Which place is cheaper, Nagano or Hualien?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hualien or Nagano?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hualien or Nagano, 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 Nagano?
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.
Nagano
Nagano city and its surrounding prefecture of Japan is a temple region built around Zenkoji, a 7th century Buddhist temple that overlooks the city. Nagano was also home to the Winter Olympic Games in 1998, with some facilities still existing around town. And then there is the forested mountain Togakushi area to the northwest, which is another draw of Nagano, known for its shrines and status as the home of the Togakure Ninja School.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHualien $105Nagano $90
The average daily cost (per person) in Hualien is $105, while the average daily cost in Nagano is $90. 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 Nagano in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHualien $56Nagano $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHualien $112Nagano $122
Compare Hotels in Hualien and Nagano
Looking for a hotel in Hualien or Nagano? 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: Nagano Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hualien $27Nagano $9.79
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hualien
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hualien:
- Private Transfer from Hualien Port to Taipei Taoyuan Airport(TPE): $103
- Private Transfer from Hualien Port to Taipei Taoyuan Airport: $93
- Private Transfer from Hualien Cruise Port to Taipei city hotels: $93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nagano
Also for Nagano, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Between Station & Snow Monkey Park: $685
Is it cheaper to fly into Hualien or Nagano?
Prices for flights to both Nagano 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 $30Nagano $22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hualien
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hualien.
- Aboriginal Cooking Class in Hualien: $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hualien $20Nagano $8.16
Tours and Activities in Hualien
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hualien are as follows:
- Full Day Tour in Taroko National Park from Hualien: $199
- Full-Day Private Taroko National Park Tour from Hualien City: $139
- Full-Day Taroko National Park Tour from Hualien City: $115
- Hualien Changhong Bridge SUP Day tour: $85
- One-Day Private Guided Tour in Taroko Gorge from Hualien: $117
- Qixingtan Fish Fishing Chihsingtan Classic Fishing Tour: $23
- Shuimutin Exclusive SUP Day tour(Hualien to Taitung): $89
- Taroko, Qingshui Cliffs and Qixingtan Chartered Tour from Hualien: $156
- Wild ATV Self-driving Experience: $42
Tours and Activities in Nagano
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nagano.
- Nagano Sake Tasting Walking Tour: $47
- Welcome to Private Tour with a Local: $55
- Food & Cultural Walking Tour around Zenkoji temple in Nagano: $85
- Izakaya Food Night Tour in Nagano: $98
- Full-Day Tour: Matsumoto Castle & Kamikochi Alpine Valley: $177
- Zenkoji Experience Tour: Overnight 'Shukubo' (Temple Lodge): $221
- Snow Monkey & ZinkoJi With Sake Tasting Private Tour: $537
- 4 Day - From Nagano to Kanazawa: Ultimate Central Japan tour: $782
- Private Snow Monkey Tour: From Nagano City / Ski Resorts: $1,334
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHualien $14Nagano -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hualien and Nagano, we can see that Hualien is more expensive. And not only is Nagano much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nagano would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nagano 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 Hualien would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hualien than you might in Nagano.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hualien Expensive? and Is Nagano Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hualien or Nagano?
Nagano has a larger population, and is about 3% larger than the population of Hualien. When comparing the sizes of Hualien and Nagano, 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.