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

Should you visit El Nido or Nagasaki?

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

Should I visit El Nido or Nagasaki? 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 Nagasaki?

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.

Nagasaki

Set in a natural harbor on the northwest coast of Japan, Nagasaki is a Japanese city synonymous with a key moment during WWII after suffering an Allied nuclear attack in 1945. While the event is memorialized at the city's Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park, the city in no way is defined by the event. Today it exists as a culturally and religiously diverse port town with a certain charm amongst the terraces of surrounding hills.

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


Which place is cheaper, Nagasaki 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in El Nido is $47, while the average daily cost in Nagasaki is $114. 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 Nagasaki in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    El Nido $14
    Nagasaki $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    El Nido $28
    Nagasaki $98
Compare Hotels in El Nido and Nagasaki

Looking for a hotel in El Nido or Nagasaki? 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 Nagasaki


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 Nagasaki Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    El Nido $19
    Nagasaki $19

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: $170
  • Private Transfer from El Nido to Port Barton Palawan: $170
  • To Puerto Princesa 1-Way Shared Van Transfer: $14
  • Lio Airport to/from Hotel Transfers: $35
  • Island Hopping Tour B Snake Island with transfer: $39
  • Island Hopping TOUR A with Lunch, Transfer & EDTF: $53
  • El Nido Town: Transfers to/from Nacpan Beach: $12
  • El Nido Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $44
  • El Nido Tour C with Lunch and Transfers: $44
  • El Nido Big Lagoon and Tropical Island Private Tour with Transfer: $179
  • El Nido (Lio) Airport Transfers: $50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nagasaki

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

  • Private Transfer from Nagasaki Airport (NGS) to Nagasaki Port: $117
  • Nagasaki International Airport to Nagasaki City Private Arrival Transfer: $196
  • Nagasaki City to Nagasaki International Airport Private Departure Transfer: $196

Is it cheaper to fly into El Nido or Nagasaki?

Prices for flights to both Nagasaki 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 $20
    Nagasaki $50

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: $39

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nagasaki

For Nagasaki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Cooking with a Local Okaasan at Kominka in Ojika Island Nagasaki: $41
  • Sunset Beach Dinner: $53

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    El Nido $5.34
    Nagasaki $23

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
  • 2 Days Private Cruise in El Nido on a 43-foot Sailing Yacht: $672
  • All-Inclusive El Nido Island Hopping Private Tour: $153
  • Private Island Hopping Tour A with BUFFET LUNCH: $128
  • Private Island Hopping Tour B: $132
  • Private Island Hopping Tour C w/BUFFET LUNCH: $132
  • Sharing/Joiner Island Hopping Tour A w/BUFFET LUNCH: $21
  • Sharing/Joiner Island Hopping Tour B: $28
  • El Nido Advanced Enduro Tour: $200
  • El Nido Big Lagoon & Tropical Island Private Tour: $356
  • El Nido Group Tour A with Beach Lunch: $45
  • El Nido Group Tour B with Lunch (Full Day): $47

Tours and Activities in Nagasaki

For Nagasaki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Customizable Full-Day Private Tours in Nagasaki with private car: $300
  • Discover Stunning Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Experience farming (rice cultivation) in terraced rice paddies: $38
  • Finding Local Cats and Hidden Alleys of Nagasaki Walking Tour: $62
  • Full day Private Tour for Shore Excursion in Nagasaki: $206
  • Gunkanjima Digital Museum Attraction Ticket: $13
  • Mochitsuki Rice Cake Making Experience in Ojika Island: $78
  • Must-See Nagasaki With A Local: Private & Personalized Walking Experience: $256
  • Nagasaki Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $151
  • Nagasaki GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game: $12
  • Nagasaki Gyoza&Soy Sauce Ramen Culinary Experience: $83
  • Nagasaki Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $117

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    El Nido $8.31
    Nagasaki $11


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


Which is Bigger, El Nido or Nagasaki?

Nagasaki has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of El Nido. When comparing the sizes of El Nido and Nagasaki, 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.