A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ubud vs. Kao-hsiung for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ubud or Kao-hsiung?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ubud and Kao-hsiung. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Ubud or Kao-hsiung?

Ubud

Made popular by the film Eat Pray Love, Ubud is located in the uplands of Bali, Indonesia. Beautiful Hindu temples and iconic rice fields are the sight to see in this popular cultural, artistic and religious hub on the island.

Though Ubud is hot and humid during the day, it is still cooler than coastal areas. Still, temperatures linger between mid-70's and low 90's year-round, so it is likely you'll experience warm weather, regardless of when you visit.

Ubud's wet season is from November to June, which makes it an unpopular time for travelers. January and February are when Ubud experiences the heaviest rainfall, so it may be wise to avoid visiting at this time, especially since weather will limit activities, bring out insects, and cause landslides and possible flooding.

Dry season runs from July through October, which is high season for travel. Even during dry season, Ubud is extremely humid, so pack lightweight clothing that breathes and lots of sunblock.

Kao-hsiung

Kaohsiung is the second-most populated city and also the largest port city in the country, located in the south of Taiwan. Compared to Taipei, the lifestyle in Kaohsiung is laid-back and noticeably slower, populated with friendly locals. However, with Taipei in the spotlight, Kaohsiung is often overlooked, though it offers so much in the way of art and culture, history, and delicious food.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Indonesia, The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Historical Tours in Taiwan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Taiwan.


Which place is cheaper, Kao-hsiung or Ubud?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Ubud is $153, while the average daily cost in Kao-hsiung is $134. 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 Ubud and Kao-hsiung in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ubud $128
    Kao-hsiung $60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ubud $256
    Kao-hsiung $120
Compare Hotels in Ubud and Kao-hsiung

Looking for a hotel in Ubud or Kao-hsiung? 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 Ubud


Hotels in Kao-hsiung


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: Ubud Hotel Prices and Kao-hsiung Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ubud $1.75
    Kao-hsiung $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ubud

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ubud:

  • Private Bali Airport Transfer – Fast, Safe & Comfortable Ride: $6.73
  • Eco Friendly Premium Electric Vehicle Airport Transfers : $6.76
  • Ubud -Airport Private Transfer: $7.00
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Bali Airport to Hotel: $7.40
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Bali Airport: $7.50
  • Bali Airport (DPS) Private Transfer to Multiple Destinations: $8.02
  • Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Denpasar APT-HTL(DPS) : $8.88
  • Bali Private Airport Transfer Chauffeur Service: $9.00
  • Bali Airport Transfer - Price per Car: $9.00
  • Bali Airport - Bali Transfer to all area in Bali - Bali driver: $9.00
  • Denpasar Airport (DPS) to Bali hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $9.56
  • Bali Airport Transfer : $10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kao-hsiung

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kao-hsiung:

  • Guanziling Resorts to Kaohsiung Airport KHH Departure Transfer: $134
  • Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Guanziling Resorts - Arrival Transfer: $134
  • Kaohsiung Airport -> Kaohsiung Hotel Private Transfer (Large room for luggage) : $35
  • Kaohsiung Airport Chauffeur service , Kaohsiung Airport Transfer : $50
  • Private Kaohsiung Airport to Taitung Resorts Arrival Transfer: $192
  • Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) to Kaohsiung Port : $75
  • Private Transfer from Kaohsiung Airport to Kenting: $138

Is it cheaper to fly into Ubud or Kao-hsiung?

Prices for flights to both Kao-hsiung and Ubud 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
    Ubud $20
    Kao-hsiung $59

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ubud

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ubud.

  • Ubud Mystic Dinner at Oracle of Spice Lemuria The Lost City: $17
  • Uluwatu Sunset & Romantic Dinner: $20
  • Cooking Class and Dinner in Traditional House by Food Lover Tour: $25
  • Ubud Cooking Class by Lemon Grass Cooking Class: $26
  • Afternoon Cooking Class & Making Bali Offering with Dinner: $29
  • Uluwatu Sunset Trip with Kecak Dance Show and Jimbaran Dinner: $30
  • Amazing Half-Day Uluwatu Sunset Tour with Jimbaran Seafood Dinner: $30
  • Be a real Balinese with Traditional Balinese Cooking Class: $30
  • Private Traditional Bali Cooking Class in Sidemen: $31
  • Cultural Evening Dinner: $31
  • Uluwatu Sunset Experience: Kecak Dance and Dinner at Jimbaran: $34
  • Ubud Cooking : All Inclusive Cooking Class: $35

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kao-hsiung

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kao-hsiung.

  • Sunset Dinner on Monkey Mountain : $100

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ubud $9.84
    Kao-hsiung $22

Tours and Activities in Ubud

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

  • Mangrove Tour at Nusa Lembongan : Kayak, Paddle and Boat: $8.00
  • Batur Natural Hot Springs Entrance Ticket - Swim: $8.81
  • One Way Ticket Fast Boat from Sanur Bali and Nusa Penida : $8.92
  • Bali Tour Customized with Private Tour Driver: $9.00
  • ATV Adventure with Private Tracks and Guide in Ubud: $9.18
  • Hike and Heal Mount Batur Sunrise Tour with Hot Springs Add On: $9.18
  • Full-Day Private North Bali Tour with Free WiFi: $9.32
  • Self-Guided Tour in Bali's Pura Ulun Danu Beratan Temple Complex: $9.99
  • Sea to Summit Trekking Adventure on Mount Agung: $10
  • 1 Hour Mangrove Tour From Lembongan with Kayak, Paddle, or Boat: $11
  • Bali Blue Lagoon Snorkeling with optional Tours and Activity: $12
  • Trans Studio Bali Admission Ticket: $12

Tours and Activities in Kao-hsiung

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kao-hsiung are as follows:

  • Suzuka Circuit Park Ticket in Kaohsiung: $33
  • Kaohsiung Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $48
  • Kenting and Pingtung One Day Tour with Departure from Kaohsiung: $52
  • Classic Northern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
  • Classic Southern Kaohsiung Day Tour: $60
  • Kaohsiung City Walking Day Tour: $70
  • Food and Culture Walking Tour in Tainan: $78
  • Alishan Day Tour from Kaohsiung (Incl. Park Entrance): $90
  • Buddha Museum- Half Day Tour : $90
  • Tainan Day Tour –Qigu Salt Mountain, Chikan Tower & Anping Castle: $100
  • Private Tour Shore Excursion in Kaohsiung City: $199
  • 1 day tour - Kaohsiung: $200

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ubud $6.62
    Kao-hsiung $11


When comparing the travel costs between Ubud and Kao-hsiung, we can see that Ubud 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 Ubud Expensive? and Is Kao-hsiung Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ubud or Kao-hsiung?

Kao-hsiung has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Ubud. When comparing the sizes of Ubud and Kao-hsiung, 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.