Which place is cheaper, Hualien or Phuket?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Phuket or Hualien?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Hualien, 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: Phuket or Hualien?
Phuket
Phuket Island is the holiday gem of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.
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 in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Taipei, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Taiwan.
-
Phuket Prices
Thailand PricesHualien Prices
Taiwan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhuket $131Hualien $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $131, while the average daily cost in Hualien is $126. 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 Phuket and Hualien in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $61Hualien $55
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $122Hualien $110
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Hualien
Looking for a hotel in Phuket 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.
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: Phuket Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phuket $12Hualien $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:
-
Longtail Taxi (for Two)$8.88
-
Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town$7.40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
- Private Phuket Airport Transfer to Hotel and Vice Versa: $3.01
- Phuket Airport (HKT) Departure Transfer from Phuket Hotels (Shared or Private): $11
- Phuket Airport Private Transfer To or From All Phuket Hotels: $13
- Private Transfers to/from Phuket Intl. Airport(HKT): $14
- Phuket Airport Transfer (SHA Plus): $14
- HKT Airport Private Transfer to/from Whole Phuket Island: $15
- Phuket Private Transfer from/to Phuket Airport HKT (one way): $15
- (Privet)Phuket Transfer: $17
- Phuket Airport Arrival Transfer – Domestic & International: $18
- Phuket Private Transfer To or From Phuket Hotel by Van & WiFi: $19
- Phuket to Phuket Int Airport (HKT) - Departure Private Transfer: $19
- Phuket Int Airport (HKT) to Phuket - Arrival Private Transfer: $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hualien
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hualien:
- Private Transfer from Hualien Cruise Port to Taipei Hotels: $296
- Private Transfer from Hualien Cruise Port to Taipei city hotels: $267
- Private Transfer from Hualien Port to Taipei Taoyuan Airport TPE: $267
- Private Transfer from Hualien Port to Taipei Taoyuan Airport(TPE): $295
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Hualien?
Prices for flights to both Hualien and Phuket 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 dayPhuket $41Hualien $52
Typical Food Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:
-
Casual Dinner (for Two)$8.56
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.03
-
Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$13
-
Thai Noodles$2.67
-
Bananas$0.74
-
Pizza (for Two)$8.88
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
- One Day Experience Cooking at Phuket Patong Thailand: $27
- Authentic Peranakan Cooking Class & Tasting Menu in Phuket: $29
- Phuket Express Thai Cooking Course with Authentic Recipes: $46
- Catamaran Sunset Cruise in Phuket with Dinner at Promthep Cape: $51
- 3-Hour Authentic Thai Cooking Experience: $51
- Phuket 10+ Tastings Food Tour & Charming Old Town: $52
- Phuket Coral Island & Sunset Dinner Cruise by Catamaran Yacht: $52
- Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $55
- Traditional Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $55
- Authentic Thai Cooking Class by Suuko Wellness Spa: $55
- Simply Thai Cooking Experience: $55
- Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $55
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phuket $46Hualien $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Phuket
Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
One Day Boat Tour$27
-
Scuba Diving (Two Dives)$74
-
Thai Oil Massage$19
-
Surfboard Rental$8.88
Tours and Activities in Phuket
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Phuket Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Self Guided Scavenger Hunts and Gamified Tours: $6.05
- Oto Indoor Play Park Entrance Ticket in Phuket: $7.60
- Rock Beach Swing Phuket Scenic Photo Spot Ticket: $14
- Phuket Tour with Wat Chalong, Karon View Point, Old Town: $15
- Phuket Rock Beach Swing Tickets: $16
- Half Day Phuket City tour + Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off: $16
- Phuket Circus : The Adrenaline Rush Show Tickets (Aqua Circus): $16
- Ultimate Virtual Reality Gaming Park Ticket at VAR Live in Phuket: $17
- Rock Beach Swing Ticket with Karon Viewpoint in Phuket: $18
- Phuket Bird Park Admission Ticket: $18
- Phuket Highlights: Half Day City Tour with Landmark & Viewpoint: $20
Tours and Activities in Hualien
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hualien are as follows:
- Self-Guided Podcast Tour The Pangcah Pulse: $5.47
- Hualien Tour in Qixingtan Beach, Liyu Lake, and Lintianshan Park: $68
- Taroko Gorge& Qingshui Cliffs& Qixingtan Group Tour from Hualien: $80
- Hualien Changhong Bridge SUP Day tour: $85
- Shuimutin Exclusive SUP Day tour(Hualien to Taitung): $89
- Hualien Day Tour: Taroko Gorge, Qingshui Cliffs & Qixingtan Beach: $90
- Hualien Highlights Day Tour: Taroko Gorge & Qingshui Cliffs: $90
- 2026 Taroko Gorge Tour Excellent Cultural Stories , 8 Hours: $119
- Private Taroko Gorge English Tour from Hualien City: $129
- Private East Coast & Jade Hunting Tour – Hualien Coastal Escape: $137
- Full-Day Private Taroko National Park Tour from Hualien City: $149
- Taroko Gorge, Qingshui Cliffs & Qixingtan Beach Tour from Hualien: $159
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhuket $6.90Hualien $14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Phuket
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:
-
Cocktails (for Two)$5.92
-
Beer$2.52
Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Phuket Guided Pub Crawl: $29
- Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience: $39
- Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience and Lunch: $52
- Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $85
- Half Day Rum Distillery Tour & Sunset Viewpoint: $95
- Phuket Sightseeing Tour with Rum Distillery: $106
- Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $131
When comparing the travel costs between Phuket and Hualien, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phuket Expensive? and Is Hualien Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phuket or Hualien?
Hualien has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Hualien, 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.