Which place is cheaper, Kao-hsiung or Lhasa?
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 Lhasa or Kao-hsiung?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lhasa or Kao-hsiung? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Lhasa or Kao-hsiung?
Lhasa
Lhasa is the famed capital of Tibet, and is one of the most fascinating cities in the world to visit. It's name means "Land of the Gods" and the city dates back more than 1,300 years. It's elevation is 3,650 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest cities in the world. It sits on the northern slopes of the Himalayan Mountains by the Lhasa River and is the second largest city on the Tibetan Plateau after Xining.
Kao-hsiung
Kaohsiung is the second-most populated city and also the largest port city in the country, located in the south of Taiwan. Compared to Taipei, the lifestyle in Kaohsiung is laid-back and noticeably slower, populated with friendly locals. However, with Taipei in the spotlight, Kaohsiung is often overlooked, though it offers so much in the way of art and culture, history, and delicious food.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in Taiwan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Taiwan.
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Lhasa Prices
China PricesKao-hsiung Prices
Taiwan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLhasa $91Kao-hsiung $134
The average daily cost (per person) in Lhasa is $91, while the average daily cost in Kao-hsiung is $134. 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 Lhasa and Kao-hsiung in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLhasa $40Kao-hsiung $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLhasa $80Kao-hsiung $120
Compare Hotels in Lhasa and Kao-hsiung
Looking for a hotel in Lhasa or Kao-hsiung? 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: Kao-hsiung Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lhasa $2.60Kao-hsiung $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lhasa
Also for Lhasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lhasa Kongga Airport Chauffeur Service, Lhasa Airport Transfer, Pickup: $170
- Lhasa Kongga Airport private Transfer: $260
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kao-hsiung
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kao-hsiung:
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport to Kenting: $138
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port : $75
- Private Kaohsiung Airport to Taitung Resorts Arrival Transfer: $192
- Kaohsiung Airport Chauffeur service , Kaohsiung Airport Transfer : $50
- Kaohsiung Airport -> Kaohsiung Hotel Private Transfer (Large room for luggage) : $35
- Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $134
- Guanziling Resorts to Kaohsiung Airport KHH Departure Transfer: $134
Is it cheaper to fly into Lhasa or Kao-hsiung?
Prices for flights to both Kao-hsiung and Lhasa 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 dayLhasa $46Kao-hsiung $59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kao-hsiung
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kao-hsiung.
- Sunset Dinner on Monkey Mountain : $100
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lhasa $17Kao-hsiung $22
Tours and Activities in Lhasa
For Lhasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 5-Day Private Tour with Potala Palace & Yamdrok Lake: $1,299
- 17-Day Tibet Tour with Everest Base Camp: $3,759
- 17 Days Kailash Mansarovar Tour & Guge Kingdom Exploration: $13,185
Tours and Activities in Kao-hsiung
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kao-hsiung are as follows:
- 1 day tour - Kaohsiung: $200
- Alishan Day Tour from Kaohsiung (Incl. Park Entrance): $90
- Buddha Museum- Half Day Tour : $90
- Classic Northern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
- Classic Southern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
- Food and Culture Walking Tour in Tainan: $78
- Kaohsiung Area Classic Tour: $255
- Kaohsiung City Walking Day Tour: $70
- Kaohsiung Departure - Tainan City Day Tour: $220
- Kaohsiung Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $48
- Kaohsiung Private Tour with Transportation : $249
- Kaohsiung Suburbs Full-Day Tour: $220
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLhasa $7.01Kao-hsiung $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lhasa and Kao-hsiung, we can see that Kao-hsiung is more expensive. And not only is Lhasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lhasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lhasa 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 Kao-hsiung would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kao-hsiung than you might in Lhasa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lhasa Expensive? and Is Kao-hsiung Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lhasa or Kao-hsiung?
Kao-hsiung has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Lhasa. When comparing the sizes of Lhasa and Kao-hsiung, 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.