Is Melaka expensive to visit?
In Melaka, budget travelers spend $14 (RM58) per day on average, mid-range travelers spend $32 (RM137) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $70 (RM297) per day. These costs are calculated from the reported expenses of previous travelers to Melaka.
Melaka is a smaller spot that entices a mix of tourists, showcasing various travel styles, financial habits, and budget considerations. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hostels to mid-range hotels to high-end luxury properties.
While Melaka can be quite expensive if you let it be, there are ways to lower your spending, such as looking for discounts and coupons.
Within Asia, Melaka is a very affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in Asia for its affordability. Very few cities in the region are as affordable as Melaka.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Melaka Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Melaka?
The average Melaka trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Melaka travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Melaka cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
Having realistic expectations for your budget when visiting Melaka is important. While it's tempting to aim for a shoestring budget, most travelers don't find that style of travel to be enjoyable. Think about your priorities and how you've traveled in the past. Do you prefer staying in budget accommodations or enjoying more luxurious options? Do you like to explore attractions and dine out at local restaurants? These choices will influence your travel costs and itinerary.
Melaka on a Shoestring Budget?
You might consider yourself a budget traveler, but if you're not ready to give up some comforts, prepare to spend a lot more than the $14 per day that younger budget travelers manage.
Backpackers will usually stick to this shoestring budget by staying in hostel dorms, dining at the cheapest spots such as fast food places, using public transit, and mostly visiting free attractions.
Melaka is packed with plenty of hostels, including Ringos Foyer Guest House and Hostel, Ola Lavanderia Cafe, and Yote 28. At hostels like these, you can enjoy affordable dorm accommodation and a lively social scene, but amenities might be quite minimal.
Do You Fit the Profile of an Average Traveler?
If you're a couple or family taking a fun trip, you'll probably prefer a mid-range hotel, enjoy meals at favorite restaurants, and visit the main museums and attractions that require entry fees. Exploring the major attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks is a must for most visitors to Melaka. Most activities have costs involved. Thus, it's realistic to expect your daily budget to be closer to $32 per person, per day.
There are a wide range of hotels and vacation rentals in Melaka. If you're traveling with others, you'll share your hotel with a partner, friend, or your children, so costs will be split accordingly, saving money. When traveling as a family, you'll want to find hotels and restaurants that cater to kids. The Settlement Hotel is a good kid-friendly option, and Fomecs Boutique Hotel is also terrific. You'll find more hotels that cater to families and couples in our hotel guide for Melaka here.
Want to Experience a Luxurious Trip?
If you're looking for a luxurious getaway that offers top-notch amenities and exceptional service, you should budget around $70 per day. To enjoy a nicer hotel, dine at renowned restaurants, indulge in extravagant activities, and use taxis or private drivers to explore the destination, prepare for a luxury price tag. Many high-end visitors also prefer unique experiences such as Malacca City Private Transfer to Kuala Lumpur Airport Enroute Putrajaya - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Melaka
Melaka offers a broad range of hotel prices, from budget to luxury. Higher-end hotels come with more amenities and higher prices, particularly during peak season. Off-season, you'll find average rates around $33, but during peak season, they can average $62. Prices range from $16 to $159, and hostels tend to be much cheaper. Save money by visiting during the low season or by taking advantage of early booking and special promotions.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Melaka for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $19 (RM80). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $9.46 (RM40) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Melaka? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Melaka include:
- The Settlement Hotel starting at $54
- SGI Vacation Club Hotel starting at $29
- Heeren Straits Hotel starting at $68
- Hotel Puri starting at $42
- Estadia Hotel Malacca starting at $36
By traveling in the off-peak times like the low or shoulder season, and steering clear of , you'll find cheaper lodging and smaller crowds.
Transportation Budget in Melaka
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $2.08 (RM8.79) per person, per day, on local transportation in Melaka. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Melaka is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$2.08
RM8.79
It's quite easy to get to Malacca from Kuala Lumpur by direct train or bus. The bus is often cheaper.
From Singapore, it's cheaper and easier to cross the border into Malaysia first at Johor Bahru. Then, from JB, take the train or bus to Malacca from the main stations.
