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

Should you visit Mount Everest or Hualien?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Mount Everest and Hualien. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Mount Everest or Hualien?

Mount Everest

More commonly known as Mount Everest, Qomolangma is the highest mountain in the world with a peak reaching 8,848 meters above sea level. Pilgrims trek long distances to worship its divine aura, climbing enthusiasts run great risks to challenge its high altitude, and visitors from all over come to see where the tallest reaches of earth meet the heavens.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Kathmandu, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Pokhara, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Taipei, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Taiwan.


Which place is cheaper, Hualien or Mount Everest?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Mount Everest is $40, 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 Mount Everest and Hualien in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mount Everest $6.84
    Hualien $56
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mount Everest $14
    Hualien $112
Compare Hotels in Mount Everest and Hualien

Looking for a hotel in Mount Everest 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 Mount Everest


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mount Everest -
    Hualien $27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hualien

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hualien:

  • Private Transfer from Hualien Port to Taipei Taoyuan Airport: $93
  • Private Transfer from Hualien Cruise Port to Taipei city hotels: $93
  • Private Transfer from Hualien Port to Taipei Taoyuan Airport(TPE): $103

Is it cheaper to fly into Mount Everest or Hualien?

Prices for flights to both Hualien and Mount Everest 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
    Mount Everest $26
    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.
    Mount Everest $18
    Hualien $20

Tours and Activities in Hualien

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hualien are as follows:

  • Qixingtan Fish Fishing Chihsingtan Classic Fishing Tour: $23
  • Wild ATV Self-driving Experience: $42
  • Hualien Changhong Bridge SUP Day tour: $85
  • Shuimutin Exclusive SUP Day tour(Hualien to Taitung): $89
  • Full-Day Taroko National Park Tour from Hualien City: $115
  • One-Day Private Guided Tour in Taroko Gorge from Hualien: $117
  • Full-Day Private Taroko National Park Tour from Hualien City: $139
  • Taroko, Qingshui Cliffs and Qixingtan Chartered Tour from Hualien: $156
  • Full Day Tour in Taroko National Park from Hualien: $199

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mount Everest -
    Hualien $14


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

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