Which place is cheaper, Melbourne or Nanjing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Nanjing or Melbourne?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Nanjing or Melbourne? 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: Nanjing or Melbourne?
Nanjing
Nanjing is the capital city of the Jiangsu Province on the central eastern coast of China, just north of Shanghai. This historically and culturally rich city lies at the lower end of the Yangtze river, resulting in lush and scenic landscapes. Nanjing is well-known for having many popular historical sites, some of which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNanjing $96Melbourne $176
The average daily cost (per person) in Nanjing is $96, while the average daily cost in Melbourne is $176. 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 Nanjing and Melbourne in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNanjing $46Melbourne $118
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNanjing $92Melbourne $236
Compare Hotels in Nanjing and Melbourne
Looking for a hotel in Nanjing or Melbourne? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nanjing $38Melbourne $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nanjing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nanjing:
- Zhenjiang Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport : $78
- Yangzhou Private Transfer Service from Nanjing City or Lukou Airport : $80
- Tangshan Hot Spring Resorts Private Transfer from Nanjing Railway Station: $44
- Private Transfer to Yangzhou City from Nanjing Lukou Airport : $109
- Private Transfer to Nanjing Railway Station from Lukou Airport : $45
- Private Transfer to Gaochun City from Nanjing Lukou Airport: $88
- Private Transfer to Gaochun City from Nanjing : $88
- Private Transfer between Nanjing Olympic Stadium and City Hotel: $33
- Private Transfer between Nanjing Jinniuhu Wild Animal Park and City Hotels: $62
- Private Transfer Between Tangshan Hot Spring Resort and Nanjing Lukou Airport: $49
- Private Round Trip Transfer to Zhenjiang from Nanjing: $94
- Private Round Trip Transfer to Yangzhou Attractions from Nanjing: $89
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melbourne
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Melbourne:
-
Airport Bus$10
-
Tram Ride$2.47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melbourne
Also for Melbourne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Luxury Airport Transfers & Best Limo Service in Melbourne: $87
- Melbourne Airport Arrival Or Departure Luxury Car Transfers : $109
- Airport Transfers: $142
- Arrival Transfer Melbourne Airport MEL to Melbourne in Sedan: $115
- Arrival Transfer from Melbourne Airport MEL to Melbourne in Van: $163
- Avalon Airport Transfers: $165
- Ballarat - Melbourne Airport Transfers: $177
- Departure Transfer Melbourne to Melbourne Airport MEL in Sedan: $115
- Departure Transfer from Melbourne to Melbourne Airport MEL in Van: $163
- From Melbourne Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Melbourne: $79
- From Lake Mountain Ski Resort Tour with Transfers: $947
- MEL Airport: Minibus Private Transfer to Melbourne CBD: $205
Is it cheaper to fly into Nanjing or Melbourne?
Prices for flights to both Melbourne and Nanjing 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 dayNanjing $28Melbourne $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nanjing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nanjing.
