Which place is cheaper, Brisbane or El Nido?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit El Nido or Brisbane?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit El Nido or Brisbane? 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 Brisbane?
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.
Brisbane
Although Brisbane is often overlooked as a travel destination in Australia, it is the capital of the state of Queensland, and is the third largest city in Australia. It's a very young and vibrant city with an active nightlife and a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. It's a modern and economically thriving city and, if you do have time to visit, it actually has a lot to offer travelers. It has some beautiful scenery, a wonderful warm climate all year long, and is actually one of the fastest growing cities in Australia.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, and The Best Eco Tours in Australia.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEl Nido $40Brisbane $138
The average daily cost (per person) in El Nido is $40, while the average daily cost in Brisbane is $138. 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 Brisbane in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEl Nido $14Brisbane $85
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEl Nido $28Brisbane $170
Compare Hotels in El Nido and Brisbane
Looking for a hotel in El Nido or Brisbane? 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 Brisbane Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.El Nido $19Brisbane $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Nido
Also for El Nido, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- EXPEDITION HAPPINESS PRIVATE TRANSFER: $196
- 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
- Island Hopping TOUR A with Lunch, Transfer & EDTF: $52
- El Nido (Lio) Airport Transfers: $50
- Lio Airport to/from Hotel Transfers: $36
- Private Transfer From El Nido Lio Airport To El Nido Hotels: $20
- El Nido Town: Transfers to/from Nacpan Beach: $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Brisbane:
-
Airtrain to the City$10
-
Go Card$17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brisbane
Also for Brisbane, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer: Cruise Port to Brisbane Airport BNE or Brisbane City: $126
- Private Transfer: Cruise Port to Brisbane Airport BNE or Brisbane City: $93
- Private Transfer: Brisbane Airport BNE or Brisbane City to Cruise Port: $93
- Private Transfer to Gold Coast /OOL Airport from Brisbane /BNE Airport (1-7 Pax): $236
- Private Transfer from Brisbane Hotels to Brisbane Cruise Port: $33
- Private Transfer from Brisbane Airport to Noosa for 1 to 3 people: $281
- Private Airport/Resort Luxury Transfers: $107
- NOOSA: Private Transfer to/fro Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY): $98
- NOOSA: Private Transfer to/fro Brisbane Airport (BNE): $260
- Movie World Theme Park from Brisbane Hotel One Way Transfer: $31
- From Australia Zoo Transfer and Entry Ticket: $114
- From Australia Zoo Ticket and Roundtrip Transfer: $97
Is it cheaper to fly into El Nido or Brisbane?
Prices for flights to both Brisbane 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
-
Food Meals for one dayEl Nido $12Brisbane $33
Typical Food Prices in Brisbane
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Brisbane:
-
Hamburger Lunch$5.48
-
Cup of Coffee$2.05
-
Chinese Food Lunch$8.56
-
Ice cream$3.77
-
Japanese Meal$14
-
Smoothie$4.45
-
Japanese Soup$7.87
-
Coffee & Muffin$4.79
-
Morning Mint Tea$2.40
-
Veggie Burger & Chips$9.59
-
Bread$1.78
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brisbane
For Brisbane, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Vertigo Dinner: Dining on the edge!: $134
- Guided Food Tour with Coffee, Seafood and Wine: $607
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.El Nido $5.43Brisbane $25
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: $131
- Private Island Hopping Tour B: $134
- Private Island Hopping Tour C w/BUFFET LUNCH: $134
- Sharing/Joiner Island Hopping Tour A w/BUFFET LUNCH: $22
- Sharing/Joiner Island Hopping Tour B: $26
- 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: $47
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour ( Private & All-Inclusive ): $170
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour A: $27
Typical Entertainment Prices in Brisbane
For Brisbane, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Concert Tickets$14
Tours and Activities in Brisbane
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Brisbane.
- 1hr Animal Tour: $44
- 2 Hour Sunset Jetski Tour on the Brisbane River: $202
- 2 Hour Sunset Jetski Tour on the Brisbane River: $103
- 2hr Animal Tour: $75
- 3-Hour Walking Tour in Brisbane: $58
- 4 Hour Jetski Adventure from Brisbane to Moreton Bay: $154
- 4 Hour Jetski Adventure from Brisbane to Moreton Bay: $304
- 4 Hour Jetski Adventure to the Top of South Stradbroke Island: $154
- 45-Minute Behind-the-Tanks Tour on North Stradbroke Island: $34
- 90min Brisbane River Cruise/Tour: $36
- Adventure Moreton Island Day Pass: $88
- Adventure Moreton Island Scuba Dive Tour: $191
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayEl Nido $8.45Brisbane $53
Typical Alcohol Prices in Brisbane
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Brisbane:
-
Evening at the Bar$10
-
Sixpack of Beer$9.59
-
Guiness Beer$5.82
-
Sixpack of Beer$8.89
Sample the Local Flavors in Brisbane
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Brisbane:
- XXXX Beer Brewery Tour & Beer Tasting: $25
- XXXX Brewery Tour: $25
- Stone & Wood Brewery Tour: $30
- City Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $51
- Brewery Tour River Cruise in Brisbane: $68
- Sirromet Wine Tasting And Blending Workshop For 2: $84
- Island Pub Crawl with Lunch and High Speed Boat Tour in Brisbane : $103
- Wine tasting tour to Tamborine Mountain: $106
- Half Day Gold Coast Brewery Tour: $109
- Tamborine Wine & Distillery Tour + 2 Course Lunch: $128
- Brisbane Brewery Full Day Tour with Lunch: $136
- Gold Coast Full Day Brewery Tour: $137
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between El Nido and Brisbane, we can see that Brisbane 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 Brisbane 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 Brisbane would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Brisbane 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 Brisbane Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, El Nido or Brisbane?
Brisbane has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of El Nido. When comparing the sizes of El Nido and Brisbane, 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.