A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bali vs. Hualien for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bali or Hualien?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bali and Hualien can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Bali or Hualien?

Bali

Known as the "Island of the Gods," it's not difficult to see why the Gods would want to set up shop in Bali. With a beautifully diverse landscape of hills, mountains, coastlines, beaches, vibrant rice fields and volcanic hillsides, you'll easily go into sensory overload.

Bali is home to 4 million people who all hold true to a deeply spiritual and unique culture. With champion surfing, world class resorts and challenging hiking trails, this Indonesian island accommodates travelers from every walk of life. It's often called, "paradise on earth, " and no one disagrees.

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 Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Taipei, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Taiwan.


Which place is cheaper, Hualien or Bali?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bali is $73, while the average daily cost in Hualien is $105. 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 Bali and Hualien in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bali $42
    Hualien $56
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bali $84
    Hualien $112
Compare Hotels in Bali and Hualien

Looking for a hotel in Bali 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.

Hotels in Bali


Hotels in Hualien


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: Bali Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bali $9.03
    Hualien $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bali

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bali:


  • Motorbike Rental
    $3.10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bali

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bali:

  • Nusa Dua Departure transfer to Bali Airport International (DPS): $13
  • Private transfer: Nusa Dua to Bali Airport (DPS): $15
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Denpasar International Airport to Nusa Dua Area: $15
  • Sanur Bali to/from Lembongan: Speedboat Transfer: $15
  • Mount Batur Sunrise 4WD Jeep With Transfer : $16
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Airport Jimbaran and Uluwatu: $16
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Bali Airport to Jimbaran and Uluwatu Hotel: $16
  • Ngurah Rai Bali Airport Private Transfer: $16
  • Private Transfer Ubud-Seminyak-Kuta-Uluwatu-Jimbaran: $19
  • Bali Tours 4U Airport and Seaport transfers. 24 hours a day.: $21
  • Private Transfer Between Ubud and Canggu: $22
  • Bali DPS Airport Private Transfer from-to Nusa Dua: $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hualien

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hualien:

  • Private Transfer from Hualien Port to Taipei Taoyuan Airport: $93
  • Private Transfer from Hualien Cruise Port to Taipei city hotels: $93
  • Private Transfer from Hualien Port to Taipei Taoyuan Airport(TPE): $103

Is it cheaper to fly into Bali or Hualien?

Prices for flights to both Hualien and Bali 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Bali $21
    Hualien $30
Typical Food Prices in Bali

Some typical examples of dining costs in Bali are as follows:


  • Coffee
    $1.24
  • Lunch for Two
    $14
  • Bali Cafe for Two
    $27
  • Lunch for Two
    $8.07
  • Lunch for 2
    $8.93
  • Dinner for 2
    $9.80

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bali

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bali.

  • ​​The Balinesia Lu'au - 'A Kampung Bali Experience & Dinner Show': $28
  • Best Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran Beach Sunset : $29
  • Romantic Seafood Dinner under sunset in the Beach: $30
  • Uluwatu Temple Kecak And Dinner Half Day Private Guided Tour: $30
  • Private Tour Uluwatu Sunset Kecak Dance and Dinner at Jimbaran: $31
  • Bali Sunset and Dinner: Uluwatu, Tanah Lot and Jimbaran: $32
  • Pirate Dinner Cruise with Shows, Games, and Music: $33
  • From Ubud: Authentic Cooking Class in a Local Village: $35
  • From Ubud: Balinese Cooking Class at an Organic Farm: $35
  • Romantic Seafood Dinner at Jimbaran: $38
  • Spice Garden, Jamu & Cooking Class in Bali Village: $45
  • Seminyak: Balinese Cooking Class & Market Tour: $45

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hualien

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hualien.

  • Aboriginal Cooking Class in Hualien: $100

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bali $11
    Hualien $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bali

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bali are as follows:


  • Spa for Two
    $54
  • Snorkelling Trip
    $12
  • Cooking School
    $28

Tours and Activities in Bali

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bali are as follows:

  • Bali Water Sports Adventure: $7.89
  • Bali Bird Park 1-Day Admission Ticket: $8.97
  • Private Tour to New Indonesia Urban Destination: $13
  • Kecak and Fire Dance Ticket at Uluwatu Temple: $14
  • Uluwatu Temple and Karang Boma Cliff Tour with Tickets: $15
  • Best of Ubud Full Day Private Guided Tour: $19
  • All-Inclusive White Water Rafting Adventure in Ubud: $19
  • 1-Day Instant Entry Ticket to Waterbom Bali: $19
  • Ubud: Monkey Forest, Rice Terraces, Temple & Waterfalls Tour: $19
  • Bali Nusa Dua Theatre: Devdan Show Tickets: $19
  • Ubud: Waterfall, Rice Terraces & Monkey Forest Private Tour: $20
  • All Inclusive Bali Snorkeling Blue Lagoon tour experience : $20

Tours and Activities in Hualien

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hualien are as follows:

  • Qixingtan Fish Fishing Chihsingtan Classic Fishing Tour: $23
  • Wild ATV Self-driving Experience: $42
  • Hualien Changhong Bridge SUP Day tour: $85
  • Shuimutin Exclusive SUP Day tour(Hualien to Taitung): $89
  • Full-Day Taroko National Park Tour from Hualien City: $115
  • One-Day Private Guided Tour in Taroko Gorge from Hualien: $117
  • Full-Day Private Taroko National Park Tour from Hualien City: $139
  • Taroko, Qingshui Cliffs and Qixingtan Chartered Tour from Hualien: $156
  • Full Day Tour in Taroko National Park from Hualien: $199

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bali $3.20
    Hualien $14


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Hualien, we can see that Hualien is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali 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 Hualien would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hualien than you might in Bali.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bali Expensive? and Is Hualien Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bali or Hualien?

Bali has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Hualien. When comparing the sizes of Bali 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.