A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ubud vs. Kao-hsiung for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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.


Which place is cheaper, Kao-hsiung or Ubud?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Ubud is $145, while the average daily cost in Kao-hsiung is $127. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ubud $121
    Kao-hsiung $57
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ubud $242
    Kao-hsiung $114
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.

Hotels in Ubud


Hotels in Kao-hsiung


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ubud $1.66
    Kao-hsiung $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ubud

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ubud:

  • Private Departure Transfer Hotel to Bali Airport: $8.00
  • Private Transfer from Bali Airport to Any Hotel in Bali: $8.00
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bali Airport: $8.00
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Bali Airport to Hotel: $8.00
  • Airport Transfer Bali from (DPS) Ngurah Rai Airport to Jimbaran Area: $8.00
  • Private Bali Airport Transfer – Fast, Safe & Comfortable Ride: $8.72
  • Airport Transfer Bali from (DPS) Ngurah Rai Airport to Tanjung Benoa Area: $9.00
  • Bali Private Airport Transfer Chauffeur Service: $9.00
  • Bali Airport - Bali Transfer to all area in Bali - Bali driver: $9.00
  • Bali hotels to Denpasar Airport(DPS) - Departure Private Transfer: $9.47
  • Denpasar Airport (DPS) to Bali hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $9.47
  • Bali I Private Airport Transfer Service: $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kao-hsiung

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kao-hsiung:

  • Guanziling Resorts to Kaohsiung Airport KHH Departure Transfer: $133
  • Kaohsiung Airport Chauffeur service , Kaohsiung Airport Transfer: $50
  • Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Port to Kaohsiung Airport (KHH): $84

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Ubud $19
    Kao-hsiung $56

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ubud

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

  • Canggu: Drag Show with Dinner: $15
  • Ubud Cooking Class with Optional Market Visit Pickup Included: $18
  • Ubud Balinese Cooking Class with Rice Field and Market Tour: $19
  • From Ubud : Ubud Balinese cooking class with Market tour: $20
  • Cooking Class and Dinner in Traditional House by Food Lover Tour: $25
  • 8 Hours Private Balinese Cooking Class with Tirta Empul Temple: $28
  • Private Traditional Bali Cooking Class in Sidemen: $28
  • Bali Amazing Cooking Class: $30
  • Be a real Balinese with Traditional Balinese Cooking Class: $30
  • Uluwatu, Sunset, Kecak Dance & Dinner: A Romantic Bali Evening: $30
  • Bali Cooking Class with Hotel Pick-up: $30
  • Authentic Balinese Cooking Class: $30

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kao-hsiung

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kao-hsiung.

  • Sunset Dinner on Monkey Mountain: $100

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ubud $9.32
    Kao-hsiung $21

Tours and Activities in Ubud

Here are a few actual costs in Ubud for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Bali Jatiluwih ATV Ride Jungle Tour: $4.65
  • Wheel Bali Ticket: $5.43
  • Free Private Bali Tour with Driver: Top Spots for Insta & TikTok: $6.88
  • Mangrove Tour at Nusa Lembongan : Kayak, Paddle and Boat: $8.00
  • Private Bali Watersport Adventure: $8.00
  • One Way Ticket Fast Boat from Sanur Bali and Nusa Penida: $8.43
  • Kuber Bali ATV Adventure with Cave and Waterfall: $8.72
  • Bali Private Car Charter Tour with English Speaking Driver: $9.00
  • Full-Day Private North Bali Tour with Free WiFi: $9.32
  • Ubud Sunrise: Campuhan Ridge Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
  • Seminyak: Hidden Gems, Beach & Temple Self-Guided Tour: $9.99
  • Sea to Summit Trekking Adventure on Mount Agung: $10

Tours and Activities in Kao-hsiung

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kao-hsiung are as follows:

  • National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium Admission Ticket: $25
  • Suzuka Circuit Park Admission Ticket in Kaohsiung: $32
  • Southern Taiwan Golf 2 Day Tour: $40
  • Kaohsiung Private Walking Tour with a Local: $48
  • Classic Kaohsiung Day Tour: Fo Guang Shan x Lotus Pond x Pier-2: $62
  • Maritime Kaohsiung Lotus Pond, Cijin Island and Love River Cruise: $65
  • Kenting National Park & Pingtung Coastal Day Tour from Kaohsiung: $65
  • Food and Culture Walking Tour in Tainan: $69
  • Tainan Night Walking Tour: $70
  • Kaohsiung Cultural Day: TourMoon World, Hakka Lei Cha DIY, Pier-2: $73
  • Alishan Join-in Day Tour from Kaohsiung (Incl. Park Entrance): $86
  • Tainan Highlights Tour: Qigu Salt Mountain Chihkan Tower & Anping: $95

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ubud $6.27
    Kao-hsiung $10


When comparing the travel costs between Ubud and Kao-hsiung, we can see that Ubud 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 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.