The Malacca airport, although modern, is rather small and only serves flights within the Southeast Asia region to KL and some spots in Indonesia and other nearby countries. International visitors will need to fly into KL or Singapore first and then connect or take land-based transportation.
Day trips from KL or Singapore to Malacca are offered by various tour companies if you don't want to stay the night, although you really should in order to see everything.
Some of the standard hotel transfers and transport options include:
- Malacca Hotel to Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Door to Door) Transfer for $99 details
- Malacca City Private Transfer to Kuala Lumpur Airport Enroute Putrajaya for $47 details
- Malacca Hotels to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Departure Transfer for $52 details
How much does it cost to go to Melaka? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Melaka will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Below, you'll find common transit prices in Melaka, gathered from real traveler experiences. These numbers offer a general sense of transportation expenses. It's important to note that your costs may vary depending on your transportation choice, with taxis and other hired vehicles usually costing significantly more than public transit.
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Taxi
RM20
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Bus Ride
RM1.50
Food Budget in Melaka
For many, the local food is a significant part of the travel experience, so don't miss the chance to enjoy it.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Melaka can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Melaka is $20 (RM85) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$20
RM85
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Melaka is around $20 (RM85) per person, with previous travelers spending from $8 to $46. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Melaka are as follows:
- Breakfast: $2 to $6
- Lunch: $3 to $8
- Dinner: $6 to $14
- Coffee: $2
- Fast Food or Street Food: $3
Many hotels include breakfast in their price, while some add it on as an extra charge. The price and quality can vary depending on the hotel. Knowing ahead of time can help you decide if you need to spend even more money. Maybe it's worth your money for the delicious buffet at the hotel. Or, perhaps you should just go to a nearby bakery or cafe that's much cheaper.
Take a water bottle along instead of purchasing drinks constantly. This is also an eco-conscious choice.
If you're planning to take a tour, make sure you know which meals are included beforehand. You might be on the hook to pay for some of the food yourself which can add to your budget.
Taking a food tour or cooking class is a great way to experience the culture in Melaka. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:
- Traditional Peranakan and Malay Cooking Class in Malacca for $90 details
Food and meal prices in Melaka, based on real travelers' reported expenses, are shown below. These typical costs can give you a sense of the overall price range for meals. However, your individual expenses might be different depending on your dining habits, restaurant choices, and specific orders.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Melaka
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Melaka typically cost an average of $4.01 (RM17) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$4.01
RM17
With a wealth of history, plenty of sights and attractions can be found around town.
The Portugese conquered the area in the early 1500's, and multiple significant architectural and historical structures can be found in the city dating back to this colonial time. The A Formosa fort is one, and various churches such as Christ Church and St. Paul's are also popular tourist attractions.
A large Chinese population also settled in the area, and their influence can be found not just in the Chinatown area of the city, but also in much of the cuisine, festivals, and other cultural locations.
Local tours that last a few hours can be a great way to explore Melaka. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- *13 Hrs Best of Melaka Full Day Flexible Van Tour w' Tour Guide for $84 details
- Malacca Shore Excursion with Professional Tour Guide & Lunch for $227 details
- Malacca Shore Excursion with Tour Guide & Baba Nyonya Lunch for $227 details
Outlined below are some typical prices for entry fees and activities in Melaka. They have been reported from the expenses of previous travelers. These costs provide an idea of what you might need to spend, though your individual expenses will depend on the activities you participate in, the places you visit, and how often you choose budget-friendly or free activities.
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Maritime Museum Entrance
RM3.00
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Taming Sari Revolving Tower Entrance
RM20
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Trishaw Tour (One Hour)
RM45
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Baba and Nyonya Peranakan Museum Entrance
RM10
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Melaka Zoo Entrance
RM7.00
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Low Cost Kite
RM3.00
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Malacca Duck Tour
RM40
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Melaka River Cruise (One Hour)
RM10
We found most of the best sights were right in the center and we could walk to everything. The market and restaurants were cheap and a great spot to get some good food. We had an easy time finding a cheap hotel, too.