A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Hualien vs. Shiretoko National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hualien or Shiretoko National Park?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hualien or Shiretoko National Park, 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 Shiretoko National Park?

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.

Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko National Park, Japan is comprises the entire Shiretoko Penninusla in the northeast island of Hokkaido. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered to be one of the most remote areas in Japan with very few and very small settlements. This makes Shiretoko the perfect place for a fun hiking and camping adventure.

While the park is open year round, the weather in the area tends to greatly affect the enjoyment of your trip due to harsh winters and heavy rain at the end of summer. There is a short period from May to early July that is considered the best time to visit due to slightly less rain and comfortable temperatures around 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

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 Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.


Which place is cheaper, Shiretoko National Park or Hualien?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Hualien Prices
    Taiwan Prices
    Shiretoko National Park Prices
    Japan Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Hualien $136
    Shiretoko National Park $96

The average daily cost (per person) in Hualien is $136, while the average daily cost in Shiretoko National Park is $96. 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 Shiretoko National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hualien $60
    Shiretoko National Park $34
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hualien $120
    Shiretoko National Park $68
Compare Hotels in Hualien and Shiretoko National Park

Looking for a hotel in Hualien or Shiretoko National Park? 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 Hualien


Hotels in Shiretoko National Park


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: Shiretoko National Park Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hualien $29
    Shiretoko National Park $27

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 Shiretoko National Park?

Prices for flights to both Shiretoko National Park 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Hualien $56
    Shiretoko National Park $45

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Hualien $21
    Shiretoko National Park $15

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Hualien $15
    Shiretoko National Park $11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hualien and Shiretoko National Park, we can see that Hualien is more expensive. And not only is Shiretoko National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Shiretoko National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shiretoko National Park 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 Shiretoko National Park.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hualien Expensive? and Is Shiretoko National Park Expensive?.