A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ephesus vs. Puerto Princesa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ephesus or Puerto Princesa?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus or Puerto Princesa, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Ephesus or Puerto Princesa?

Ephesus

The ancient city of Ephesus was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC). It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple was destroyed in 401 AD and rebuilt by Emperor Constantine I along with new public baths. The town was again partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River (Kucuk Menderes).

Puerto Princesa

The island of Palawan is known the Philippines' last frontier and its capital, Puerto Princesa, is considered the greenest city in the Philippines. With plenty of land that has yet to be explored and inundated with tourists, Puerto Princesa, also known as "The City of the Living God," is a nature buff's dream. Whether you want to swim with starfish, walk among the mangrove treetops, or visit the world's largest saltwater crocodile at the Palawan Nature Conservation Center, Puerto Princesa and its surrounding area offers plenty of opportunities to get into the great wide open.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Philippines, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Princesa or Ephesus?

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 Ephesus is $117, while the average daily cost in Puerto Princesa is $81. 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 Ephesus and Puerto Princesa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ephesus $49
    Puerto Princesa $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ephesus $98
    Puerto Princesa $46
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Puerto Princesa

Looking for a hotel in Ephesus or Puerto Princesa? 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 Ephesus


Hotels in Puerto Princesa


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ephesus $36
    Puerto Princesa $48

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus

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

  • Vip Transfer Kusadasi To/From Izmir Airport (Price for ONE WAY): $89
  • Transfer izmir Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Kusadasi Davutlar: $104
  • Transfer from/to Izmir Airport ADB to/from Didim Area: $197
  • Scuba Diving Experience in Kusadasi with Instructor and Transfer: $60
  • Private VIP Transfer For/To ADB Airport: $162
  • Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Kusadasi Town: $131
  • Private Transfers İzmir City or Adnan Menderes Airport to/from Kusadasi Town: $131
  • Private Transfers İzmir City Adnan Menderes Apt to/from Selçuk, Ephesus, Şirince: $131
  • Private Transfer | KUSADASI - IZMIR Airport: $156
  • Private Transfer from Kusadasi hotels to Kusadasi Cruise Port: $61
  • Private Transfer from Kusadasi hotels to Kusadasi Cruise Port: $53
  • Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Kusadasi Hotels: $61

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Princesa

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

  • Astoria Water Park Day Pass & Transfers: $232
  • Private Transfer from Puerto Princesa to El Nido: $203
  • Private Transfer to El Nido: $169
  • Palawan: Private San Vicente Airport Transfers: $160
  • Van Transfers to/from Sabang or Astoria: $116
  • Private for your group - transfers Puerto princesa to elnido: $100
  • Transfer from Puerto Princesa Airport PPS to Puerto Princesa Port: $58
  • Honda Bay Island: Island Tour with Lunch & Transfer: $52
  • Puerto Princesa City Van Transfers: $23
  • Relaxing Massage with optional transfers: $23
  • Private Airport Transfers to/from hotel: $21
  • Transfer between Puerto Princesa and El Nido: $18

Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Puerto Princesa?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Princesa and Ephesus 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
    Ephesus $40
    Puerto Princesa $32
Typical Food Prices in Ephesus

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ephesus:


  • Sandwiches
    $0.11
  • Dessert
    $0.12
  • Lunch at Beach (for 2)
    $0.41
  • Snacks
    $0.17

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ephesus

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

  • FOR CRUISERS: Ephesus, Selcuk City Stroll, and Street Food Tour: $92
  • Cooking Class in Kusadasi Ephesus: $139
  • Private Ephesus Tour & Cooking Experience with locals: $229
  • Kusadasi Selcuk Ephesus Gourmet and Street Food Tour: $232
  • Cooking Class in Ephesus Selcuk Town: $294

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Puerto Princesa

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

  • Firefly Watching Paddle Boat Tour & Dinner: $27
  • Jungle Firefly Watching Boat Tour & Dinner: $32
  • Firefly Watching Bay Cruise with Dinner: $34
  • Firefly Watching with Dinner: $39
  • Firefly Watching Tour with Dinner: $53
  • Seafood Lunch or Dinner with transfers: $59
  • Underground River with Dinner at Kalui: $80
  • Underground River and Firefly Watching with Dinner: $87
  • Balayong People's Park with Dinner and Show: $116

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ephesus $41
    Puerto Princesa $6.35

Tours and Activities in Ephesus

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ephesus.

