Which place is cheaper, Hong Kong or Taipei?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Taipei or Hong Kong?
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 Taipei and Hong Kong. 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: Taipei or Hong Kong?
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.
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong you will find a predominantly Cantonese population that has long been influenced by British occupation. Most residents speak English and you can see the obvious effects of years of capitalism. Shopping malls are everywhere and most are thriving. Along the waterfront every night the buildings light up in a dramatic and festive light show that highlights such businesses as Sony and Canon, which are fixtures in the city. The city is a major financial hub, and is very international in nature. The city itself is very densely packed and there are narrow high rises that look vulnerable due to their height. There are two main areas to the city, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Hong Kong Island is the location of the original British settlement. Today it is where you will find the highest skyscrapers, the most modern buildings, and the most popular shopping areas. Kowloon is located on a peninsula that is to the north of Hong Kong Island. The tip of the peninsula is a popular destination for backpackers as it has many of the city's hostels. This area is referred to as Tsim Sha Tsui. There are also a few high end hotels in the area. It is possible to head outside of the city so that you can escape into some rural regions where you can take a break from the crowds.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Taiwan, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Taiwan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTaipei $182Hong Kong $159
The average daily cost (per person) in Taipei is $182, while the average daily cost in Hong Kong is $159. 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 Taipei and Hong Kong in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTaipei $145Hong Kong $75
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTaipei $290Hong Kong $150
Compare Hotels in Taipei and Hong Kong
Looking for a hotel in Taipei or Hong Kong? 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: Taipei Hotel Prices and Hong Kong Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Taipei $10Hong Kong $8.70
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Taipei
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Taipei:
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Easycard$2.01
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Easycard$9.29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taipei
Also for Taipei, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- [Chinese driver charter sedan] 1 to 4 people ☆ Taoyuan Airport ⇔ Taipei City Hotel Airport Transfer [one way]: $53
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Taipei HTL-APT (TSA): $28
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Taipei APT-HTL (TSA): $28
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Taipei HTL- APT (TPE): $41
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Taipei APT- HTL (TPE): $41
- Taoyuan airport to Yilan Private Transfer: $115
- Taoyuan Airport TPE to Taoyuan or Taipei Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Taiwan Taoyuan Airport (TPE) to Taoyuan/Taipei hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Taiwan Taoyuan Airport (TPE) to Keelung Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $57
- Taoyuan Airport (TPE) Return Bus Transfer: $8.67
- Taipei Taoyuan Airport (TPE) to Taian Township -Arrival Transfer: $76
- Taipei Taoyuan Airport (TPE) to Jiaoxi - Arrival Private Transfer: $236
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hong Kong
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hong Kong:
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MTR (for 2)$2.81
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Local Bus$2.81
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Ferry Ticket$0.26
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Hong Kong Airport Express Train Ticket$14
Is it cheaper to fly into Taipei or Hong Kong?
Prices for flights to both Hong Kong and Taipei 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 dayTaipei $16Hong Kong $33
Typical Food Prices in Taipei
For Taipei, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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EasyCard$15
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Lunch at The Can$6.81
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EasyCard$31
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Lunch$2.94
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Lunch$1.86
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Dinner$6.19
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Lunch$3.56
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Lunch$4.64
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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
- Taipei Food Tour and Colorful Bubble Tea Making: $65
- Xiao long bao, Pork thick soup, Bubble milk tea. (Taiwan Cooking Class)-B : $65
- 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: $70
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $73
- 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
- The Award-Winning PRIVATE Food Tour of The 10 Tastings: $79
Typical Food Prices in Hong Kong
For Hong Kong, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner for 2$11
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Taipei $17Hong Kong $95
Tours and Activities in Taipei
For Taipei, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- One-Day Historical and Heritage Tour in Taipei : $47
- 2 days Yeliou (or Pingxi sky lantern) & Sun Moon Lake tour (Taichung city end) : $200
- 2-Day Private Tour to Sun Moon Lake and Mount Hehuan: $195
- 2-Hour Private Dadaocheng Walking Tour: $35
- 2-Hour Private Longshan Temple Walking Tour: $35
- 2-Hour Private Ximending Area Walking Tour: $35
- 2-Hour Vegetarian Private Walking Tour - S.Y.S. Memorial Hall & 44 South Village: $58
- 2-Hour Vegetarian Private Walking Tour - Xingtian Temple: $55
- 3-Day Private Tour of Taroko Gorge & East Coast Scenic Area: $290
- 3.5 hours Taipei City Tour (morning or afternoon ) : $44
- 4-Hour Morning Cycling Tour in Taipei : $73
- 5 Hours Sightseeing and Bar Tour in Taipei: $69
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hong Kong
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hong Kong's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Peak Tram$7.66
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Madame Tussauds Hong Kong$24
Tours and Activities in Hong Kong
For Hong Kong, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Ma On Shan Climbing Adventure: $115
- Plover Cove Bicycling and Hiking Adventure: $109
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTaipei $18Hong Kong $21
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 to Yilan Kavalan Whisky Distillery: $130
When comparing the travel costs between Taipei and Hong Kong, we can see that Taipei 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 Taipei Expensive? and Is Hong Kong Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Taipei or Hong Kong?
Taipei has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Hong Kong. When comparing the sizes of Taipei and Hong Kong, 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.