A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Melbourne vs. Nadi (Port Denarau) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Melbourne or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

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

Should I visit Melbourne or Nadi (Port Denarau)? 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 Nadi (Port Denarau)?

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.

Nadi (Port Denarau)

Nadi, pronounced "Nandi", is a city and transportation hub in the Fijian islands. It is on one of the main islands, Viti Levu, and has a population of about 42,000. Many inhabitants are Indian as well as Fijian, and the largest temple in the Southern hemisphere is located in the city center. It must be noted that Nadi and surrounding areas aren't known for the beaches. This is more of a cultural destination or starting point for your trip to Fiji. For the best beaches, you will want to venture out to the other, smaller, islands.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Nadi (Port Denarau) or Melbourne?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Melbourne Prices
    Australia Prices
    Nadi (Port Denarau) Prices
    Fiji Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Melbourne $208
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $199

The average daily cost (per person) in Melbourne is $208, while the average daily cost in Nadi (Port Denarau) is $199. 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Melbourne $127
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $107
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Melbourne $254
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $214
Compare Hotels in Melbourne and Nadi (Port Denarau)

Looking for a hotel in Melbourne or Nadi (Port Denarau)? 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 Nadi (Port Denarau)


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 Nadi (Port Denarau) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Melbourne $21
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $8.82
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
  • Express Bus Transfer to or from Melbourne City Center: $20
  • Melbourne CBD/City to MEL Airport Private Transfer 4 or more: $32
  • Melbourne Airport to City/CBD Private Group transfers 4 or more: $32
  • Melbourne Airport(Tullamarine): Shared Transfer to Melbourne: $32
  • MEL Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $40
  • Airport to City Private Transfer (One-way): $66
  • Private Airport Transfer from Melbourne Airport to City Center: $73
  • Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) Private one way transfer: $75
  • Nighttime Private City Tour with Transfer & Stops: $81
  • Private Car Transfer Melbourne Airport To CBD: $84
  • Melbourne Private Taxi Airport Transfers and Day Trips: $85

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nadi (Port Denarau)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nadi (Port Denarau):

  • Zip line ex Intercontinental Fiji with return private transfers: $210
  • Zip line Fiji ex Fiji Marriot w/private return transfer: $181
  • Treetops Fiji Zipline Tour with Drop off Transfer to Nadi Airport: $127
  • Shuttle transfer to Nadi Airport: $48
  • Shared Transfer To Nadi Airport from Denarau Resorts: $9.13
  • Shared Departure Transfer : Hotel to Airport: $21
  • Shangri-La Yanuca Island Transfers and Taxi Service: $82
  • Round Trip Transfer-Nadi Airport to Denarau Island Resorts: $27
  • Round Trip Transfer -Nadi Airport to Intercontinental Resort: $69
  • Round Trip Private Transfer From Nadi Airport To Your Resort: $23
  • Private vehicle transfer Fiji Marriot Momi Bay to Nadi Airport: $95
  • Private VIP Transfers - All Hotels to Nadi International Airport: $9.13

Is it cheaper to fly into Melbourne or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

Prices for flights to both Nadi (Port Denarau) 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 $56
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $70
Typical Food Prices in Melbourne

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


  • Coffee
    $2.79
  • Pizza
    $4.88

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: $54
  • Inner North Street Food Tour: $72
  • Sunset Kayak Tour with Dinner: $79
  • Melbourne Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $86
  • Street Food Tour in Melbourne's Inner North: $88
  • Best of Little Italy Dinner Tour: $92
  • Chinese Dumpling Cooking Class with a Drink: $99
  • Secret Food Tour: $109
  • Yarra Valley Full Day Grazing Tour: Gin, Wine, Pizza, Cheese: $125
  • Spanish Hands on Cooking Class: $127

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nadi (Port Denarau)

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nadi (Port Denarau).

  • Capt Cook Cruises Super Saver Combo: Day Sail + Dinner Cruise: $198

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Melbourne $29
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $32

Tours and Activities in Melbourne

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

  • Self Guided Tour of Melbourne's Best Kept Secrets: $1.12
  • Melbourne Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self Guided Walking Tour: $3.42
  • Fitzroy Noir Mystery Crimes and the Occult Tour: $3.53
  • Melbourne Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $3.53
  • Melbourne St Kilda Self-Guided Walking City Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $4.95
  • Melbourne Vampire Quest: Self-Guided Gothic Adventure: $7.20
  • Scienceworks Entry Ticket: $9.92
  • Melbourne Gardens Explorer Minibus Tour: $9.92
  • Immigration Museum Entry Ticket: $9.92
  • Self Guided Walking Tour in Melbourne St Kilda Penguins: $9.99
  • Como House: Guided Garden Tour: $11
  • Questo Self-guided Haunted Melbourne Walking Tour: $11

Tours and Activities in Nadi (Port Denarau)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nadi (Port Denarau) are as follows:

  • "Coral Coast Adventure: Pottery, Kava, Meke, Dunes & Temple'': $118
  • "Half Day Nadi Highlights Tour”: $145
  • 16 Lines Zipline, Cave and Mud Spa Combo Tour with Lunch in Fiji: $163
  • 6 Hours Giant Zipline Adventure Park in Fiji: $90
  • ATV Quad Bike Adventure Tour to the Ancient Village plus Mudpool: $220
  • Authentic Cultural and Historical Village Tour of Nadi Ex Fiji Marriott Resort: $155
  • Biausevu Waterfall Tour (Sigatoka): $100
  • Colo-i-Suva Waterfall Tour (Suva): $91
  • Coral Coast Heritage Tour: $105
  • Coral Coast Heritage Tour: $184
  • Coral Coast Tour Sand Dune to Momi Gunsite History Walk: $195
  • Cultural Day Tour: $66

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Melbourne $18
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $11
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:

  • Weekly Bar Crawl: 5 Free shots, Club Entry: $20
  • Melbourne Pub Crawl: $25
  • Tuesday Melbourne Bar Crawl: $25
  • Saturday Melbourne Bar Crawl: $25
  • Yarra Valley Wine Tour - Self-Guided GPS Audio Guide: $25
  • Spirits and Ales Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $26
  • Melbourne Music Venue Pub Crawl with History + 2 Free Drinks: $26
  • Rock'n'roll venues pub crawl including 2 free drinks and history: $56
  • Chocolate and wine tasting tour in the Yarra Valley.: $70
  • Yarra Valley Wine Tour from Melbourne - Choc, Gin & Good Times: $84
  • Relaxed Half Day Yarra Valley Wine Tasting Tour from Melbourne: $84
  • New Chocolate and wine tasting tour in the Yarra Valley: $89


When comparing the travel costs between Melbourne and Nadi (Port Denarau), we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Pacific, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Melbourne Expensive? and Is Nadi (Port Denarau) Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Melbourne or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Nadi (Port Denarau). When comparing the sizes of Melbourne and Nadi (Port Denarau), 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.