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, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi.


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 $84, 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 $30
    Halong Bay $27
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Xigatse $60
    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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Xigatse Hotel Prices.

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:

  • Private Halong Bay Day Tour: Transfer, Lunch, Guide, Entrance Fee: $300
  • Ha Long Bay transfer to Sapa Town ( Private Car ): $300
  • Premium 2-Day Halong & Lan Ha Bay Cruise with Meals & Transfer: $299
  • Halong Bay 2D1N 5-Star Cruise–Transfer, Food & Island Adventures: $239
  • 2 Day Halong Bay Cruise from Hanoi by Expressway Transfer: $199
  • Dragon 5Star HaLong Cruise 2D1N Included Transfer from Hanoi: $195
  • Halong Bay 2D1N Best-Selling Cruise with Transfer, Meals, Islands: $195
  • Oasis Bay Party Cruise for Young Travelers with Transfer Included: $185
  • Private Transfer: From Ha Long Bay to Ninh Binh: $110
  • Private Transfer From Ha Long Bay(Tuan Chau harbor) To Ninh Binh: $90
  • Amethyst Luxury 5 Star Cruise From Halong Bay with Transfer: $85
  • Halong Bay Luxury Day Tour From Hanoi With Limousine Transfer: $80

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 $44
    Halong Bay $27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halong Bay

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

  • Sunset and Bioluminescent Kayaking Tour in Lan Ha Bay with Dinner: $37
  • Halong Bay Luxury Dinner Cruise - Ambassador: $37
  • Authentic Hanoi Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $39
  • 1-day private Hanoi city tour with fun and night street walking food tour: $101
  • Best 2D1N Lan Ha Bay Cruise: BBQ dinner, Viet Hai Ancient Village: $210

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Xigatse $15
    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:

  • 1 Day Ha Long & Ti Top Island on 5* Cruise: $51
  • 2 Day 1 Night Ha Long Bay Cruise with Ocean View Balcony and Meal: $259
  • 2 Day 1 Night Halong Bay Experience with Victory Star Cruise: $225
  • 2 Day 1 Night Luxury Azura Cruise through Halong & Lan Ha Bay: $193
  • 2 Day Guided Cruise Tour in Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay from Hanoi: $201
  • 2 Day Horror Cruise from Halong city: $214
  • 2 Day Navy Peak Trekking, Viethai Village and Ha Long Bay Cruise: $155
  • 2 Day/1 Night Halong Bay New L'amour Cruise with Balcony Cabin: $212
  • 2 Days 1 Night 6 Stars Cruise Halong and Lan Ha Bay: $146
  • 2 Days 1 Night Aqua Luxury Cruise in Lan Ha Bay: $148
  • 2 Days 1 Night Ha Long Bay Cruise Sung Sot Cave Titop Island: $103
  • 2 Days 1 Night Lan Ha Bay Adventure: $140

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Xigatse $3.40
    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?.


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