Which place is cheaper, Lima or Melbourne?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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 Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMelbourne $179Lima $76
The average daily cost (per person) in Melbourne is $179, while the average daily cost in Lima is $76. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMelbourne $120Lima $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMelbourne $240Lima $98
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Melbourne $20Lima $5.67
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$11
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Tram Ride$2.51
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: One-Way Transfer to Melbourne: $30
- GoBlu-EV: 100% Electric Cabs for Airport & City Transfer in MEL: $33
- Private Transfer from Melbourne hotels to Melbourne Cruise Port: $38
- Private Transfer from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Melbourne Port: $52
- Private Transfer from Melbourne Port to Melbourne Airport (MEL): $52
- Melbourne Airport Luxury Car Transfer: $73
- Private Car Transfer Melbourne Airport To CBD: $79
- From Melbourne Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Melbourne: $79
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Melbourne Airports: $86
- Private Arrival Transfer: Melbourne Airports to Hotel: $86
- Melbourne Airport: 1-Way Melbourne Airport Private Transfer: $86
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.37
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Taxi Ride$5.37
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Short Taxi Ride$4.03
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 HTL-APT (LIM): $34
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Lima APT-HTL (LIM) : $34
- Transfers from / to Lima airport: $43
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Lima Jorge Chávez Airport to Lima City: $40
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Lima City to Airport: $40
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Lima City - Lima Airport (LIM): $61
- Transfer from Lima city to the airport: $18
- Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $18
- The Larco Museum Complete Tour with transfers: $52
- Tegucigalpa to Tegucigalpa Toncontin Airport (TGU) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- Taxi transfers from and to the Lima Airport and Paracas Ica: $20
- Round-Trip Transfer in Private Minivan from-to Lima Airport (LIM) in Lima City: $122
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
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Food Meals for one dayMelbourne $31Lima $17
Typical Food Prices in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee$2.64
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Pizza$4.62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Queen Victoria Market: 'Flavours of Australia' Food Tour: $52
- Eynesbury Homestead Dinner and Ghost Tour: $53
- Melbourne Sunset Kayaking Experience with Dinner: $79
- Sunset Kayak Tour with Dinner: $79
- Melbourne Private Multicultural Markets Food Tour: $86
- Pizza Making Party: $89
- Chinese Dumpling Cooking Class with a Drink: $98
- Secret Food Tour: $109
- Chinese Cooking Class Master: $118
- Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise: $122
- Street Food of Asia Cooking Class: $130
- Choose Your Asian Cuisine Cooking Masterclass: $130
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.30
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Ice cream$3.49
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Coffee$2.95
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Donut$0.94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Market Food Tour: $33
- Lima Market Food Tour: $34
- Peruvian Food Tour Through Local Markets: $40
- Ceviche Cooking Class Including Pisco Sour Lesson: $40
- Lima Street Food Tour: $40
- Lima Street Food Tour: $45
- Lima Food Tour: $45
- Street Food Tour in Miraflores District: $45
- Cooking Workshop and Water Circuit Tour: $45
- Barranco Tour with Dinner: $47
- Bohemian tour of Barranco with Dinner: $47
- Private Cooking Class With a Local Family in Lima: $48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Melbourne $28Lima $8.57
Tours and Activities in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Melbourne:Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $3.23
- Melbourne Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $3.28
- Escape Game and Tour: $6.46
- Marvellous A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Melbourne Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- MoPA Children's Museum Admission Ticket: $9.25
- Melbourne Museum Entry Ticket: $9.91
- Melbourne Gardens Explorer Minibus Tour: $9.91
- Scienceworks Entry Ticket: $9.91
- Immigration Museum Entry Ticket: $9.91
- Questo Self-guided Haunted Melbourne Walking Tour: $11
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$16
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Movie Tickets$2.28
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Lima bike and 5 Step Food Tasting Experience: $92
- The best of Lima walking tour: $198
- Cultural Tour of the city of Lima & Gastronomic: $62
- 2 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $279
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Ballestas Island and Huacachina: $149
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $149
- 2d/1n Tour: Flight to the Nazca, Paracas and Huacachina Lines: $289
- 3 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $289
- 3 Day Tour to Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $159
- 3-Day Trip to Lima Tour Package: $150
- 3-Hour Private Scooter Tour through Miraflores with Guide: $50
- 360° Panoramic bus - Sightseeing Tour: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMelbourne $17Lima $5.57
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$5.12
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: $17
- Weekly Bar Crawl: 5 Free shots, Club Entry: $19
- Spirits and Ales Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $26
- Melbourne Halloween Bar Crawl: $33
- Laid back,Small-Group Yarra Valley Wine Tour :Wine,Gin,Cider+more: $86
- Yarra Valley Day Trip with Local Wine Tastings from Melbourne: $102
- Yarra Valley Wine Tour inc lunch with a glass of wine, tastings and chocolate: $116
- Yarra Valley Gourmet Food & Wine Tasting Tour: $129
- Southern Gippsland boutique Wine Tour with Tapas from Melbourne : $139
- Wine Tour Yarra Valley, Vic - inc. 2 course lunch + glass of wine: $165
- Mornington Peninsula Premium Tour with Wine Tasting at Yabby Lake : $172
- Yarra Valley Premium Tour Lunch and Sparkling Wine Tasting at Domaine Chandon: $178
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.23
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Beer$4.03
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Cocktail$3.22
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Gin and Rum Distillery Tour: $12
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $18
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
- Party Tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl and Drinks: $18
- Pub Crawl in Lima: $25
- Local Wine Tour : $39
- Local Wine Tour: $50
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.