A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mumbai vs. Halong Bay for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi.


Which place is cheaper, Halong Bay or Mumbai?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Mumbai is $69, while the average daily cost in Halong Bay is $58. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mumbai $34
    Halong Bay $28
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mumbai $68
    Halong Bay $56
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.

Hotels in Mumbai


Hotels in Halong Bay


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mumbai $7.77
    Halong Bay $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mumbai

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

  • Departure Private Transfers: Mumbai City to Mumbai Airport BOM in Business Car: $60
  • Departure Private Transfers: Mumbai City to Mumbai Airport BOM in Luxury Van: $93
  • Dharavi Slum Tour in Mumbai with Combo Packages & Transfers: $12
  • Dharavi Tour Including Car Transfer: $43
  • Dharavi Tour Including Car Transfer: $42
  • Global Vipassana Pagoda : Half Day Tour with Transfer: $84
  • Luxury Mumbai Package with Hotel,Private Airport Transfers and Sightseeing Tour: $270
  • Mumbai - private departure transfer from Hotel to Airport : $64
  • Mumbai Airport Transfers : Mumbai City to Mumbai Airport BOM in Luxury Van: $93
  • Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport (BOM) to Mumbai - Arrival Private Transfer: $76
  • Mumbai City Tour With Laundry And Hotel Transfers (South Mumbai): $46
  • Mumbai Private Car: Airport to Hotel Transfer: $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halong Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Halong Bay:

  • Bhaya 2-Day Halong Bay Tour with Optional Hanoi Transfer by Bus: $203
  • 2D/1N at 5 STAR CRUISES: Transfer,Meals, Cave, Island & Beach: $185
  • 2 Day Halong Bay Cruise from Hanoi by Expressway Transfer: $175
  • 2D/1N at AQUAMARINE CRUISES: Transfer,Meals, Cave, Island & Beach: $170
  • Dragon 5Star HaLong Cruise 2D1N Included Transfer from Hanoi : $140
  • Cozy Bay Classic Cruise 2D1N from Hanoi by Expressway Transfer : $135
  • Halong Bay Luxury Day Tour From Hanoi With Limousine Transfer : $80
  • Amethyst Cruise Luxury Day Tour from Halong Bay Included Transfer: $70
  • Halong Wonder Bay Cruise 1 Day Tour from Hanoi with Limo Transfer: $68
  • Halong Deluxe Day Tour Small Group on Boat Transfer by Limousine: $66
  • Private Departure Transfer - Ha Long Bay to Hanoi Airport: $64
  • PRIVATE LIMOUSINE TRANSFER +Join Premium Day Cruise in Halong Bay: $55

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Mumbai $26
    Halong Bay $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mumbai

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

  • Hidden Gems and Street Food Tour: $15
  • Discover Mumbai's street & beach with food tour: $17
  • Mumbai Food Tour: $20
  • Vegetarian Indian Cuisine Virtual Cooking Class Experience from Mumbai: $20
  • Old Bombay Bazaar and Food Tour with local Guide: $23
  • Mumbai Food Tour: $25
  • Street Food Tour - Eat like a Local with sunset view: $26
  • Old Bombay Bazaar and Food Tour with local Guide: $27
  • Guided Food Tour Through the Vibrant Markets of Old Bombay: $28
  • Street Food Tour: $32
  • Indian cusine demonstration cum hands on with Hi Tea / Dinner at a Family home: $33
  • Mumbai Street Food Tour with Sun Set View: $38

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halong Bay

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Halong Bay.

  • Ambassador Luxury Dinner Cruise in Halong Bay: $46
  • 1-day private Hanoi city tour with fun and night street walking food tour: $101
  • Luxury Aspira Cruise from Halong with kayaking,cave,cooking class: $175

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mumbai $2.66
    Halong 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
  • Highlights Bus Full-Day Tour in Hindi: $5.40
  • Mumbai's Historical Architecture: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.40
  • Dharavi Slum Tour with Local guide: $6.00
  • Audio Guided Tour of Matunga & Dadar Parsi Colony, Mumbai: $6.14
  • Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
  • Malabar District, Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
  • Mumbai Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $6.72
  • Mumbai (Malabar District) Self-Guided Tour: $6.72
  • Dharavi Slum Tour: $8.63
  • Dharavi Slum Tour: $8.99
  • Inside Dharavi: Unveiling Mumbai's Slum Culture Tour: $9.11

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 Experience with Seaplane and Overnight Cruise: $295
  • 2-Day Halong Orchid Cruise: $235
  • Alisa Premier Luxury 5-Star Cruise in Halong Bay 2 Days 1 Night: $175
  • La Regina Overnight Cruise - Queen of Lan Ha Bay - 2 day/1 night: $230
  • (All Inclusive 5-STAR) Amanda Cruise 2 Days 1 Night - Ha Long Bay: $189
  • (All Inclusive 5-STAR) Amanda Luxury Cruise 2D1N Trip - LanHa Bay: $168
  • (All Inclusive 5-STAR) Amanda Premium Cruise 2D1N Trip-HaLong Bay: $199
  • (Official) Signature Halong Cruise - 02 days 01 night program: $160
  • (Official) Signature Royal Cruise - 02 days 01 night program: $164
  • 1 Day Cruise in Halong Bay - Top Luxury & Small Cruise Tour 2024: $50
  • 1 Day Halong Bay Deluxe Cruise with Wego Halong: $40
  • 1 Day Small Group Luxury Cruise in Halong with Better Care : $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mumbai $3.69
    Halong 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: $39
  • South Bombay Pub Crawl: $39
  • Mumbai Private Bar Crawl with City Night Tour: $124
  • Nashik: Private Full-Day Wine Tour with Tastings From Mumbai: $128
  • Full-Day Private Wine Tour at Sula Vineyards from Mumbai: $152
  • Wine Tasting Tour Sula Vineyards Nashik - (Day excursion from Mumbai): $163


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?.