Which place is cheaper, Ise or El Nido?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit El Nido or Ise?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit El Nido or Ise? 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 Ise?
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.
Ise
A coastal city of Japan, Ise is best known for the Ise Shrine, arguably the holiest and most important Shinto site and the reputed home of the Emperor's Sacred Mirror. The shrine dates back to 4 BC and actually consists of two shrines: the inner shrine called Naiku and the outer shrine called Geku.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.
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El Nido Prices
Philippines PricesIse Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEl Nido $47Ise $110
The average daily cost (per person) in El Nido is $47, while the average daily cost in Ise is $110. 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 Ise in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEl Nido $14Ise $43
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEl Nido $28Ise $86
Compare Hotels in El Nido and Ise
Looking for a hotel in El Nido or Ise? 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 Ise Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.El Nido $19Ise $45
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 Big Lagoon and Tropical Island Private Tour with Transfer: $179
- El Nido Tour C with Lunch and Transfers: $44
- El Nido Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $44
- El Nido Town: Transfers to/from Nacpan Beach: $12
- Island Hopping TOUR A with Lunch, Transfer & EDTF: $55
- Island Hopping Tour B Snake Island with transfer: $40
- Lio Airport to/from Hotel Transfers: $36
- To Puerto Princesa 1-Way Shared Van Transfer: $15
- Private Transfer from El Nido to Port Barton Palawan: $170
- Private Van Transfer : From El Nido to Puerto Princesa Palawan: $170
Is it cheaper to fly into El Nido or Ise?
Prices for flights to both Ise 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 $20Ise $43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in El Nido
For El Nido, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- El Nido, Sibaltan: Family Dinner, Bonfire and Karaoke: $15
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.El Nido $5.34Ise $6.04
Tours and Activities in El Nido
For El Nido, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Sharing/Joiner Island Hopping Tour A w/BUFFET LUNCH: $22
- Tour A (Big & Secret Lagoon, Shimizu, 7 Commando): $22
- El Nido Island Tour A: $22
- Tour D with Cadlao Lagoon, Paradise Beach & More: $22
- El Nido Island Tour D: $22
- Big Lagoon Kayaking & Island Adventure: $23
- Island Hopping Tour A Lagoons and Beaches: $23
- Hidden Beaches and Lagoons Boat Hopping Tour D: $24
- Tour B with Snake Island, Cudugnon Cave, and More: $24
- El Nido Island Tour B: $25
- Shared El Nido Tour A: $25
- El Nido:Private Tour D with Highlights Small & Cadlao Lagoon: $25
Tours and Activities in Ise
Here are a few actual costs in Ise for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Express Tour of Japan’s Most Sacred Shrine: $47
- Full-Day Guided Tour of Shrines and Oharaimachi: $138
- Guided Bar-Hopping Tour with Food and Drinks: $85
- Ise Grand Shrine Morning Tour: $81
- Ise Grand Shrine and Okage Yokocho Guided Tour: $149
- Island Adventure Sea Kayak Tour(Ise-Shima): $47
- Toba Private Customizable Half Day Tour: $216
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEl Nido $8.31Ise $4.68
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between El Nido and Ise, we can see that Ise 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 Ise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ise 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 Ise Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, El Nido or Ise?
Ise has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of El Nido. When comparing the sizes of El Nido and Ise, 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.