Which place is cheaper, Melbourne or Suzhou?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Suzhou or Melbourne?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Suzhou and Melbourne can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Suzhou or Melbourne?
Suzhou
Suzhou is a city in Jiangsu province famed for its beautiful gardens and traditional waterside architecture, featuring elaborate canals and bridges. Located on the Yangtze Delta, the city consists largely of waterways making Suzhou a kind of 'Venice of the Orient.' It is also a hub for scholars, artists, and skilled craftsmen.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySuzhou $101Melbourne $176
The average daily cost (per person) in Suzhou is $101, 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 Suzhou and Melbourne in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSuzhou $38Melbourne $118
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSuzhou $76Melbourne $236
Compare Hotels in Suzhou and Melbourne
Looking for a hotel in Suzhou 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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Suzhou $57Melbourne $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Suzhou
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Suzhou:
- Suzhou to Beijing Bullet Train Ticket with Local Private Transfer : $178
- Suzhou Private Transfer to Zhouzhuang Water Town with Shanghai Drop-off Option: $84
- Suzhou Private Transfer to Tongli Water Town with Shanghai Drop-off Option: $84
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport Private Departure Transfer from Suzhou: $87
- Shanghai Pudong Airport to Suzhou Chauffeur Service, Shanghai Airport Transfer: $240
- Shanghai Pudong Airport - Suzhou Chauffeur Service,Shanghai Airport Transfer: $280
- Shanghai Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Zhouzhuang Water Town : $81
- Shanghai Private Transfer from Suzhou with Stop-over at Tongli Water Town : $90
- Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Suzhou Chauffeur Service, Shanghai Airport Transfer: $240
- Private Round-Trip Transfer between Zhouzhuang Water Town and Suzhou City: $58
- Private Round-Trip Transfer between Tongli Water Town and Suzhou City : $58
- Private Round Trip Transfer from Suzhou to Luzhi Water Town: $64
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$10
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Tram Ride$2.47
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: $29
- 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
- Nighttime Private City Tour with Transfer & Stops: $80
- Melbourne Airport: 1-Way Melbourne Airport Private Transfer: $85
- Luxury Airport Transfers & Best Limo Service in Melbourne: $86
Is it cheaper to fly into Suzhou or Melbourne?
Prices for flights to both Melbourne and Suzhou 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 daySuzhou $32Melbourne $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Suzhou
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Suzhou.
- Suzhou Alleyway Walking Food Tour With Locals: $55
- Half-Day Private Customized Suzhou Highlights with Lunch or Dinner Option: $123
- Private Suzhou Night Tour:Master of the Nets Garden, Ancient Canal with Dinner: $145
Typical Food Prices in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee$2.60
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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
- Eynesbury Homestead Dinner and Ghost Tour: $53
- Sunset Kayak Tour with Dinner: $78
- Melbourne Sunset Kayaking Experience with Dinner: $79
- Melbourne Private Multicultural Markets Food Tour: $86
- Pizza Making Party: $89
- 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
- Street Food of Asia Cooking Class: $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Suzhou $9.32Melbourne $27
Tours and Activities in Suzhou
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Suzhou are as follows:
- 4-Hour Flexible Suzhou City Highlights Private Tour: $114
- 4-Hour Suzhou Private Customized Tour: $71
- 4-Hour Suzhou Private Flexible Tour with Garden and Boat Ride Option: $125
- 4-Hour Suzhou Private Tour: Humble Administrator’s Garden,Tiger Hill and Canal : $134
- 4-Hour Tongli Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Boat Ride : $127
- 4-Hour Zhouzhuang Water Town Private Tour from Suzhou with Boat Ride: $145
- All Inclusive Suzhou Highlight Tour with Boat Ride and Lunch: $179
- Essential Suzhou City Sightseeing Private Day Tour: $248
- Flexible Shanghai Private Day Tour from Suzhou by Bullet Train: $208
- Full Day Luzhi Water Town Day Tour From Suzhou: $178
- Full- Day Private Suzhou Tour Guide Service: $150
- Full-day Private Tour of Top Suzhou Gardens: $211
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: $3.28
- 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
- Melbourne Gardens Explorer Minibus Tour: $9.80
- Scienceworks Entry Ticket: $9.80
- Melbourne Museum Entry Ticket: $9.80
- Immigration Museum Entry Ticket: $9.80
- Questo Self-guided Haunted Melbourne Walking Tour: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySuzhou $6.40Melbourne $17
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$5.03
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 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: $127
- 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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Suzhou and Melbourne, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Suzhou much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Suzhou 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 Suzhou would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Suzhou 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 Suzhou.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Suzhou Expensive? and Is Melbourne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Suzhou or Melbourne?
Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Suzhou. When comparing the sizes of Suzhou 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 Suzhou 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 Suzhou has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Suzhou or Melbourne in the Summer?
Both Melbourne and Suzhou during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Melbourne in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Suzhou is a little warmer than Melbourne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Suzhou in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Melbourne averages at about 20°C (68°F)in January.
In Melbourne, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Suzhou. In the summer, Suzhou often gets less sunshine than Melbournein January. Suzhou gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 271 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Suzhou. Suzhou usually gets more rain in July than Melbournein January. Suzhou gets 128 mm (5 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySuzhou 28°C (83°F)Melbourne 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Suzhou or Melbourne in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Suzhou and Melbourne. Also, most visitors come to Melbourne for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Suzhou is generally a little warmer than Melbournein April. Daily temperatures in Suzhou average around 19°C (65°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).
Suzhou usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Melbourne during autumn. Suzhou gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 170 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Suzhou usually receives more rain than Melbournein April. Suzhou gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSuzhou 19°C (65°F)Melbourne 15°C (60°F)
Should I visit Suzhou or Melbourne in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Suzhou as well as Melbourne. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Suzhou can be very cold during winter. Suzhou is much colder than Melbourne in the winter. The daily temperature in Suzhou averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Melbourne fluctuates around 9°C (49°F)in July.
In the winter, Suzhou often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Melbournein July. Suzhou gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 139 hours of full sun.
Suzhou usually gets less rain in January than Melbournein July. Suzhou gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySuzhou 4°C (39°F)Melbourne 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Suzhou or Melbourne in the Spring?
Both Melbourne and Suzhou are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year.
In the spring, Suzhou is around the same temperature as Melbourne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Suzhou in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Melbourne averages at about 14°C (57°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in Melbourne. Suzhou usually receives less sunshine than Melbourne during spring. Suzhou gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 216 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Suzhou. In April, Suzhou usually receives more rain than Melbournein October. Suzhou gets 102 mm (4 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSuzhou 15°C (58°F)Melbourne 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Melbourne and Suzhou
| Suzhou | Melbourne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 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.