A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers El Nido vs. Koh Phi Phi for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit El Nido or Koh Phi Phi?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit El Nido or Koh Phi Phi? 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 Phi Phi?

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 Phi Phi

The islands of Koh Phi Phi, off the coast of southwestern Thailand, are very popular with travelers because of their unrivaled tropical scenery, clear blue waters, relaxing atmosphere, and undersea attractions. However, in the last decade, Koh Phi Phi has seen a huge surge in tourism, adding to the crowds and pollution of the main (and only populated) island, known as Koh Phi Phi Don.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Thailand, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Phi Phi or El Nido?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in El Nido is $39, while the average daily cost in Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    El Nido $14
    Koh Phi Phi $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    El Nido $28
    Koh Phi Phi $82
Compare Hotels in El Nido and Koh Phi Phi

Looking for a hotel in El Nido or Koh Phi Phi? 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.

Hotels in El Nido


Hotels in Koh Phi Phi


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 Phi Phi Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    El Nido $19
    Koh Phi Phi $6.96

Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Nido

Also for El Nido, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Van Transfer : From El Nido to Puerto Princesa Palawan: $140
  • El Nido (Lio) Airport Transfers: $50
  • Lio Airport to/from Hotel Transfers: $37
  • Private Transfer From El Nido Lio Airport To El Nido Hotels: $20
  • El Nido Town: Transfers to/from Nacpan Beach: $11

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Phi Phi

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Phi Phi:


  • Ferry to Maya Beach (for 2)
    $15
  • Longboat Taxi
    $2.76

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Phi Phi

Also for Koh Phi Phi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Superfast Transfer from Koh Phi Phi to Krabi by Arisa Speed Boat: $28
  • One-Way Departure Transfer from Phi Phi Island (Speedboat) to Phuket Airport : $53

Is it cheaper to fly into El Nido or Koh Phi Phi?

Prices for flights to both Koh Phi Phi 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 day
    El Nido $12
    Koh Phi Phi $11

Typical Food Prices in Koh Phi Phi

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Phi Phi:


  • Crepe
    $1.65
  • Sit Down Lunch
    $9.37
  • Casual Lunch
    $5.79
  • Coconut Donut
    $0.28
  • Lunch at Mexican Restaurant (for 2)
    $11
  • Sit Down Dinner
    $14

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    El Nido $5.40
    Koh Phi Phi $46

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 : $43
  • Day cruise on Sailing Yacht: $184
  • El Nido Group Tour B - Cave Tour w/ Island Lunch: $48
  • El Nido Island Hopping Tour A: $28
  • El Nido Island Hopping Tour C: Hidden Beaches & Shrine: $29
  • El Nido Island Tour A w/ Fees included (No Hidden Charges): $33
  • El Nido Island Tour B w/ Fees included (No Hidden Charges): $30
  • El Nido Island Tour C w/ Fees included (No Hidden Charges): $33
  • El Nido Island Tour D w/ Fees included (No Hidden Charges): $33
  • El Nido Nacpan Day Tour: $65
  • El Nido Palawan Private Tour C, with Lunch: $139
  • El Nido Private Lagoon Tour - Tour A w/ Island Lunch: $142

Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Phi Phi

For Koh Phi Phi, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Kayak Rental
    $8.27

Tours and Activities in Koh Phi Phi

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Phi Phi.

  • 6 Hours Private Tour Around Phi Phi Islands From Phi Phi: $163
  • Deluxe Tour Before Sunset At Phi Phi Islands: $69
  • Early Bird Phi Phi Islands Tour From Phi Phi by Speedboat: $58
  • Ferry from Phi Phi Islands to Phuket with Dropoff Service by Royal Jet Cruiser: $13
  • Half Day & Sunset Phi Phi Island Tour From Phi Phi by Speedboat: $58
  • Half Day Tour Around Phi Phi Islands By Private Longtail Boat From Phi Phi: $108
  • Half-Day Morning Bamboo Island Tour from Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $22
  • Koh Phi Phi to Phuket by Phi Phi Cruiser: $17
  • Maya Bay Sunset Cruise and Plankton Swimming From Phi Phi: $76
  • PHI PHI ISLAND - Sunrise Trip From Phi Phi Don By Phi Phi Local Tour: $54
  • Phi Phi 7 Islands Full-Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $27
  • Phi Phi Island Half Day Tour From Phi Phi by Longtail Boat: $18

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    El Nido $8.39
    Koh Phi Phi $5.72

Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Phi Phi

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Phi Phi from other travelers:


  • Mojito Bucket
    $14
  • Banana Daiquiri
    $5.51


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between El Nido and Koh Phi Phi, we can see that Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Phi Phi 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 Koh Phi Phi Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, El Nido or Koh Phi Phi?

El Nido has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Koh Phi Phi. When comparing the sizes of El Nido and Koh Phi Phi, 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.