Which place is cheaper, Taiyuan or Halong Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Halong Bay or Taiyuan?
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 Taiyuan 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 Taiyuan?
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.
Taiyuan
With sleek architectural designs and blossoming businesses, this metropolis is simply brimming with invigorating excitement and once-in-a-lifetime entertainment. Despite its glimmering skyscrapers and gorgeous fountains, Taiyuan, China has an extensive history of nearly 2,500 years. During ancient China, Taiyuan, or the "Dragon City," was a major military town. Presently, this city is now one of China's most important industrial cities, producing more than half of the national coal mining output. Taiyuan is both the capital and largest city of the Shanxi province of North China. It is bounded by mountains on three of its sides, allowing this great city to be surrounded by fantastic views of its landscape. Besides its economic significance, Taiyuan also achieves tourist significance due to its plethora of landmarks and sights. Some of these attractions include Jinci Temple, Forest Park, Mengshan Giant Buddha, and Shanxi Museum. Taiyuan is also celebrated internationally for holding their annual Shanxi Taiyuan International Folk Arts Festival, a celebration held in September that hosts exhibition of fine arts, painting, paper-cutting, sculpture, drama, acrobatic and the culture of costume. With such a great deal to do in such a limited window of time, it is best to make the most Taiyuan while you visit!
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Vietnam, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Vietnam, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHalong Bay $59Taiyuan $92
The average daily cost (per person) in Halong Bay is $59, while the average daily cost in Taiyuan is $92. 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 Taiyuan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHalong Bay $29Taiyuan $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHalong Bay $58Taiyuan $86
Compare Hotels in Halong Bay and Taiyuan
Looking for a hotel in Halong Bay or Taiyuan? 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 $14Taiyuan $48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halong Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Halong Bay:
- 2 Days and 1 Night Halong Bay 5 Star Cruise with Transfer: $250
- 2-Day Ninh Binh - Halong Bay With Transfer: $210
- 2D/1N at 5 STAR CRUISES: Transfer,Meals, Cave, Island & Beach: $185
- 2 Day Halong Bay Cruise from Hanoi by Expressway Transfer: $175
- 2D/1N at AQUAMARINE CRUISES: Transfer,Meals, Cave, Island & Beach: $170
- Dragon 5Star HaLong Cruise 2D1N Included Transfer from Hanoi : $155
- JADE SAILS - 1 Day Cruise in Halong & Lan Ha Bay with TRANSFER: $110
- Halong Bay transfer to Hai Phong airport with private car 7 seats from HalongBay: $100
- Hai Phong airport transfer to Halong Bay with private car 4 seat from Hai Phong: $87
- Amethyst Luxury 5 Star Cruise From Halong Bay with Transfer: $85
- Halong Bay Luxury Day Tour From Hanoi With Limousine Transfer : $80
- Amethyst Cruise Luxury Day Tour from Halong Bay Included Transfer: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Halong Bay or Taiyuan?
Prices for flights to both Taiyuan 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 $16Taiyuan $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halong Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Halong Bay.
- 1-day private Hanoi city tour with fun and night street walking food tour: $101
- Best 2D1N Lan Ha Bay Cruise: BBQ dinner, Viet Hai Ancient Village: $175
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Halong Bay $17Taiyuan $16
Tours and Activities in Halong Bay
Here are a few actual costs in Halong Bay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Alisa Premier Luxury 5-Star Cruise in Halong Bay 2 Days 1 Night: $175
- Explore Halong Bay on a Luxury Cruise from 3 to 6-star Options: $130
- (Official) Athena Royal Cruise - 02 days 01 night program: $170
- (Official) Signature Halong Cruise - 02 days 01 night program: $160
- (Official) Signature Royal Cruise - 02 days 01 night program: $164
- 1 Day Boat Tour Lan Ha Bay & Viet Hai Ancient Village from Cat Ba: $53
- 1 Day Boat Tour: HaLong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, Natural Beach and Full Moon Party: $29
- 1 Day Halong Bay Deluxe Cruise with Wego Halong: $40
- 1 Day Halong Bay Exploration with Luxury Cruise and Seaplane: $250
- 1 Day Small Group Luxury Cruise in Halong with Better Care : $60
- 1 night Halong Bay Cruise-Titov Island,Surprise Cave,kayak,meals: $135
- 1 night cruise selection over Halong, Bai Tu Long or Lan Ha Bay: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHalong Bay $13Taiyuan $6.48
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Halong Bay and Taiyuan, we can see that Taiyuan 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 Taiyuan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Taiyuan 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 Taiyuan 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.