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

Should you visit Bangkok or Hualien?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bangkok and Hualien can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Bangkok or Hualien?

Bangkok

Bangkok: a name synonymous with all things exotic. The vibrant and exciting capital of Thailand is not just a hub for Southeast Asia, but also a destination into itself. Known for an active nightlife and party scene, as well as great food, historic temples, and busy markets, Bangkok offers a diversity to entertain even the most experienced travelers.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Taipei, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Taiwan.


Which place is cheaper, Hualien or Bangkok?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Bangkok is $76, 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 Bangkok and Hualien in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bangkok $41
    Hualien $56
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bangkok $82
    Hualien $112
Compare Hotels in Bangkok and Hualien

Looking for a hotel in Bangkok 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 Bangkok


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: Bangkok Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bangkok $5.77
    Hualien $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:


  • Tuk Tuk to bus station
    $2.18
  • Skytrain Ticket
    $4.36
  • Chao Phraya River Express Ticket
    $0.87
  • Ferry Ride
    $0.71
  • Taxi From Airport
    $6.82
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $2.45
  • Boat Taxi
    $1.36
  • Trains to airport
    $4.36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:

  • Suvarnabhumi Airport Bus transfer to/from Bangkok: $4.06
  • Bus transfer from/to Suvarnabhumi Airport: $4.99
  • Airport BKK||DMK : Private car Transfer to downtowns Bangkok: $12
  • Private transfer from Hotel in Bangkok to BKK Airport : $14
  • Private Bangkok Airport Transfer (BKK/DMK): $14
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Bangkok HTL- APT(BKK): $14
  • Bangkok International Airport - Departure Transfer: $15
  • Private Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport Transfer To City Hotels Or Hotel To Airport: $15
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Bangkok APT-HTL (BKK): $17
  • Private Bangkok Airport Transfer: $17
  • Bangkok International Airport - Arrival Transfer: $17
  • Departure Private Transfer Bangkok City to Bangkok Airport BKK or DMK by Sedan: $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hualien

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hualien:

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Bangkok or Hualien?

Prices for flights to both Hualien and Bangkok 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
    Bangkok $18
    Hualien $30
Typical Food Prices in Bangkok

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:


  • Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (for Two)
    $25
  • Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)
    $5.46
  • 2 Rotis (Bread)
    $1.23
  • Mango & Sticky Rice
    $0.82
  • Lunch at KFC (for Two)
    $5.46
  • Pad Thai
    $1.91
  • Airport Lunch for 2
    $15
  • Lunch for 2
    $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok

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

  • Bangkok Food Tour and Sightseeing with Tuktuk: $16
  • White Orchid Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $19
  • Chao Phraya Princess Dinner Cruise Ticket: $20
  • Baiyoke Observation Deck with Lunch/Dinner Buffet: $21
  • River Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $23
  • Meridian Sunset Dinner Cruise - Floating Paradise From ICONSIAM Bangkok: $23
  • Calypso Cabaret Show with Thai Set Dinner: $24
  • 2-Hour Dinner Cruise on the Chao Phraya Princess: $26
  • Alangka Luxury Buffet Dinner Cruise With Live Music: $27
  • Viva Alangka Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise: $27
  • Chao Phraya Buffet Dinner Viva Alangka Cruise: $27
  • Riverside Dinner Buffet Cruise On Chao Phraya: $27

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.
    Bangkok $16
    Hualien $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangkok

Here are a few typical costs in Bangkok for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Movie Ticket
    $4.36
  • Grand Palace Entrance Ticket
    $9.55
  • Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket
    $1.36
  • Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)
    $5.46
  • Club Cover Charge
    $10
  • Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)
    $65
  • Fish Pedicure
    $4.09
  • Wat Pho entrance ticket
    $2.73
  • Siriraj Museum (2)
    $11

Tours and Activities in Bangkok

Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Thailand's Road to Democracy: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $1.99
  • Bangkok Noi Canal: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.13
  • Road to Democracy: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Thailand's Modern Politics: $5.20
  • Skip the Line Admission Ticket: Ayutthaya Floating Market: $5.31
  • Skip the line Admission Ticket: Ayutthaya Floating Market: $5.52
  • Chinatown and Wat Traimit Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.00
  • Skip the Line Admission Ticket of Ayothaya Floating Market: $8.28
  • Skip the Line Admission Ticket of Ayothaya Floating Market: $8.28
  • Pororo Aqua Park Entry Ticket: $9.46
  • Skip the Line: Patpong Museum Guided Tour : $9.66
  • Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Audio Guide: $10
  • Grand Palace Self-Guided Walking Tour: $10

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
    Bangkok $5.97
    Hualien $14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:


  • Beer
    $1.09

Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:

  • Pub Crawl and Club Night With Shots & VIP Entrance: $22


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bangkok and Hualien, we can see that Hualien is more expensive. And not only is Bangkok much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bangkok would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bangkok 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 Bangkok.

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


Which is Bigger, Bangkok or Hualien?

Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hualien. When comparing the sizes of Bangkok 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.