Which place is cheaper, Puerto Princesa or Chiang Mai?
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 Chiang Mai or Puerto Princesa?
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 Chiang Mai and Puerto Princesa. 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: Chiang Mai or Puerto Princesa?
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is both the cultural center of northern Thailand and a launching point for trips into the rural areas, small towns, and lush jungles of the country's northern regions. Known for great food, historic temples, arts and crafts, and a lively night market, Chiang Mai is a very popular destination for travelers. In some areas, tourists and ex-pats dominate, but it's quite easy to get away from the tourist scene and into the real culture of Thailand, as Chiang Mai (and the surrounding countryside) is quite large.
Puerto Princesa
The island of Palawan is known the Philippines' last frontier and its capital, Puerto Princesa, is considered the greenest city in the Philippines. With plenty of land that has yet to be explored and inundated with tourists, Puerto Princesa, also known as "The City of the Living God," is a nature buff's dream. Whether you want to swim with starfish, walk among the mangrove treetops, or visit the world's largest saltwater crocodile at the Palawan Nature Conservation Center, Puerto Princesa and its surrounding area offers plenty of opportunities to get into the great wide open.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Philippines, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines.
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Chiang Mai Prices
Thailand PricesPuerto Princesa Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChiang Mai $59Puerto Princesa $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Chiang Mai is $59, while the average daily cost in Puerto Princesa is $80. 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 Chiang Mai and Puerto Princesa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChiang Mai $30Puerto Princesa $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChiang Mai $60Puerto Princesa $44
Compare Hotels in Chiang Mai and Puerto Princesa
Looking for a hotel in Chiang Mai or Puerto Princesa? 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: Chiang Mai Hotel Prices and Puerto Princesa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chiang Mai $4.08Puerto Princesa $47
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$1.23
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Moped Rental$5.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chiang Mai
Also for Chiang Mai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sticky Waterfall Retreat and Chet Si Fountain Transfer: $24
- Siam Dragon cabaret show : Ticket & Optional Transfer: $25
- Siam Dragon Cabaret Show Ticket with Transfer in Chiang Mai: $27
- Shared Minivan Transfer to Chiang Mai and Mae Kampong Village: $13
- Private Transfer from Chiang Mai to Pai Or Pai to Chiang Mai: $175
- Private Transfer from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai (one way only): $175
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX): $11
- Private Chiang Mai Airport Transfer to or from Mae Rim Hotels: $17
- Private Car Transfer – Chiang Mai Airport: $35
- Private Arrival Transfer from Chiang Mai International Airport: $21
- Private Airport Transfer: Chiang Mai (CNX) ⇆ Chiang Mai Hotels: $15
- Hassle-Free Private Arrival Transfer from Chiang Mai Airport: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Princesa
Also for Puerto Princesa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Astoria Water Park Day Pass & Transfers: $232
- Private Transfer from Puerto Princesa to El Nido: $203
- Private Transfer to El Nido: $169
- Palawan: Private San Vicente Airport Transfers: $160
- 3day van transportation: airport transfer, city sightseeing van, beach transfers: $120
- Van Transfers to/from Sabang or Astoria: $116
- Private for your group - transfers Puerto princesa to elnido: $100
- Honda Bay Island: Island Tour with Lunch & Transfer: $52
- Puerto Princesa Palawan Private Transfers - Airport Transfers: $27
- Puerto Princesa City Van Transfers: $23
- Relaxing Massage with optional transfers: $23
- Private Airport Transfers to/from hotel: $21
Is it cheaper to fly into Chiang Mai or Puerto Princesa?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Princesa and Chiang Mai 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 dayChiang Mai $20Puerto Princesa $31
Typical Food Prices in Chiang Mai
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Chiang Mai:
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Sit Down Dinner (for One)$5.99
