Which place is cheaper, Sendai or El Nido?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit El Nido or Sendai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit El Nido or Sendai? 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 Sendai?
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.
Sendai
Sendai, Japan is located in the Toohoku region on the main Honshu island. It is often referred to as "Forest City" due to the large amount of green space throughout the city and the tree filled parks and public spaces. Sendai is a very pleasant city to visit; they are in close proximity to both mountains and the sea and have many large universities throughout the city, making it a popular college town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines, The Best Historical Tours in Japan, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEl Nido $40Sendai $113
The average daily cost (per person) in El Nido is $40, while the average daily cost in Sendai is $113. 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 Sendai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEl Nido $14Sendai $64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEl Nido $28Sendai $128
Compare Hotels in El Nido and Sendai
Looking for a hotel in El Nido or Sendai? 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 Sendai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.El Nido $19Sendai $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: $150
- Private Transfer from El Nido to Port Barton Palawan: $150
- Private Transfer From El Nido Lio Airport To El Nido Hotels: $20
- Lio Airport to/from Hotel Transfers: $37
- El Nido Town: Transfers to/from Nacpan Beach: $12
- El Nido (Lio) Airport Transfers: $50
- EXPEDITION HAPPINESS PRIVATE TRANSFER: $200
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sendai
Also for Sendai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sendai Airport to/from Sendai city central private transfer: $91
- Private Transfer from Sendai Airport to Sendai City: $187
Is it cheaper to fly into El Nido or Sendai?
Prices for flights to both Sendai 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 $12Sendai $35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sendai
For Sendai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Miyagi, Shiogama Local Food Tour with Premium Tuna and Sushi Town: $140
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.El Nido $5.46Sendai $20
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 Sendai
For Sendai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Japanese Taiko Drum Experience at Sairi Yashiki : $79
- Sendai, Okama: Private tour from Sendai city to Okama: $280
- Local Foodie Tour, wander around the gourmet town: $125
- Zao Fox village 1Day Bus Tour with Strawberry picking: $148
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEl Nido $8.49Sendai $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between El Nido and Sendai, we can see that Sendai 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 Sendai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sendai 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 Sendai Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, El Nido or Sendai?
Sendai has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of El Nido. When comparing the sizes of El Nido and Sendai, 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.