A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Johor Bahru vs. Nadi (Port Denarau) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Johor Bahru or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

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

Should I visit Johor Bahru or Nadi (Port Denarau)? 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: Johor Bahru or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru is the capital of the state of Johor in Southern Malaysia. Though it is largely industrial and does not typically cater to tourists, especially compared to the grandeur of neighboring Singapore, the city does have some opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Nadi (Port Denarau)

Nadi, pronounced "Nandi", is a city and transportation hub in the Fijian islands. It is on one of the main islands, Viti Levu, and has a population of about 42,000. Many inhabitants are Indian as well as Fijian, and the largest temple in the Southern hemisphere is located in the city center. It must be noted that Nadi and surrounding areas aren't known for the beaches. This is more of a cultural destination or starting point for your trip to Fiji. For the best beaches, you will want to venture out to the other, smaller, islands.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Malaysia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Malaysia.


Which place is cheaper, Nadi (Port Denarau) or Johor Bahru?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Johor Bahru is $52, while the average daily cost in Nadi (Port Denarau) is $164. 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 Johor Bahru and Nadi (Port Denarau) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Johor Bahru $36
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $103
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Johor Bahru $72
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $206
Compare Hotels in Johor Bahru and Nadi (Port Denarau)

Looking for a hotel in Johor Bahru or Nadi (Port Denarau)? 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 Johor Bahru


Hotels in Nadi (Port Denarau)


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: Johor Bahru Hotel Prices and Nadi (Port Denarau) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Johor Bahru $11
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $8.74

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Johor Bahru

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Johor Bahru:

  • *Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Singapore Van Transfer: $38
  • Private Transfer from Sentosa Island to Seletar Airport (XSP): $40
  • Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Kuantan Transfer [Van]: $89
  • *Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Singapore Car Transfer: $94
  • Legoland Theme Park Ticket and Transfer (SIC-Shared transfer): $97
  • Chauffeur: Johor Bahru to Fraser's Hill Transfer [Van]: $99
  • Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur Airport 1-way Transfer: $103
  • Legoland Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur 1-way Transfer: $103
  • Johor Bahru City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $105
  • LEGOLAND Malaysia to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $105
  • Johor Bahru City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City Hotels One-way Transfer: $105
  • LEGOLAND Malaysia to Kuala Lumpur City Hotels One-way Transfer: $105

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nadi (Port Denarau)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nadi (Port Denarau):

  • Private Transfer-Nadi International Airport to Hotels : $6.76
  • Private Transfer Nadi Airport to or from Hotel or Resort: $8.22
  • Shared Shuttle Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport/ Port to Hotel: $9.01
  • Shared Transfer To Nadi Airport from Denarau Resorts: $9.01
  • Private Shuttle Transfer to Nadi International Airport: $9.01
  • Private Departure Transfer From Your Hotel To Nadi Airport (cfc approved): $9.14
  • Private Departure Transfer To Nadi Airport From Your Hotel: $9.14
  • Shared Shuttle Departure Transfers - Denarau,Wailoaloa & Nadi to Nadi Airport: $11
  • Private Transfer from Nadi Intl Airport to Sheraton Fiji Resort : $11
  • Private Departure Transfer to Nadi Airport from Your Hotel: $12
  • Denarau Hotels to Nadi Airport (Private Departure Transfer): $14
  • CFC APPROVED Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to All Denarau Hotels: $14

Is it cheaper to fly into Johor Bahru or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

Prices for flights to both Nadi (Port Denarau) and Johor Bahru 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
    Johor Bahru $8.39
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $39

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Johor Bahru

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Johor Bahru.

  • City Lights Cruise with Buffet Dinner + Free flow Wine & Beer: $192
  • Dog Cruise with 5-Course Seated Dinner: $222
  • Sunset Sail Cruise with 5 Course Seated Dinner: $222

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nadi (Port Denarau)

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nadi (Port Denarau).

  • Robinson Crusoe Sunset Cruise Including Dinner, Cultural Show & Transfers: $121
  • Super Saver Combo: Tivua Island Day Cruise + Sunset Dinner Cruise in Fiji: $184

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Johor Bahru $6.89
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $32

Tours and Activities in Johor Bahru

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Johor Bahru are as follows:

  • Firefly Tour Johor Bahru@Kota Tinggi Firefly Park: $4.30
  • Laser Battle Experience in Johor Bahru: $7.06
  • HeadRock VR Admission Ticket: $11
  • Singapore: Wings of Time Entry Ticket: $13
  • Johor: LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort Entry Ticket: $18
  • Sentosa: HydroDash Singapore Entry Ticket: $20
  • Experience Brooklyn Cruise at Puteri Harbour: $21
  • Sailing along Straits of Johor: Brooklyn Cruise at Puteri Harbour: $22
  • Malaysia: Legoland Entry Ticket: $22
  • Magical Brooklyn Cruise at Puteri Harbour: $22
  • Sentosa 4D AdventureLand Singapore: $22
  • Johor: LEGOLAND Malaysia Ticket: $23

Tours and Activities in Nadi (Port Denarau)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nadi (Port Denarau) are as follows:

  • Nadi Tour- Garden of the Sleeping Giant , Temple & Mud Pool Combo: $46
  • The Amazing Highlights of Nadi and Veseisei ( Private Tour ) : $50
  • Skip the Line: Big Bula Waterpark Full Day Ticket: $51
  • Island Adventurers Kid's Show Tickets: $52
  • Sabeto Waterfall Tour (Nadi): $58
  • Finding Nemo - Half Day Cruise to South Sea Island: $58
  • Nadi Must Do Sights Tour Combo: $59
  • Fijian Secret Tour: $63
  • Nadi Sightseeing Including Viseisei Lookout, Village Tour, Garden & Temple Tour: $69
  • Great Taste of Fiji Sightseeing Adventure: $70
  • Half Day Sightseeing - Wonders of Nadi Tour: $72
  • Nadi Sightseeing & Mud Pool Tour: $76

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Johor Bahru $4.49
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $11


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Johor Bahru and Nadi (Port Denarau), we can see that Nadi (Port Denarau) is more expensive. And not only is Johor Bahru much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Johor Bahru is in Asia and Nadi (Port Denarau) is in Pacific, 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 Johor Bahru would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Johor Bahru 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nadi (Port Denarau) than you might in Johor Bahru.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Johor Bahru Expensive? and Is Nadi (Port Denarau) Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Johor Bahru or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

Johor Bahru has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Nadi (Port Denarau). When comparing the sizes of Johor Bahru and Nadi (Port Denarau), 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.