Which place is cheaper, Hualien 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 Hualien?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Hualien, 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 Hualien?
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.
Hualien
If you're looking for hustle and bustle, head to Taipei. If you're looking for fresh air and the prettiest town by the sea, Hualien is the place to be. With many national parks to explore, cliffs and mountains to climb and beaches to get some rest and relaxation, there's plenty to do, especially for nature lovers and those who crave peace and quiet, away from the bigger cities in Taiwan.
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 Taipei, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Taiwan.
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Aqaba Prices
Jordan PricesHualien Prices
Taiwan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAqaba $157Hualien $129
The average daily cost (per person) in Aqaba is $157, while the average daily cost in Hualien is $129. 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 Hualien in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAqaba $59Hualien $57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAqaba $118Hualien $114
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Hualien
Looking for a hotel in Aqaba or Hualien? 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 $24Hualien $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Aqaba Airport transfer to Aqaba City: $25
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Or TalaBay: $25
- King Hussein Int Airport Transfers One Way to Aqaba: $25
- Private Transfer: Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $27
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Hotels: $27
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Arava Border: $27
- Aqaba Hussein Airport (AQJ) to Aqaba - Arrival Private Transfer: $31
- Aqaba to Aqaba Hussein Airport (AQJ) - Departure Private Transfer: $31
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Tala Bay Hotels: $33
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Tala bay Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $33
- Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Aqaba: $35
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Cruise Port to Aqaba hotels: $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hualien
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hualien:
- Private Transfer from Hualien Cruise Port to Taipei city hotels: $279
- Private Transfer from Hualien Port to Taipei Taoyuan Airport TPE: $279
Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Hualien?
Prices for flights to both Hualien 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 $73Hualien $53
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Suhaila (connecting through cooking): $50
- Traditional Bedouin Cooking Experience in the Desert: $50
- Overnight in Bedouin Camp. Dinner and breakfast included.: $56
- "Wadi Rum Jeep Tour + Bedouin Camp & Dinner Under the Stars: $80
- Explore Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Bed and Breakfast, and Dinner: $83
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight in Bedouin Camp & Dinner: $90
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $111
- 2 Day Wadi Rum Tour: Traditional Dinner and Starlit Cave Camp: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aqaba $54Hualien $20
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Join Us Before Sunset – Aqaba Walking Tour Let's Go!: $27
- Stargazing Adventure in Jordan: $30
- Wadi Rum Half-day Jeep Tour incl. sandboard, water & Bedouin tea: $30
- Glass-Bottom Boat 2-hours Tour and Coral-Reef Viewing from Aqaba: $30
- Aqaba Walking Tour : History ,Culture & Food: $30
- 2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $32
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum Desert & Canyon: $35
- Camel Tours in Wadi Rum Desert | Magic Bedouin Star: $37
- Wadi Rum: Explorer Jeep Tour PASS + Local Food + Optional Stay: $38
- Wadi Rum 4 hours morning tour or sunset tour Desert Highlights: $38
- 4 Hour Jeep Tour Wadi Rum Desert Highlights (morning or sunset): $38
- Wadi Rum 4-Hour Sunset Tour - Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $39
Tours and Activities in Hualien
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hualien are as follows:
- Hualien Tour in Qixingtan Beach, Liyu Lake, and Lintianshan Park: $68
- Taroko Gorge& Qingshui Cliffs& Qixingtan Group Tour from Hualien: $80
- Hualien Changhong Bridge SUP Day tour: $85
- Shuimutin Exclusive SUP Day tour(Hualien to Taitung): $89
- Hualien Day Tour: Taroko Gorge, Qingshui Cliffs & Qixingtan Beach: $90
- Hualien Highlights Day Tour: Taroko Gorge & Qingshui Cliffs: $90
- 2026 Taroko Gorge Tour Excellent Cultural Stories , 8 Hours: $119
- Private Taroko Gorge English Guided Tour from Hualien City: $127
- Private East Coast & Jade Hunting Tour – Hualien Summer Escape: $137
- Full-Day Private Taroko National Park Tour from Hualien City: $149
- Taroko Gorge, Qingshui Cliffs & Qixingtan Beach Tour from Hualien: $159
- From Hualien Day Tour– Taroko Gorge & Scenic Coastal Views: $170
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAqaba $9.07Hualien $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Hualien, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is Hualien much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba is in Middle East and Hualien 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 Hualien would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hualien 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 Hualien.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aqaba Expensive? and Is Hualien Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Aqaba or Hualien?
Hualien has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Aqaba. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba and Hualien, 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.