Which place is cheaper, Halong Bay or Mumbai?
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 Mumbai or Halong Bay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Mumbai or Halong Bay, 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: Mumbai or Halong Bay?
Mumbai
Mumbai is the largest city in India and the capital of Maharashtra state. It is still occasionally referred to as Bombay, but most people know it now as Mumbai. It's the commercial capital of the country and is a major port city. It's also famous for Bollywood, which is the movie capital of the country and famous for it's music filled Bollywood flicks that have become popular around the world. Mumbai is arguably the most cosmopolitan city in India and has some of the most liberal views of an otherwise conservative country. Many immigrants and expats live in Mumbai and it's easy to see the blend of cultures.
Halong Bay
Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the north of Vietnam, near the Chinese border. Known for its thousands of beautiful limestone karsts and stalactite-filled caves, it is one of the most visited destinations in Vietnam. If you appreciate natural scenery and want an adventure at sea, you'll love cruising among more than 1,900 islands in Ha Long Bay.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Mumbai, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to India, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Vietnam, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Vietnam.
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Mumbai Prices
India PricesHalong Bay Prices
Vietnam Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMumbai $83Halong Bay $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Mumbai is $83, while the average daily cost in Halong Bay is $66. 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 Mumbai and Halong Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMumbai $32Halong Bay $27
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMumbai $64Halong Bay $54
Compare Hotels in Mumbai and Halong Bay
Looking for a hotel in Mumbai or Halong Bay? 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: Mumbai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mumbai $7.37Halong Bay $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mumbai
Also for Mumbai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Guided Tour in Kanheri Cave with Transfers: $35
- Airport Transfer: Mumbai Airport BOM to Mumbai by Business Car: $66
- Airport Transfer: Mumbai City to Mumbai Airport BOM by Van: $112
- Arrival Private Transfers: Mumbai Airport BOM to Mumbai City in Business Car: $66
- Create Your Own: Custom Private Tour of Mumbai with transfers: $97
- Dharavi Slum Tour in Mumbai with Combo Packages & Transfers: $12
- Luxury Mumbai Package with Hotel,Private Airport Transfers and Sightseeing Tour: $270
- Mumbai Airport BOM Private Transfer to Mumbai City Central/Hotels: $24
- Mumbai Airport Transfer to and from Hotel: $31
- Mumbai Airport Transfers : Mumbai Airport BOM to Mumbai City in Luxury Van: $114
- Mumbai Airport(BOM) to Mumbai Downtown - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
- Mumbai Chatrapati Shivaji Airport (BOM) to Mumbai - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halong Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Halong Bay:
- Premium 2-Day Halong & Lan Ha Bay Cruise with Meals & Transfer: $299
- Halong Bay 2D1N 5-Star Cruise–Transfer, Food & Island Adventures: $239
- 2D/1N at 5 STAR CRUISES: Transfer,Meals, Cave, Island & Beach: $185
- Dragon 5Star HaLong Cruise 2D1N Included Transfer from Hanoi : $176
- 2D/1N at AQUAMARINE CRUISES: Transfer,Meals, Cave, Island & Beach: $170
- Oasis Bay Party Cruise for Young Travelers with Transfer Included: $170
- Halong Bay 2 Days Cruise from Hanoi with Transfer and Meals: $149
- Private Transfer from Halong Bay Cruise Port to Hanoi hotels: $145
- Hanoi Private Transfer from Tuan Chau Island to Hanoi (HAN) airport: $104
- Halong Bay transfer to Hai Phong airport with private car 7 seats from HalongBay: $100
- Private Transfer From Ha Long Bay To Hanoi: $90
- Hai Phong airport transfer to Halong Bay with private car 4 seat from Hai Phong: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Mumbai or Halong Bay?
Prices for flights to both Halong Bay and Mumbai 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 dayMumbai $42Halong Bay $26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mumbai
For Mumbai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Virtual Authentic Indian Tea and Paratha Cooking Class: $14
- Private Street Food Tour with Mumbai Sightseeing Tour including AC vehicles: $19
- Mumbai Food Tour: $20
- Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Virtual Cooking Class Experience from Mumbai: $20
- Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $31
- Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $31
- Bombay Express Mumbai Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $39
- Flavors of Mumbai Food Tour : $40
- Mumbai Street Food Tour: $42
- Secret Street Food Tour With Private Car inMumbai: $44
- Private Mumbai Market Tour and Cooking Class With an Expert: $52
- Private Vegetarian Indian Cooking Class in Mumbai: $53
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halong Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Halong Bay.
- Cat Ba Paradise Cave Experience with Dinner and Live Music: $41
- Paradise Cave Dinner with Live Music and Tasting in Cat Ba: $42
- Halong's Hidden Gem: Dragon Pearl Cave Tour with Dinner: $47
- Halong Bay Luxury Dinner Cruise - Ambassador: $51
- Best 2D1N Lan Ha Bay Cruise: BBQ dinner, Viet Hai Ancient Village: $210
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mumbai $2.52Halong Bay $16
Tours and Activities in Mumbai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Mumbai.
- Audio Guided Walking Tour on HopOn India App – From Gateway to Fountain, Mumbai: $5.32
- Elephanta Caves Audio Guided Walking Tour, Mumbai on HopOn India App: $5.34
- Mumbai's Historical Architecture: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.40
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal Sunrise, Baby Taj & Agra Fort Day Tour: $5.64
- From Delhi: Taj Mahal & Agra City Tour with Fatehpur Sikri: $7.10
- Dharavi Slum Tour - See the real Slum with a Local Guide: $8.09
- "Private Mumbai Dharavi Slum Tour": $9.24
- Inside Dharavi: A Unique Slum Tour with an Local Guide: $9.81
- Dharavi slum tour in Mumbai by Female tour guides of the slum: $9.82
- Mumbai Slum Tour with Dhobi Ghat Laundry & Train Ride Tour: $11
- Mumbai Slum Tour –Visit Dharavi Slum with Local Guide : $12
- Gufran’s Slum Home Tour in the Mumbai Slums: $12
Tours and Activities in Halong Bay
Here are a few actual costs in Halong Bay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Day Halong Orchid Cruise: $235
- Alisa Premier Luxury 5-Star Cruise in Halong Bay 2 Days 1 Night: $215
- Ha Long Bay Day Tour by 5 Stars Luxury Cruise (07 Hours on Bay): $60
- La Regina Overnight Cruise - Queen of Lan Ha Bay - 2 day/1 night: $199
- Luxury Cruise - Top Tier Ha Long bay 2D1N/3D2N: $185
- 07 Hours Explore Halong Bay with Sea Octopus Cruise: $70
- 1 Day Boat Tour Lan Ha Bay & Viet Hai Ancient Village from Cat Ba: $59
- 1 Day Boat Tour: HaLong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, Natural Beach and Full Moon Party: $29
- 1-Day Halong Luxury Cruise,Buffet Meal,Sunset Party,Cave & Island: $53
- 2 Day 1 Night Halong & Lan Ha Bay Luxury Rosy Cruise from Ha Long: $215
- 2 Day Guided Cruise Tour in Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay from Hanoi: $201
- 2 Days 1 Night Lan Ha Bay Adventure: $129
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMumbai $3.50Halong Bay $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Mumbai
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mumbai:
- Bombay Party (Bar Crawl): $25
- South Bombay Pub Crawl: $37
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mumbai and Halong Bay, we can see that Mumbai is more expensive. And not only is Halong Bay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Halong Bay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Halong Bay 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 Mumbai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mumbai than you might in Halong Bay.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mumbai Expensive? and Is Halong Bay Expensive?.
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.