A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Islamabad vs. Hualien for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Islamabad or Hualien?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Islamabad and Hualien can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Islamabad or Hualien?

Islamabad

Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Taipei, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Taiwan.


Which place is cheaper, Hualien or Islamabad?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $42, while the average daily cost in Hualien is $105. 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 Islamabad and Hualien in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Islamabad $20
    Hualien $56
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Islamabad $40
    Hualien $112
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Hualien

Looking for a hotel in Islamabad or Hualien? 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 Islamabad


Hotels in Hualien


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: Islamabad Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Islamabad $7.68
    Hualien $27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad

Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer - DEPARTURE: $40
  • Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
  • Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
  • Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
  • Transit Trip: Murree Exploration Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $140

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Hualien?

Prices for flights to both Hualien and Islamabad 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
    Islamabad $15
    Hualien $30

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Islamabad $9.48
    Hualien $20

Tours and Activities in Islamabad

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.

  • Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
  • Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
  • Shopping Tour: Full Day Islamabad Markets Exploration Tour: $90
  • Private Tour: Hidden Gems of Islamabad Exploration Tour: $90
  • Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
  • City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
  • Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
  • Islamabad City Tour With Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument & Lunch : $110
  • Top Ten Wonders of Islamabad Guided City Tour: $120
  • Private Tour: Guided Day Trip To Murree from Islamabad: $130
  • 5-Hour Private Guided Tour in Islamabad City: $130
  • Full Day Private Guided Tour of Taxila Gandahara Civilization : $140

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
  • Hualien Light Mountain & Sea One Day Tour | Hualien: $53
  • One-Day Private Guided Tour in Taroko Gorge from Hualien: $117
  • Private Full Day Tour to East Coast and East Valley from Hualien : $105
  • Qixingtan Fish Fishing Chihsingtan Classic Fishing Tour: $23
  • Shuimutin Exclusive SUP Day tour(Hualien to Taitung): $89
  • Taroko National Park One day Tour from Hualien: $53
  • Taroko, Qingshui Cliffs and Qixingtan Chartered Tour from Hualien: $156
  • Wild ATV Self-driving Experience: $42

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Islamabad $2.88
    Hualien $14


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Islamabad and Hualien, we can see that Hualien is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Islamabad.

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


Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Hualien?

Islamabad has a larger population, and is about 72% larger than the population of Hualien. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad and Hualien, 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.