Which place is cheaper, Christchurch or El Nido?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit El Nido or Christchurch?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit El Nido or Christchurch? 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 Christchurch?
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.
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, right beside the Canterbury Plains. Most people begin their South Island travels here. The city itself can be fascinating to explore so it is worth allowing yourself several days in town as an introduction to the region.
The River Avon flows through the city center, twisting through the old buildings. Christchurch is referred to in New Zealand as the Garden City and it is easy to see why. It's quite a nice city with trees spread throughout. The economy is centered around international tourism as well as foreign education. There is a high Asian student population here, giving the city a diverse feel.
Christchurch's climate is temperate and the city receives moderate rainfall. In January average high temperatures are around 73 degrees Fahrenheit with averages around 52 degrees Fahrenheit in July. There is a sea breeze during the summer months that keep temperatures pleasant. Temperatures can drop below freezing at night during the winter months. Snow may also fall several times a year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Philippines, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEl Nido $40Christchurch $102
The average daily cost (per person) in El Nido is $40, while the average daily cost in Christchurch is $102. 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 Christchurch in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEl Nido $14Christchurch $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEl Nido $28Christchurch $104
Compare Hotels in El Nido and Christchurch
Looking for a hotel in El Nido or Christchurch? 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 Christchurch Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.El Nido $19Christchurch $15
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 (Lio) Airport Transfers: $50
- El Nido Big Lagoon and Tropical Island Private Tour with Transfer: $179
- El Nido Town: Transfers to/from Nacpan Beach: $12
- 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
- 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 Christchurch
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Christchurch:
- Private Transfer from Christchurch City to Lyttelton Cruise Port: $30
- Private Transfer from Christchurch Airport CHC to Lyttelton Port: $39
- Private Transfer from Christchurch Airport (CHC) to Akaroa Port: $55
- Executive Sedan Airport Transfer(Pickup Airport to Hotel/Residence) Christchurch: $75
- Departure Private Transfers from Christchurch to Airport CHC in Luxury Van: $93
- Christchurch to Christchurch Airport(CHC)- Departure Transfer: $32
- Christchurch Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Christchurch: $60
- Christchurch Airport(CHC) to Christchurch-Arrival PrivateTransfer: $32
- Christchurch Airport to City Transfer : $53
- Christchurch Airport Transfers : Airport CHC to Christchurch in Luxury Car: $109
- Christchurch Airport (CHC): Transfer to Christchurch hotels: $133
- Arrival Private Transfer from Airport CHC to Christchurch in Business Car: $67
Is it cheaper to fly into El Nido or Christchurch?
Prices for flights to both Christchurch 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 $12Christchurch $33
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.El Nido $5.43Christchurch $19
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 Island Tour D: $21
- El Nido Island Tour A: $21
- Sharing/Joiner Island Hopping Tour A w/BUFFET LUNCH: $22
- One-Way Zipline Adventure with Sea & Cliff Views: $22
- El Nido Island Tour A: $22
- Island Hopping Tour A Lagoons and Beaches: $23
- Tour A with Big Lagoon: $23
- Shared El Nido Tour A: $23
- Shared El Nido Tour D: $23
- El Nido Island Tour B: $24
- Hidden Beaches and Lagoons Boat Hopping Tour D: $24
- Island Hopping Tour B Cudognong Cave & More: $26
Tours and Activities in Christchurch
Here are a few actual costs in Christchurch for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Christchurch Gondola Ride Ticket: $26
- (MT) Mount Cook Day Tour From Christchurch: $186
- 6 Day South Island NZ Private Tour from Auckland w/ Flight: $3,695
- 8 Day Southern Secrets Small Group Tour: $985
- Akaroa Day Tour From Christchurch: $112
- Akaroa Full Day Sightseeing Tour from Christchurch: $162
- Akaroa Swim with Dolphins Tour from Christchurch: $221
- Arthur's Pass and TranzAlpine Train Day Tour from Christchurch: $264
- Arthur's Pass: TranzAlpine Train and Castle Hill Day Tour: $262
- Arthurs Pass Day Tour With Jet boat Ride : $224
- Christchurch All in One Day tour: $209
- Christchurch All in One Day tour: $211
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEl Nido $8.45Christchurch $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Christchurch
Also in Christchurch, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- From Full-Day Wine Tour with Lunch: $104
- All-Inclusive Waipara Region Wine Tour from Christchurch: $109
- From Guided Local Wine Tours in Waipara: $123
- Lyttelton Shore Excursion - City Highlights & Waipara Wine Tour : $137
- Akaroa Craft Distillery HeliGin Experience: $551
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between El Nido and Christchurch, we can see that Christchurch 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 Christchurch 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 Christchurch would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Christchurch 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 Christchurch Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, El Nido or Christchurch?
Christchurch has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of El Nido. When comparing the sizes of El Nido and Christchurch, 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.