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

Should you visit Halong Bay or Kao-hsiung?

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 Kao-hsiung 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 Kao-hsiung?

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.

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


Which place is cheaper, Kao-hsiung 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.

  • Halong Bay Prices
    Vietnam Prices
    Kao-hsiung Prices
    Taiwan Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Halong Bay $66
    Kao-hsiung $134

The average daily cost (per person) in Halong Bay is $66, 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 Halong Bay and Kao-hsiung in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Halong Bay $27
    Kao-hsiung $60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Halong Bay $54
    Kao-hsiung $120
Compare Hotels in Halong Bay and Kao-hsiung

Looking for a hotel in Halong Bay 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 Halong Bay


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: Kao-hsiung Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Halong Bay $13
    Kao-hsiung $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halong Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Halong Bay:

  • Transfer Ha Long and Ninh Binh by Limousine Bus: $18
  • Bus Transfer From Cat Ba Island To Ninh Binh/Ninh binh To Cat Ba: $19
  • Transfer from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh with D-Class Limousine: $20
  • Transfer From Halong to Ninh Binh: $25
  • Transfer Ha Long to Ha Noi Super Limousine Morning Bus: $33
  • Halong Bay Full Day Cruise from Hanoi by Transfer Expressway: $42
  • From Hanoi with Expessway Transfer to Halong Bay 1 Day Trip: $42
  • Halong Bay Day Tour Roundtrip Transfer by Expressway 2024 - 2025: $43
  • Halong Bay 1 Day Tour Included Limousine Bus Transfer from Hanoi: $48
  • Full-Day Halong Bay Islands and Cave Tour by Transfer Expressway: $48
  • Best Seller Halong Full Day Tour All Included Expressway Transfer: $48
  • Halong Bay Full Day With Cave, Kayaking,Swimming,Highway Transfer: $49

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 Halong Bay or Kao-hsiung?

Prices for flights to both Kao-hsiung 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Halong Bay $26
    Kao-hsiung $59

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 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.
    Halong Bay $16
    Kao-hsiung $22

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
  • Ha Long Bay Cruise Day Tour - best selling: Kayaking, Swimming, hiking & Lunch: $25
  • Breathtaking Sunset Boat Tours to Lan Ha Bay from Cat Ba Island : $27
  • Majestic Sunset Boat Tour: Explore Lan Ha Bay’s Stunning Scenery: $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

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
    Halong Bay $12
    Kao-hsiung $11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Halong Bay and Kao-hsiung, we can see that Kao-hsiung 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 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 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 Kao-hsiung Expensive?.