- 3-Hour Nanjing Authentic Local Food Tour by Public Transportation: $93
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Night Tour with Dinner Option : $112
- Nanjing City Private Night Tour with Qinghuai River Cruise and Dinner Option: $114
- Nanjing Tangshan Mountain Hot Spring Experience and Hot Pot Dinner: $175
- Private Amazing Nanjing Airport Layover Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $181
Typical Food Prices in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Coffee$2.60
-
Pizza$4.54
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
- Sunset Kayak Tour with Dinner: $78
- Melbourne Sunset Kayaking Experience with Dinner: $79
- Melbourne Private Multicultural Markets Food Tour: $86
- The Q Train - Table For 2 - Dinner (Departing Drysdale): $92
- Chinese Dumpling Cooking Class with a Drink: $97
- Secret Food Tour: $109
- Chinese Cooking Class Master: $118
- Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise: $122
- Choose Your Asian Cuisine Cooking Masterclass: $129
- Indian Cooking Master Class: $130
- Street Food of Asia Cooking Class: $130
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nanjing $9.27Melbourne $27
Tours and Activities in Nanjing
Here are a few actual costs in Nanjing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Half-Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour : $109
- 2-Day Unlimited Nanjing Private Flexible Tour with Lunch Option : $295
- 4-Hour Nanjing City Private Tailor-Made Tour in Your Way : $109
- 4-Hour Nanjing Private Tour: Xiaoling Tomb, Ming City Wall and Memorial Hall : $115
- All Inclusive Amazing Nanjing City Highlights Private Day Tour: $193
- All Inclusive Nanjing City Private Day Tour with Tailor-Made Highlights: $213
- All-inclusive Customized Nanjing Layover Tour: $201
- Beijing Great Wall Tour from Nanjing by Bullet Train with Private Car Service: $282
- Flexible Private Nanjing City Highlights Day Tour: $164
- Flexible Private Nanjing Independent Tour : $63
- Flexible Zhenjiang Private Day Tour from Nanjing: $197
- Half Day Nanjing City Private Flexible Tour with Night River Cruise: $165
Tours and Activities in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Melbourne:Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $3.21
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Melbourne Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $3.27
- Escape Game and Tour: $6.42
- Marvellous A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Melbourne Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- MoPA Children's Museum Admission Ticket: $9.15
- Scienceworks Entry Ticket: $9.80
- Immigration Museum Entry Ticket: $9.80
- Melbourne Museum Entry Ticket: $9.80
- Melbourne Gardens Explorer Minibus Tour: $9.80
- Questo Self-guided Haunted Melbourne Walking Tour: $11
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNanjing $9.46Melbourne $17
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$5.03
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: $25
- Melbourne Halloween Bar Crawl: $33
- Laid back,Small-Group Yarra Valley Wine Tour :Wine,Gin,Cider+more: $86
- Yarra Valley Wine Tour inc lunch with a glass of wine, tastings and chocolate: $116
- Yarra Valley Gourmet Food & Wine Tasting Tour: $127
- Southern Gippsland boutique Wine Tour with Tapas from Melbourne : $139
- Wine Tour Yarra Valley, Vic - inc. 2 course lunch + glass of wine: $165
- Yarra Valley Premium Tour Lunch and Sparkling Wine Tasting at Domaine Chandon: $179
- Champion Racehorse Tour with Beer and Wine Tasting: $192
- Yarra Valley Full Day Private Wine Tour : $245
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nanjing and Melbourne, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Nanjing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nanjing is in Asia and Melbourne is in Pacific, 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 Nanjing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nanjing 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 Nanjing.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nanjing Expensive? and Is Melbourne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nanjing or Melbourne?
Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Nanjing. When comparing the sizes of Nanjing and Melbourne, 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 Nanjing or Melbourne?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Melbourne is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Nanjing has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Nanjing or Melbourne in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Nanjing as well as Melbourne. Additionally, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year.
Nanjing is a little warmer than Melbourne in the summer. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Melbourne fluctuates around 20°C (68°F)in January.
Nanjing receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nanjing usually gets more rain in July than Melbournein January. Nanjing gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryNanjing 28°C (83°F)Melbourne 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Melbourne in the Autumn?
Both Melbourne and Nanjing are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Melbourne for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Nanjing is a little warmer than Melbourne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nanjing in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Melbourne averages at about 15°C (60°F)in April.
In October, Nanjing usually receives less rain than Melbournein April. Nanjing gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilNanjing 17°C (63°F)Melbourne 15°C (60°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Melbourne in the Winter?
Both Melbourne and Nanjing during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Melbourne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Nanjing. In January, Nanjing is generally much colder than Melbournein July. Daily temperatures in Nanjing average around 3°C (37°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
Nanjing usually gets less rain in January than Melbournein July. Nanjing gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyNanjing 3°C (37°F)Melbourne 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Nanjing or Melbourne in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nanjing and Melbourne. Also, most visitors come to Melbourne for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.
Nanjing is around the same temperature as Melbourne in the spring. The daily temperature in Nanjing averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Melbourne fluctuates around 14°C (57°F)in October.
Nanjing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Nanjing usually receives more rain than Melbournein October. Nanjing gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberNanjing 15°C (60°F)Melbourne 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Melbourne and Nanjing
| Nanjing | Melbourne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 21°C (69°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (41°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.