne

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

  • Melbourne (St Kilda) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.41
  • Marvellous A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Melbourne Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.42
  • Scienceworks Entry Ticket: $9.92
  • Immigration Museum Entry Ticket: $9.92
  • Melbourne Gardens Explorer Minibus Tour: $9.92
  • Self Guided Walking Tour in Melbourne St Kilda Penguins: $9.99
  • Questo Self-guided Haunted Melbourne Walking Tour: $11
  • Melbourne Museum Entry Ticket: $12
  • Ghosts, Murder, and Mystery Self-Guided Walking Tour: $12
  • Melbourne Ghosts of Williamstown Self Guided Walking Tour: $12
  • Melbourne Museum Guided Tour with Entry Ticket: $19

Tours and Activities in Guatemala City

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Guatemala City are as follows:

  • 1 Day Lake Atitlan Tour from Guatemala City: $150
  • 2-Day Tour: Antigua Guatemala, Lake Atitlan and Hobbitenango: $299
  • 2in1 Tour: Avocado Farm + Private Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $199
  • 3-Day Antigua Guatemala and Pacaya Volcano Adventure: $256
  • Antigua + Guatemala City Full Day Tour - History Lovers Favorite: $245
  • Antigua City Tour from Guatemala City: $78
  • Antigua Guatemala Cultural Tour History and Gastronomy: $100
  • Antigua Guatemala Full-Day Shared City Tour: $54
  • Antigua Guatemala Full-Day Tour from Guatemala City: $79
  • Antigua Guatemala NIGHT Photo Tour FROM Guatemala City: $125
  • Antigua walking tour from Guatemala City: $90
  • Bike Tour to Antigua Villages from Guatemala City: $175

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Melbourne $18
    Guatemala City $6.96
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
    $5.52

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: $19
  • Saturday Melbourne Bar Crawl: $19
  • Weekly Bar Crawl: 5 Free shots, Club Entry: $20
  • Spirits and Ales Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $26
  • Melbourne Music Venue Pub Crawl with History + 2 Free Drinks: $26
  • MELBOURNE Spirits and Ales Haunted Pub Tour: $28
  • Rock'n'roll venues pub crawl including 2 free drinks and history: $57
  • Chocolate and wine tasting tour in the Yarra Valley.: $73
  • Relaxed Half Day Yarra Valley Wine Tasting Tour from Melbourne: $78
  • Yarra Valley Wine Tour with Gin, Cider & Chocolate: $82
  • Yarra Valley Wine Tour from Melbourne - Choc, Gin & Good Times: $82
  • New Chocolate and wine tasting tour in the Yarra Valley: $89


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Melbourne and Guatemala City, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Guatemala City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Melbourne is in Pacific and Guatemala City is in Central 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 Guatemala City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guatemala City 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 Guatemala City.

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


Which is Bigger, Melbourne or Guatemala City?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Guatemala City. When comparing the sizes of Melbourne and Guatemala City, 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.