Which place is cheaper, Puerto Princesa or Pattaya?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Pattaya 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 Pattaya 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: Pattaya or Puerto Princesa?
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.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Philippines, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines.
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Pattaya Prices
Thailand PricesPuerto Princesa Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPattaya $93Puerto Princesa $86
The average daily cost (per person) in Pattaya is $93, while the average daily cost in Puerto Princesa is $86. 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 Puerto Princesa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPattaya $27Puerto Princesa $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPattaya $54Puerto Princesa $48
Compare Hotels in Pattaya and Puerto Princesa
Looking for a hotel in Pattaya 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.
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 Puerto Princesa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pattaya $13Puerto Princesa $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pattaya
Also for Pattaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Underwater World at Pattaya Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $41
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Pattaya HTL-APT (BKK): $59
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Pattaya HTL-APT (DMK): $67
- Tiffany’s Show Pattaya – VIP Gold/Diamond with Transfers: $75
- Tiffany's Show Pattaya Admission Ticket with Return Transfer (SHA Plus): $70
- Tiffany Show Pattaya with Transfer: $74
- Tiffany Show Pattaya with Transfer: $74
- Tiffany Show Pattaya Tickets With Transfers: $53
- The Sanctuary of Truth Pattaya Ticket & Transfer Optional: $19
- Teddy Bear Museum in Pattaya with Return Transfer: $22
- Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum at Pattaya with Return Transfer: $58
- Ramayana Water Park with Transfer from Pattaya : $89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Princesa
Also for Puerto Princesa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfers Puerto Princesa To Elnido: $260
- Astoria Water Park Day Pass & Transfers: $232
- Private Transfer from Puerto Princesa to El Nido: $203
- Private Transfer to El Nido: $169
- Palawan: Private San Vicente Airport Transfers: $160
- 3day van transportation: airport transfer, city sightseeing van, beach transfers: $120
- Van Transfers to/from Sabang or Astoria: $116
- Private for your group - transfers Puerto princesa to elnido : $100
- PrivateTransfer from Puerto Princesa Port to Puerto Princesa city: $60
- Honda Bay Island: Island Tour with Lunch & Transfer: $52
- Puerto Princesa City Van Transfers: $23
- Relaxing Massage with optional transfers: $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Pattaya or Puerto Princesa?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Princesa 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
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Food Meals for one dayPattaya $43Puerto Princesa $34
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 with Cabaret Show in Pattaya: $45
- Ocean Sky Pattaya Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment : $54
- Pattaya Night Guided Tour with Dinner: $54
- Ocean Sky Dinner Cruise with Live Cabaret Show in Pattaya: $60
- All Star Dinner Cruise Pattaya with Private Hotel Transfer: $73
- Thai Cooking Class in Pattaya: $76
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pattaya $24Puerto Princesa $6.77
Tours and Activities in Pattaya
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pattaya.
- Andamanda Waterpark Phuket Ticketed Fun: $53
- Private Wachira Benchathat Tour with Transportation: $287
- 1 Hour ATV Off Road Adventure In Pattaya: $72
- 6 Hour Private Selfie City Tour in the Landmark of Pattaya: $102
- Admission Ticket to Ramayana Water Park in Pattaya: $39
- Alcazar Cabaret Show Pattaya Admission Ticket: $50
- Alcazar Cabaret Show Tickets: $50
- All Star Cabaret Cruise Pattaya with Indian Buffet Lunch: $49
- Art In Paradise Pattaya Admission Ticket: $12
- Art in Paradise 3D Art Museum Entry Ticket in Pattaya: $9.34
- Art in Paradise Pattaya 3D Illusion Museum Ticket : $13
- Art in Paradise Pattaya Entrance (Ticket Only): $8.51
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 and museum with pick up at hotel or cruise port: $25
- 3D2N El Nido Experience: $250
- 5D4N Puerto Princesa & El Nido Experience: $299
- City Tour of Puerto Princesa sightseeing excursion: $35
- City tour of Puerto Princesa Palawan Philippines : $20
- El Nido Day Tour: $80
- From Honda Bay Island Hopping Full-Day Tour: $40
- Full Day Excursion: UNESCO Underground River Tour: $48
- Half Day City Joiners Tour | Puerto Princesa: $34
- Half-Day City Tour from Puerto Princesa: $27
- Half-Day City Tour | Puerto Princesa: $53
- Half-day Puerto Princesa City Tour: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPattaya $9.42Puerto Princesa $14
When comparing the travel costs between Pattaya and Puerto Princesa, we can see that Pattaya is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pattaya Expensive? and Is Puerto Princesa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Puerto Princesa?
Puerto Princesa has a larger population, and is about 62% larger than the population of Pattaya. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya 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.
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.