Which place is cheaper, El Nido or Chumphon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chumphon or El Nido?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Chumphon 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: Chumphon or El Nido?
Chumphon
Sometimes tourism has a tendency to spoil the natural beauty of a place. This is not the case in the magical city of Chumphon, Thailand. As the gateway to the Chumphon Archipelago, this city has maintained natural, untouched beauty. Its miles of coastline are full of fine beaches with fishing, swimming and a number of other activities.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Chiang Mai, The Best 10-Day Tours from Bangkok, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChumphon $36El Nido $39
The average daily cost (per person) in Chumphon is $36, while the average daily cost in El Nido is $39. 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 Chumphon and El Nido in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChumphon $16El Nido $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChumphon $32El Nido $28
Compare Hotels in Chumphon and El Nido
Looking for a hotel in Chumphon 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: Chumphon Hotel Prices and El Nido Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chumphon $6.32El Nido $19
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: $140
- Private Transfer From El Nido Lio Airport To El Nido Hotels: $20
- Lio Airport to/from Hotel Transfers: $37
- El Nido Town: Transfers to/from Nacpan Beach: $11
- El Nido (Lio) Airport Transfers: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Chumphon or El Nido?
Prices for flights to both El Nido and Chumphon 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 dayChumphon $13El Nido $12
Typical Food Prices in Chumphon
For Chumphon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Ice Cream$0.16
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Fruit at the Market$0.55
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Breakfast$1.09
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chumphon $10El Nido $5.38
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 : $43
- El Nido Group Tour B - Cave Tour w/ Island Lunch: $48
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour A: $28
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour C: Hidden Beaches & Shrine: $29
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour C; Hidden Beach: $32
- El Nido Island Tour A w/ Fees included (No Hidden Charges): $33
- El Nido Island Tour B w/ Fees included (No Hidden Charges): $30
- El Nido Island Tour C w/ Fees included (No Hidden Charges): $33
- El Nido Island Tour D w/ Fees included (No Hidden Charges): $33
- El Nido Nacpan Day Tour: $64
- El Nido Palawan Private Tour C, with Lunch: $139
- El Nido Private Lagoon Tour - Tour A w/ Island Lunch: $142
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChumphon $11El Nido $8.36
Typical Alcohol Prices in Chumphon
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Chumphon are as follows:
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Beer (2)$3.82
When comparing the travel costs between Chumphon and El Nido, we can see that El Nido 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 Chumphon Expensive? and Is El Nido Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chumphon or El Nido?
Chumphon has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of El Nido. When comparing the sizes of Chumphon 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.