Which place is cheaper, Nikko or Hualien?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hualien or Nikko?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hualien or Nikko, 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 Nikko?
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.
Nikko
Nikko is a small Japanese city located in the mountains north of Tokyo. It is well-known for the site of Toshogu, a famed Shinto shrine established in 1617, in memory of Tokugawa Ieyasu who was the founding ruler of the Edo Period. The town is situated just outside of Nikko National Park which offers scenic mountain landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, wild monkeys, and hiking trails.
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 Cultural Tours in Japan, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHualien $106Nikko $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Hualien is $106, while the average daily cost in Nikko is $88. 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 Nikko in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHualien $56Nikko $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHualien $112Nikko $100
Compare Hotels in Hualien and Nikko
Looking for a hotel in Hualien or Nikko? 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: Nikko Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hualien $27Nikko -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hualien
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hualien:
- Private Transfer from Hualien Port to Taipei Taoyuan Airport(TPE): $106
- Private Transfer from Hualien Port to Taipei Taoyuan Airport: $96
- Private Transfer from Hualien Cruise Port to Taipei city hotels: $96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nikko
Also for Nikko, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kinugawa Osen to Tokyo Narita Airport Private Departure Transfer: $271
- Kinugawa Osen to Tokyo Haneda Airport Departure Private Transfer: $271
- Haneda Airport to/from Nikko City Private Transfer: $682
- Private Transfer to/from Narita Airport (NRT): $682
Is it cheaper to fly into Hualien or Nikko?
Prices for flights to both Nikko 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 $31Nikko $33
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 $20Nikko $23
Tours and Activities in Hualien
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hualien are as follows:
- 3 Tribes Cultural Past and Present Day Tour in Hualien: $200
- Full-Day Private Taroko National Park Tour from Hualien City: $139
- Full-Day Taroko National Park Tour from Hualien City: $115
- Full-Day Tour About Taroko Culture Excellent Stories , 8 Hours: $120
- Hualien Changhong Bridge SUP Day tour: $85
- Hualien Light Mountain & Sea One Day Tour | Hualien: $53
- One day tour, the highlights of Taroko Tribe, The perfect 10 : $165
- One-Day Private Guided Tour in Taroko Gorge from Hualien: $117
- Private Full Day Tour to East Coast and East Valley from Hualien : $107
- 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
Tours and Activities in Nikko
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nikko.
- Nikko self-guided tour app with multi-language audioguide: $4.43
- Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura Theme Park Early-bird Ticket Tochigi: $59
- World Heritage Nikko 1-Day Walking Tour from Tokyo or Nikko: $65
- Visit the Unexplored Regions of Lake Chuzenji-Scenic Trekking and Rafting Tour: $82
- THE TOUR From NIKKO STATION (LOCAL GUIDE): $105
- From Tokyo: Nikko Full-Day Sightseeing Trip: $144
- Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $154
- Nikko Private Custom Tour with Local Guide: $155
- Private Walking Tour with Local Guide: $155
- Nikko Custom Half Day Tour: $169
- Autumn Exclusive 1-Day Nikko World Heritage Tour from Shinjuku: $182
- Nikko Custom Full Day Tour: $270
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHualien $14Nikko $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hualien and Nikko, we can see that Hualien is more expensive. And not only is Nikko much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nikko would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nikko 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 Nikko.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hualien Expensive? and Is Nikko Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hualien or Nikko?
Hualien has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Nikko. When comparing the sizes of Hualien and Nikko, 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.