A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hualien vs. Khao Sok National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hualien or Khao Sok National Park?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hualien or Khao Sok National Park, 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 Khao Sok National Park?

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.

Khao Sok National Park

In the south of Thailand, visitors will find a gorgeous getaway of pure nature. The Khao Sok National Park is a jungle reserve that covers over 700 square kilometers, and described as one of the most beautiful wildlife reserves in the country.

Many say this jungle is over 160 million years old making it one of the world's oldest rainforests. The lush environment of limestone, waterfalls and thickets of vegetation will make any wanderer eager to discover more. Keep your eyes peeled for bears, boars, gaurs, tapirs, gibbons, deer, marbled cats, wild elephants and more. Look to the sky for over 300 species of bird and 38 different types of bats.

You'll find the best time to book is from December to April, better known as the dry season. From June to October there is significantly more rain and the threat of monsoons. Not only does it rain on your parade, but also it causes the leeches to emerge.

To enter the park is a 300 baht fee for foreigners, 150 for children, and 40 for Thai citizens. If someone tries to sell you a ticket for more than that, simply buy one at the park entrance. When planning your stay remember that your entrance fee is only valid for 24 hours. If you're staying multiple days, you'll need to pay up front. Often if you're with a tour, the entrance fee is included in the tour price, but you should inquire about this to make sure.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Thailand, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Khao Sok National Park or Hualien?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Hualien Prices
    Taiwan Prices
    Khao Sok National Park Prices
    Thailand Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Hualien $136
    Khao Sok National Park $126

The average daily cost (per person) in Hualien is $136, while the average daily cost in Khao Sok National Park is $126. 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 Khao Sok National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hualien $60
    Khao Sok National Park $28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hualien $120
    Khao Sok National Park $56
Compare Hotels in Hualien and Khao Sok National Park

Looking for a hotel in Hualien or Khao Sok National Park? 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.

Hotels in Hualien


Hotels in Khao Sok National Park


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hualien $29
    Khao Sok National Park $74

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 Khao Sok National Park?

Prices for flights to both Khao Sok National Park 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Hualien $56
    Khao Sok National Park $52

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hualien $21
    Khao Sok National Park $33

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hualien $15
    Khao Sok National Park $6.50


When comparing the travel costs between Hualien and Khao Sok National Park, we can see that Hualien is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hualien Expensive? and Is Khao Sok National Park Expensive?.