A Travel Price Comparison for Australia Perth vs. Melbourne for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Pacific / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Perth or Melbourne?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Perth and Melbourne can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Perth or Melbourne?

Perth

Capital of Western Australia, Perth is a city that sits where the Swan River meets the sea, and given its ocean side location there is plenty to see and do on the water and beyond. Spend a day on Perth's sandy beaches or get lost in its parks and gardens, sail down the river or enjoy the city's history and culture visiting museums and historic sites, shopping, dining, and much more.

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.

Which city is cheaper, Melbourne or Perth?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Perth is $133, while the average daily cost in Melbourne is $182. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Perth and Melbourne in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Perth $76
    Melbourne $123
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Perth $152
    Melbourne $246
Compare Hotels in Perth and Melbourne

Looking for a hotel in Perth 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.

Hotels in Perth


Hotels in Melbourne


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: Perth Hotel Prices and Melbourne Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Perth $25
    Melbourne $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Perth

Also for Perth, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Sedan Transfer from Perth CBD Hotel to Perth Airport: $47
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Perth Airport: $48
  • Perth Departure Transfer by Private Chauffeur: Perth City Center to Airport: $59
  • Perth Airport Transfer - group booking: $198

Typical Local Transportation prices in Melbourne

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Melbourne:


  • Airport Bus
    $11
  • Tram Ride
    $2.53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melbourne

Also for Melbourne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer: Melbourne to Moorabbin Airport (MBW): $622
  • Private Transfer from Melbourne to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $333
  • Private Transfer from Melbourne to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $319
  • Private 24 Seat Mini Bus CBD to Melbourne Airport Transfer: $276
  • Private Transfer from Melbourne to Port Canaveral: $246
  • Private 13 Seat Mini Bus CBD to Melbourne Airport Transfer: $236
  • Private Transfer: Melbourne to Avalon International Airport (AVV): $212
  • Melbourne Airport Transfers: Melbourne to Melbourne Airport MEL in Luxury Car: $144
  • Melbourne Airport Transfers: $137
  • Avalon Airport Transfers: $135
  • Departure Private Transfers: Melbourne to Melbourne Airport MEL in Luxury Van: $131
  • Melbourne Airport Transfers: Melbourne to Melbourne Airport MEL in Luxury Van: $124

Is it cheaper to fly into Perth or Melbourne?

Prices for flights to both Melbourne and Perth 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
    Perth $36
    Melbourne $31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Perth

For Perth, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Perth Classic Bites & Local Flavors: Food Tour: $71
  • Swan Valley Half-Day Food Tour and Wine Trail from Perth: $75
  • Half-Day Low and Slow BBQ Food Tour in Perth: $91
  • Perth Swan River Dinner Cruise: $110
  • Withlocals The 10 Tastings: Perth Private Food Tour: $118
  • Pinnacles Sunset Dinner and Wildlife Experience a Small Group Tour: $130

Typical Food prices in Melbourne

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


  • Coffee
    $2.66
  • Pizza
    $4.65

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melbourne

For Melbourne, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • The Eynesbury Homestead: Dinner and 1.5-Hour Ghost Tour: $54
  • Eynesbury Homestead Dinner and Ghost Tour: $63
  • Traditional Sri Lankan Cooking Class: $72
  • Spice Factory 3-Hour Indian Cooking Class: $90
  • Private Australian Cooking Class in Melbourne using Native Produce: $125
  • Withlocals The 10 Tastings: Melbourne Private Food Tour: $131
  • Vegan Cooking Class: $146
  • Private Modern Australian Cooking Class with a Professional Chef in Melbourne: $166
  • Private Market Tour and Australian Cooking Class with a Local Chef in her Home: $203
  • [PRIVATE TOUR] Best Of Melbourne Food Tours: $462

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Perth $14
    Melbourne $28

Tours and Activities in Perth

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Perth.

