A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nairobi vs. Puerto Princesa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nairobi or Puerto Princesa?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nairobi and Puerto Princesa can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Nairobi or Puerto Princesa?

Nairobi

Nairobi is Kenya's capital as well as the country's largest city. With a population of about 3 million, it is also one of the largest cities in Africa. It is a prominent city both politically and financially within the region. There are many international companies that are located in Nairobi and the Nairobi Securities and Exchange is one of the largest in Africa.

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 The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Philippines, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Princesa or Nairobi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $68, 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 Nairobi and Puerto Princesa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nairobi $12
    Puerto Princesa $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nairobi $24
    Puerto Princesa $44
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Puerto Princesa

Looking for a hotel in Nairobi 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.

Hotels in Nairobi


Hotels in Puerto Princesa


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: Nairobi Hotel Prices and Puerto Princesa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nairobi $11
    Puerto Princesa $47
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:


  • Taxi from Airport
    $9.28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi

Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $20
  • Safe Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $30
  • Safe Airport Transfer in Nairobi: $54
  • Professional Airport Transfer Service in Nairobi: $33
  • Private Transfer to Naivasha from Nairobi: $99
  • Private Transfer in Nairobi: $180
  • Private Transfer from Nairobi to Maasai Mara Reserve: $215
  • Private Transfer from Nairobi Airport or City to Mara by road: $160
  • Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Arusha: $292
  • Private Road transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $150
  • Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
  • Private Jomo Kenyatta International Airport JKIA Transfers to Nairobi Hotels: $95

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Princesa

Also for Puerto Princesa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer to/from Puerto Princesa and El Nido: $17
  • Transfer between Puerto Princesa and El Nido: $18
  • Shared Transfer Puerto Princesa/Port Barton: $17
  • Puerto Princesa:El Nido – Shared Van Transfer: $14
  • Van Transfers to/from Sabang or Astoria: $116
  • Transfers to/from Port Barton: $14
  • Shared Airport Transfers to/from hotel: $7.11
  • Relaxing Massage with optional transfers: $23
  • Private Airport Transfers to/from hotel: $21
  • One-Way Transfer To/From El Nido: $16
  • Astoria Water Park Day Pass & Transfers: $232
  • Puerto Princesa City Van Transfers: $23

Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Puerto Princesa?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Princesa and Nairobi 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
    Nairobi $13
    Puerto Princesa $31
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner for Two
    $5.02

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Kenyan Cooking Class & Authentic Dining Experience with a Local: $40
  • Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $55
  • Popular Kenyan Food Cooking Class and Local Market Experience: $60
  • Private Interactive Cooking Class and Market Tour in Kinoo: $65
  • Private Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $76
  • Safari Park dinner with live band music and cat dance show.: $90
  • Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $90
  • Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $97
  • The Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with transport: $97
  • Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
  • Nairobi National Park Afternoon Game Drive/ Dinner Carnivore Restaurant: $100
  • Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $100

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.
    Nairobi $46
    Puerto Princesa $6.30
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Village Visit
    $15

Tours and Activities in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1 Day Bike Tour to Hell’s Gate And Lake Naivasha: $139
  • 1 Day Hell's Gate Bicycle Tour (minimum 2 Pax): $280
  • 1 Day Purple Farm Tour from Nairobi Tea Tasting and Lunch: $295
  • 1 Day Tour to Amboseli Park And a Majestic Mt Kilimanjaro View: $90
  • 2 Days 1 Night Amboseli National Park With Masai Village Tour: $280
  • 2 Days Amboseli Safari using a 4x4 Landcruiser jeep(with options): $105
  • 2-Hour Private Kibera Slum Guided Tour: $90
  • 3 Day Maasai Mara Group Joining Safari With Guided Tour: $250
  • 3 Day Maasai Mara Shared Safari In a Land Cruiser: $220
  • 3 Days Maasai Mara Group Safari on 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $295
  • 3 Days Masai Mara Budget Camping Safari on 4X4 Land Cruiser: $285
  • 3 day Maasai Mara Small Group Safari in a 4 x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $220

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
  • 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
  • Half-Day City Tour | Puerto Princesa: $53

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $16
    Puerto Princesa $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nairobi:

  • Food and Wine Tasting Experience at Five Senses Restaurant: $155


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nairobi Expensive? and Is Puerto Princesa Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Puerto Princesa?

Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Puerto Princesa. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi 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.