Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays or Halong Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Halong Bay or Whitsundays?
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 Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays?
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.
Whitsundays
Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.
As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Vietnam, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Vietnam, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia, and The Best Walking Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHalong Bay $59Whitsundays $139
The average daily cost (per person) in Halong Bay is $59, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $139. 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 Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHalong Bay $29Whitsundays $72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHalong Bay $58Whitsundays $144
Compare Hotels in Halong Bay and Whitsundays
Looking for a hotel in Halong Bay or Whitsundays? 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 $14Whitsundays $58
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
- Cozy Bay Classic Cruise 2D1N from Hanoi by Expressway Transfer : $135
- JADE SAILS - 1 Day Cruise in Halong & Lan Ha Bay with TRANSFER: $110
- Hai Phong airport transfer to Halong Bay with private car 4 seat from Hai Phong: $87
- Private Transfer from Hanoi Cruise Port to Haiphong Cat B Airport: $84
- Halong Bay Luxury Day Tour From Hanoi With Limousine Transfer : $80
- Amethyst Cruise Luxury Day Tour from Halong Bay Included Transfer: $70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Whitsundays
Also for Whitsundays, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Whitsunday Islands: Whitehaven Beach Camping Transfer: $130
Is it cheaper to fly into Halong Bay or Whitsundays?
Prices for flights to both Whitsundays 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 $16Whitsundays $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whitsundays
For Whitsundays, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset BBQ Dinner Cruise: $102
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Halong Bay $17Whitsundays $26
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
- La Regina Overnight Cruise - Queen of Lan Ha Bay - 2 day/1 night: $230
- (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: HaLong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, Natural Beach and Full Moon Party: $29
- 1 Day Halong Bay Deluxe Cruise with Wego Halong: $40
- 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
- 1-Day Halong Luxury Cruise,Buffet Meal,Sunset Party,Cave & Island: $50
Tours and Activities in Whitsundays
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.
- Airlie Beach: Whitsundays Full-Day Camira Sailing Adventure: $163
- Airlie Beach: Private Guided 2-Night Yacht Sailing Cruise: $5,159
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHalong Bay $13Whitsundays $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Halong Bay and Whitsundays, we can see that Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays 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.