Which place is cheaper, Boracay or Katoomba?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Katoomba or Boracay?
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 Katoomba and Boracay. 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: Katoomba or Boracay?
Katoomba
Designated an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, the Blue Mountains are located just west of Sydney in the highlands of New South Wales, Australia.
This area can be generally expensive, but is on par with other destinations in Australia and around Sydney. Plenty of luxury places can be found here that cost more than average, but plenty of cheaper places to stay can be found here, too. Expect to pay for various activities such as tours and entrance fees, too.
The landscape is sprawling with majestic scenery over a rugged terrain of steep cliffs, forests, waterfalls, and villages. Whether you come to hike, climb, bike, or drive to the scenic viewpoints, a curtain of tranquility falls upon the mountains in a blue haze from which they get their name.
Boracay
A small island in the Philippines known for its resorts and beaches, Boracay is a little escape. Each beach has its own unique character, each with new treasures waiting to be discovered.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia, The Best 10-Day Tours in Australia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, and The Best Adventure Tours to Philippines.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKatoomba $134Boracay $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Katoomba is $134, while the average daily cost in Boracay is $56. 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 Katoomba and Boracay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKatoomba $77Boracay $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKatoomba $154Boracay $46
Compare Hotels in Katoomba and Boracay
Looking for a hotel in Katoomba or Boracay? 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: Katoomba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Katoomba $50Boracay $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boracay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boracay:
- Shared Transfer from/to MPH for Domestic Passports: $21
- Airport Transfer to Boracay or vice versa: $26
- Departure: Ferry boat Transfer Boracay to Caticlan Airport: $30
- Boracay Adventures Transfer Services Via Caticlan: $35
- Caticlan: Ferry Boat Airport Transfer To Boracay: $41
- Private Transfer from Caticlan Airport to Boracay: $43
- Caticlan: Shared Airport Transfer From/To Boracay: $54
- PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER TO BORACAY: $59
- Boracay Transfer round trip with Island Hopping: $69
- Speedboat Caticlan to Boracay Transfer (Oneway): $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Katoomba or Boracay?
Prices for flights to both Boracay and Katoomba 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 dayKatoomba $17Boracay $14
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Katoomba $53Boracay $15
Tours and Activities in Katoomba
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Katoomba are as follows:
- Blue Mountains Hop On Hop Off Tour: $32
- Blue Mountains BarNSW Local Produce Tasting Experience: $37
- Blue Mountains 90 Minute Army Truck Adventures: $65
- Army Truck Adventures - 90 Minute Guided Tour: $66
- Half-Day Abseiling Adventure in Blue Mountains National Park: $83
- Blue Mountains 3 Hour Army Truck Adventures: $97
- Army Truck Adventures - 3 Hour Guided Tour: $98
- Blue Mountains 1-Hour Trike Tour of Three Sisters: $107
- Small-Group Blue Mountains Tour with Bush Walks and Featherdale Wildlife Park: $116
- 4Hrs at Wolgan Valley Birdwatching Experience: $129
- Truffle Hunt and Taste Experience in Oberon, NSW Australia: $146
- Private Blue Mountains Rainforest and Waterfalls SUV Tour: $165
Tours and Activities in Boracay
Here are a few actual costs in Boracay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Crystal Kayak Photo-op Experience: $6.31
- Boracay - Crystal Kayak phot-op Experience: $9.02
- Flying Donut Water Tubing Experience: $14
- Boracay UFO Adventure: $16
- Sunset Cruise with Water Activities: $16
- Boracay Sunset Cruise: $16
- Island and Beach-Hopping Boat Tour with Snorkeling: $20
- Boracay Island Rhythm Sunset Cruise: $21
- Stand-up Paddleboard Experience: $22
- Helmet Diving Experience with Photos and Videos: $22
- All-Terrain Vehicle or Buggy Car Experience: $23
- Boracay Optional Tours and Packages: $24
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKatoomba -Boracay $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Katoomba and Boracay, we can see that Katoomba is more expensive. And not only is Boracay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Katoomba is in Pacific and Boracay 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 Boracay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boracay 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 Katoomba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Katoomba than you might in Boracay.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Katoomba Expensive? and Is Boracay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Katoomba or Boracay?
Katoomba has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Boracay. When comparing the sizes of Katoomba and Boracay, 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.