A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Halong Bay vs. Hobart for Couples, Attractions, Food, and Hiking

Should you visit Halong Bay or Hobart?

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 Hobart 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.

Halong Bay

Halong Bay is a breathtaking, stunning, and dramatic bay. Many visitors also come to Halong Bay because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums, food, and beaches. See Halong Bay travel costs.

Hobart

Hobart is a charming, fascinating, and quaint city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Hobart travel costs.

Halong Bay and Hobart: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Halong Bay or Hobart?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Hobart than Halong Bay, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Hobart is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Halong Bay is more popular for its beaches and impressive beauty. Halong Bay is well known for its stunning limestone mountains, dramatic water caves, peaceful fishing villages, and unique liveaboard boat trips. Hobart is well known for its quaint historical center, fresh seafood, and nearby hiking and biking trails. Also, Hobart is famous for Battery Point.

How is Halong Bay different from Hobart?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Hobart and Halong Bay. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Halong Bay or Hobart?

Hobart is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Halong Bay is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Hobart. The town has many landmarks and museums such as Port Arthur, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), Mawson's Huts Replica Museum, and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. A highlight of the city is Battery Point, which is like an open-air museum. Make sure you explore the Battery Point Sculpture Trail.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Halong Bay. While the bay is really about its stunning natural beauty, you can also visit the Quang Ninh Museum, which will give you some insight into the area. The Cai Bau Pagoda is also impressive, as is the Vung Vieng Floating Village.

Is the Food Better in Halong Bay or Hobart? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hobart is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Halong Bay is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Hobart. The town has seen a surge in its culinary scene in recent years. Local chefs like to highlight the regional flavors and ingredients such as octopus, kingfish, abalone, and leatherwood honey.

Halong Bay is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Because most visitors travel to Halong Bay as part of an overnight boat tour, meals are usually included in the package. The dishes are usually local Vietnamese dishes, and the luxury level varies depending on the tour you book.

Is Halong Bay or Hobart Better for Nightlife?

Hobart is a city with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Halong Bay is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

Hobart has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. While it's a smaller city, there is still a good mix of local bars, trendy lounges, and elegant wine bars. you'll also find some great venues for live music.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Halong Bay Many tours, particularly those that cater to the backpacker crowd, have a social atmosphere, but there isn't a nightlife scene and this area isn't a trip that's known for its party atmosphere. Most tourists stay up in the evening swapping travel stories with their fellow boatmates.

Is Halong Bay or Hobart Better for Beaches?

Halong Bay is great for the beach. However, Hobart is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Halong Bay attract visitors from all over. Many boat tours spend a day or half day hanging out on a beach. The setting is stunning with emerald blue water and dramatic limestone karsts climbing out of the water.

Hobart is not a beach destination.

Is Halong Bay or Hobart Better for Hiking?

Both Halong Bay and Hobart are destinations which offer great hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Halong Bay. Most tours stop off at Cat Ba Island and lead travelers through spectacular hikes. You'll take a guided walk through jungles and reach spectacular viewpoints.

Many visitors go to Hobart for the hiking trails. The city is surrounded by bushland reserves as well as nearby Mount Wellington. The area offers many diverse hiking and walking trails and there are a wide range to choose from so whatever your hiking level, you'll find something of interest.

Is the Shopping Better in Halong Bay or Hobart?

Hobart is well known for its shopping opportunities. However, Halong Bay is not particularly known for its shopping areas.

Hobart is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It has some of the best shopping in Tasmania. You'll find a great shopping experience along Elizabeth Street, which is lined with boutiques and quirky shops. The city also has a couple of outdoor flea markets that offers a unique shopping experience.

Shopping in Halong Bay can be found for those interested. Most people don't spend their time shopping while they're visiting the area. If you're looking for a local souvenir, there are a few places to pick things up during your trip.

Is Halong Bay or Hobart More Beautiful?

Halong Bay is renowned for its scenery and beauty. However, Hobart is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Halong Bay because of it's amazing beauty. Halong Bay has been voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World and it is regularly listed as one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Hobart is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Halong Bay or Hobart Better for Families?

Both Halong Bay and Hobart are great to visit with kids.

Halong Bay is a very kid-friendly bay. Most people visit the area on board an overnight boat from Hanoi. The boats range in style and luxury level, but whatever you choose, your kids will love the novelty of sleeping aboard a boat and exploring the truly stunning islands.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Hobart. Kids who love animals will enjoy a visit to the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. There are also fruit farms to visit and vineyards to explore in the area, as well as great hiking. For an interactive museum, head to the Tasmanian Transport Museum and the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery has some toddler-friendly displays.

Is Halong Bay or Hobart Better for Couples?

Halong Bay is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Hobart is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Halong Bay is a great bay for couples, as it has plenty to offer. This truly world-class setting makes a perfect honeymoon or romantic destination. You'll likely want to book a luxury boat with plenty of amenities and delicious dining options. The setting is spectacular, and among the most unique in the world.

Hobart is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples will enjoy exploring the waterfront and Sullivans Cove. There are also outdoor markets and breweries around town. Botanical gardens and quaint neighborhoods also make this a lovely town to visit.

Is Halong Bay or Hobart Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Halong Bay is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Hobart is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Halong Bay. This is one of those places that you can't really visit independently, because you'll need to arrange a boat. There are countless travel agencies in Hanoi that you can book your trip through. The prices vary widely, as do the activities and amenities. Most backpackers enjoy exploring the bay aboard a Chinese Sail Boat or 'Junk'.

Plenty of backpackers visit Hobart. There are a handful of hostels around town and many great hiking trails.

Is Halong Bay or Hobart Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Hobart is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Halong Bay is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Hobart, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a public bus system and many of the buses leave from Elizabeth Street (between Macquarie and Collins Streets) or Franklin Square.

Public transit is quite limited in Halong Bay. An organized tour is essential for exploring the bay. Most visitors arrange an overnight boat tour, often aboard a Chinese Sail Boat or 'Junk'.

Is Halong Bay or Hobart a more walkable city?

Hobart is well known for its high level of walkability. However, Halong Bay is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

Hobart is a very walkable city. It has a compact city center that many people enjoy exploring on foot.

Halong Bay is not a very walkable bay. This is a place that requires an organized tour to visit, as you need a boat to explore.

For even more information, also check out Is Halong Bay Worth Visiting? and Is Hobart Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hobart or Halong Bay?

How long in Halong Bay or Hobart?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Halong Bay and Hobart. In our opinion, Hobart has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Hobart than Halong Bay. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Hobart than Halong Bay. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Hobart, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Hobart than Halong Bay. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Hobart that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hobart than Halong Bay if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Hobart.

One day in Halong Bay or Hobart?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Halong Bay. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With museums and nightlife around the fascinating city of Hobart, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Halong Bay or Hobart?

Halong Bay is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Hobart, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Halong Bay or Hobart?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Halong Bay. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Hobart, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Halong Bay or Hobart?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the spectacular destination of Halong Bay. This bay offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Hobart is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Vietnam, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Vietnam, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Halong Bay and Hobart, we can see that Hobart is more expensive. And not only is Halong Bay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Halong Bay is in Asia and Hobart is in Pacific, 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 Hobart would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hobart 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 Halong Bay Expensive? and Is Hobart Expensive?.