Which place is cheaper, Havana or Melbourne?
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 Melbourne or Havana?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Melbourne or Havana? 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 Havana?
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.
Havana
The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).
This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia.
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Melbourne Prices
Australia PricesHavana Prices
Cuba Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMelbourne $195Havana $74
The average daily cost (per person) in Melbourne is $195, while the average daily cost in Havana is $74. 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 Havana in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMelbourne $119Havana $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMelbourne $238Havana $84
Compare Hotels in Melbourne and Havana
Looking for a hotel in Melbourne or Havana? 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: Melbourne Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Melbourne $20Havana $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melbourne
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Melbourne:
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Airport Bus$10
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Tram Ride$2.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melbourne
Also for Melbourne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers & Day Tours in a Chauffeur-Driven Luxury Van: $128
- Airport Transfers - Chauffeur Car & Limo Services of Melbourne: $101
- Airport to City Private Transfers : $128
- Avalon Airport Transfers: $168
- Ballarat - Melbourne Airport Transfers: $178
- CBD to Melbourne Airport Private Transfer - 11 traveler's: $129
- Express Bus Transfer to or from Melbourne City Center: $19
- Luxury Airport Transfer to Melbourne CBD : $85
- Luxury Private Airport Transfer Melbourne: $104
- MEL Airport Transfer to Melbourne CBD Private Van Hire: $201
- MEL Airport to CBD Private transfers 4 or more: $33
- Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport: Shared Transfer to Melbourne: $33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.68
Is it cheaper to fly into Melbourne or Havana?
Prices for flights to both Havana 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
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Food Meals for one dayMelbourne $53Havana $18
Typical Food Prices in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee$2.62
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Pizza$4.58
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
- Multicultural Markets Food Tour – Melbourne’s Global Tastes: $51
- Queen Victoria Market: 'Flavours of Australia' Food Tour: $52
- Queen Victoria Market Early Access Food Tour: $53
- Eynesbury Homestead Dinner and Ghost Tour: $54
- Inner North Street Food Tour: $72
- Sunset Kayak Tour with Dinner: $79
- Melbourne Sunset Kayaking Experience with Dinner: $81
- Melbourne Private Multicultural Markets Food Tour: $86
- Best of Little Italy Dinner Tour: $92
- Carlton a Little Italy Dinner Tour: $93
- Chinese Dumpling Cooking Class with a Drink: $99
Typical Food Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:
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Pizza$0.03
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Melbourne $27Havana $11
Tours and Activities in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Melbourne Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $4.81
- Melbourne (St Kilda) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.41
- Melbourne City Centre Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.45
- Melbourne Vampire Quest: Self-Guided Gothic Adventure: $7.20
- Melbourne Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Immigration Museum Entry Ticket: $9.92
- Melbourne Gardens Explorer Minibus Tour: $9.92
- Scienceworks Entry Ticket: $9.92
- Questo Self-guided Haunted Melbourne Walking Tour: $11
- Melbourne Museum Entry Ticket: $12
- Upside Down House Photo Experience in Australia: $13
- Melbourne Museum Entry Ticket: $13
Tours and Activities in Havana
Here are a few actual costs in Havana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private: City Tour with Lunch, Rum, and Chocolate: $2,000
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMelbourne $17Havana $5.76
Typical Alcohol Prices in Melbourne
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Melbourne from other travelers:
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Bottle of Wine$5.07
Sample the Local Flavors in Melbourne
Also in Melbourne, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Melbourne Christmas Bar Crawl: $15
- Melbourne Pub Crawl (Batmania Tours): $19
- Weekly Bar Crawl: 5 Free shots, Club Entry: $20
- Melbourne Halloween Bar Crawl: $24
- Spirits and Ales Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $26
- MELBOURNE Spirits and Ales Haunted Pub Tour: $26
- Melbourne Music Venue Pub Crawl with History + 2 Free Drinks: $26
- Laid back, Yarra Valley Wine Tour: Wine, Cider, Gin, Beer + Choc: $87
- New Chocolate and wine tasting tour in the Yarra Valley: $89
- Cruise Ship Friendly Yarra Valley Wine Tour with Port Pickup: $114
- Yarra Valley: Bus Wine Tour with Lunch and a Glass of Wine: $116
- Yarra Valley Wine Tour & Lunch & Gin/Beer Option: $129
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:
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Mojito$0.15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Melbourne and Havana, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Melbourne is in Pacific and Havana is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Havana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Havana 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 Havana.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Melbourne Expensive? and Is Havana Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Melbourne or Havana?
Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 72% larger than the population of Havana. When comparing the sizes of Melbourne and Havana, 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.
When is the best time to visit Melbourne or Havana?
Melbourne has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Melbourne or Havana in the Summer?
Both Havana and Melbourne during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round.
In the summer, Melbourne is cooler than Havana. Typically, the summer temperatures in Melbourne in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Havana averages at about 27°C (81°F)in July.
Melbourne usually gets less rain in January than Havanain July. Melbourne gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Havana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyMelbourne 20°C (68°F)Havana 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Melbourne or Havana in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Havana. Many travelers come to Melbourne for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Melbourne is generally much colder than Havanain October. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 15°C (60°F), and Havana fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In April, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Havanain October. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Havana receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberMelbourne 15°C (60°F)Havana 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Melbourne or Havana in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Havana. Many visitors come to Melbourne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year.
Melbourne is much colder than Havana in the winter. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 9°C (49°F) in July, and Havana fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.
Melbourne usually gets more rain in July than Havanain January. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Havana receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMelbourne 9°C (49°F)Havana 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Melbourne or Havana in the Spring?
Both Havana and Melbourne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Melbourne for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Melbourne is much colder than Havana. Typically, the spring temperatures in Melbourne in October average around 14°C (57°F), and Havana averages at about 24°C (75°F)in April.
In October, Melbourne usually receives more rain than Havanain April. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Havana receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilMelbourne 14°C (57°F)Havana 24°C (75°F)
Typical Weather for Havana and Melbourne
| Melbourne | Havana | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (65°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| May | 13°C (55°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (49°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 10°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (53°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (61°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
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.