Which place is cheaper, Koh Pha Ngan or El Nido?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit El Nido or Koh Pha Ngan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit El Nido or Koh Pha Ngan? 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 Koh Pha Ngan?
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.
Koh Pha Ngan
Ko Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is best known for its full moon parties, attracting backpackers and budget travelers the world over for all-night parties on the beach. The clear, blue water, beautiful beaches, and tropical atmosphere bring the tourists to the island, and the low prices, diverse activities, and abundant amenities keep them here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEl Nido $39Koh Pha Ngan $45
The average daily cost (per person) in El Nido is $39, while the average daily cost in Koh Pha Ngan is $45. 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 Koh Pha Ngan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEl Nido $14Koh Pha Ngan $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEl Nido $28Koh Pha Ngan $46
Compare Hotels in El Nido and Koh Pha Ngan
Looking for a hotel in El Nido or Koh Pha Ngan? 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 Koh Pha Ngan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.El Nido $19Koh Pha Ngan $13
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: $37
- Private Transfer From El Nido Lio Airport To El Nido Hotels: $20
- Private Van Transfer : From El Nido to Puerto Princesa Palawan: $140
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$8.18
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Ferry Ride$14
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Gas for Scooter$3.00
Is it cheaper to fly into El Nido or Koh Pha Ngan?
Prices for flights to both Koh Pha Ngan 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 $12Koh Pha Ngan $10
Typical Food Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Pha Ngan:
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Noodle Lunch (for One)$1.09
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$11
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Smoothies (for Two)$1.09
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Ice Cream$0.55
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Juice$1.64
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3 Spring Rolls$0.82
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2 Pancakes$1.64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.El Nido $5.38Koh Pha Ngan $17
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
- Big Lagoon and Shimizu Island Tour with Kayaking: $23
- Shared El Nido Tour A: $23
- Island Hopping Tour A Lagoons and Beaches: $23
- Hidden Beaches and Lagoons Boat Hopping Tour D: $24
- Island Hopping Tour B Cudognong Cave & More: $26
- El Nido Tour A: $28
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour A: $28
- El Nido Tour D Full Day w/ Beach Lunch: $28
- Island Hopping Tour C (Shared tour) BEST PRICE!: $29
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour C: Hidden Beaches & Shrine: $29
- El Nido Island Tour B w/ Fees included (No Hidden Charges): $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEl Nido $8.36Koh Pha Ngan $9.89
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
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Drinks at Irish Pub (for Two)$7.09
When comparing the travel costs between El Nido and Koh Pha Ngan, we can see that Koh Pha Ngan is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Koh Pha Ngan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, El Nido or Koh Pha Ngan?
Koh Pha Ngan has a larger population, and is about 52% larger than the population of El Nido. When comparing the sizes of El Nido and Koh Pha Ngan, 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.