  • 2 Day Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour from Kusadasi or Selcuk: $160
  • 2 Days Ephesus and Istanbul Tour from Kusadasi and Istanbul Ports: $290
  • 2 Hour Turkish Bath Experience in Kusadasi: $20
  • 3-Hour Private Ephesus, Terrace Houses Tour from Kusadasi: $20
  • 3-Hour Private Ephesus, Terrace Houses, Cruiser Only: $25
  • ALL COVERED AND INCLUSIVE: EPHESUS & ARTEMIS TOUR for cuisers: $110
  • ALL INCLUDED: Ephesus Ruins, Mary's House Tour incl ENTRY TICKETS: $55
  • ALL INCLUSIVE EPHESUS TOUR For CRUISERS Included–Ticket & Lunch: $53
  • ALL INCLUSIVE Private Ephesus, Terrace Houses tour with LUNCH: $127
  • ALL INCLUSIVE VIP EphesusTour+Skip the Line Tickets(For Cruisers): $90
  • ALL TICKETS INCLUDED-Ephesus, House Virgin Mary and Artemis: $95
  • All Inclusive Private Access Ephesus Tour (SKIP-THE-LINE): $71

Tours and Activities in Puerto Princesa

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

  • 2in1 City tour + museum & transportation from cruise port /hotel: $25
  • 3D2N El Nido Experience: $250
  • 3d2n ELNIDO Package tour: $280
  • 5D4N Puerto Princesa & El Nido Experience: $299
  • City tour of Puerto Princesa Palawan Philippines: $20
  • El Nido Day Tour: $80
  • From Honda Bay Island Hopping Full-Day Tour: $40
  • Full Day Excursion: UNESCO Underground River Tour: $48
  • Full-Day UNESCO Underground River Tour: $60
  • Half Day City Joiners Tour | Puerto Princesa: $34
  • Half-Day City Tour | Puerto Princesa: $53
  • Half-day Puerto Princesa City Tour: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ephesus $10
    Puerto Princesa $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ephesus

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Ephesus from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $0.09

Sample the Local Flavors in Ephesus

Also in Ephesus, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Skip-the-Line: Ephesus Shore Excursion & Wine Tasting: $21
  • PRIVATE & GROUP: EPHESUS TOUR with Wine Tasting (SKIP-THE-LINE): $29
  • LGBTQ+ Friendly Ephesus Shore Excursion & Local Wine Tasting: $30
  • FOR CRUISERS: Ephesus & Wine Tasting Tour From Kusadasi Port: $34
  • Ephesus Shore Excursion & Wine Tasting + Lunch - Opt Turkish Bath: $35
  • FOR CRUISERS:Kusadasi Port Private Wine Tasting and Ephesus Tour: $45
  • POTTERY PAINTING & WINE TASTING Tour from Kusadasi Port: $49
  • Sirince Village and Wine Tour with Artemis Temple: $57
  • Kusadasi Shore Excursions Ephesus and Wine Tasting Tours: $70
  • Private Ephesus and Sirince Tour with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $92
  • FOR CRUISERS: Ephesus Ruins & Sirince Village Wine Tasting Tour: $99
  • Ephesus & Şirince Village with Lunch& Wine Tasting (Fixed Price): $115


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ephesus and Puerto Princesa, we can see that Ephesus is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Princesa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ephesus is in Europe and Puerto Princesa is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Puerto Princesa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Princesa 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 Ephesus would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ephesus than you might in Puerto Princesa.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ephesus Expensive? and Is Puerto Princesa Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Puerto Princesa?

Puerto Princesa has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus and Puerto Princesa, 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.