Which place is cheaper, Chongqing or Halong Bay?
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 Halong Bay or Chongqing?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Halong Bay and Chongqing 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: Halong Bay or Chongqing?
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.
Chongqing
Chongqing, China is a large city in central China and one of only four cities in the country that are not part of a province. While Chongqing is famous for being an economically important city, brush away its industrial surface and you'll find a naturally beautiful city with plenty of hidden wonders. Although you'll find many expats in the city, English is rarely spoken, meaning knowing some basic Mandarin will come in handy.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Vietnam, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Vietnam, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.
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Halong Bay Prices
Vietnam PricesChongqing Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHalong Bay $66Chongqing $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Halong Bay is $66, while the average daily cost in Chongqing is $106. 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 Halong Bay and Chongqing in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHalong Bay $27Chongqing $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHalong Bay $54Chongqing $100
Compare Hotels in Halong Bay and Chongqing
Looking for a hotel in Halong Bay or Chongqing? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Halong Bay $13Chongqing $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halong Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Halong Bay:
- 2D/1N at 5 STAR CRUISES: Transfer,Meals, Cave, Island & Beach: $185
- Alova Premium Cruise Halong Deluxe Day Tour with Transfer & Meal: $55
- Best Seller Halong Full Day Tour All Included Expressway Transfer: $48
- Bus Transfer From Cat Ba Island To Ninh Binh/Ninh binh To Cat Ba: $19
- Dragon 5Star HaLong Cruise 2D1N Included Transfer from Hanoi : $176
- From Hanoi with Expessway Transfer to Halong Bay 1 Day Trip: $42
- Hai Phong airport transfer to Halong Bay with private car 4 seat from Hai Phong: $87
- Halong Bay 06 Hours Dragon King Cruise From Halong with Transfer: $60
- Halong Bay 1 Day Tour Included Limousine Bus Transfer from Hanoi: $48
- Halong Bay 2 Days Cruise from Hanoi with Transfer and Meals: $149
- Halong Bay Full Day With Cave, Kayaking,Swimming,Highway Transfer: $49
- Halong Bay Luxury Day Tour From Hanoi With Limousine Transfer : $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chongqing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chongqing:
- Chongqing Airport Private Transfer : $22
- Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) private round-trip transfer: $25
- Chongqing Private Round Trip Transfer to Dazu Rock Carvings: $134
- Chongqing Private Round Trip Transfer to Wulong National Park: $156
- 5-Day Private Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $497
- Wulong 3-Day Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $497
- Wulong 5-Day Tour with Hotel & Transfers: $687
- Datong Yungang Airport Chauffeur Service , to Datong Transfer: $40
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier to Hotel: $39
- Private Arrival Transfer: Chongqing Jiangbei Airport (CKG) to Hotel: $27
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Any Railway Station in Chongqing: $24
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chongqing Chaotianmen Cruise Pier: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Halong Bay or Chongqing?
Prices for flights to both Chongqing and Halong Bay 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 dayHalong Bay $26Chongqing $43
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chongqing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chongqing.
- Qingyu Banquet Experience with Show and Dinner: $51
- Half-Day Cultural Immersion with Cooking Class: $80
- Food Tour with Old Town and Magical Night Views: $93
- Chongqing Food Tour: $93
- 3 HR Chongqing Food Tour: $110
- Chongqing City Private Night Tour with Hot Pot Dinner: $158
- Magical Chongqing Art Performance and Food Tour: $297
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Halong Bay $16Chongqing $14
Tours and Activities in Halong Bay
Here are a few actual costs in Halong Bay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- City Sightseeing Ha Long Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $19
- JADESAILS CRUISE-The Most Luxurious Day Tour in Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay: $20
- Sun World Halong Admission Ticket: $20
- Majestic Sunset Boat Tour: Explore Lan Ha Bay’s Stunning Scenery: $27
- Breathtaking Sunset Boat Tours to Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba Island : $27
- From Cat Ba Island: Majestic Sunset Boat Tour Explore Lan Ha Bay : $27
- Majestic Sunset Boat Tour Explore the Stunning Lan Ha Bay, Cat Ba: $27
- From Cat Ba Island: Amazing Sunset Tour in Lan Ha Bay, Kayaking: $28
- Half-Day Lan Ha Bay Adventure: Boat Jumping, Kayaking, Sunset : $28
- Magical Sunset Tour: Kayaking & Swimming in Lan Ha Bay: $28
- From Cat Ba: Amazing Sunset Boat Tour in Lan Ha Bay: $28
- From Cat Ba: Explore Lan Ha Bay with Amazing Sunset Boat Tour: $28
Tours and Activities in Chongqing
Here are a few actual costs in Chongqing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chongqing private luxury city tour: Must-sees All in One: $10
- Chongqing Private Tour Pandas City Must See Hot Pot All in one: $10
- Chongqing Luxury Hot Spring and Massage Luxury Meal Private Tour: $10
- Chongqing Wulong National Park Private Nature Tour: $10
- 520m-high Eye Skyview Deck Ticket for Adult: $26
- Two Rivers Night Cruise- Yangtze & Jialing Rivers: $40
- Chongqing 1949 Ticket Epic Historical Spectacle: $41
- Historical Blocks, Temple, and Mountain Tour: $69
- Magic Night View and Secret Viewing Spots Tour: $71
- ChongQing Guanyinqiao: A 3-Hour Urban Adventure: $80
- Hidden City Walking Tour with Local Guide: $80
- Baduanjin Qigong Experience in a Serene Temple: $81
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHalong Bay $12Chongqing $7.01
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Halong Bay and Chongqing, we can see that Chongqing 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 Chongqing would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chongqing 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 Halong Bay Expensive? and Is Chongqing Expensive?.
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.