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

Should you visit Halong Bay or Shenyang?

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 Shenyang 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 Shenyang?

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.

Shenyang

Shenyang, China is the capital, and largest, city in the Liaoning Province in northwest China which borders North Korea. Shenyang has a long, imperial, history and is the birthplace of the Qing Dynasty. The city has a blend of beautifully preserved architecture and modern buildings, creating a pleasant atmosphere for exploring!

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.


Which place is cheaper, Shenyang 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
    Shenyang Prices
    China Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Halong Bay $66
    Shenyang $85

The average daily cost (per person) in Halong Bay is $66, while the average daily cost in Shenyang is $85. 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 Shenyang in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Halong Bay $27
    Shenyang $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Halong Bay $54
    Shenyang $82
Compare Hotels in Halong Bay and Shenyang

Looking for a hotel in Halong Bay or Shenyang? 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 Shenyang


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Halong Bay $13
    Shenyang $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halong Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Halong Bay:

  • Transfer from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh with D-Class Limousine: $20
  • Transfer Ha Long to Ha Noi Super Limousine Morning Bus: $33
  • Transfer Ha Long and Ninh Binh by Limousine Bus: $18
  • Transfer From Halong to Ninh Binh: $25
  • Sea Octopus Luxury Day Cruise in Halong With Transfer Roundtrip: $75
  • Private Transfer: Cat Bi Airport to/from Ha Long, Tuan Chau: $60
  • Private Transfer from Halong Bay Port to Hanoi Airport (HAN): $79
  • Private Transfer from Halong Bay Port to Haiphong city hotels: $56
  • Private Transfer from Halong Bay Cruise Port to Hanoi hotels: $145
  • Private Transfer from Halong Bay Cruise Port to Haiphong Hotels: $63
  • Private Transfer From Ha Long Bay To Hanoi: $90
  • Premium 2-Day Halong & Lan Ha Bay Cruise with Meals & Transfer: $299

Is it cheaper to fly into Halong Bay or Shenyang?

Prices for flights to both Shenyang 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
    Shenyang $32

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Halong Bay $16
    Shenyang $7.81

Tours and Activities in Halong Bay

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

  • 2-Day Halong Orchid Cruise: $235
  • Alisa Premier Luxury 5-Star Cruise in Halong Bay 2 Days 1 Night: $215
  • Ha Long Bay Day Tour by 5 Stars Luxury Cruise (07 Hours on Bay): $60
  • La Regina Overnight Cruise - Queen of Lan Ha Bay - 2 day/1 night: $199
  • Luxury Cruise - Top Tier Ha Long bay 2D1N/3D2N: $185
  • 07 Hours Explore Halong Bay with Sea Octopus Cruise: $70
  • 1 Day Boat Tour Lan Ha Bay & Viet Hai Ancient Village from Cat Ba: $59
  • 1 Day Boat Tour: HaLong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, Natural Beach and Full Moon Party: $29
  • 1-Day Halong Luxury Cruise,Buffet Meal,Sunset Party,Cave & Island: $53
  • 2 Day 1 Night Halong & Lan Ha Bay Luxury Rosy Cruise from Ha Long: $215
  • 2 Day Guided Cruise Tour in Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay from Hanoi: $201
  • 2 Days 1 Night Lan Ha Bay Adventure: $129

Tours and Activities in Shenyang

For Shenyang, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Shenyang to Dandong: China North-eastern Border Day Tour: $350

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Halong Bay $12
    Shenyang $5.91


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Halong Bay and Shenyang, we can see that Shenyang 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 Shenyang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenyang 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 Shenyang Expensive?.


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