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Roti Snack (Bread)$0.74
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Casual Breakfast$1.23
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$6.14
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Mangoes$0.92
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Coffee$1.53
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Morning Class Chiang Mai Visit Organic Garden and Market: $13
- Evening Thai cooking class: $27
- Morning Thai cooking class: $28
- Half-Day Thai Cooking Class at Organic Farm in Chiang Mai: $28
- Khantoke Dinner at Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center: $29
- Half Day Evening Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai: $30
- Half Day Morning Cooking Class with Market Tour in Chiang Mai: $30
- Half-Day Thai Cuisine Cooking Experience in Chiang Mai: $30
- Baan Farm Thai Cooking School Chiangmai: $30
- Tomyumthai Cooking Class in Chiang Mai: $30
- Khantoke Dinner and Cultural Show at Chiang Mai Admission Ticket: $30
- Chiang Mai Thai Cooking Class at Grand Canyon and Market Tour: $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Princesa
For Puerto Princesa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Firefly Watching Paddle Boat Tour & Dinner: $27
- Jungle Firefly Watching Boat Tour & Dinner: $32
- Firefly Watching Bay Cruise with Dinner: $34
- Firefly Watching with Dinner: $39
- Firefly Watching Tour with Dinner: $53
- Seafood Lunch or Dinner with transfers: $59
- Underground River with Dinner at Kalui: $80
- Underground River and Firefly Watching with Dinner: $87
- Balayong People's Park with Dinner and Show: $116
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chiang Mai $14Puerto Princesa $6.27
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chiang Mai
For Chiang Mai, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Thai Cooking Class$40
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Doi Suthep Entrance Ticket$1.84
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Kratong Lessons$3.07
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Pedicure$4.60
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Chiang Mai Museum (for Two)$5.53
Tours and Activities in Chiang Mai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Chiang Mai.
- 1 Day Private Tour Doi Inthanon And Phachor Canyon: $163
- 1 Day Private Tour Unseen in Lamphun Province: $119
- 1 Day Private Tour White Temple and Renewed Doichang Coffee: $188
- 1 Day Sukhothai Historical Park from Chiang Mai Private Tour: $204
- 1 Day Trek and Bamboo Rafting Tour in Chiang Mai: $84
- 1 Day Trek and Sticky Waterfall Tour in Chiang Mai: $84
- 1 Hr Chiang Mai Buggy Tour (Off-Road): $169
- 1 day Private Tour to Unseen Temple in Lampang: $144
- 10KM Inflatable Kayaking Adventure: $94
- 10KM Inflatable Kayaking and 3HR Trekking Adventure: $110
- 2 DAYS MOTORCYCLE ADVENTURE Chiang Mai Chiang Dao Route: $238
- 2 Days 1 Night Rem Village and Mountain Tour with Scooter: $260
Tours and Activities in Puerto Princesa
For Puerto Princesa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3D2N El Nido Experience: $250
- 3d2n ELNIDO Package tour: $280
- 5D4N Puerto Princesa & El Nido Experience: $299
- Best of Puerto Princesa Palawan Signature 3Day Tour in 1 Package: $195
- City tour of Puerto Princesa Palawan Philippines: $20
- El Nido Day Tour: $80
- From Honda Bay Island Hopping Full-Day Tour: $40
- Full Day Excursion: UNESCO Underground River Tour: $48
- Full-Day UNESCO Underground River Tour: $60
- Half Day City Joiners Tour | Puerto Princesa: $34
- Half-Day City Tour from Puerto Princesa: $27
- Half-Day City Tour | Puerto Princesa: $53
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChiang Mai $7.60Puerto Princesa $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Chiang Mai
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Chiang Mai are as follows:
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Wine$3.07
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Puerto Princesa, we can see that Puerto Princesa is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chiang Mai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Mai 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 Puerto Princesa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Princesa than you might in Chiang Mai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chiang Mai Expensive? and Is Puerto Princesa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Puerto Princesa?
Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Puerto Princesa. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Puerto Princesa, 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.