Which place is cheaper, Tianjin or El Nido?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit El Nido or Tianjin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit El Nido or Tianjin? 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 Tianjin?
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.
Tianjin
Tianjin is a large metropolis on the north east coast of China. This ancient city, which dates back to prehistoric times, is one of five National Central Cities of China and is rich in culture and history. Tianjin is most famous for its beautiful walking streets and history of European concession territories.
Tianjin experiences hot and humid summers, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are cool and dry with temperatures around 15° (F). Spring and Autumn tend to be the best times to visit as weather is a little more mild, although Spring has a tendency to be a little rainy.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEl Nido $39Tianjin $76
The average daily cost (per person) in El Nido is $39, while the average daily cost in Tianjin is $76. 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 Tianjin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEl Nido $14Tianjin $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEl Nido $28Tianjin $68
Compare Hotels in El Nido and Tianjin
Looking for a hotel in El Nido or Tianjin? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.El Nido $19Tianjin $36
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
- El Nido (Lio) Airport Transfers: $50
- Lio Airport to/from Hotel Transfers: $36
- Private Transfer From El Nido Lio Airport To El Nido Hotels: $20
- El Nido Town: Transfers to/from Nacpan Beach: $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tianjin
Also for Tianjin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Tianjin Private Transfer from Tianjin central to Tianjin Binhai Airport (TSN): $116
- Tianjin Private Transfer from Railway Station to Cruise Port: $80
- Tianjin Private Round Trip Transfer to Huangyaguan Pass and Eastern Qing Tombs: $132
- Tianjin Port Private transfers to Tianjin train station: $50
- Tianjin Port Private Round Trip Transfer to Huangyaguan Great Wall: $192
- Tianjin International Cruise Port Private Transfer from City Hotels: $80
- Tianjin Cruise Port to Hotels in Beijing Downtown Shared Transfer: $66
- Tianjin Binhai International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
- Tianjin Airport Chauffeur Service, Tianjin Airport Transfer: $13
- Tianjin Airport Chauffeur Service, Tianjin Airport Transfer: $18
- Tianjin Airport (TSN) to Tianjin RoundTrip Private Transfer: $50
- Private Transfer: Tianjin Xingang International Cruise Home Port to Beijing Hotel: $88
Is it cheaper to fly into El Nido or Tianjin?
Prices for flights to both Tianjin 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 $12Tianjin $20
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.El Nido $5.38Tianjin $10
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
- El Nido Group Tour B - Cave Tour w/ Island Lunch: $47
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour A: $27
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour C: Hidden Beaches & Shrine: $29
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour C; Hidden Beach: $32
- El Nido Island Tour A w/ Fees included (No Hidden Charges): $31
- El Nido Island Tour B w/ Fees included (No Hidden Charges): $28
- El Nido Island Tour C w/ Fees included (No Hidden Charges): $31
- El Nido Island Tour D w/ Fees included (No Hidden Charges): $31
- El Nido Nacpan Day Tour: $63
- El Nido Palawan Private Tour C, with Lunch: $139
- El Nido Private Lagoon Tour - Tour A w/ Island Lunch: $139
Tours and Activities in Tianjin
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tianjin.
- 1 Day Tianjin City Essence Tour from Tianjin Port: $235
- 5-Hour Private Tianjin Shopping Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $179
- Bullet Train Private Tour: Beijing Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Great Wall: $239
- Bullet Train Private Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven: $219
- From Tianjin Xingang Port: Private 2-Day Beijing Tour: $550
- Huangyaguan Great Wall Layover Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $265
- Mutianyu Great Wall Trip with English Speaking Driver from Tianjin Cruise Port: $261
- One Day Huangyaguan Great Wall And Qing Tomb Tour Of Beijing: $260
- Private Beijing Custom Day Tour from Tianjin City by Bullet Train: $278
- Private Beijing Shopping Tour with Bullet Train Experience from Tianjin: $269
- Private Great Wall Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $248
- Private Tianjin City Highlight Day Tour: $188
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEl Nido $8.36Tianjin $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between El Nido and Tianjin, we can see that Tianjin 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 Tianjin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tianjin 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 Tianjin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, El Nido or Tianjin?
Tianjin has a larger population, and is about 480 times larger than the population of El Nido. When comparing the sizes of El Nido and Tianjin, 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.