Which place is cheaper, Puerto Princesa or Jakarta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Jakarta or Puerto Princesa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Jakarta and Puerto Princesa. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Jakarta or Puerto Princesa?
Jakarta
As Indonesia's capital and largest city, Jakarta rests on the northwest coast of the island of Java. It is the country's economic, cultural, and political center with plenty of opportunities for sightseeing, nightlife, shopping, and entertainment.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Indonesia, The Best Adventure Tours to Indonesia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Philippines, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines.
-
Jakarta Prices
Indonesia PricesPuerto Princesa Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJakarta $69Puerto Princesa $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Jakarta is $69, while the average daily cost in Puerto Princesa is $80. 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 Jakarta and Puerto Princesa in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJakarta $30Puerto Princesa $22
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJakarta $60Puerto Princesa $44
Compare Hotels in Jakarta and Puerto Princesa
Looking for a hotel in Jakarta 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.
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: Jakarta Hotel Prices and Puerto Princesa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jakarta $19Puerto Princesa $47
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Jakarta
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Jakarta are as follows:
-
Taxi to Station$0.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jakarta
Also for Jakarta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Soekarno Hatta Int. Airport To Bogor city ( Private Transfer ): $30
- Private Transfer from West Jakarta to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $34
- Private Transfer from West Jakarta to Jakarta Airport (CGK): $34
- Private Transfer from Tebet to Jakarta Airport (CGK): $34
- Private Transfer from Taman Sari to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $34
- Private Transfer from Taman Sari to Jakarta Airport (CGK): $34
- Private Transfer from Sunter to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $34
- Private Transfer from Sunter to Jakarta Airport (CGK): $34
- Private Transfer from Sumur Batu to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $41
- Private Transfer from Sukaresmi Pandeglang Regency to Jakarta Airport (CGK): $182
- Private Transfer from Sukaresmi Pandeglang Regenc to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $194
- Private Transfer from Sukarasa Tangerang to Jakarta Halim Airport (HLP): $73
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Princesa
Also for Puerto Princesa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Van Transfers From Airport or Hotel to Elnido or vice versa: $260
- Astoria Water Park Day Pass & Transfers: $232
- Private Transfer from Puerto Princesa to El Nido: $203
- Puerto Princesa Airport to El Nido Van Transfer: $200
- Private Transfer to El Nido: $169
- Palawan: Private San Vicente Airport Transfers: $160
- 3day van transportation: airport transfer, city sightseeing van, beach transfers: $120
- Van Transfers to/from Sabang or Astoria: $116
- Private for your group - transfers Puerto princesa to elnido: $100
- Honda Bay Island: Island Tour with Lunch & Transfer: $52
- Puerto Princesa City Van Transfers: $23
- Relaxing Massage with optional transfers: $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Jakarta or Puerto Princesa?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Princesa and Jakarta 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 dayJakarta $26Puerto Princesa $31
Typical Food Prices in Jakarta
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Jakarta:
-
Dinner$2.49
-
Dinner$0.68
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jakarta
For Jakarta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mangga Besar Food Tour: $49
- Kota Tua Food Tour: $64
- Melawai Night Street Food Tour: $67
- Halfday Batavia by Night with dinner at Cafe Batavia & souvenir: $120
- Jakarta Private Cooking Class and Experience Tour: $120
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.Jakarta $12Puerto Princesa $6.26
Tours and Activities in Jakarta
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Jakarta.
- 1 Day Jakarta Historical Tour: $75
- 1 Day Motorcycle Adventure Tour West Java: $208
- 1 Day Motorcycle Tour To Citorek Banten West Of Java: $217
- 3 Hours Jakarta City Tour (Jakarta's Iconic Places): $45
- 5 Hours Jakarta Private City Tour - (Most Highlights): $65
- 7 Hours Indonesia Cultural & Heritage Park Tour: $110
- 8 Hours Jakarta Private City Tour - (All Tourist Attractions): $109
- Afternoon city tour Jakarta: $82
- Authentic Full Day Colonial Jakarta Heritage Trail Tour: $75
- Baduy Tribal Tracker and Village in Private Tour Full Day & Lunch: $130
- Batik Course & City Tour Jakarta: $60
- Bogor City Full-Day Private Tour from Jakarta with Pick Up: $160
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
- Best of Puerto Princesa Palawan Signature 3Day Tour in 1 Package: $195
- City tour of Puerto Princesa Palawan Philippines: $20
- Deals: Puerto Princesa Palawan 2days Tours & 2n Inn accomodation: $250
- 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: $54
- Half Day City Joiners Tour | Puerto Princesa: $34
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayJakarta $3.85Puerto Princesa $13
When comparing the travel costs between Jakarta and Puerto Princesa, we can see that Puerto Princesa is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jakarta Expensive? and Is Puerto Princesa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jakarta or Puerto Princesa?
Jakarta has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Puerto Princesa. When comparing the sizes of Jakarta 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.
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.