Which place is cheaper, Halong Bay or Aqaba?
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 Aqaba or Halong Bay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Halong Bay, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Aqaba or Halong Bay?
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
Halong Bay
Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the north of Vietnam, near the Chinese border. Known for its thousands of beautiful limestone karsts and stalactite-filled caves, it is one of the most visited destinations in Vietnam. If you appreciate natural scenery and want an adventure at sea, you'll love cruising among more than 1,900 islands in Ha Long Bay.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi.
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Aqaba Prices
Jordan PricesHalong Bay Prices
Vietnam Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $157Halong Bay $67
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $157, while the average daily cost in Halong Bay is $67. 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 Aqaba and Halong Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAqaba $59Halong Bay $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118Halong Bay $54
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Halong Bay
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba or Halong Bay? 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: Aqaba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aqaba $24Halong Bay $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Aqaba Airport (AQJ) to Aqaba hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $60
- Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Aqaba: $35
- Aqaba Airport Transfer to Petra: $90
- Aqaba Private Transfer from/to Amman, Airport, Dead Sea or K.H.B: $125
- Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Dead Sea: $185
- Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Petra: $105
- Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Wadi Rum: $60
- Aqaba to Aqaba Hussein Airport (AQJ) - Departure Private Transfer: $30
- Comfortable and Reliable Private Transfer: Aqaba Port to Wadi Rum: $85
- From Transfer to Amman Hotels or Amman Airport: $113
- Hassle-Free Aqaba South Beach to Wadi Rum Transfer – 24/7 Service: $150
- King Hussein Int Airport Transfers One Way to Aqaba: $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halong Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Halong Bay:
- 2 Day Halong Bay Cruise from Hanoi by Expressway Transfer: $199
- Alova Premium Cruise to Halong Bay 1 Day Trip by Highway Transfer: $50
- Amethyst Cruise Luxury Day Tour from Halong Bay Included Transfer: $70
- Amethyst Luxury 5 Star Cruise From Halong Bay with Transfer: $85
- Amethyst Luxury 5 Star Cruise From Halong Bay with Transfer: $68
- Bus Transfer From Cat Ba Island To Ninh Binh/Ninh binh To Cat Ba: $19
- Dragon 5Star HaLong Cruise 2D1N Included Transfer from Hanoi: $195
- From Hanoi with Expessway Transfer to Halong Bay 1 Day Trip: $42
- Full-Day Halong Bay Islands and Cave Tour by Transfer Expressway: $48
- Ha Long Bay Day Cruise with Transfers from Ha Long City: $5.00
- Halong Bay 2D1N 5-Star Cruise–Transfer, Food & Island Adventures: $239
- Halong Bay Cruises Top Seller included Pick up & Transfers: $95
Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Halong Bay?
Prices for flights to both Halong Bay and Aqaba 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 dayAqaba $73Halong Bay $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Traditional Bedouin Cooking Experience in the Desert: $50
- Overnight in Bedouin Camp. Dinner and breakfast included.: $56
- Explore Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Bed and Breakfast, and Dinner: $80
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight in Bedouin Camp & Dinner: $100
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $107
- Half Day Sunset Tour + Dinner & overnight stay in luxury tents: $286
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halong Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Halong Bay.
- Halong Bay Luxury Dinner Cruise - Ambassador: $37
- Sunset and Bioluminescent Kayaking Tour in Lan Ha Bay with Dinner: $37
- Luxury Ha Long Bay Yacht Dinner Cruise & Spectacular Views: $71
- Best 2D1N Lan Ha Bay Cruise: BBQ dinner, Viet Hai Ancient Village: $210
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54Halong Bay $16
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Two-hour Jeep tour - Wadi Rum desert: $20
- Aqaba Local Food, Market & Culture Walking Tour: $30
- Wadi Rum Half-day Jeep Tour incl. sandboard, water & Bedouin tea: $30
- Stargazing Adventure in Jordan: $30
- Glass-Bottom Boat 2-hours Tour and Coral-Reef Viewing from Aqaba: $30
- Aqaba Walking Tour : History ,Culture & Food: $30
- Private Walking Tour in Aqaba City with Free Meal: $30
- Wadi Rum: Premium English Speaking Guide 4WD Desert Tour: $32
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum Desert & Canyon: $35
- 2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
- Wadi Rum 3 hours sunset Jeep 4x4 Tour: $35
- Camel Tours in Wadi Rum Desert | Magic Bedouin Star: $37
Tours and Activities in Halong Bay
Here are a few actual costs in Halong Bay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self Guided Podcast Tour Ha Long The Black Gold of Hon Gai: $5.49
- From Cat Ba: Small Group, Lan Ha, Ha Long Bay- Kayaking Tours: $19
- Shared 6 Hours boat Tour With Cave Kayak Beach From Halong City: $20
- Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour - best selling: Kayaking, Swimming, hiking & Lunch: $23
- Cat Ba Kayak Tour in Mangrove Forests and Explore Thien Long Cave: $24
- Lan Ha Bay Cruise Day Tour : Kayaking, Swimming, Hiking & Lunch: $25
- Sky Tour - Entertainment: $25
- Hanoi: Ha Long Bay Day Cruise with Lunch, Cave & Kayaking: $26
- The Best 5 Star Halong Bay Cruise with Buffet,pool, Sunset Party: $26
- Majestic Sunset Boat Tour Explore Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba Island: $26
- Cat Ba: Majestic Sunset Boat Tour Explore the Stunning Lan Ha Bay: $26
- From Ha Noi/Cat Ba: Full-Day Cruise to Lan Ha bay - Ha Long Bay: $26
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAqaba $9.07Halong Bay $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Halong Bay, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is Halong Bay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba is in Middle East and Halong Bay is in Asia, 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 Halong Bay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Halong Bay 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 Aqaba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aqaba than you might in Halong Bay.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aqaba Expensive? and Is Halong Bay Expensive?.
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.