  • "The Thirsty Three" Swan Valley Private Tour: $154
  • 1-Day Pinnacles and Yanchep Tour from Perth including Fish and Chips Lunch: $348
  • 1-Day Private Perth and Fremantle Tour: $263
  • 1/2 day Swan Valley Wine Cheese & Chocolate Tour Inc Afternoon Cruise to Perth: $87
  • 2-Hour Guided Welcome Perth City Walking Tour: $174
  • 20 Day Perth to Darwin Adventure: $3,279
  • 4 Day South West Australia Tour - All inclusive with premium accomodation: $944
  • 4-Day South West Yoga and Wellness Tour from Perth: $1,430
  • 5 Day Perth to Exmouth Adventure: $839
  • 6 Days Perth All-Inclusive Touring Package: $1,580
  • 6-Day Esperance Adventure Tour from Perth: $743
  • 9 Day Perth to Broome Adventure: $1,513

Tours and Activities in Melbourne

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

  • '56 Chevrolet 3-Hour Bespoke Melbourne Classic Car Private Tour (4 person): $379
  • '56 Chevrolet 6-Hour Bespoke Melbourne Classic Car Private Tour (4 person): $683
  • '56 Chevrolet 6-Hour Dandenong Ranges Classic Car Private Tour (4 person): $683
  • '56 Chevrolet 6-Hour Yarra Valley Indulgence Classic Car Private Tour (4 person): $683
  • 12 Apostles Eco-Friendly Great Ocean Road Iconic Adventure from Melbourne: $119
  • 12 Apostles and Shipwreck Coast Express Private Tour: $375
  • 2 Day Exclusively Private Tour Of Phillip Island & The Great Ocean Road: $1,276
  • 2 Day Great Ocean Road Tour and Platypus paddle: $351
  • 2 Day Great Ocean Road Tour from Melbourne: $210
  • 2-Day Great Ocean Road and Grampians Tour Roundtrip from Melbourne: $257
  • 2-Day Great Ocean Road and Grampians Tour from Melbourne: $217
  • 2-Day Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island Tour with Penguin Parade: $348

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Perth $7.59
    Melbourne $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Perth

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Perth:

  • Perth Bar Crawl: $12
  • Afternoon Swan Valley Sundowner Wine Tour from Perth: $63
  • Swan Valley Half-Day Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $70
  • Sunday Afternoon Swan Valley Wine & Brewery Tour from Perth: $75
  • The Non-Touristy Swan Valley Private Day Trip & Wine Tastings: $81
  • From Swan Valley Winery & Brewery Day Tour With Lunch: $94
  • Swan Valley Sunset Wine Tour - Premium Small Group Tour: $95
  • Half-Day Swan Valley Winery & Brewery: $99
  • Small-Group Bickley Valley Wine Tour: $107
  • Wine Tasting Day Trip and Swan Valley River Cruise to Perth: $123
  • Swan Valley River Cruise and Wine Tasting Day Trip from Perth: $123
  • VIP Swan Valley Wine Tour: Premium Small-Group Wine and Gourmet Experience: $126

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
    $5.15

Sample the Local Flavors in Melbourne

Also in Melbourne, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Melbourne Bar Hunt: Melbourne Breakout Bar Crawl: $12
  • Melbourne CBD Pub Crawl: $16
  • Carlton Brewhouse Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $24
  • Yarra Valley Wine Tasting Day Tour from Melbourne: $78
  • Hops and Barrels- Hop on Hop off Wine Tour Mornington Peninsula.: $83
  • Small-Group Guided Yarra Valley Winery Tour with Wine Tasting: $104
  • Yarra Valley Wine Tour with Local Harvest Tastings from Melbourne: $115
  • Yarra Valley Local Produce and Wine Tasting Tour: $115
  • Yarra Valley Wine Tour inc lunch with a glass of wine, tastings and chocolate: $115
  • Yarra Valley Wine Tasting Tour Departing from Melbourne: $118
  • Mornington Peninsula Winery Tour Including Wine Tastings and 2-Course Lunch: $118
  • Yarra Valley Smaller Wineries Food and Wine Tour: $134

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Perth and Melbourne, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Perth much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Perth would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Perth 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 Perth.


