Which place is cheaper, Cheju (Jeju) or El Nido?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit El Nido or Cheju (Jeju)?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit El Nido or Cheju (Jeju)? 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 Cheju (Jeju)?
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.
Cheju (Jeju)
Cheju is an island located just off the southern coast of South Korea in the Korean Strait. It is known for its volcanic landscape full of craters and cave-like lava tubes, which many visitors venture to hike and explore. With the main industry invested in tourism, it is a popular vacation spot for Koreans and foreigners alike, and remains the top honeymoon destination for Korean newlyweds.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines, The Best Cultural Tours in South Korea, and The Best Luxury Tours to South Korea.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEl Nido $39Cheju (Jeju) $72
The average daily cost (per person) in El Nido is $39, while the average daily cost in Cheju (Jeju) is $72. 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 Cheju (Jeju) in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEl Nido $14Cheju (Jeju) $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEl Nido $28Cheju (Jeju) $92
Compare Hotels in El Nido and Cheju (Jeju)
Looking for a hotel in El Nido or Cheju (Jeju)? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.El Nido $19Cheju (Jeju) $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Nido
Also for El Nido, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- El Nido (Lio) Airport Transfers: $50
- El Nido Town: Transfers to/from Nacpan Beach: $11
- Lio Airport to/from Hotel Transfers: $36
- Private Transfer From El Nido Lio Airport To El Nido Hotels: $20
- Private Transfer from El Nido to Port Barton Palawan: $150
- Private Van Transfer : From El Nido to Puerto Princesa Palawan: $150
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cheju (Jeju)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cheju (Jeju):
- jeju island Private Taxi Hallasan Hiking Trail Transfer - One way: $57
- Private Transfer From Seogwipo to Jeju Airport in jeju island: $25
- Private Transfer From Jeju Airport to in Seogwipo Jeju Island : $30
- Private Taxi Transfer from Jeju City Downtown to Jeju Airport: $50
- Private Sightseeing Tour to Jeju Island with Transfer Included: $190
- Jeju Airport Transfer: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into El Nido or Cheju (Jeju)?
Prices for flights to both Cheju (Jeju) 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 $12Cheju (Jeju) $17
Typical Food Prices in Cheju (Jeju)
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cheju (Jeju):
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Burger$4.49
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Donkatsu (Charles Restaurant)$7.24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cheju (Jeju)
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cheju (Jeju).
- Cooking Korean Cuisine and Dinner at Jeju Seaside Sunset Terrace: $108
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.El Nido $5.38Cheju (Jeju) $5.49
Tours and Activities in El Nido
For El Nido, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Island Hopping Tour A with lunch BEST PRICE!: $22
- Island Hopping Tour A Lagoons and Beaches: $23
- Shared El Nido Tour A: $23
- Big Lagoon and Shimizu Island Tour with Kayaking: $23
- Hidden Beaches and Lagoons Boat Hopping Tour D: $23
- Island Hopping Tour B Cudognong Cave & More: $25
- El Nido Tour A: $27
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour A: $27
- El Nido Tour D Full Day w/ Beach Lunch: $28
- El Nido Island Tour B w/ Fees included (No Hidden Charges): $28
- Island Hopping Tour C (Shared tour) BEST PRICE!: $28
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour C: Hidden Beaches & Shrine: $29
Tours and Activities in Cheju (Jeju)
Here are a few actual costs in Cheju (Jeju) for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private 2days Jumbo Taxi Experienced Driver Tour in jeju island : $80
- West Jeju Full Day Tour Package By Taxi: $184
- 2 Day Private pictures of Nature Tour in jeju island: $150
- 2 Days Private Taxi Tour - West and South of Jeju Island: $300
- 2-Days JUMBO/MINI-VAN Tour in Jeju Island : $110
- 3days Private Free Schedule Tour a lot of Experience Driver : $170
- 9 hours tour with a taxi driver in jeju island: $70
- Cherry Blossom East Day Tour in Jeju: $112
- Customized private tour in Jeju island: $80
- East of Jeju island Tour in Sky Water Circus -Package Tour: $140
- East of jeju private Jumbo taxi tour with Mr.Ko (Suhong): $80
- Full Day Essential Jeju Island Private tour for West Course: $270
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEl Nido $8.36Cheju (Jeju) $7.12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between El Nido and Cheju (Jeju), we can see that Cheju (Jeju) is more expensive. And not only is El Nido much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Cheju (Jeju) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cheju (Jeju) 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 Cheju (Jeju) Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, El Nido or Cheju (Jeju)?
Cheju (Jeju) has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of El Nido. When comparing the sizes of El Nido and Cheju (Jeju), 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.