Which place is cheaper, Hiroshima or Hualien?
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 Hualien or Hiroshima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hualien or Hiroshima, 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: Hualien or Hiroshima?
Hualien
If you're looking for hustle and bustle, head to Taipei. If you're looking for fresh air and the prettiest town by the sea, Hualien is the place to be. With many national parks to explore, cliffs and mountains to climb and beaches to get some rest and relaxation, there's plenty to do, especially for nature lovers and those who crave peace and quiet, away from the bigger cities in Taiwan.
Hiroshima
Hiroshima is positioned on the coast of the Seto Inland Sea and is an industrial city made up of many zigzagging rivers and wide boulevard streets. Today Hiroshima is a modern and vibrant city with great food and an energetic nightlife, but the image that remains in most visitor's minds is the Hiroshima of 1945 when it became the horrific sight of the first atomic bomb attack. Hiroshima shares the colorful neon atmosphere of other major Japanese cities and its hard to recognize the city immortalized all those years ago on that fateful day.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Taipei, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Taiwan, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.
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Hualien Prices
Taiwan PricesHiroshima Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHualien $136Hiroshima $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Hualien is $136, while the average daily cost in Hiroshima is $126. 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 Hualien and Hiroshima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHualien $60Hiroshima $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHualien $120Hiroshima $134
Compare Hotels in Hualien and Hiroshima
Looking for a hotel in Hualien or Hiroshima? 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: Hiroshima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hualien $29Hiroshima $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hualien
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hualien:
- Private Transfer from Hualien Cruise Port to Taipei city hotels: $280
- Private Transfer from Hualien Port to Taipei Taoyuan Airport TPE: $280
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hiroshima
Also for Hiroshima, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Arrival Transfer : Hiroshima Airport to Hiroshima City: $128
- Shared Departure Transfer : Hiroshima City to Hiroshima Airport: $128
- Private Transfer from Hiroshima Port to Hiroshima Airport (HIJ): $164
- Private Transfer from Hiroshima Airport (HIJ) to Hiroshima Port: $182
- Hiroshima City: Private Transfer to/from Hiroshima Airport: $189
- Iwakuni Airport to/from Hiroshima City Private Transfer: $244
- Private Arrival Transfer From Hiroshima International Airport to Hiroshima City: $272
- Private Transfer Hiroshima Airport: $292
Is it cheaper to fly into Hualien or Hiroshima?
Prices for flights to both Hiroshima and Hualien 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 dayHualien $56Hiroshima $52
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hiroshima
For Hiroshima, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hiroshima Night Walk & Traditional Okonomiyaki Dinner Tour: $52
- Okonomiyaki Cooking Class with a Local Chef: $59
- Food and Culture Guided Walking Tour with Dinner: $82
- Dinner Cruise on HANAIKADA (Raft-Type Boat) with Scenic View of Miyajima: $100
- Bar Hopping Food Tour: $103
- Hiroshima Bar Hopping Food Tour: $105
- Private Japanese Cooking Class in Hiroshima with Machiko's Family: $108
- Hiroshima Peace Bicycle Tour and Okonomiyaki Dinner: $113
- Best of Hiroshima Food Tour: $182
- Best of Hiroshima Food Tour: $221
- Private Nature, History, and Food Tour: $629
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hualien $21Hiroshima $5.58
Tours and Activities in Hualien
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hualien are as follows:
- 2025 Taroko Gorge Tour Excellent Cultural Stories , 8 Hours: $130
- Exclusive Private Taroko Gorge Day Tour with Local English Guide: $121
- Full-Day Private Taroko National Park Tour from Hualien City: $139
- Hualien Changhong Bridge SUP Day tour: $85
- Liyu Lake, Sugar Factory, and Ruisui Ranch Tour: $320
- Shuimutin Exclusive SUP Day tour(Hualien to Taitung): $89
- Taroko Gorge, Qingshui Cliffs & Qixingtan Beach Tour from Hualien: $159
- Taroko, Qingshui Cliff, Xincheng Old Street & Qixingtan Day Tour: $80
- Wild ATV Self-driving Experience: $43
Tours and Activities in Hiroshima
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hiroshima.
- Hiroshima:Visit Tourist Pass(1, 2, 3day and 3day middlearea): $6.76
- LAGOON Nightclub Admission Ticket(For Foreign): $6.76
- Hiroshima Kagura Performance Entry Ticket: $12
- HIROSHIMA ORIZURU TOWER Admission Ticket: $16
- Abacus & Calligraphy Experience Near Hiroshima Peace Park: $20
- Abacus & Calligraphy Experience Near Hiroshima Peace Park: $21
- Hiroshima and Peace Park Private guided Tour: $22
- Peace Memorial Park Guided Walking Tour: $22
- Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome Tour: $23
- Hiroshima Peace Walking Tour with Expert Guide: $23
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park: A Guided Tour: $24
- Kumano Brush Factory Tour and Brush-Making Experience: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHualien $15Hiroshima $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Hiroshima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Hiroshima:
- Visit behind the Scenes: Hiroshima Saijo Sake Brewery Tour: $124
- Half-Day Saijo Tour Sake Tasting and Brewery Tour in Hiroshima: $131
- Private Goma Fire Ritual, Lunch & Sake Brewery Visits : $200
When comparing the travel costs between Hualien and Hiroshima, we can see that Hualien is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hualien Expensive? and Is Hiroshima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hualien or Hiroshima?
Hiroshima has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Hualien. When comparing the sizes of Hualien and Hiroshima, 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.