Which place is cheaper, Ise 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 Ise?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hualien or Ise, 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 Ise?
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.
Ise
A coastal city of Japan, Ise is best known for the Ise Shrine, arguably the holiest and most important Shinto site and the reputed home of the Emperor's Sacred Mirror. The shrine dates back to 4 BC and actually consists of two shrines: the inner shrine called Naiku and the outer shrine called Geku.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.
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Hualien Prices
Taiwan PricesIse Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHualien $136Ise $110
The average daily cost (per person) in Hualien is $136, while the average daily cost in Ise is $110. 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 Ise in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHualien $60Ise $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHualien $120Ise $86
Compare Hotels in Hualien and Ise
Looking for a hotel in Hualien or Ise? 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: Ise Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hualien $29Ise $45
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Hualien or Ise?
Prices for flights to both Ise 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 $56Ise $43
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hualien $21Ise $6.04
Tours and Activities in Hualien
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hualien are as follows:
- Wild ATV Self-driving Experience: $43
- Taroko, Qingshui Cliff, Xincheng Old Street & Qixingtan Day Tour: $80
- Hualien Changhong Bridge SUP Day tour: $85
- Shuimutin Exclusive SUP Day tour(Hualien to Taitung): $89
- Exclusive Private Taroko Gorge Day Tour with Local English Guide: $121
- 2025 Taroko Gorge Tour Excellent Cultural Stories , 8 Hours: $130
- Full-Day Private Taroko National Park Tour from Hualien City: $139
- Taroko Gorge, Qingshui Cliffs & Qixingtan Beach Tour from Hualien: $159
- Liyu Lake, Sugar Factory, and Ruisui Ranch Tour: $320
Tours and Activities in Ise
Here are a few actual costs in Ise for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Island Adventure Sea Kayak Tour(Ise-Shima): $47
- Express Tour of Japan’s Most Sacred Shrine: $47
- Guided Bar-Hopping Tour with Food and Drinks: $85
- Full-Day Guided Tour of Shrines and Oharaimachi: $138
- Ise Grand Shrine and Okage Yokocho Guided Tour: $149
- Toba Private Customizable Half Day Tour: $215
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHualien $15Ise $4.68
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hualien and Ise, we can see that Hualien is more expensive. And not only is Ise much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ise would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ise 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 Hualien would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hualien than you might in Ise.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hualien Expensive? and Is Ise Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hualien or Ise?
Hualien has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Ise. When comparing the sizes of Hualien and Ise, 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.