Which place is cheaper, El Nido or Bandung?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Bandung or El Nido?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Bandung or El Nido? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Bandung or El Nido?
Bandung
Bandung is the capital city of West Java, and the third largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta and Surabaya. Nicknamed Parijs van Java (Paris of Java) by the Dutch for its resemblance to Paris and European atmosphere back in colonial times, Bandung also earned another nickname as Kota Kembang, literally meaning the Flower City since Bandung used to have a lot of flowers. Nowadays, Bandung has become a very popular weekend escape for Jakartans, who crowd the city on weekends and national holidays. It's known for colonial and art deco architecture, a lively, university-town feel and relatively cool tropical weather. Bandung is also a shopping destination, with fashion outlets clustered along Jalan Setiabudi and Jalan Riau in the Dago district. The city also make a good base for day trips to the surrounding countryside - high volcanic peaks, hot springs, and tea plantations are all within reach.
El Nido
El Nido is a coastal destination on the Philippine island of Palawan. It consists of about 45 islands and islets all with beautiful beachfront scenery and plenty of opportunities for experiencing nature above and below the water. Some of the island's best features include limestone karst cliffs, coral reefs, lagoons, coves, and waterfalls.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines.
-
Bandung Prices
Indonesia PricesEl Nido Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBandung $48El Nido $47
The average daily cost (per person) in Bandung is $48, while the average daily cost in El Nido is $47. 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 Bandung and El Nido in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBandung $20El Nido $14
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBandung $40El Nido $28
Compare Hotels in Bandung and El Nido
Looking for a hotel in Bandung or El Nido? 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: Bandung Hotel Prices and El Nido Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bandung $5.54El Nido $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bandung
Also for Bandung, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Kec. Batununggal Kel. Kacapiring 40271 to Bandung Airport (BDO): $37
- Private Transfer from Sunyaragi to Kertajati Airport (KJT): $184
- Private Transfer from Sukatani Purwakarta Regency to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $128
- Private Transfer from Sukatani Cikarang to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $58
- Private Transfer from Sukatani Bekasi to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $58
- Private Transfer from Sukaresmi, Sukamakmur, Bogor to Jakarta Airport (CGK): $80
- Private Transfer from Sukaresmi Sukamakmur Bogor to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $66
- Private Transfer from Sukaresmi Garut Regency to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $196
- Private Transfer from Sukaresmi Cianjur Regency to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $119
- Private Transfer from Sukaresmi Bekasi to Jakarta Airport (CGK): $66
- Private Transfer from Sukarasa bandung to Jakarta Airport (CGK): $119
- Private Transfer from Sukarasa Kuningan Regency to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $196
Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Nido
Also for El Nido, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Van Transfer : From El Nido to Puerto Princesa Palawan: $170
- Private Transfer from El Nido to Port Barton Palawan: $170
- To Puerto Princesa 1-Way Shared Van Transfer: $14
- Lio Airport to/from Hotel Transfers: $35
- Island Hopping Tour B Snake Island with transfer: $39
- Island Hopping TOUR A with Lunch, Transfer & EDTF: $53
- El Nido Town: Transfers to/from Nacpan Beach: $12
- El Nido Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $44
- El Nido Tour C with Lunch and Transfers: $44
- El Nido Big Lagoon and Tropical Island Private Tour with Transfer: $179
- El Nido (Lio) Airport Transfers: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Bandung or El Nido?
Prices for flights to both El Nido and Bandung 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 dayBandung $24El Nido $20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bandung
For Bandung, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Indonesian Cooking Class with Welcoming Exotic Fruits: $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in El Nido
For El Nido, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- El Nido, Sibaltan: Family Dinner, Bonfire and Karaoke: $39
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bandung $5.45El Nido $5.34
Tours and Activities in Bandung
For Bandung, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 7 Hour Private Bandung City Tour : $148
- BANDUNG : MAKE CUSTOMIZED TOUR WITH CAR CHARTER AND DRIVER: $78
- Bandung : White Crater, Tea Plantation Tour Guide Bandung: $66
- Bandung Crater Adventure Hotspring and Mud Bath: $70
- Bandung One Day Tour Package: $160
- Bandung Tour All In, White Crater, Volcano Mountain, Hot Spring : $52
- Bandung Tour Volcano, Hotsprings, Mud, Tea, Lunch all Included: $60
- Bandung Volcano Sightseeing and Hot Spring Private Tour: $43
- Kawah Putih Day Tours: $59
- Sanghyang Kenit Cave and Rainbow Waterfall Tour: $62
- Tangkuban Parahu Volcano & Surrounding Areas Tour: $44
- Batukaras Countryside & Canyon Tour: $74
Tours and Activities in El Nido
For El Nido, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- El Nido Full Day Tour C with Buffet Lunch : $45
- 2 Days Private Cruise in El Nido on a 43-foot Sailing Yacht: $672
- All-Inclusive El Nido Island Hopping Private Tour: $153
- Private Island Hopping Tour A with BUFFET LUNCH: $128
- Private Island Hopping Tour B: $132
- Private Island Hopping Tour C w/BUFFET LUNCH: $132
- Sharing/Joiner Island Hopping Tour A w/BUFFET LUNCH: $21
- Sharing/Joiner Island Hopping Tour B: $28
- El Nido Advanced Enduro Tour: $200
- El Nido Big Lagoon & Tropical Island Private Tour: $356
- El Nido Group Tour A with Beach Lunch: $45
- El Nido Group Tour B with Lunch (Full Day): $47
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBandung $3.32El Nido $8.31
When comparing the travel costs between Bandung and El Nido, we can see that Bandung 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 Bandung Expensive? and Is El Nido Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bandung or El Nido?
Bandung has a larger population, and is about 220 times larger than the population of El Nido. When comparing the sizes of Bandung and El Nido, 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.