Which place is cheaper, Boracay or Halong Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Halong Bay or Boracay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Halong Bay and Boracay 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: Halong Bay or Boracay?
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.
Boracay
A small island in the Philippines known for its resorts and beaches, Boracay is a little escape. Each beach has its own unique character, each with new treasures waiting to be discovered.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, and The Best Adventure Tours to Philippines.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHalong Bay $58Boracay $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Halong Bay is $58, while the average daily cost in Boracay is $56. 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 Halong Bay and Boracay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHalong Bay $28Boracay $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHalong Bay $56Boracay $46
Compare Hotels in Halong Bay and Boracay
Looking for a hotel in Halong Bay or Boracay? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Halong Bay $14Boracay $28
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: $175
- 2D/1N at 5 STAR CRUISES: Transfer,Meals, Cave, Island & Beach: $185
- 2D/1N at AQUAMARINE CRUISES: Transfer,Meals, Cave, Island & Beach: $170
- 6 Hours Sailing on Dragon King Cruise From Halong with Transfer: $50
- Alova Premium Cruise to Halong Bay 1 Day Trip by Highway Transfer: $50
- Amethyst Cruise Luxury Day Tour from Halong Bay Included Transfer: $70
- Bhaya 2-Day Halong Bay Tour with Optional Hanoi Transfer by Bus: $203
- Bus Transfer from Cat Ba island to Ninh Binh: $13
- Bus/Private Transfer Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh/ Ninh binh to Cat Ba: $19
- Cozy Bay Classic Cruise 2D1N from Hanoi by Expressway Transfer : $135
- Dragon 5Star HaLong Cruise 2D1N Included Transfer from Hanoi : $140
- From Hanoi with Expessway Transfer to Halong Bay 1 Day Trip: $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boracay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boracay:
- Airport Transfer to Boracay or vice versa: $26
- Boracay Adventures Transfer Services Via Caticlan: $35
- Boracay Transfer round trip with Island Hopping: $69
- Private Transfer from Caticlan Airport to Boracay: $43
- Shared Transfer from/to MPH for Domestic Passports: $21
- Caticlan: Ferry Boat Airport Transfer To Boracay: $41
- Caticlan: Shared Airport Transfer From/To Boracay: $54
- Departure: Ferry boat Transfer Boracay to Caticlan Airport: $30
- PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER TO BORACAY: $59
- Speedboat Caticlan to Boracay Transfer (Oneway): $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Halong Bay or Boracay?
Prices for flights to both Boracay and Halong Bay 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 dayHalong Bay $16Boracay $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halong Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Halong Bay.
- Ambassador Luxury Dinner Cruise in Halong Bay: $46
- 1-day private Hanoi city tour with fun and night street walking food tour: $101
- Luxury Aspira Cruise from Halong with kayaking,cave,cooking class: $175
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Halong Bay $16Boracay $15
Tours and Activities in Halong Bay
Here are a few actual costs in Halong Bay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- City Sightseeing Ha Long Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour : $19
- Full Day Boat Tour in Halong Bay, Cat Ba Archipelago & Lan Ha Bay: $24
- Best love - Full Day Boat Tour to Lan Ha Bay and Ha Long Bay: $26
- Most favorite full day boat tour with kayaking in Lan Ha bay, Ha Long bay: $26
- Ha Long Bay Day Tour with Lunch, Cave Explore & Titop Island: $29
- From Cat Ba island: full day boat tour to Lan Ha bay - Ha Long bay: $32
- Cruise and kayak on Lan Ha bay Ha Long bay with local experts: $32
- Full Day Trip to Lan Ha Bay with Kayaking in less tourist Areas: $34
- Lan Ha Bay Full Day Boat tour from Cat Ba island: $35
- Lan Ha Bay day tour from Cat Ba Town - Serenity Premium Cruise: $35
- Lan Ha Bay Full-Day Cruise From Cat Ba Town - Serenity Cruises: $36
- One Day Lan Ha Bay with Cat Ba Expedition Tour: $37
Tours and Activities in Boracay
Here are a few actual costs in Boracay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Crystal Kayak Photo-op Experience: $6.31
- Boracay - Crystal Kayak phot-op Experience: $9.02
- Flying Donut Water Tubing Experience: $14
- Boracay UFO Adventure: $16
- Sunset Cruise with Water Activities: $16
- Boracay Sunset Cruise: $16
- Island and Beach-Hopping Boat Tour with Snorkeling: $20
- Boracay Island Rhythm Sunset Cruise: $21
- Stand-up Paddleboard Experience: $22
- Helmet Diving Experience with Photos and Videos: $22
- All-Terrain Vehicle or Buggy Car Experience: $23
- Boracay Optional Tours and Packages: $24
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHalong Bay $12Boracay $16
When comparing the travel costs between Halong Bay and Boracay, we can see that Halong Bay is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Halong Bay Expensive? and Is Boracay 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.