Which place is cheaper, Hualien or Pattaya?
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 Pattaya or Hualien?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Pattaya and Hualien 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: Pattaya or Hualien?
Pattaya
Go where the locals go. If that is your vacation motto, you will want to take a look at the popular weekend getaway of Pattaya, Thailand. This seaside resort on the Eastern Gulf Coast of Thailand is just outside of Bangkok, and full of resorts, beer bars and beaches.
Hosting more than five million visitors a year, Pattaya is easily accessed from the capital and the airport. Keep in mind, the sex tourism industry is still a large money earner for this city, but efforts by local authorities have created resorts and attractions for families and vacationers from all around the world.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Taipei, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Taiwan.
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Pattaya Prices
Thailand PricesHualien Prices
Taiwan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPattaya $93Hualien $136
The average daily cost (per person) in Pattaya is $93, while the average daily cost in Hualien is $136. 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 Pattaya and Hualien in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPattaya $27Hualien $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPattaya $54Hualien $120
Compare Hotels in Pattaya and Hualien
Looking for a hotel in Pattaya or Hualien? 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: Pattaya Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pattaya $13Hualien $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pattaya
Also for Pattaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Return hotel transfers to Gems Gallery Pattaya (Jewelry) : $2.43
- Pattaya Coral Island Tour with Indian Lunch and Hotel Transfer: $4.27
- Private Transfer from Pattaya to Suvarnabhumi Airport : $13
- Mini Siam Miniature World in Pattaya with Return Transfer: $22
- Teddy Bear Museum in Pattaya with Return Transfer: $22
- Alcazar Cabaret Show Pattaya Ticket with Transfer From Hotel: $28
- Private Airport Transfer: Bangkok to/from Pattaya Free Motorway: $34
- Airport transfer in Rayong from Airport to Hotel (UTP): $36
- Airport transfer in Rayong from Hotel to Airport (UTP): $36
- Art in Paradise Entry Ticket with Private Transfer: $38
- Pattaya Underwater World Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $40
- Underwater World at Pattaya Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $40
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 Pattaya or Hualien?
Prices for flights to both Hualien and Pattaya 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 dayPattaya $43Hualien $56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pattaya
For Pattaya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- All Star Dinner Cruise with Cabaret Show in Pattaya: $44
- Ocean Sky Pattaya Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment : $53
- Pattaya Night Guided Tour with Dinner: $53
- Ocean Sky Dinner Cruise with Live Cabaret Show in Pattaya: $59
- All Star Dinner Cruise Pattaya with Private Hotel Transfer: $73
- Thai Cooking Class in Pattaya: $76
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pattaya $24Hualien $21
Tours and Activities in Pattaya
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pattaya.
- Experience The Floating Market in Pattaya: $6.00
- Pool Party and Foam Experience for Indian Tourists at Pattaya : $6.29
- Pattaya Coral Islands Tour with Lunch: $7.90
- Mini Siam Miniature World in Pattaya Admission Ticket: $10
- Pattaya Underwater World Admission Ticket: $10
- Mini Siam Miniature World at Pattaya Admission Ticket: $11
- Mini Siam Miniature World in Pattaya Admission Ticket: $11
- Love In Museum in Pattaya Admission Ticket Thailand: $11
- Underwater World Pattaya (Ticket Only): $11
- Skip the Line: Legend Siam at Pattaya Admission Ticket: $12
- Frost Magical Ice of Siam for Foreigner Ticket: $13
- Pattaya Underwater World Entrance Ticket: $13
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPattaya $9.42Hualien $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pattaya and Hualien, we can see that Hualien is more expensive. And not only is Pattaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pattaya would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pattaya 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 Pattaya.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pattaya Expensive? and Is Hualien Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Hualien?
Hualien has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Pattaya. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya and Hualien, 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.