Which place is cheaper, Byron Bay or Hualien?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Hualien or Byron Bay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hualien or Byron Bay, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Hualien or Byron Bay?
Hualien
If you're looking for hustle and bustle, head to Taipei. If you're looking for fresh air and the prettiest town by the sea, Hualien is the place to be. With many national parks to explore, cliffs and mountains to climb and beaches to get some rest and relaxation, there's plenty to do, especially for nature lovers and those who crave peace and quiet, away from the bigger cities in Taiwan.
Byron Bay
South of Brisbane, off the Pacific Highway, is the coastal town of Byron Bay. It is close to Cape Byron, which is the easternmost point in mainland Australia. Byron Bay makes its way onto most traveler's itineraries because of its wonderful beach activities. The area is world famous for its waves, making it popular with surfers, but it also has incredible scuba diving, whale watching, and a generally relaxed atmosphere. The area continues to rise in popularity with travelers and as such, amenities and facilities are popping up everywhere.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Taipei, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Taiwan, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.
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Hualien Prices
Taiwan PricesByron Bay Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHualien $136Byron Bay $175
The average daily cost (per person) in Hualien is $136, while the average daily cost in Byron Bay is $175. 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 Hualien and Byron Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHualien $60Byron Bay $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHualien $120Byron Bay $134
Compare Hotels in Hualien and Byron Bay
Looking for a hotel in Hualien or Byron Bay? 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: Byron Bay Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hualien $29Byron Bay $32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hualien
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hualien:
- Private Transfer from Hualien Cruise Port to Taipei city hotels: $280
- Private Transfer from Hualien Port to Taipei Taoyuan Airport TPE: $280
Is it cheaper to fly into Hualien or Byron Bay?
Prices for flights to both Byron Bay and Hualien 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 dayHualien $56Byron Bay $83
Typical Food Prices in Byron Bay
Some typical examples of dining costs in Byron Bay are as follows:
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Dinner at Olivo (for 2)$59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Byron Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Byron Bay.
- Bangalow Native Bush Food Tour: $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hualien $21Byron Bay $36
Tours and Activities in Hualien
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hualien are as follows:
- Wild ATV Self-driving Experience: $43
- Taroko, Qingshui Cliff, Xincheng Old Street & Qixingtan Day Tour: $80
- Hualien Changhong Bridge SUP Day tour: $85
- Shuimutin Exclusive SUP Day tour(Hualien to Taitung): $89
- Exclusive Private Taroko Gorge Day Tour with Local English Guide: $121
- 2025 Taroko Gorge Tour Excellent Cultural Stories , 8 Hours: $130
- Full-Day Private Taroko National Park Tour from Hualien City: $139
- Taroko Gorge, Qingshui Cliffs & Qixingtan Beach Tour from Hualien: $159
- Liyu Lake, Sugar Factory, and Ruisui Ranch Tour: $320
Typical Entertainment Prices in Byron Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Byron Bay are as follows:
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Buddha Gardens Spa (for 2)$124
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Surf Lesson$43
Tours and Activities in Byron Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Byron Bay are as follows:
- Crystal Castle & Shambhala Gardens Entry Ticket: $33
- Skip the Line: Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens Admission Ticket: $33
- Brunswick River Scenic Kayak Tour: $40
- WANDER BYRON Guided Sunrise Tours to Cape Byron Lighthouse: $46
- Sunset River Cruise near Byron Bay: $47
- Broken Head Aboriginal Tour: $50
- Cape Byron Aboriginal Tour: $50
- Broken Head Aboriginal Tour: $50
- Byron Bay Private Bike Tour : $50
- Cape Byron Aboriginal Tour: $50
- Group 2.5 Hour Stand-Up Paddle Board Tour: $56
- Stand-Up Paddle Board Tour in Byron Bay: $57
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHualien $15Byron Bay $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Byron Bay
Also in Byron Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Arvo Session Brewery and Distillery Tour: $99
- Afternoon Brewery and Distillery session : $104
- Full-Day Brewery and Distillery Tour with Lunch: $136
- Full Barrel Brewery and Distillery tour: $137
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hualien and Byron Bay, we can see that Byron Bay is more expensive. And not only is Hualien much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hualien is in Asia and Byron Bay 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 Hualien would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hualien 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 Byron Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Byron Bay than you might in Hualien.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hualien Expensive? and Is Byron Bay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hualien or Byron Bay?
Hualien has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Byron Bay. When comparing the sizes of Hualien and Byron Bay, 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.