Which place is cheaper, Melaka or Yogyakarta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Yogyakarta or Melaka?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Yogyakarta or Melaka? 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: Yogyakarta or Melaka?
Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta, also called Yogya, Jogja, and Jogjakarta, is Java's hub of culture and art, and is the top-visited destination on the island. While Jakarta is the most populated and industrially-developed city in Indonesia, Yogya has managed to progress without losing its cultural charm, as illustrated in its well-kept traditional Indonesian architecture.
Melaka
Melaka (or Malacca) is a large city on the western coast of Malaysia about half way between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. This historical city grew up as a result of trading in the region due to its position on the namesake Straights of Malacca, a natural waterway formed from the peninsula of Malaysia and the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Indonesia, The Best Eco Tours in Indonesia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia.
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Yogyakarta Prices
Indonesia PricesMelaka Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayYogyakarta $59Melaka $34
The average daily cost (per person) in Yogyakarta is $59, while the average daily cost in Melaka is $34. 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 Yogyakarta and Melaka in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personYogyakarta $33Melaka $9.79
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomYogyakarta $66Melaka $20
Compare Hotels in Yogyakarta and Melaka
Looking for a hotel in Yogyakarta or Melaka? 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: Yogyakarta Hotel Prices and Melaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Yogyakarta $1.19Melaka $2.15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yogyakarta
Also for Yogyakarta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Jepara & One Way Private Transfer: $110
- Private Transfer from Pandowo Harjo to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $100
- Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Maguwoharjo: $95
- Private Layover Tour with Airport Transfers: $94
- Semarang & Transfer To The Hotel or Airport: $93
- Yogyakarta Hidden Gems Tour with Private Guided Transfer: $84
- Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Kembanglimus: $81
- Private Transfer from Borobudur to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $79
- Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to South Rejowinangun: $75
- Private Transfer from Banyuraden to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG): $70
- Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Donoharjo: $70
- Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Condong Catur: $70
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melaka
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Melaka are as follows:
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Taxi$4.90
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Bus Ride$0.37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melaka
Also for Melaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- ~Chauffeur: Malacca to Kuantan Transfer [Van]: $82
- Private Transfer from Malacca Port to Kuala Lumpur Airport (KUL): $65
- Private Transfer from Malacca Cruise Port to Kuala Lumpur city: $118
- Private Transfer from Kuala Lumpur Airport (KUL) to Malacca Port: $65
- Private Transfer : Taman Negara Kuala Tahan to Cameron Highlands: $170
- Malacca Hotel to Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Door to Door) Transfer: $74
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Singapore Car Transfer: $220
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Ipoh Transfer [Car]: $240
- Chauffeur: Malacca to Cameron Highlands Transfer [Van]: $81
- °Sit Back & Relax - Malacca to Kuala Lumpur MPV Transfer: $208
Is it cheaper to fly into Yogyakarta or Melaka?
Prices for flights to both Melaka and Yogyakarta 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 dayYogyakarta $18Melaka $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yogyakarta
For Yogyakarta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ramayana Show with Transfer, Entry Fee & Dinner: $13
- Night Walking & Street Food Tour: $21
- Guided City Walk and Food Tour: $23
- Morning Walk and Food Tour: $23
- Kotagede Night Food Tour: $27
- Ramayana Ballet Performance with Optional Dinner: $28
- Nighttime Walk and Food Tour: $32
- Small-Group Walking and Food Tour by Night in Yogyakarta: $33
- Cooking Class with Market Visit and Hotel Pickup: $33
- Prawirotaman Night Food Tour: $35
- Prawirotaman Night Food Tour: $35
- 3-hour Cooking Class with Market Tour: $35
Typical Food Prices in Melaka
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Melaka:
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Sitdown Lunch (for Two)$7.34
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Dinner at the Market (for Two)$3.18
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Asam Pedas (Fish Curry)$1.47
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Taiwanese Noodle Soup$1.22
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Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$7.83
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melaka
For Melaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Rempah Routes Melaka Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
- Melaka Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
- Small Group Melaka After Dark Food Tour: $75
- Private Traditional Peranakan & Malay Cooking Class in Melaka: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Yogyakarta $14Melaka $4.15
Tours and Activities in Yogyakarta
For Yogyakarta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Java's Cultural Heritage: Borobudur and Prambanan Tour": $16
- 1 day Yogyakarta Tour Jomblang cave and Pindul Cave tubing: $69
- 1 day tour Borobudur and Prambanan Temples: $40
- 1 day tour borobudur temple,prambanan temple,plaosan temple: $40
- 2 Days Tour to Mount Merbabu from Yogyakarta: $280
- 2-Day Borobudur Tour with Merbabu Camping and Hiking: $332
- 3 Days 2 Nights A Tour of Culture and Nature: $115
- 3-Hour Yogyakarta Hidden Food Walking or Cycling Guided Tour: $70
- 8 Days all inclusive - Motorbike Tour in Central Java: $2,933
- A Day Out from Jomblang Cave Tour: $73
- ATV and Jeep Merapi Volcano Experience in Kaliurang Yogyakarta: $80
- Adventure Ride to Kebun Buah Mangunan Yogyakarta: $31
Typical Entertainment Prices in Melaka
For Melaka, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Maritime Museum Entrance$0.73
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Taming Sari Revolving Tower Entrance$4.90
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Trishaw Tour (One Hour)$11
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Baba and Nyonya Peranakan Museum Entrance$2.45
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Melaka Zoo Entrance$1.71
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Low Cost Kite$0.73
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Malacca Duck Tour$9.79
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Melaka River Cruise (One Hour)$2.45
Tours and Activities in Melaka
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Melaka.
- °14 Hrs Kuala Lumpur Flexible Van Tour from Melaka w' Tour Guide: $126
- *13 Hrs Best of Melaka Full Day Flexible Van Tour w' Tour Guide: $84
- Essential Self-Guided Tour of it's UNESCO Heritage Centre: $15
- From Kuala Lumpur Full Day A'Famosa Theme Park Experience: $40
- Malacca City Hotels To Kuala Lumpur Airport EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $48
- Malacca City To Kuala Lumpur City EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $61
- Malacca City To Kuala Lumpur City En-route Putrajaya Tour: $49
- Malacca Hotels To Kuala Lumpur Hotels En-route Putrajaya Tour: $49
- Malacca Instagram Tour: Top Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $328
- Malacca Shore Excursion with Tour Guide & Baba Nyonya Lunch: $182
- Malacca To Kuala Lumpur EN-ROUTE Putrajaya City Tour: $61
- Malacca To Kuala Lumpur En-route Putrajaya Tour: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayYogyakarta $4.43Melaka $8.49
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yogyakarta and Melaka, we can see that Yogyakarta is more expensive. And not only is Melaka much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Melaka would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Melaka 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 Yogyakarta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yogyakarta than you might in Melaka.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yogyakarta Expensive? and Is Melaka Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yogyakarta or Melaka?
Yogyakarta has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Melaka. When comparing the sizes of Yogyakarta and Melaka, 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.
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.