When is the best time to visit Perth or Melbourne?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Perth or Melbourne in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Perth and Melbourne.

In the summer, Perth is a little warmer than Melbourne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Perth in January are around 25°C (76°F), and Melbourne is about 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Melbourne this time of the year. In Perth, it's very sunny this time of the year. Perth usually receives more sunshine than Melbourne during summer. Perth gets 331 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 271 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Perth usually receives less rain than Melbourne. Perth gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Perth 25°C (76°F) 
    Melbourne 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Perth or Melbourne in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Perth as well as Melbourne.

In April, Perth is generally a little warmer than Melbourne. Temperatures in Perth average around 19°C (67°F), and Melbourne stays around 15°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Perth this time of the year. In the autumn, Perth often gets more sunshine than Melbourne. Perth gets 219 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 170 hours of full sun.

Perth usually gets less rain in April than Melbourne. Perth gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Perth 19°C (67°F) 
    Melbourne 15°C (60°F)

Should I visit Perth or Melbourne in the Winter?

Both Melbourne and Perth are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

Perth is a little warmer than Melbourne in the winter. The temperature in Perth is usually 13°C (55°F) in July, and Melbourne stays around 9°C (49°F).

Perth usually receives more sunshine than Melbourne during winter. Perth gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 139 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Perth. In July, Perth usually receives more rain than Melbourne. Perth gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Perth 13°C (55°F) 
    Melbourne 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Perth or Melbourne in the Spring?

Both Melbourne and Perth during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, Perth is a little warmer than Melbourne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Perth in October are around 17°C (62°F), and Melbourne is about 14°C (57°F).

In Melbourne, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Perth. In the spring, Perth often gets more sunshine than Melbourne. Perth gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 216 hours of full sun.

Perth usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Melbourne. Perth gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Perth 17°C (62°F) 
    Melbourne 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Melbourne and Perth

Perth Melbourne
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (76°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 20°C (68°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Mar 23°C (73°F) 9 mm (0.4 in) 19°C (65°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Apr 19°C (67°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 15°C (60°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 16°C (61°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 14°C (58°F) 201 mm (7.9 in) 10°C (50°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Jul 13°C (55°F) 170 mm (6.7 in) 9°C (49°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Aug 13°C (56°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 10°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Sep 15°C (58°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 17°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 14°C (57°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 19°C (67°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 16°C (61°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 18°C (65°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)


Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
Sign Up

Compare Hotel Prices
Kayak

Armadale Cottage Bed & Breakfast From $108 Palm Beach Bed & Breakfast From $88 Sorrento Beach Bed & Breakfast From $92 Lakeside Bed & Breakfast From $91 Holiday Inn Perth City Centre From $126
View Hotels in Perth

More City Comparisons
Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) vs. Perth
Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock) vs. Melbourne
Perth vs. Darwin
Perth vs. Alice Springs
Perth vs. Adelaide
Perth vs. Torquay
Perth vs. Sydney
Perth vs. Surfers Paradise
Perth vs. Rockhampton
Perth vs. Noosa Heads
Perth vs. Newcastle
Perth vs. Katoomba
Perth vs. Hobart
Perth vs. Gold Coast
Perth vs. Fraser Island
Perth vs. Coffs Harbour
Perth vs. Wollongong
Perth vs. Canberra
Perth vs. Cairns
Perth vs. Byron Bay
Perth vs. Brisbane
Perth vs. Airlie Beach
Perth vs. Whitsundays
Darwin vs. Melbourne
Alice Springs vs. Melbourne
Adelaide vs. Melbourne
Torquay vs. Melbourne
Sydney vs. Melbourne
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Perth vs. Melbourne Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.