Which place is cheaper, El Nido or Phuket?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Phuket or El Nido?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or El Nido, 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 El Nido?
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.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhuket $105El Nido $39
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $105, 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 Phuket and El Nido in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $56El Nido $14
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $112El Nido $28
Compare Hotels in Phuket and El Nido
Looking for a hotel in Phuket 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: Phuket Hotel Prices and El Nido Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phuket $11El Nido $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:
-
Longtail Taxi (for Two)$8.18
-
Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town$6.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
- Ziplining Hanuman Experience in Phuket with Roundtrip Transfer (SHA Plus): $87
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Phuket HTL-APT (HKT): $27
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Phuket APT-HTL (HKT): $27
- Transfer to or from Phuket International Airport by Sedan: $17
- Transfer from Phuket Hotel to Phi Phi Island: $28
- Transfer from Phuket Airport to Phuket Hotel: $21
- Transfer from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak Hotel: $50
- TAXI PHUKET AIRPORT Transfer to PHUKET TOWN (SHA Plus): $31
- TAXI PHUKET AIRPORT Transfer to LAGUNA Beach Area (SHA Plus): $25
- Simon Cabaret Show from Phuket with Transfer (SHA Plus): $46
- Simon Cabaret Show at Phuket with Return Transfer (SHA Plus): $53
- Simon Cabaret Phuket Show Included Tickets and Transfer: $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Nido
Also for El Nido, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- El Nido (Lio) Airport Transfers: $50
- El Nido Town: Transfers to/from Nacpan Beach: $11
- Lio Airport to/from Hotel Transfers: $37
- Private Transfer From El Nido Lio Airport To El Nido Hotels: $20
- Private Van Transfer : From El Nido to Puerto Princesa Palawan: $140
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or El Nido?
Prices for flights to both El Nido 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 dayPhuket $22El Nido $12
Typical Food Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:
-
Casual Dinner (for Two)$7.88
-
Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.64
-
Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$12
-
Thai Noodles$2.45
-
Bananas$0.68
-
Pizza (for Two)$8.18
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): $36
- Thai Cooking Class 2 Hrs ( 3 Dishes Menu): $39
- Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $43
- Thai Cooking Class 2 Hrs ( 4 Dishes Menu): $48
- Afternoon Cocktails or Dinner in the Sky: $52
- Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $52
- Flavours of the South Guided Food Tour: $52
- Phuket Coral Island Sunset with Dinner by Catamaran Yacht: $53
- Coral Island & Sunset Dinner by Sailing Catamaran: $53
- Twilight Stylish Sky Set Dinner - The SIS Kata Resort : $55
- Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $56
- Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $56
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phuket $42El Nido $5.38
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)$68
-
Thai Oil Massage$17
-
Surfboard Rental$8.18
Tours and Activities in Phuket
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3 Khai Islands Snorkeling Tour by Speed Boat: $43
- Activities In & Around Full Day Customizable Tour: $90
- Amazing Krabi Private 1 day tour from Phuket by VAN: $222
- Khai Island Half Day Tour by Speedboat from Phuket (SHA Plus): $62
- Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Tour with Seaview Lunch from Phuket: $68
- Phuket Night Food Walking tour : $90
- Unseen Phuket Full Day Tour + Lunch : $154
- Water Rafting 5 km Tour & ATV 1 hour - Real Adventure: $101
- Whitewater Rafting & ATV Adventure Tour from Phuket including Lunch: $120
- 1 Hour Phuket ATV on Tour + Big Buddha: $40
- 12 Islands Overnight Tour: $183
- 2 Hours Phuket Old Town Street Food Walking Tour: $45
Tours and Activities in El Nido
For El Nido, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Island Hopping Tour A with lunch BEST PRICE!: $22
- Big Lagoon and Shimizu Island Tour with Kayaking: $23
- Shared El Nido Tour A: $23
- Island Hopping Tour A Lagoons and Beaches: $23
- Hidden Beaches and Lagoons Boat Hopping Tour D: $24
- Island Hopping Tour B Cudognong Cave & More: $26
- El Nido Tour A: $28
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour A: $28
- El Nido Tour D Full Day w/ Beach Lunch: $28
- Island Hopping Tour C (Shared tour) BEST PRICE!: $29
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour C: Hidden Beaches & Shrine: $29
- El Nido Island Tour B w/ Fees included (No Hidden Charges): $30
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhuket $6.35El Nido $8.36
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)$5.46
-
Beer$2.32
Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- All-Night Bar Crawl with Drinks & 4 Venues: $22
- Phuket Guided Pub Crawl: $25
- Pub Crawl Tour: $25
- Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $79
- Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $98
- Phuket Sightseeing Tour with Rum Distillery : $98
- 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 El Nido, we can see that Phuket 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 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 El Nido.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phuket Expensive? and Is El Nido Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phuket or El Nido?
Phuket has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of El Nido. When comparing the sizes of Phuket 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.