Which place is cheaper, Kao-hsiung or Ubud?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ubud or Kao-hsiung?
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 Ubud and Kao-hsiung. 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: Ubud or Kao-hsiung?
Ubud
Made popular by the film Eat Pray Love, Ubud is located in the uplands of Bali, Indonesia. Beautiful Hindu temples and iconic rice fields are the sight to see in this popular cultural, artistic and religious hub on the island.
Though Ubud is hot and humid during the day, it is still cooler than coastal areas. Still, temperatures linger between mid-70's and low 90's year-round, so it is likely you'll experience warm weather, regardless of when you visit.
Ubud's wet season is from November to June, which makes it an unpopular time for travelers. January and February are when Ubud experiences the heaviest rainfall, so it may be wise to avoid visiting at this time, especially since weather will limit activities, bring out insects, and cause landslides and possible flooding.
Dry season runs from July through October, which is high season for travel. Even during dry season, Ubud is extremely humid, so pack lightweight clothing that breathes and lots of sunblock.
Kao-hsiung
Kaohsiung is the second-most populated city and also the largest port city in the country, located in the south of Taiwan. Compared to Taipei, the lifestyle in Kaohsiung is laid-back and noticeably slower, populated with friendly locals. However, with Taipei in the spotlight, Kaohsiung is often overlooked, though it offers so much in the way of art and culture, history, and delicious food.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Indonesia, The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Historical Tours in Taiwan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Taiwan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayUbud $150Kao-hsiung $102
The average daily cost (per person) in Ubud is $150, while the average daily cost in Kao-hsiung is $102. 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 Ubud and Kao-hsiung in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personUbud $133Kao-hsiung $56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomUbud $266Kao-hsiung $112
Compare Hotels in Ubud and Kao-hsiung
Looking for a hotel in Ubud or Kao-hsiung? 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: Ubud Hotel Prices and Kao-hsiung Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ubud $1.82Kao-hsiung $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ubud
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ubud:
- Bali Airport Transfer: $5.34
- Bali Airport Private Transfer to Kerobokan: $5.34
- Ubud Airport & Ground Transfers: $7.00
- Private Arrival Transfer: Bali Airport to Hotel: $7.40
- Bali Denpasar Airport (DPS) - Private Transfer to/from Denpasar City: $8.00
- Airport Transfer From (DPS) Ngurah Rai Airport to Legian Area: $8.00
- Seminyak Premium Airport Transfer : $8.00
- Airport Transfer Bali from (DPS) Ngurah Rai Airport to Jimbaran Area: $8.00
- Hotel to Airport:Bali Departure Private Transfer (Daytime): $8.15
- Airport Transfer Bali from (DPS) Ngurah Rai Airport to Nusa Dua Area: $9.00
- Bali Airport - Bali Transfer to all area in Bali - Bali driver: $9.00
- Airport transfer to seminyak/ kuta: $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kao-hsiung
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kao-hsiung:
- Explore Kaohsiung - 8 Hours Private Transfers - Best of Kaohsiung Sites: $179
- Guanziling Resorts to Kaohsiung Airport KHH Departure Transfer: $49
- Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $49
- Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts-Round-Trip Transfer: $98
- Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Taitung Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $153
- Kaohsiung Airport -> Kaohsiung Hotel Private Transfer (Large room for luggage) : $35
- Kaohsiung International Airport and Kaohsiung City Transfer: $41
- Private Kaohsiung Airport to Taitung Resorts Arrival Transfer: $76
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port: $79
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port : $71
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Port to Kaohsiung Airport (KHH): $71
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Port to Kaohsiung Airport (KHH): $79
Is it cheaper to fly into Ubud or Kao-hsiung?
Prices for flights to both Kao-hsiung and Ubud 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 dayUbud $12Kao-hsiung $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ubud
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ubud.
- Jimbaran Bay Sunset Dinner with Discount Voucher and Return Transport : $12
- Uluwatu Sunset & Romantic Dinner: $20
- Balinese Traditional Cooking Classes with Market Tour: $22
- Balinese Traditional Cooking Class with Market Tour: $22
- Ubud Cooking : All Inclusive Cooking Class: $23
- Cooking Class with Transfers and Optional Market Visit: $23
- Balinese Cooking Class and Market Tour with Transfers: $23
- Balinese Cooking Class with Hotel Transfers: $26
- Jimbaran Beach Candle Light Dinner : $26
- Subak cooking class (Balinese cooking school) 9 Dish Cooking and Market Tour: $26
- 8 Hours Private Balinese Cooking Class with Tirta Empul Temple: $28
- Jambangan bali cooking class with morning market tour: $29
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ubud $10Kao-hsiung $20
Tours and Activities in Ubud
Here are a few actual costs in Ubud for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- ATV Tandem or single Adventure Experience With Guaded: $1.54
- ATV Single or Tandem Guided Jungle Adventure: $2.56
- Ubud : ATV Single & Tandem Ride Adventure Local Guided: $3.59
- ATV Single & Tandem Ride and Zipline Adventure: $4.61
- Bali Gate Of Heaven, Jungle Swing & Waterfall Private Tour: $5.00
- Seminyak Driver ( Customized Tour): $5.00
- Mount Batur 4WD Jeep Sunrise Combo Experience in Bali: $5.00
- Bali: Ubud Palace Legong Dance Show Ticket: $6.40
- Ubud Monkay Forest,Waterfall & Rice Terrace Private Tour: $7.68
- Bali: Private Full-day Customized Tours With Transpers: $7.68
- All-inclusive - Private 3 Days Tours Package: Bali Highlights: $8.00
- Bali Tour Customized with Private Tour Driver: $8.46
Tours and Activities in Kao-hsiung
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kao-hsiung are as follows:
- Kaohsiung Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $48
- Private Classic Kaohsiung Day Tour: $75
- Food and Culture Walking Tour in Tainan: $78
- Day Tour to Qigu Salt Mountain, Chikan Tower and Anping Castle : $87
- Tainan Siraya Nature and Culture One Day Tour: $90
- Private Custom Kaohsiung Day Tour: $100
- Half-day tour Kaohsiung: $103
- Kaohsiung Walking Day Tour: $130
- Kaohsiung Suburbs Full-Day Tour: $150
- Kaohsiung /Pingtung Day Tour : $150
- Private Tour Tainan Ancient Capital and Wushantou Reservoir: $156
- Private Tour Alishan Culture and Ecology from Kaohsiung: $156
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayUbud $6.88Kao-hsiung $10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ubud and Kao-hsiung, we can see that Ubud is more expensive. And not only is Kao-hsiung much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kao-hsiung would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kao-hsiung 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 Ubud would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ubud than you might in Kao-hsiung.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ubud Expensive? and Is Kao-hsiung Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ubud or Kao-hsiung?
Kao-hsiung has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Ubud. When comparing the sizes of Ubud and Kao-hsiung, 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.