Which place is cheaper, Palawan or Pattaya?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Pattaya or Palawan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Pattaya and Palawan 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: Pattaya or Palawan?
Pattaya
Go where the locals go. If that is your vacation motto, you will want to take a look at the popular weekend getaway of Pattaya, Thailand. This seaside resort on the Eastern Gulf Coast of Thailand is just outside of Bangkok, and full of resorts, beer bars and beaches.
Hosting more than five million visitors a year, Pattaya is easily accessed from the capital and the airport. Keep in mind, the sex tourism industry is still a large money earner for this city, but efforts by local authorities have created resorts and attractions for families and vacationers from all around the world.
Palawan
Palawan is an archipelagic province of the Philippines, named for its largest island which measures about 450 kilometers (or 280 miles) long. The island is known as an ecological frontier with plenty of beaches and resorts as well as opportunities to see a diverse array of wildlife and their habitats on land and sea.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPattaya $66Palawan $36
The average daily cost (per person) in Pattaya is $66, while the average daily cost in Palawan is $36. 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 Pattaya and Palawan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPattaya $24Palawan $13
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPattaya $48Palawan $26
Compare Hotels in Pattaya and Palawan
Looking for a hotel in Pattaya or Palawan? 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: Pattaya Hotel Prices and Palawan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pattaya $12Palawan $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pattaya
Also for Pattaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Pattaya HTL-APT (BKK): $59
- Tiffany Show Pattaya with Transfer: $64
- The Sanctuary of Truth at Pattaya Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $35
- The Sanctuary of Truth Pattaya Admission Ticket with Transfer: $29
- Teddy Bear Museum in Pattaya with Return Transfer: $19
- Teddy Bear Museum in Pattaya with Return Transfer: $22
- Surat Thani Hotel Transfer: to/from Bangkok Hotel Transfer: $421
- Sanctuary of Truth at Pattaya Admission Ticket with Transfer: $44
- Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum in Pattaya with Return Transfer: $45
- Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum at Pattaya with Return Transfer: $45
- Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum at Pattaya with Return Transfer: $56
- Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum at Pattaya with Return Transfer: $43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palawan
Also for Palawan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfers Puerto Princesa To Elnido: $260
- Puerto Princesa - El Nido | Private Van Transfer: $149
- Private Van Transfer : From El Nido to Puerto Princesa Palawan: $140
- Private Busuanga Airport to Coron Hotel Transfer: $79
- El Nido (Lio) Airport Transfers: $50
- Private Puerto Princesa Airport Transfers: $29
- Private Transfer From El Nido Lio Airport To El Nido Hotels: $20
- Arrival airport transfer-Private airport to hotel in central area: $20
- Shared Busuanga Airport to Coron Hotel Transfer: $10
- Arrival Airport transfers from Puerto Princesa Airport to Hotels: $7.50
Is it cheaper to fly into Pattaya or Palawan?
Prices for flights to both Palawan and Pattaya 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 dayPattaya $22Palawan $11
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pattaya
For Pattaya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- All Star Dinner Cruise, Cabaret Show & Beer Buffet: $32
- Pattaya Night Guided Tour with Dinner: $47
- Thai Cooking Class in Pattaya: $67
- Islands Hopping Tour by Catamaran with Dinner Buffet in Chon Buri: $98
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palawan
For Palawan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Puerto Princesa Fireflies Watching with Dinner: $40
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pattaya $21Palawan $5.24
Tours and Activities in Pattaya
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pattaya.
- Amazing Pattaya Experience Tour to All Famous Points in One Day: $53
- 1 Hour ATV Off Road Adventure In Pattaya: $62
- 2 Islands Full Day Tour Catamaran with Lunch in Pattaya: $103
- 3 Days Thailand Motorcycle Coastal Tour: $1,059
- 5 Days – Motorcycle tour to River Kwai and Khao Yai: $1,764
- A Superstar Model Experience in Pattaya with Photo Expert: $113
- ATV & Buggy Adventures Pattaya - Novice Rider 27km Basic Track: $100
- Admission Ticket to Ramayana Water Park in Pattaya: $33
- Adventure Coral Island Koh Larn Pattaya with Indian Lunch: $7.98
- All Star Cabaret Cruise Pattaya with Indian Buffet Lunch: $42
- Amazing Discovery Pattaya Tours with Floating Market & Lunch : $76
- Art in Paradise Pattaya Admission Ticket: $6.00
Tours and Activities in Palawan
For Palawan, 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
- 2in1 City tour and museum with pick up at hotel or cruise port: $15
- 3D2N El Nido Experience: $250
- 3dayTour Underground river honda bay citytour w/ airport pick up: $125
- 5D4N Puerto Princesa & El Nido Experience: $299
- City Tour of Puerto Princesa: $35
- City tour of Puerto Princesa Palawan Philippines : $19
- Coron Calauit Safari Tour E: $89
- Coron Culion Island Escapade Private Tour: $132
- Coron Island Escapade Group Tour with Island Lunch: $48
- Coron Island Escapade Tour (Shared Tour): $50
- Coron Island Escapade Tour C: $43
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPattaya $8.18Palawan $7.49
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pattaya and Palawan, we can see that Pattaya is more expensive. And not only is Palawan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Palawan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Palawan 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 Pattaya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pattaya than you might in Palawan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pattaya Expensive? and Is Palawan Expensive?.
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.