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

Should you visit Phuket or Boracay?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Boracay, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Phuket or Boracay?

Phuket

Phuket Island is the tourist mecca of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.

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 10-Day Tours in Philippines, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Philippines.


Which place is cheaper, Boracay or Phuket?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $106, 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 Phuket and Boracay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Phuket $56
    Boracay $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Phuket $112
    Boracay $46
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Boracay

Looking for a hotel in Phuket 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 Phuket


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: Phuket Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Phuket $11
    Boracay $28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:


  • Longtail Taxi (for Two)
    $8.27
  • Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town
    $6.89

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:

  • Phuket’s Top Tours DISCOUNTED with Private Airport Transfer : $211
  • Ziplines 28 platforms with Free Transfer RoundTrips: $71
  • ATV Bike 1 hr + ziplines 30 platforms with Roundtrip Transfer : $143
  • ATV Bike 1 hr+ Skyline Adventure 28 platforms with free Transfer: $119
  • Airport Private Departure Transfers from Phuket: $31
  • Airport transfer from Phuket to Krabi: $110
  • Andamanda Phuket Water Park Ticket Include Transfers: $62
  • Arrival Phuket Airport Private Transfer : Hotel in Phuket: $38
  • Best ATV Bike and Ziplines Adventure with Transfer : $42
  • Best Ziplines Adventure 30 platforms with free transfer : $114
  • Blue Tree Water Park Ticket with Transfer : $58
  • Departure Private Airport Transfer : Phuket Hotel to Phuket Airport: $38

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 Phuket or Boracay?

Prices for flights to both Boracay and Phuket 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
    Phuket $22
    Boracay $14
Typical Food Prices in Phuket

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:


  • Casual Dinner (for Two)
    $7.97
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $4.69
  • Sit Down Dinner (for Two)
    $12
  • Thai Noodles
    $2.48
  • Bananas
    $0.69
  • Pizza (for Two)
    $8.27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.

  • Thai Cooking Class 1.5 Hrs ( 2 Dishes Menu): $37
  • Thai Cooking Class 2 Hrs ( 3 Dishes Menu): $39
  • Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $44
  • Coral Island Trip & SunSet Dinner Cruise by Catamaran Yatch : $45
  • Thai Cooking Class 2 Hrs ( 4 Dishes Menu): $48
  • Flavours of the South Guided Food Tour: $51
  • Flavours of the South Food Tour: $52
  • Afternoon Cocktails or Dinner in the Sky: $53
  • Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $53
  • Phuket Coral Island Sunset with Dinner by Catamaran Yacht: $53
  • Siam Niramit Show with Dinner Phuket: $53
  • Coral Island & Sunset Dinner by Sailing Catamaran: $54

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Phuket $43
    Boracay $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Phuket

Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • One Day Boat Tour
    $25
  • Scuba Diving (Two Dives)
    $69
  • Thai Oil Massage
    $18
  • Surfboard Rental
    $8.27

Tours and Activities in Phuket

Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Phuket Botanic Garden Admission Ticket: $3.09
  • Baan Teelanka Upside Down House Entry Ticket: $12
  • Phuket to Phi Phi Tonsai Ferry by Royal Jet Cruiser with Pickup Service: $13
  • Trick Eye Museum Admission Ticket: $14
  • Phang Nga Bay Skywalk at Samet Nangshe Admission Ticket: $14
  • The Selfie Experience Phuket Admission Ticket: $14
  • Phuket Trickeye Museum Day Admission Ticket: $14
  • Phuket to Koh Phi Phi by Phi Phi Cruiser: $17
  • Travstore Original Phuket Discovery Tour: $18
  • Simon Cabaret Show Phuket (Ticket Only): $20
  • Simon Cabaret Show Phuket Entrance Tickets : $21
  • ATV, Zipline Adventure: $21

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
    Phuket $6.42
    Boracay $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Phuket

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:


  • Cocktails (for Two)
    $5.51
  • Beer
    $2.34

Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket

Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Phuket Guided Pub Crawl: $25
  • Pub Crawl Tour: $25
  • Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $79
  • Phuket Sightseeing Tour with Rum Distillery : $99
  • Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple : $172
  • Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop & Wat Chalong Temple: $213


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

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


Which is Bigger, Phuket or Boracay?

Phuket has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Boracay. When comparing the sizes of Phuket 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.