A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Pha Ngan vs. Boracay for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Koh Pha Ngan or Boracay?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Koh Pha Ngan and Boracay can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Koh Pha Ngan or Boracay?

Koh Pha Ngan

Ko Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is best known for its full moon parties, attracting backpackers and budget travelers the world over for all-night parties on the beach. The clear, blue water, beautiful beaches, and tropical atmosphere bring the tourists to the island, and the low prices, diverse activities, and abundant amenities keep them here.

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 Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Philippines.


Which place is cheaper, Boracay or Koh Pha Ngan?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Pha Ngan is $46, 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 Koh Pha Ngan and Boracay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Pha Ngan $23
    Boracay $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Pha Ngan $46
    Boracay $46
Compare Hotels in Koh Pha Ngan and Boracay

Looking for a hotel in Koh Pha Ngan 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.

Hotels in Koh Pha Ngan


Hotels in Boracay


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: Koh Pha Ngan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koh Pha Ngan $13
    Boracay $28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Pha Ngan

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:


  • Scooter Rental
    $8.27
  • Ferry Ride
    $14
  • Gas for Scooter
    $3.03

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boracay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boracay:

  • Airport Transfer to Boracay or vice versa: $21
  • Boracay Adventures Transfer Services Via Caticlan: $35
  • Boracay Transfer round trip with Island Hopping: $70
  • Private Transfer from Caticlan Airport to Boracay: $28
  • Shared Transfer from/to MPH for Domestic Passports: $21
  • Caticlan: Shared Airport Transfer From/To Boracay: $22
  • Caticlan: Speedboat Airport Transfer To Boracay: $42
  • Departure: Speedboat Transfer Boracay to Caticlan Airport: $34
  • Speedboat Caticlan to Boracay Transfer (Oneway): $83

Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Pha Ngan or Boracay?

Prices for flights to both Boracay and Koh Pha Ngan 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
    Koh Pha Ngan $10
    Boracay $14
Typical Food Prices in Koh Pha Ngan

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Pha Ngan:


  • Noodle Lunch (for One)
    $1.10
  • Sit Down Dinner (for Two)
    $11
  • Smoothies (for Two)
    $1.10
  • Ice Cream
    $0.55
  • Juice
    $1.65
  • 3 Spring Rolls
    $0.83
  • 2 Pancakes
    $1.65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Pha Ngan $17
    Boracay $15

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: $6.46
  • Boracay - Crystal Kayak phot-op Experience: $9.22
  • Flying Donut Water Tubing Experience: $15
  • Boracay Sunset Cruise: $16
  • Boracay UFO Adventure: $17
  • Sunset Cruise with Water Activities: $17
  • 2 Hours Boracay Land Tour via Etrike: $18
  • 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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Pha Ngan $9.99
    Boracay $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Pha Ngan

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:


  • Drinks at Irish Pub (for Two)
    $7.17


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Pha Ngan and Boracay, we can see that Boracay is more expensive. And not only is Koh Pha Ngan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Pha Ngan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Pha Ngan 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 Boracay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boracay than you might in Koh Pha Ngan.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Pha Ngan Expensive? and Is Boracay Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Koh Pha Ngan or Boracay?

Koh Pha Ngan has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Boracay. When comparing the sizes of Koh Pha Ngan 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.