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

Should you visit Aqaba or Kao-hsiung?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Aqaba or Kao-hsiung, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Aqaba or Kao-hsiung?

Aqaba

Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.

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 Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best Historical Tours in Taiwan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Taiwan.


Which place is cheaper, Kao-hsiung or Aqaba?

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 Aqaba is $157, while the average daily cost in Kao-hsiung is $134. 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 Aqaba and Kao-hsiung in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Aqaba $59
    Kao-hsiung $60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Aqaba $118
    Kao-hsiung $120
Compare Hotels in Aqaba and Kao-hsiung

Looking for a hotel in Aqaba 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 Aqaba


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: Aqaba Hotel Prices and Kao-hsiung Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Aqaba $24
    Kao-hsiung $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:

  • Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Or TalaBay: $25
  • Private Transfer: Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $27
  • Aqaba to Aqaba Hussein Airport (AQJ) - Departure Private Transfer: $31
  • Private Transfer from Aqaba Cruise Port to Petra hotels: $49
  • Private Transfer from Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Cruise Port: $49
  • Private Transfer from Aqaba Cruise Port to Aqaba hotels: $49
  • Snorkeling in The Red Sea With Equipment And Free Transfer: $51
  • Private Transfer from Aqaba Port to King Hussein Airport (AQJ): $56
  • Private Transfer from King Hussein Airport (AQJ)to Aqaba Port : $56
  • Private Transfer from Aqaba city hotels to Aqaba Cruise Port: $56
  • Aqaba or Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Wadi Rum: $60
  • Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Petra: $60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kao-hsiung

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kao-hsiung:

  • Guanziling Resorts to Kaohsiung Airport KHH Departure Transfer: $134
  • Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $134
  • Kaohsiung Airport -> Kaohsiung Hotel Private Transfer (Large room for luggage) : $35
  • Kaohsiung Airport Chauffeur service , Kaohsiung Airport Transfer : $50
  • Private Kaohsiung Airport to Taitung Resorts Arrival Transfer: $192
  • Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port : $75
  • Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport to Kenting: $138

Is it cheaper to fly into Aqaba or Kao-hsiung?

Prices for flights to both Kao-hsiung and Aqaba 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
    Aqaba $73
    Kao-hsiung $59

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba

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

  • Sunset Cruise with BBQ Dinner and Drinks: $54
  • Overnight in Bedouin Camp. Dinner and breakfast included.: $56
  • Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight + Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $75
  • Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $111
  • Wadi Rum New Year Eve Party (Jeep Tour + Dinner + Music + Fireworks + Overnight): $112
  • From Wadi Rum Full-Day Private Jeep Tour with Dinner: $169
  • Wadi Rum Private Tour with Jeep Safari and Dinner: $220
  • 4 Hours Jeep Tour with Overnight in Bedouin Camp and Dinner: $286
  • Petra & Wadi Rum Private Tour with Dinner one day: $425

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.
    Aqaba $54
    Kao-hsiung $22

Tours and Activities in Aqaba

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

  • Sightseeing Bike Rental in Aqaba: $7.00
  • Aqaba : All Water Sports Adventure in the Red Sea: $22
  • Wadi Rum Jeep Tours - Full Day Jeep Tour: $24
  • Private Snorkeling Experience in Aqaba Red Sea: $27
  • 4 Hour Jeep Tour Wadi Rum Nature Desert morning or sunset: $30
  • Wadi Rum Jeep Tour: $30
  • Stargazing Adventure in Jordan: $30
  • Glass-Bottom Boat 2-hours Tour and Coral-Reef Viewing from Aqaba: $30
  • Private Walking Tour in Aqaba City with Free Meal: $30
  • Saraya Aqaba Waterpark entrance tickets: $33
  • 2 Hour Jeep Tour (Morning or Sunset) Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35
  • Wadi Rum 2-Hour Sunset Tour Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $35

Tours and Activities in Kao-hsiung

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

  • Suzuka Circuit Park Ticket in Kaohsiung: $33
  • Kaohsiung Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $48
  • Kenting and Pingtung One Day Tour with Departure from Kaohsiung: $52
  • Classic Northern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
  • Classic Southern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
  • Kaohsiung City Walking Day Tour: $70
  • Food and Culture Walking Tour in Tainan: $78
  • Alishan Day Tour from Kaohsiung (Incl. Park Entrance): $90
  • Buddha Museum- Half Day Tour : $90
  • Tainan Day Tour –Qigu Salt Mountain, Chikan Tower & Anping Castle: $100
  • Private Tour Shore Excursion in Kaohsiung City: $199
  • 1 day tour - Kaohsiung: $200

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Aqaba $9.07
    Kao-hsiung $11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aqaba and Kao-hsiung, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is Kao-hsiung much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Aqaba is in Middle East and Kao-hsiung is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Aqaba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aqaba 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 Aqaba Expensive? and Is Kao-hsiung Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Aqaba or Kao-hsiung?

Kao-hsiung has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Aqaba. When comparing the sizes of Aqaba 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.