Which place is cheaper, Alice Springs or El Nido?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit El Nido or Alice Springs?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit El Nido or Alice Springs? 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: El Nido or Alice Springs?
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.
Alice Springs
Alice Springs is in the middle of Central Australia and is most famous as a base for exploring the famous rock, Uluru. Alice Springs itself has grown dramatically from what was once a small outpost. The tourist boom began in the early 1980s and the population is now somewhere around 28,000. The city now has all of the necessary facilities to cater to the influx of tourists who swing through to see Uluru. The town is 1500km from Darwin, which is the closest major city. Adelaide is just as far to the south. It's remote location means that costs can be higher than they are elsewhere in Australia. Expect to pay more for anything from fruits and vegetables to clothing and souvenirs. When making a reservation for a hotel, do note that the rating scale differs from elsewhere in Australia or in most western countries. The ratings come from the amenities available and have little to do with the actual room quality.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Philippines, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Budget Tours to Australia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEl Nido $40Alice Springs $100
The average daily cost (per person) in El Nido is $40, while the average daily cost in Alice Springs is $100. 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 El Nido and Alice Springs in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEl Nido $14Alice Springs $53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEl Nido $28Alice Springs $106
Compare Hotels in El Nido and Alice Springs
Looking for a hotel in El Nido or Alice Springs? 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: El Nido Hotel Prices and Alice Springs Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.El Nido $19Alice Springs $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Nido
Also for El Nido, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- EXPEDITION HAPPINESS PRIVATE TRANSFER: $198
- El Nido Big Lagoon and Tropical Island Private Tour with Transfer: $179
- Private Van Transfer : From El Nido to Puerto Princesa Palawan: $150
- Private Transfer from El Nido to Port Barton Palawan: $150
- El Nido (Lio) Airport Transfers: $50
- Island Hopping TOUR A with Lunch, Transfer & EDTF: $46
- Lio Airport to/from Hotel Transfers: $37
- Private Transfer From El Nido Lio Airport To El Nido Hotels: $20
- El Nido Town: Transfers to/from Nacpan Beach: $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alice Springs
Also for Alice Springs, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Uluru to Alice Springs or Alice to Uluru 1-Way Luxe Transfer: $133
- Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock) Coach Transfer: $133
Is it cheaper to fly into El Nido or Alice Springs?
Prices for flights to both Alice Springs and El Nido 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 dayEl Nido $12Alice Springs $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alice Springs
For Alice Springs, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- From Day Trip to Uluru with BBQ Dinner: $239
- Ayers Rock Day Trip from Alice Springs Including BBQ Dinner: $241
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.El Nido $5.43Alice Springs $15
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
- All-Inclusive El Nido Island Hopping Private Tour: $153
- Private Island Hopping Tour A with BUFFET LUNCH: $132
- Private Island Hopping Tour B: $136
- Private Island Hopping Tour C w/BUFFET LUNCH: $136
- Sharing/Joiner Island Hopping Tour A w/BUFFET LUNCH: $22
- Sharing/Joiner Island Hopping Tour B: $27
- Sharing/Joiner Island Hopping Tour C w/BUFFET LUNCH: $29
- El Nido Big Lagoon & Tropical Island Private Tour: $199
- El Nido Group Tour B - Cave Tour w/ Island Lunch: $48
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour ( Private & All-Inclusive ): $170
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour A: $28
Tours and Activities in Alice Springs
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Alice Springs.
- 2 Day Uluru Kata Tjuta Rock Escape Tour: $448
- 4-Day Tour of Uluru, Kings Canyon, and the West MacDonnell: $2,719
- A Town Like Alice: Half-Day Tour of Alice Springs: $679
- Alice Springs Airport to Alice Springs City Half Day Tour: $123
- Alice Springs Airport to West MacDonnell Ranges Half-Day Tour: $110
- Alice Springs Camel Tour: $62
- Alice Springs Desert Park General Entry Ticket: $27
- Alice Springs Desert Park Nocturnal Tour: $29
- Alice Springs Highlights Tour : $113
- West MacDonnell Ranges & Standley Chasm Tour: $126
- Alice Town And Country Half Day Sunset Tour - Small Group: $129
- Alice Town and Country Half Day Sunset Tour -Small Group: $133
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEl Nido $8.45Alice Springs $18
Typical Alcohol Prices in Alice Springs
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Alice Springs:
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Glass of Wine in Alice Springs$4.79
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between El Nido and Alice Springs, we can see that Alice Springs is more expensive. And not only is El Nido much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since El Nido is in Asia and Alice Springs is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to El Nido would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in El Nido 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 Alice Springs would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alice Springs than you might in El Nido.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is El Nido Expensive? and Is Alice Springs Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, El Nido or Alice Springs?
Alice Springs has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of El Nido. When comparing the sizes of El Nido and Alice Springs, 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.