Which place is cheaper, El Nido or Lahore?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lahore or El Nido?
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 Lahore and El Nido. 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: Lahore or El Nido?
Lahore
As Pakistan's second largest city and the capital of the north-eastern Punjab province, Lahore is widely considered the country's cultural capital. Some of its best-known features include the Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque and Gurdwara, a mall surrounded by buildings from the British Raj, and many unique markets and neighborhoods.
El Nido
El Nido is a coastal destination on the Philippine island of Palawan. It consists of about 45 islands and islets all with beautiful beachfront scenery and plenty of opportunities for experiencing nature above and below the water. Some of the island's best features include limestone karst cliffs, coral reefs, lagoons, coves, and waterfalls.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLahore $57El Nido $39
The average daily cost (per person) in Lahore is $57, while the average daily cost in El Nido is $39. 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 Lahore and El Nido in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLahore $37El Nido $14
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLahore $74El Nido $28
Compare Hotels in Lahore and El Nido
Looking for a hotel in Lahore or El Nido? 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: Lahore Hotel Prices and El Nido Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lahore $9.98El Nido $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lahore
Also for Lahore, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transit Trip: Lahore Guided Day Trip With Round Trip Airport Transfers: $140
- Chauffeur: Lahore International Airport Transfer - Departure: $30
- Chauffeur: Lahore International Airport Transfer - Arrival : $30
- Airport Transfer : $60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Nido
Also for El Nido, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Van Transfer : From El Nido to Puerto Princesa Palawan: $150
- Private Transfer from El Nido to Port Barton Palawan: $150
- El Nido (Lio) Airport Transfers: $50
- Lio Airport to/from Hotel Transfers: $36
- Private Transfer From El Nido Lio Airport To El Nido Hotels: $20
- El Nido Town: Transfers to/from Nacpan Beach: $11
Is it cheaper to fly into Lahore or El Nido?
Prices for flights to both El Nido and Lahore 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 dayLahore $14El Nido $12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lahore
For Lahore, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Street Food Tour of Lahore's Walled City : $85
- Lahore's Complete Night Food Tour: Local Culinary Experience: $110
- Full Day Lahore Private Guided Food Tour: $299
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lahore $5.08El Nido $5.38
Tours and Activities in Lahore
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lahore.
- 1 Day Rohtas Fort & Khewra Salt Mines Tour: $120
- 2 Days Private Guided Tour in Lahore : $300
- Full Day Private Guided Lahore Sightseeing Tour : $95
- Guided Walking Tour: Walled City of Lahore : $90
- Kartarpur Corridor and Gurdwara Sahib Yatra Guided Tour: $175
- Kartarpur Tour: $150
- Kartarpur-Guru-Nanak sab One Day Tour : $250
- Khewra Salt Mines & Katas Raj Temple One Day Guided Tour: $210
- Lahore Big Bus City Tour: $20
- Lahore City, Fort, Museums and Walled City Exploration Tour: $120
- Lahore Full Day Sightseeing Guided Tour: $145
- Lahore Full Day Sightseeing Tour: $150
Tours and Activities in El Nido
For El Nido, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- El Nido Full Day Tour C with Buffet Lunch : $43
- El Nido Group Tour B - Cave Tour w/ Island Lunch: $47
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour A: $27
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour C: Hidden Beaches & Shrine: $29
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour C; Hidden Beach: $32
- El Nido Island Tour A w/ Fees included (No Hidden Charges): $31
- El Nido Island Tour B w/ Fees included (No Hidden Charges): $28
- El Nido Island Tour C w/ Fees included (No Hidden Charges): $31
- El Nido Island Tour D w/ Fees included (No Hidden Charges): $31
- El Nido Nacpan Day Tour: $63
- El Nido Palawan Private Tour C, with Lunch: $139
- El Nido Private Lagoon Tour - Tour A w/ Island Lunch: $139
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLahore $4.89El Nido $8.36
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lahore and El Nido, we can see that Lahore is more expensive. And not only is El Nido much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to El Nido would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in El Nido 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 Lahore would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lahore than you might in El Nido.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lahore Expensive? and Is El Nido Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lahore or El Nido?
Lahore has a larger population, and is about 810 times larger than the population of El Nido. When comparing the sizes of Lahore and El Nido, 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.