Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Melaka

Accommodation

$8-25 per night

Dorm beds in hostels, basic guesthouses, budget hotels with shared facilities

Food & Dining

$8-20 per day

Street food stalls, local coffee shops, hawker centers, occasional local restaurants

Transportation

$3-10 per day

Public buses, walking, occasional ride-sharing for longer distances

Activities

$5-20 per day

Free walking tours, temple visits, heritage sites, occasional museum entries

Eat at local coffee shops and hawker centers instead of tourist restaurants (typically 60-70% cheaper)

Use public buses for city transport instead of taxis (usually 80-90% savings)

Visit temples and heritage sites during free hours rather than paid guided tours

Book accommodation in residential areas rather than prime tourist zones (typically 30-50% less expensive)

Shop at local markets for snacks and drinks instead of hotel convenience stores (generally 200-300% markup avoided)

Walk between nearby attractions in the compact historic center to save on transport costs

Take advantage of free museum days and cultural center events typically offered monthly

Eating exclusively in tourist areas near major attractions (typically 100-200% markup over local areas)

Taking taxis for all transportation instead of learning the public bus system (usually 4-6x more expensive)

Booking accommodation without comparing prices across different neighborhoods (can vary 40-80% for similar quality)

Not checking for combo tickets at multiple attractions (individual entries typically 20-30% more expensive)

Exchanging money at tourist areas instead of banks or authorized dealers (usually 5-15% worse rates)