Which place is cheaper, Melbourne or Zhangjiajie?
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 Zhangjiajie or Melbourne?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zhangjiajie and Melbourne. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Zhangjiajie or Melbourne?
Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie, China is a picturesque city located in the northwest of the Hunan Province. This ancient city, which dates all the way back to the Stone Age, is famous for being home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Zhangjiajie is also known for being a popular filming location and and overall great place to escape the bustling Chinese cities. Zhangjiajie has its own dialect, which is a branch of the Hunan and Southern dialects, so Mandarin does not always translate when trying to speak to locals here.
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 Scuba Diving Tours in Australia, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia.
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Zhangjiajie Prices
China PricesMelbourne Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZhangjiajie $79Melbourne $195
The average daily cost (per person) in Zhangjiajie is $79, while the average daily cost in Melbourne is $195. 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 Zhangjiajie and Melbourne in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZhangjiajie $30Melbourne $119
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZhangjiajie $60Melbourne $238
Compare Hotels in Zhangjiajie and Melbourne
Looking for a hotel in Zhangjiajie 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.Zhangjiajie $15Melbourne $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zhangjiajie
Also for Zhangjiajie, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 4-Day Private Tour with Airport Transfers: $710
- Zhangjiajie airport/city pick up transfer to hotel or Vice Versa: $15
- Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport private transfer service: $20
- Private transfer from Zhangjiajie(Wulingyuan) to Changsha area: $213
- Private Transfer: Zhangjiajie from/to Fenghuang: $168
- Private Transfer: Yichang hotel from/to Zhangjiajie Hotel: $322
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Guilin or Yangshuo: $256
- Private Transfer from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang and stops at Furong old town: $187
- Private Car Transfer From WLY to Glass Bridge (Round Trip ): $105
- Fox Fairy Show VIP Ticket with Private Transfer in ZJJ City: $52
- 1 Day Fenghuang and Furong Town Day Tour with Hotel Transfers: $192
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$2.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melbourne
Also for Melbourne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Yarra Valley: Hot Air Balloon with Breakfast & CBD Transfers: $376
- Mornington Peninsula - Melbourne Airport Transfers: $201
- MEL Airport Transfer to Melbourne CBD Private Van Hire: $201
- Melbourne Private Transfer to Melbourne Airport MEL in Luxury Car: $196
- Melbourne Airport MEL Private Transfer to Melbourne in Luxury Car: $196
- Melbourne CBD Transfer to MEL Airport Private Van Hire: $195
- Ballarat - Melbourne Airport Transfers: $178
- Airport Private Van Transfer to City: $171
- Melbourne Airport MEL Private Transfer to Melbourne by Luxury Van: $168
- Avalon Airport Transfers: $168
- Private Airport Transfer from Melbourne Airport to City Center: $129
- CBD to Melbourne Airport Private Transfer - 11 traveler's: $129
Is it cheaper to fly into Zhangjiajie or Melbourne?
Prices for flights to both Melbourne and Zhangjiajie 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 dayZhangjiajie $36Melbourne $53
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zhangjiajie
For Zhangjiajie, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 1 Day Zhangjiajie Private Tour Visit Avatar Mount and Tianzi Mount with Dinner: $196
Typical Food Prices in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee$2.62
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Pizza$4.58
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: $49
- Multicultural Markets Food Tour – Melbourne’s Global Tastes: $51
- Queen Victoria Market: 'Flavours of Australia' Food Tour: $52
- Queen Victoria Market Early Access Food Tour: $53
- Eynesbury Homestead Dinner and Ghost Tour: $54
- Inner North Street Food Tour: $72
- Sunset Kayak Tour with Dinner: $79
- Melbourne Sunset Kayaking Experience with Dinner: $81
- Melbourne Private Multicultural Markets Food Tour: $86
- Best of Little Italy Dinner Tour: $92
- Carlton a Little Italy Dinner Tour: $93
- Chinese Dumpling Cooking Class with a Drink: $98
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zhangjiajie $23Melbourne $27
Tours and Activities in Zhangjiajie
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Zhangjiajie.
