Which place is cheaper, Kao-hsiung or Halong Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Halong Bay or Kao-hsiung?
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 Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung?
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.
Kao-hsiung
Kaohsiung is the second-most populated city and also the largest port city in the country, located in the south of Taiwan. Compared to Taipei, the lifestyle in Kaohsiung is laid-back and noticeably slower, populated with friendly locals. However, with Taipei in the spotlight, Kaohsiung is often overlooked, though it offers so much in the way of art and culture, history, and delicious food.
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, The Best Historical Tours in Taiwan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Taiwan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHalong Bay $58Kao-hsiung $102
The average daily cost (per person) in Halong Bay is $58, while the average daily cost in Kao-hsiung is $102. 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 Kao-hsiung in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHalong Bay $28Kao-hsiung $56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHalong Bay $56Kao-hsiung $112
Compare Hotels in Halong Bay and Kao-hsiung
Looking for a hotel in Halong Bay or Kao-hsiung? 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: Kao-hsiung Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Halong Bay $14Kao-hsiung $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halong Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Halong Bay:
- 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
- Transfer From Halong to Ninh Binh: $25
- Rosa Eco Bus Luxury Transfer Ha Long to Ha Noi: $27
- Sunworld Halong theme park ticket with roundtrip transfer: $32
- Transfer Ha Long to Ha Noi Super Limousine Morning Bus: $33
- From Hanoi with Expessway Transfer to Halong Bay 1 Day Trip: $42
- Halong Bay Day Tour Roundtrip Transfer by Expressway 2024 - 2025: $43
- Small Group Halong Day Tour: Islands, Cave, Kayak. Lunch. Expressway Transfers: $45
- Private Transfer from Halong Bay Port to Haiphong city hotels: $46
- Private Transfer from Halong Bay Cruise Port to Hanoi hotels: $46
- 6 Hours Sailing on Dragon King Cruise From Halong with Transfer: $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kao-hsiung
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kao-hsiung:
- Explore Kaohsiung - 8 Hours Private Transfers - Best of Kaohsiung Sites: $179
- Guanziling Resorts to Kaohsiung Airport KHH Departure Transfer: $49
- Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $49
- Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts-Round-Trip Transfer: $98
- Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Taitung Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $153
- Kaohsiung Airport -> Kaohsiung Hotel Private Transfer (Large room for luggage) : $35
- Kaohsiung International Airport and Kaohsiung City Transfer: $41
- Private Kaohsiung Airport to Taitung Resorts Arrival Transfer: $76
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port: $79
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port : $71
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Port to Kaohsiung Airport (KHH): $71
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Port to Kaohsiung Airport (KHH): $79
Is it cheaper to fly into Halong Bay or Kao-hsiung?
Prices for flights to both Kao-hsiung 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 $16Kao-hsiung $32
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 $16Kao-hsiung $20
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
- Cruise and kayak on Lan Ha bay Ha Long bay with local experts: $32
- From Cat Ba island: full day boat tour to Lan Ha bay - Ha Long bay: $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 Kao-hsiung
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kao-hsiung are as follows:
- Kaohsiung Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $48
- Private Classic Kaohsiung Day Tour: $75
- Food and Culture Walking Tour in Tainan: $78
- Day Tour to Qigu Salt Mountain, Chikan Tower and Anping Castle : $87
- Tainan Siraya Nature and Culture One Day Tour: $90
- Private Custom Kaohsiung Day Tour: $100
- Half-day tour Kaohsiung: $103
- Kaohsiung Walking Day Tour: $130
- Kaohsiung Suburbs Full-Day Tour: $150
- Kaohsiung /Pingtung Day Tour : $150
- Private Tour Tainan Ancient Capital and Wushantou Reservoir: $156
- Private Tour Alishan Culture and Ecology from Kaohsiung: $156
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHalong Bay $12Kao-hsiung $10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Halong Bay and Kao-hsiung, we can see that Kao-hsiung is more expensive. And not only is Halong Bay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Kao-hsiung would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung 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.