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

Should you visit Xigatse or Halong Bay?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Xigatse and Halong Bay can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Xigatse or Halong Bay?

Xigatse

The second largest city in Tibet behind Lhasa, Xigatse, commonly known as Shigatse, is home to sights and attractions like the Tashilhunpo Monastery, plenty of markets, and the ruins of Shigatse temple. All places of interest are fairly walkable, though auto-rickshaws are also available.

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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Vietnam, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Vietnam.


Which place is cheaper, Halong Bay or Xigatse?

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 Xigatse is $80, while the average daily cost in Halong Bay is $66. 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 Xigatse and Halong Bay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Xigatse $28
    Halong Bay $27
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xigatse $56
    Halong Bay $54
Compare Hotels in Xigatse and Halong Bay

Looking for a hotel in Xigatse 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 Xigatse


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Xigatse $13
    Halong Bay $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halong Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Halong Bay:

  • Premium 2-Day Halong & Lan Ha Bay Cruise with Meals & Transfer: $299
  • 2D/1N at 5 STAR CRUISES: Transfer,Meals, Cave, Island & Beach: $185
  • Dragon 5Star HaLong Cruise 2D1N Included Transfer from Hanoi : $176
  • Oasis Bay Party Cruise for Young Travelers with Transfer Included: $170
  • Halong Bay 2 Days Cruise from Hanoi with Transfer and Meals: $149
  • Private Transfer from Halong Bay Cruise Port to Hanoi hotels: $145
  • Hanoi Private Transfer from Tuan Chau Island to Hanoi (HAN) airport: $104
  • Halong Bay transfer to Hai Phong airport with private car 7 seats from HalongBay: $100
  • Private Transfer From Ha Long Bay To Hanoi: $90
  • Hai Phong airport transfer to Halong Bay with private car 4 seat from Hai Phong: $87
  • Halong Bay Luxury Day Tour From Hanoi With Limousine Transfer : $80
  • Private Transfer from Halong Bay Port to Hanoi Airport (HAN): $79

Is it cheaper to fly into Xigatse or Halong Bay?

Prices for flights to both Halong Bay and Xigatse 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
    Xigatse $41
    Halong Bay $26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halong Bay

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

  • Cat Ba Paradise Cave Experience with Dinner and Live Music: $41
  • Paradise Cave Dinner with Live Music and Tasting in Cat Ba: $42
  • Halong's Hidden Gem: Dragon Pearl Cave Tour with Dinner: $47
  • Halong Bay Luxury Dinner Cruise - Ambassador: $51
  • Best 2D1N Lan Ha Bay Cruise: BBQ dinner, Viet Hai Ancient Village: $210

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Xigatse $14
    Halong Bay $16

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 Orchid Cruise: $235
  • Alisa Premier Luxury 5-Star Cruise in Halong Bay 2 Days 1 Night: $215
  • Ha Long Bay Day Tour by 5 Stars Luxury Cruise (07 Hours on Bay): $60
  • La Regina Overnight Cruise - Queen of Lan Ha Bay - 2 day/1 night: $199
  • Luxury Cruise - Top Tier Ha Long bay 2D1N/3D2N: $185
  • 07 Hours Explore Halong Bay with Sea Octopus Cruise: $70
  • 1 Day Boat Tour Lan Ha Bay & Viet Hai Ancient Village from Cat Ba: $59
  • 1 Day Boat Tour: HaLong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, Natural Beach and Full Moon Party: $29
  • 1-Day Halong Luxury Cruise,Buffet Meal,Sunset Party,Cave & Island: $53
  • 2 Day 1 Night Halong & Lan Ha Bay Luxury Rosy Cruise from Ha Long: $215
  • 2 Day Guided Cruise Tour in Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay from Hanoi: $201
  • 2 Days 1 Night Lan Ha Bay Adventure: $129

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xigatse $3.20
    Halong Bay $12


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Xigatse and Halong Bay, we can see that Xigatse 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 Xigatse would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Xigatse 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 Xigatse Expensive? and Is Halong Bay Expensive?.


Related Articles for Xigatse
Related Articles for Halong Bay