Which place is cheaper, Lima or Melbourne?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Melbourne or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Melbourne or Lima? 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 Lima?
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.
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
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 Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
-
Melbourne Prices
Australia PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMelbourne $208Lima $97
The average daily cost (per person) in Melbourne is $208, while the average daily cost in Lima is $97. 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 Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMelbourne $127Lima $53
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMelbourne $254Lima $106
Compare Hotels in Melbourne and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Melbourne or Lima? 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 and Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Melbourne $21Lima $6.21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melbourne
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Melbourne:
-
Airport Bus$11
-
Tram Ride$2.65
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
- 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
- Melbourne (Tullamarine) Airport: Shared Transfer to Melbourne: $37
- MEL Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $40
- Transfer Melbourne Airport MEL to City Centre/St Kilda/Hawthorne: $45
- Airport to City Private Transfer (One-way): $66
- Private Transfer from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Melbourne Port: $79
- Nighttime Private City Tour with Transfer & Stops: $81
- Private Car Transfer Melbourne Airport To CBD: $85
- Melbourne Private Taxi Airport Transfers and Day Trips: $85
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$5.88
-
Taxi Ride$5.88
-
Short Taxi Ride$4.41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Lima APT-HTL (LIM): $34
- Transfer: Lima City Center to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $14
- Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima City Center: $15
- Transfer from the Airport to hotels in Lima: $30
- Transfer by official taxi from Jorge Chávez Lima Airport: $35
- Transfer by car from the airport to the hotel: $60
- Transfer To Lima Airport: $20
- Tour Night Magic Water Park and Ravine with Transfer: $49
- Tour Magic Water Park in Lima with Small Group Transfer: $38
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores: $5.95
- Private taxi transfer: Lima Jorge Chávez Airport – Safe: $14
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $196
Is it cheaper to fly into Melbourne or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima 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 dayMelbourne $56Lima $33
Typical Food Prices in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Coffee$2.79
-
Pizza$4.89
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
- Inner North Street Food Tour: $72
- Sunset Kayak Tour with Dinner: $79
- Melbourne Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $87
- Best of Little Italy Dinner Tour: $92
- Chinese Dumpling Cooking Class with a Drink: $99
- Secret Food Tour: $109
- Pizza Making Party: $113
- Yarra Valley Full Day Grazing Tour: Gin, Wine, Pizza, Cheese: $125
- Spanish Hands on Cooking Class: $128
- Choose Your Asian Cuisine Cooking Masterclass: $130
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
-
Lunch for Two$4.71
-
Ice cream$3.82
-
Coffee$3.23
-
Donut$1.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Food tours on the forbidden side of Lima (Min. 3 Guests – Max. 6): $5.00
- Lima Street Food Tour: Taste Authentic Peruvian Delights: $45
- Dinner at Mangos Larcomar Restaurant: $48
- #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!: $49
- Lima Street Food Tour : Try the best Peruvian street food: $49
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $50
- Private Churros Cooking Class, Miraflores & Hotel Pickup: $50
- Private Cooking Class in Causa & Lomo Saltado: $50
- Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima: $55
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
- Dinner at the Cala Restaurant in Lima: $63
- Lima Market Food Tour: $65
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Melbourne $29Lima $9.38
Tours and Activities in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Fitzroy Noir Mystery Crimes and the Occult Tour: $3.56
- Melbourne St Kilda Self-Guided Walking City Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $4.97
- Melbourne Audio Guided Walking Tour 2h20 and 20 reviews: $6.88
- Melbourne Vampire Quest: Self-Guided Gothic Adventure: $8.15
- Marvellous A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Melbourne Gardens Explorer Minibus Tour: $9.92
- Scienceworks Entry Ticket: $9.92
- Immigration Museum Entry Ticket: $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
- Melbourne Ghosts of Williamstown Self Guided Walking Tour: $12
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
-
Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$18
-
Movie Tickets$2.50
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- 1 Day Tour to Huacachina from Lima (Dunebuggy + Vineyards): $225
- 2 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $279
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Ballestas Island and Huacachina: $134
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $134
- 3 Day Tour From Paracas, Huacachina Oasis & Pisco Vineyard: $159
- 3 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $289
- 3 Days Tour of Paracas Huacachina and Nazca: $275
- 3 Hour Private Electric Scooter Tour of Lima: $75
- 3 Hours Walking Tour of Lima Old Town and Catacumbs: $59
- 3-Day Tour Discover Paracas and Huacachina from Lima: $260
- 4 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $299
- 8-Hour Private Tour Lima Viceroyalty and Gold Museum with Lunch: $120
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMelbourne $18Lima $6.10
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$5.41
Sample the Local Flavors in Melbourne
Also in Melbourne, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Saturday Melbourne Bar Crawl: $18
- Tuesday Melbourne Bar Crawl: $19
- Melbourne Pub 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
- New Chocolate and wine tasting tour in the Yarra Valley: $89
- Yarra Valley Wine Tour w Exclusive Gin, Cider & Chocolate Tasting: $93
- Yarra Valley Wine Tour from Melbourne - Choc, Gin & Good Times: $93
- Yarra Valley: Bus Wine Tour with Lunch and a Glass of Wine: $116
- Yarra Valley Wine Tour inc lunch with a glass of wine, tastings and chocolate: $125
- Yarra Valley Wine Tour & Lunch & Gin/Beer Option: $129
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
-
Bottle of Wine$7.91
-
Beer$4.41
-
Cocktail$3.53
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Free Pub Crawl: $5.00
- Discover Barranco's Nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $22
- Discover Miraflores nightlife with Bar Crawl Lima: $24
- Lima Nightlife Tour & Society – Cultural Pub Crawl: $50
- Full Day Paracas, Huacachina and Wine Tasting from Lima: $139
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Melbourne and Lima, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Melbourne is in Pacific and Lima is in South 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 Lima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lima 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 Lima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Melbourne Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Melbourne or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Melbourne. When comparing the sizes of Melbourne and Lima, 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 Lima?
Melbourne has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Melbourne or Lima in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Lima. Most visitors come to Melbourne for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
In January, Melbourne is generally around the same temperature as Limain July. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 20°C (68°F), and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Melbourne this time of the year. In the summer, Melbourne often gets more sunshine than Limain July. Melbourne gets 271 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun.
Melbourne usually gets more rain in January than Limain July. Melbourne gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyMelbourne 20°C (68°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Melbourne or Lima in the Autumn?
Both Lima and Melbourne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Melbourne is cooler than Lima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.
Melbourne usually receives more sunshine than Lima during autumn. Melbourne gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In April, Melbourne usually receives more rain than Limain October. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberMelbourne 15°C (60°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Melbourne or Lima in the Winter?
Both Lima and Melbourne during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
In the winter, Melbourne is much colder than Lima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Melbourne in July average around 9°C (49°F), and Lima averages at about 23°C (73°F)in January.
In the winter, Melbourne often gets less sunshine than Limain January. Melbourne gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun.
Melbourne usually gets more rain in July than Limain January. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMelbourne 9°C (49°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Melbourne or Lima in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Lima. Many travelers come to Melbourne for the beaches and the activities around the city. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Melbourne is generally much colder than Limain April. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 14°C (57°F), and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
In Melbourne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Melbourne usually receives more sunshine than Lima during spring. Melbourne gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Melbourne usually receives more rain than Limain April. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilMelbourne 14°C (57°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Melbourne
| Melbourne | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (65°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 13°C (55°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (49°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 10°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (53°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (61°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.