A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Malang vs. Taipei for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Malang or Taipei?

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

Should I visit Malang or Taipei? 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: Malang or Taipei?

Malang

Malang is a city in East Java, Indonesia. It's a cultured city with several important universities, and is home to a large student population. Prized by the Dutch for its mild highland climate, the city retains much of its colonial architecture. Established by the Dutch in the closing decades of the 18th century, Malang earned its first fortunes from coffee, which flourished on the surrounding hillsides. Today, the city's colonial grandeur is quickly disappearing behind the homogenous facades of more modern developments, but there's still much to admire. The Balai Kota building blends Indonesian and Dutch styles, and grand mansions line the main boulevard, Jalan Besar Ijen. To the east is Mt. Bromo, a volcano with hiking trails. The central area is not too large and quite walkable. And with a number of Hindu temples and sights outside the city, Malang makes an ideal base to explore this intriguing corner of east Java.

Taipei

Few cities in the world are full of more diverse opportunities than the cultural crosshairs city of Taipei. As the capital of Taiwan, this 300-year-old city is the financial, cultural and governmental center of Taiwan. Located in the northern part of the island between the Yangming Mountains and Central Mountains, this city of 2.6 million people is always ready to welcome more visitors.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best Cultural Tours in Taiwan, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Taiwan.


Which place is cheaper, Taipei or Malang?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Malang is $66, while the average daily cost in Taipei is $182. 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 Malang and Taipei in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Malang $45
    Taipei $145
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Malang $90
    Taipei $290
Compare Hotels in Malang and Taipei

Looking for a hotel in Malang or Taipei? 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 Malang


Hotels in Taipei


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: Malang Hotel Prices and Taipei Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Malang $1.42
    Taipei $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malang

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malang:

  • One Way Transfer from/to Yogyakarta-Surabaya-Malang-Bromo: $160
  • Mount Bromo: Sunrise Guided Tour with Optional Transfer: $145
  • South Beaches Tour with Private Transfer: $115

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Taipei

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Taipei:


  • Easycard
    $2.01
  • Easycard
    $9.29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taipei

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

  • Bicycle transfer (Taipei - Hualien) 4 persons: $40
  • Bruns 9 seater, charter tour, business transfer, airport transfer, round-the-island charter tour: $299
  • Flowserve Nine-seat-Taiwan travel charter, charter tour, business transfer, round-the-island tour, airport shuttle charter service: $256
  • Luxury Chartered Private Transfer Taoyuan Airport to Taipei City: $140
  • Modern nine-seater, Taiwan chartered tour, chartered day trip, round-the-island chartered car, airport transfer, hotel pick-up service: $254
  • Private Transfer from Taipei Taoyuan Airport TPE to Taichung Port: $63
  • Private Transfer from Taipei Taoyuan Airport(TPE) to Hualien Port: $103
  • Private Transfer from Taipei city to Keelung (Taipei) Cruise Port: $38
  • Private Transfer from Taoyuan Intl Airport to Taoyuan or Taipei city: $126
  • Private Transfer from Taoyuan airport Taiwan to Taipei: $52
  • Private Transfer:Taoyuan International Airport to Hotel: $40
  • Taipei Arrival Private Transfer: Taoyuan International Airport to Hotel: $55

Is it cheaper to fly into Malang or Taipei?

Prices for flights to both Taipei and Malang 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
    Malang $17
    Taipei $16

Typical Food Prices in Taipei

For Taipei, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • EasyCard
    $15
  • Lunch at The Can
    $6.81
  • EasyCard
    $31
  • Lunch
    $2.94
  • Lunch
    $1.86
  • Dinner
    $6.19
  • Lunch
    $3.56
  • Lunch
    $4.64
  • Louisa coffee
    $2.94

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Taipei

For Taipei, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Historic Night Market Food Tour with Tastings: $45
  • Ximending Vegan Food Tour Snack, Dessert & Main!: $46
  • Taipei Food Tour: Yongkang Street for Foodies: $58
  • Yansan Night Market Food Tour: $62
  • Turnip cake, Pork thick soup, Tofu pudding. Taiwan Traditional Light Meals Experience-C (Taipei Cooking Class): $65
  • Taipei Food Tour and Colorful Bubble Tea Making: $65
  • Taipei Food Tour and Colorful Bubble Tea Making: $70
  • Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $74
  • Backstreet Food Tour: Food, Culture, and Fun: $75
  • Xiao Long Bao, Chicken vermicelli with mushroom and sesame oil, Tofu strips salad, Bubble milk tea. Taiwan Traditional Delicacies Experience-A (Taipei Cooking Class): $77
  • Xiao Long Bao, Chicken vermicelli with mushroom and sesame oil, Tofu strips salad, Bubble milk tea. Taiwan Traditional Delicacies Experience-A (Taipei Cooking Class): $77
  • Xiao Long Bao, Chicken vermicelli with mushroom and sesame oil, Tofu strips salad, Bubble milk tea. Taiwan Traditional Delicacies Experience-A (Taipei Cooking Class): $77

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Malang $8.88
    Taipei $17

Tours and Activities in Malang

Here are a few actual costs in Malang for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 1 Day - Amazing Bromo Sunrise tour with 7 spots // 00.30 -13.00: $43
  • 1 Day - Bromo Afternoon Siesta Tour start MALANG or SURABAYA // 11:00 - 18:00: $83
  • 1 Day - Tumpak Sewu, Kapas Biru Waterfall, Goa Tetes cave* Tour // 07:30 - 17:00: $70
  • 1 Day - ULTIMATE TOUR Tumpak Sewu Waterfall and Goa Tetes cave // 07:30 - 17:30: $54
  • 1Day - Bromo Non Sunrise Tour via Malang (to avoid crowd): $75
  • 1Day - Bromo Sunrise Tour via Malang (Sharing Trip): $45
  • 2 Days - Bromo Ijen Bali Ultimate Tour // D1 01.00 - D2 14.00: $174
  • 2 Days - Tumpak Sewu Waterfall & Mt Bromo Experience from Malang: $164
  • 2Days - Bromo Sunrise Ijen Adventure via Malang: $190
  • 3Days - Tumpaksewu Bromo Ijen Adventure via Malang: $267
  • Bromo Adventure: $75
  • Bromo Ijen Bali tour From Malang (2 Days): $292

Tours and Activities in Taipei

For Taipei, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Old Town Walking Tour: $1.00
  • Taipei's Origin & Longshan Temple - Taiwan Cultural Walking Tour: $1.00
  • Taipei Old Town - Taiwan Introduction Walking Tour: $1.00
  • Taipei's Origin & Longshan Temple - Taiwan Cultural Tour: $1.00
  • Chiang Kai-Shek Shilin Residence Ticket: $3.07
  • Miramar Ferris Wheel Ticket: $6.14
  • Scavenger Hunt and City Exploration Self-Guided Tour: $8.75
  • Taipei Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.95
  • Taipei Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Taipei Makong Cable Car: Ticket & Combos: $10
  • National Palace Museum E-Ticket: $11
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Malang -
    Taipei $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Taipei

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Taipei:

  • Taipei Nightlife: Taipei Pub Crawls (2 Different Routes): $28
  • Taipei Nightlife: Taipei Pub Crawls (2 Different Routes): $30
  • Private Tour Yilan Kavalan Whisky Distillery from Taipei : $207


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malang and Taipei, we can see that Taipei is more expensive. And not only is Malang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Malang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Malang 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 Taipei would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Taipei than you might in Malang.

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


Which is Bigger, Malang or Taipei?

Taipei has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Malang. When comparing the sizes of Malang and Taipei, 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.