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

Should you visit El Nido or Wuhu?

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

Should I visit El Nido or Wuhu? 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 Wuhu?

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.

Wuhu

The city of Wuhu is located in the southeast of the Anhui province of China. It lies on the south bank of the Yangtze River, and about 74 miles from the capital city of Hefei. It is made of floodplains, terraces and low hills, and its plentiful water supply makes it the perfect spot for fish and rice production.

The area has a subtropical climate with a humid monsoon season. When planning your trip, remember that the rainy season is from spring to early winter with the heaviest rainfall from mid-June to early July. So the best trips will be in autumn when it is nice and cool, and the chrysanthemums are in bloom.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai.


Which place is cheaper, Wuhu 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 Wuhu is $86. 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 Wuhu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    El Nido $14
    Wuhu $30
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    El Nido $28
    Wuhu $60
Compare Hotels in El Nido and Wuhu

Looking for a hotel in El Nido or Wuhu? 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 Wuhu


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    El Nido $19
    Wuhu $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Nido

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

  • El Nido Town: Transfers to/from Nacpan Beach: $11
  • Private Transfer From El Nido Lio Airport To El Nido Hotels: $20
  • Lio Airport to/from Hotel Transfers: $36
  • El Nido (Lio) Airport Transfers: $50
  • Private Van Transfer : From El Nido to Puerto Princesa Palawan: $150
  • Private Transfer from El Nido to Port Barton Palawan: $150

Is it cheaper to fly into El Nido or Wuhu?

Prices for flights to both Wuhu 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
    Wuhu $39

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    El Nido $5.38
    Wuhu $18

Tours and Activities in El Nido

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

  • Island Hopping Tour A with lunch BEST PRICE!: $22
  • Island Hopping Tour A Lagoons and Beaches: $23
  • Shared El Nido Tour A: $23
  • Big Lagoon and Shimizu Island Tour with Kayaking: $23
  • Hidden Beaches and Lagoons Boat Hopping Tour D: $23
  • Island Hopping Tour B Cudognong Cave & More: $25
  • El Nido Tour A: $27
  • El Nido Island Hopping Tour A: $27
  • El Nido Tour D Full Day w/ Beach Lunch: $28
  • El Nido Island Tour B w/ Fees included (No Hidden Charges): $28
  • Island Hopping Tour C (Shared tour) BEST PRICE!: $28
  • El Nido Island Hopping Tour C: Hidden Beaches & Shrine: $29

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    El Nido $8.36
    Wuhu $8.08


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


Which is Bigger, El Nido or Wuhu?

Wuhu has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of El Nido. When comparing the sizes of El Nido and Wuhu, 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.