Which place is cheaper, Kao-hsiung or Beirut?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Beirut 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 Beirut 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: Beirut or Kao-hsiung?
Beirut
Some travelers are seeking the hustle, bustle and posh atmosphere that only comes from a big city. Those travelers should have Beirut, Lebanon at the top of their list. The capital city is jam packed with 2.1 million people that are constantly on the go. As the commercial and financial hub of Lebanon, this city is fast-paced, fashion conscious and always ready for a night on the town.
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 Historical Tours in Taiwan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Taiwan.
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Beirut Prices
Lebanon PricesKao-hsiung Prices
Taiwan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBeirut $2.77Kao-hsiung $134
The average daily cost (per person) in Beirut is $2.77, 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 Beirut and Kao-hsiung in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBeirut $1.26Kao-hsiung $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeirut $2.52Kao-hsiung $120
Compare Hotels in Beirut and Kao-hsiung
Looking for a hotel in Beirut 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: Beirut Hotel Prices and Kao-hsiung Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Beirut $0.44Kao-hsiung $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beirut
Also for Beirut, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Departure Transfer From Your Beirut Hotel: $10
- Departure Transfer:From Hotel To Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY): $10
- BEY Airport to Hotel, Private Arrival Transfer: $10
- Private Transfer from Beirut Hotels to the Beirut Airport: $10
- Private Departure Transfer: From your hotel in Beirut to Airport: $10
- Airport Arrival Transfer to Your Beirut Hotel: $10
- Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer Pickup: $11
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beirut International Airport: $18
- Private Arrival Transfer: Beirut International Airport to Hotel: $18
- Beirut-Rafic Hariri Airport Luxury Car Transfer: $25
- Private Transfer from Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport to Beirut: $50
- Private Transfer from Beirut to Rafic Hariri (BEY) Airport: $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kao-hsiung
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kao-hsiung:
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport to Kenting: $138
- Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port : $75
- Private Kaohsiung Airport to Taitung Resorts Arrival Transfer: $192
- Kaohsiung Airport Chauffeur service , Kaohsiung Airport Transfer : $50
- Kaohsiung Airport -> Kaohsiung Hotel Private Transfer (Large room for luggage) : $35
- Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $134
- Guanziling Resorts to Kaohsiung Airport KHH Departure Transfer: $134
Is it cheaper to fly into Beirut or Kao-hsiung?
Prices for flights to both Kao-hsiung and Beirut 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 dayBeirut $1.23Kao-hsiung $59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beirut
For Beirut, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Lebanese Virtual Cooking Class Live from Lebanon: $35
- Motorbike Tour in Beirut with Local Street Food Dinner: $50
- Private Lebanese Home Cooking Class in Byblos with a Local Family: $86
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Beirut $0.26Kao-hsiung $22
Tours and Activities in Beirut
For Beirut, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Small Group Tour to Jeita Grotto, Harisa & Byblos with Hotel pickup: $10
- Small Group Tour: Jeita Grotto, Harissa, Byblos with Hotel Pickup: $10
- Small Group Tour to Baalbek, Anjar & Ksara with Hotel pickup: $10
- Small-Group Tour: Jeita Grotto, Harissa, Byblos with Hotel Pickup: $15
- Small Group Tour: Jeita Grotto, Harissa, Byblos with Hotel Pickup: $15
- Guided Small-Group Tour to Baalbek, Anjar and Ksara with Lunch: $30
- New Cost Saver Small-Group Tour to Jeita Grotto, Harissa & Byblos: $30
- Beirut Walking Tour - Discover Beirut by foot: $30
- Beirut Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
- Private Tour - Explore Anjar Lebanon: $35
- Beirut : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private tour): $37
- Jeitta Grotto, Harissa and Byblos Tour: $40
Tours and Activities in Kao-hsiung
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kao-hsiung are as follows:
- 1 day tour - Kaohsiung: $200
- Alishan Day Tour from Kaohsiung (Incl. Park Entrance): $90
- Buddha Museum- Half Day Tour : $90
- Classic Northern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
- Classic Southern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
- Food and Culture Walking Tour in Tainan: $78
- Kaohsiung Area Classic Tour: $255
- Kaohsiung City Walking Day Tour: $70
- Kaohsiung Departure - Tainan City Day Tour: $220
- Kaohsiung Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $48
- Kaohsiung Private Tour with Transportation : $249
- Kaohsiung Suburbs Full-Day Tour: $220
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBeirut $0.23Kao-hsiung $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Beirut
Also in Beirut, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Wine Tasting Day Tour from Beirut: $50
- Uncorking Splendor: A Journey Through Private Wine Tasting Tours: $60
- Byblos & Chateau Musar: History and Wine Tour: $65
- Private Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch from Beirut: $82
- Wine Tasting and Culture : $100
- Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour: $104
- PRIVATE Wine Tour in Central Bekaa Valley: $113
- Wine Tasting Tour: $160
- Half-Day Private Chateau Musar and Ixsir Wine Tour from Beirut: $186
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beirut and Kao-hsiung, we can see that Kao-hsiung is more expensive. And not only is Beirut much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beirut 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 Beirut would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beirut 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 Kao-hsiung would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kao-hsiung than you might in Beirut.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beirut Expensive? and Is Kao-hsiung Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Beirut or Kao-hsiung?
Beirut has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Kao-hsiung. When comparing the sizes of Beirut 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.