Which place is cheaper, Kao-hsiung or Hat Yai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai 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: Hat Yai or Kao-hsiung?
Hat Yai
The fourth largest city of Thailand, Hat Yai is a popular tourist destination, especially on weekends and holidays for people in neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. It is best known as a commercial hub and shopping destination, and for its floating market and Buddhist temple.
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 Contiki Tours to Thailand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best Historical Tours in Taiwan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Taiwan.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHat Yai $17Kao-hsiung $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Hat Yai is $17, while the average daily cost in Kao-hsiung is $103. 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 Hat Yai and Kao-hsiung in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHat Yai $5.56Kao-hsiung $57
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHat Yai $11Kao-hsiung $114
Compare Hotels in Hat Yai and Kao-hsiung
Looking for a hotel in Hat Yai 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: Hat Yai Hotel Prices and Kao-hsiung Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hat Yai $0.68Kao-hsiung $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hat Yai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hat Yai:
- Transfer from Hatyai Airport to Koh Lipe: $26
- Private Hatyai Airport Transfer to Pak Bara Pier by Van: $77
- Private Van transfer from Hatyai Airport to Pak Bara Pier: $81
- Private Van transfer from Hatyai City to Pak Bara Pier: $81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kao-hsiung
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kao-hsiung:
- Kaohsiung Airport -> Kaohsiung Hotel Private Transfer (Large room for luggage) : $35
- Kaohsiung International Airport and Kaohsiung City Transfer: $41
- Guanziling Resorts to Kaohsiung Airport KHH Departure Transfer: $51
- Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $51
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port : $73
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Port to Kaohsiung Airport (KHH): $73
- Private Kaohsiung Airport to Taitung Resorts Arrival Transfer: $79
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port: $81
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Port to Kaohsiung Airport (KHH): $81
- Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts-Round-Trip Transfer: $102
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport to Kenting: $138
- Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Taitung Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $158
Is it cheaper to fly into Hat Yai or Kao-hsiung?
Prices for flights to both Kao-hsiung and Hat Yai 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
-
Food Meals for one dayHat Yai $11Kao-hsiung $32
Typical Food Prices in Hat Yai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hat Yai are as follows:
-
Roti Snack$0.59
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hat Yai -Kao-hsiung $21
Tours and Activities in Hat Yai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hat Yai are as follows:
- One Way Speedboat and Van Ticket Koh Lipe to Hat Yai Airport: $33
- One Way Van and Speedboat Ticket Hat Yai Airport to Koh Lipe: $33
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
- Private Custom Kaohsiung Day Tour: $100
- Siao Liuchiu-Coral Island One Day Tour: $100
- Half-day tour Kaohsiung: $103
- Retro Hakka culture and Qishan old street One Day Tour: $120
- Kaohsiung Baolai hot spring and Butterfly watching Tour: $120
- Meinong and Aboriginal Village Culture One Day Tour: $120
- Kaohsiung Walking Day Tour: $130
- Kaohsiung /Pingtung Day Tour : $150
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHat Yai $2.74Kao-hsiung $10
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hat Yai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hat Yai:
-
Beer$1.78
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hat Yai and Kao-hsiung, we can see that Kao-hsiung is more expensive. And not only is Hat Yai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hat Yai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hat Yai 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 Hat Yai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hat Yai Expensive? and Is Kao-hsiung Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hat Yai or Kao-hsiung?
Kao-hsiung has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Hat Yai. When comparing the sizes of Hat Yai and Kao-hsiung, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
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.