Which place is cheaper, Paihia 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 Paihia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hualien or Paihia, 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 Paihia?
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.
Paihia
Paihia is a town on the North Island of New Zealand in the Bay of Islands region. It is about a three hours north of Auckland by car. For those visiting the Bay of Islands, it is the main town in the area and is located near the town of Russell and Kerikeri. There is a wharf in town where most ships depart from if you are planning on going out to explore the Bay of Islands. Paihia is a very small town with a population of about 1800 people. There is a fair climate all year round with temperatures ranging from sixty to seventy degrees Fahrenheit.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Taipei, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Taiwan, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.
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Hualien Prices
Taiwan PricesPaihia Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHualien $136Paihia $99
The average daily cost (per person) in Hualien is $136, while the average daily cost in Paihia is $99. 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 Paihia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHualien $60Paihia $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHualien $120Paihia $66
Compare Hotels in Hualien and Paihia
Looking for a hotel in Hualien or Paihia? 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: Paihia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hualien $29Paihia $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hualien
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hualien:
- Private Transfer from Hualien Port to Taipei Taoyuan Airport TPE: $280
- Private Transfer from Hualien Cruise Port to Taipei city hotels: $280
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Paihia
Also for Paihia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bay Of Islands - Airport Transfers: $24
Is it cheaper to fly into Hualien or Paihia?
Prices for flights to both Paihia 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 $56Paihia $48
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hualien $21Paihia $34
Tours and Activities in Hualien
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hualien are as follows:
- 2025 Taroko Gorge Tour Excellent Cultural Stories , 8 Hours: $130
- Exclusive Private Taroko Gorge Day Tour with Local English Guide: $121
- Full-Day Private Taroko National Park Tour from Hualien City: $139
- Hualien Changhong Bridge SUP Day tour: $85
- Liyu Lake, Sugar Factory, and Ruisui Ranch Tour: $320
- Shuimutin Exclusive SUP Day tour(Hualien to Taitung): $89
- Taroko Gorge, Qingshui Cliffs & Qixingtan Beach Tour from Hualien: $159
- Taroko, Qingshui Cliff, Xincheng Old Street & Qixingtan Day Tour: $80
- Wild ATV Self-driving Experience: $43
Tours and Activities in Paihia
For Paihia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Bay of Islands: 1 Hour Scenic Bay of Islands Tour: $29
- 1 Hour Scenic Bay of Islands Tour: $30
- Bay of Islands - Mini Tour (75-90 mins): $38
- Bay of Islands - Mini Tour: (75-90mins): $45
- Bay of Islands 30-minute Adventure Jet Boat Trip: $52
- Bay of Islands 2-Hour Sundowner Evening Sailing Cruise: $55
- Sundowner Evening Cruise - 2 hour evening sailing cruise with swim stop: $57
- Bay of Islands: Late Afternoon Sailing Cruise: $57
- Bay of Islands Waterfall Explorer Kayaking Tour: $58
- Bay of islands Waterfall Cruise Kayaking Tour: $58
- Bay of Islands Scenic Tour : $65
- Hole in the Rock Fast Boat Ocean Adventure: $70
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHualien $15Paihia $22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hualien and Paihia, we can see that Hualien is more expensive. And not only is Paihia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hualien is in Asia and Paihia 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 Paihia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Paihia 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 Paihia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hualien Expensive? and Is Paihia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hualien or Paihia?
Hualien has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Paihia. When comparing the sizes of Hualien and Paihia, 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.