- 2-Day Private Combo Tour: Avatar Mountain & Tianmen Mountain: $251
- 2-Days Private tour to Avatar mount & Have's Gate & Glass bridge: $250
- (Private Day Tour) Zhangjiajie National Park + Tianzi Mountain: $195
- 1 Day Dragon Sitting Gorge & Red Stone Forest Geo-park TOUR！: $272
- 1 Day Private Expedition Tour to Binlang Valley: $142
- 1 Day VIP Tour: Avatar Mountain&72 Odd Towers (Free Ticket): $203
- 1 day tour Avatar Mountain and Grand Canyon & Glass Bridge: $239
- 1-Day Private Tour to Glass Bridge & Yellow Dragon Cave: $102
- 1-Day Private Tour to Tianmen Mountain & Glass Walk & Night Light: $146
- 1-Day Private Tour to ZJJ National Forest Park & Avatar Mountain: $98
- 1-Day Private Tour to Zhangjiajie Forest Park & AVATAR Mountain: $98
- 1-Day Private Tour to Zhangjiajie Forest Park & Avatar Mountain: $195
Tours and Activities in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- English Melbourne Walking Tour: $17
- Experience Yarra Valley: A Tailored private Wine Journey: $269
- Melbourne Laneways and Galleries Impressionist Art Walking Tour: $84
- Wilsons Promontory Hiking Day Tour - 8 Person Max Small Group : $147
- 1 day Lake mountain snow tour : $73
- 1 day Puffing Billy Steam Train and Wildlife Tour from Melbourne: $147
- 1.5Hr Yarra River Crown Flames and City Lights Cruise: $316
- 12 Apostles Great Ocean Road Private Smal Group Tour FREE entries: $83
- 12 Apostles, Otways & Great Ocean Road Day Tour - 8 person max: $147
- 2 Day Great Ocean Road Small Group Tour: $841
- 4 Hours Sightseeing Small Group Tour in Melbourne City: $60
- 4D3N Best Bits Victoria Sightseeing Tour: $841
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZhangjiajie $16Melbourne $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$5.07
Sample the Local Flavors in Melbourne
Also in Melbourne, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Melbourne Christmas Bar Crawl: $15
- Melbourne Pub Crawl (Batmania Tours): $19
- Weekly Bar Crawl: 5 Free shots, Club Entry: $20
- Melbourne Halloween Bar Crawl: $24
- Spirits and Ales Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $26
- MELBOURNE Spirits and Ales Haunted Pub Tour: $26
- Melbourne Music Venue Pub Crawl with History + 2 Free Drinks: $26
- Laid back, Yarra Valley Wine Tour: Wine, Cider, Gin, Beer + Choc: $87
- New Chocolate and wine tasting tour in the Yarra Valley: $89
- Cruise Ship Friendly Yarra Valley Wine Tour with Port Pickup: $114
- Yarra Valley: Bus Wine Tour with Lunch and a Glass of Wine: $115
- Yarra Valley Wine Tour & Lunch & Gin/Beer Option: $128
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zhangjiajie and Melbourne, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Zhangjiajie much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zhangjiajie Expensive? and Is Melbourne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zhangjiajie or Melbourne?
Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Zhangjiajie. When comparing the sizes of Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie 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 Zhangjiajie has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Melbourne in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zhangjiajie and Melbourne. Furthermore, many travelers come to Melbourne for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Melbourne in the summer. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Melbourne fluctuates around 20°C (68°F)in January.
Zhangjiajie gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Zhangjiajie usually receives more rain than Melbournein January. Zhangjiajie gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryZhangjiajie 29°C (85°F)Melbourne 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Melbourne in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Zhangjiajie as well as Melbourne. Additionally, many visitors come to Melbourne in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Melbourne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zhangjiajie in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Melbourne averages at about 15°C (60°F)in April.
Zhangjiajie usually gets more rain in October than Melbournein April. Zhangjiajie gets 90 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilZhangjiajie 19°C (65°F)Melbourne 15°C (60°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Melbourne in the Winter?
Both Melbourne and Zhangjiajie are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Melbourne for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Zhangjiajie is generally much colder than Melbournein July. Daily temperatures in Zhangjiajie average around 5°C (42°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
In January, Zhangjiajie usually receives around the same amount of rain as Melbournein July. Zhangjiajie gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyZhangjiajie 5°C (42°F)Melbourne 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Zhangjiajie or Melbourne in the Spring?
Both Melbourne and Zhangjiajie during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
Zhangjiajie is a little warmer than Melbourne in the spring. The daily temperature in Zhangjiajie averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Melbourne fluctuates around 14°C (57°F)in October.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Zhangjiajie. Zhangjiajie usually gets more rain in April than Melbournein October. Zhangjiajie gets 166 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberZhangjiajie 17°C (63°F)Melbourne 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Melbourne and Zhangjiajie
| Zhangjiajie | Melbourne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (42°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 22°C (72°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (78°F) | 199 mm (7.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 90 mm (3.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 44 mm (1.7 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.