Which place is cheaper, Nagano or El Nido?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit El Nido or Nagano?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit El Nido or Nagano? 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 Nagano?
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.
Nagano
Nagano city and its surrounding prefecture of Japan is a temple region built around Zenkoji, a 7th century Buddhist temple that overlooks the city. Nagano was also home to the Winter Olympic Games in 1998, with some facilities still existing around town. And then there is the forested mountain Togakushi area to the northwest, which is another draw of Nagano, known for its shrines and status as the home of the Togakure Ninja School.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEl Nido $40Nagano $96
The average daily cost (per person) in El Nido is $40, while the average daily cost in Nagano is $96. 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 Nagano in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEl Nido $14Nagano $65
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEl Nido $28Nagano $130
Compare Hotels in El Nido and Nagano
Looking for a hotel in El Nido or Nagano? 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 Nagano Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.El Nido $19Nagano $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Nido
Also for El Nido, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- EXPEDITION HAPPINESS PRIVATE TRANSFER: $200
- Private Van Transfer : From El Nido to Puerto Princesa Palawan: $150
- Private Transfer from El Nido to Port Barton Palawan: $150
- 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: $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nagano
Also for Nagano, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Between Station & Snow Monkey Park: $688
Is it cheaper to fly into El Nido or Nagano?
Prices for flights to both Nagano 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 dayEl Nido $12Nagano $24
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.El Nido $5.46Nagano $8.79
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 : $45
- All-Inclusive El Nido Island Hopping Private Tour: $153
- Island Hopping Tour A with Lunch No Hidden Charges: $46
- Private Island Hopping Tour A with BUFFET LUNCH: $133
- Private Island Hopping Tour C w/BUFFET LUNCH: $137
- Sharing/Joiner Island Hopping Tour A w/BUFFET LUNCH: $22
- Sharing/Joiner Island Hopping Tour B: $27
- Sharing/Joiner Island Hopping Tour C w/BUFFET LUNCH: $29
- El Nido Big Lagoon & Tropical Island Private Tour: $199
- El Nido Group Tour B - Cave Tour w/ Island Lunch: $48
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour ( Private & All-Inclusive ): $170
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour A: $28
Tours and Activities in Nagano
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nagano.
- 1 Day Tour: Snow Monkeys & Snow Fun in Shiga Kogen: $181
- 4 Day - From Nagano to Kanazawa: Ultimate Central Japan tour: $819
- Food & Cultural Walking Tour around Zenkoji temple in Nagano: $97
- Full-Day Tour: Matsumoto Castle & Kamikochi Alpine Valley: $197
- Izakaya Food Night Tour in Nagano: $116
- Nagano Sake Tasting Walking Tour: $62
- Nagano's Hidden Samurai Town & Tomyo Lantern Festival Tour: $1,637
- 1-Day Snow Monkey & Cherry Blossom Tour in Spring: $148
- November 23: Ebisu-ko Fireworks & Snow Monkey Tour: $238
- Private Snow Monkey Tour: From Nagano City / Ski Resorts: $1,484
- Snow Monkey Park Day Tour Pick-up and Drop-off From Nagano: $650
- Tateyama-Kurobe Tour: Walking on the 'Roof of Japan': $253
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayEl Nido $8.49Nagano -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between El Nido and Nagano, we can see that Nagano 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 Nagano would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nagano 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 Nagano Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, El Nido or Nagano?
Nagano has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of El Nido. When comparing the sizes of El Nido and Nagano, 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.