A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Phuket vs. Nadi (Port Denarau) for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Phuket or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Nadi (Port Denarau), 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 Nadi (Port Denarau)?

Phuket

Phuket Island is the holiday gem 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.

Nadi (Port Denarau)

Nadi, pronounced "Nandi", is a city and transportation hub in the Fijian islands. It is on one of the main islands, Viti Levu, and has a population of about 42,000. Many inhabitants are Indian as well as Fijian, and the largest temple in the Southern hemisphere is located in the city center. It must be noted that Nadi and surrounding areas aren't known for the beaches. This is more of a cultural destination or starting point for your trip to Fiji. For the best beaches, you will want to venture out to the other, smaller, islands.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Nadi (Port Denarau) or Phuket?

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

  • Phuket Prices
    Thailand Prices
    Nadi (Port Denarau) Prices
    Fiji Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Phuket $139
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $198

The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $139, while the average daily cost in Nadi (Port Denarau) is $198. 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 Nadi (Port Denarau) in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Phuket $64
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $106
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Phuket $128
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $212
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Nadi (Port Denarau)

Looking for a hotel in Phuket or Nadi (Port Denarau)? 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 Nadi (Port Denarau)


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 Nadi (Port Denarau) Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Phuket $12
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $8.81
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket

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


  • Longtail Taxi (for Two)
    $9.42
  • Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town
    $7.85

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:

  • (Privet)Phuket Transfer: $11
  • Phuket Airport (HKT) Arrival Transfer to Phuket Hotels (Shared or Private): $11
  • Phuket Airport (HKT) Departure Transfer from Phuket Hotels (Shared or Private): $11
  • Private Phuket Airport Transfer to Hotel and Vice Versa: $13
  • Phuket Departure Transfer from Hotel to Phuket Airport (Shared): $15
  • PHUKET Arrival Transfer-Phuket Airport to Phuket Hotels (Shared): $15
  • Phuket Airport Transfer (SHA Plus) : $15
  • Phuket Private Transfer from/to Phuket Airport HKT (one way): $16
  • Phuket Airport Arrival Transfer – Domestic & International : $19
  • Phuket Hotel to Airport Shared Departure Transfer: $19
  • Phuket Airport Departure Transfer – Domestic & International : $19
  • Departure Transfer : Phuket Hotel to Phuket Airport (Private): $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nadi (Port Denarau)

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nadi (Port Denarau):

  • Shared Shuttle Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport/ Port to Hotel: $9.15
  • Arrival Shared Transfer : Airport to Hotel: $35
  • CFC APPROVED Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to All Denarau Hotels: $14
  • CFC APPROVED Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Intercontinental Resort: $34
  • CFC APPROVED Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Port Denarau Marina: $15
  • CFC APPROVED Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Shangri-La Fijian Resort: $37
  • CFC APPROVED Private Departure Transfer - Fiji Marriott Resort, to Nadi Airport: $30
  • CFC APPROVED Private Roundtrip Transfer -Nadi Airport to All Maui Bay Properties: $71
  • CFC Approved Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Doubletree Resort : $23
  • CFC Approved Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Fiji Marriott Resort: $27
  • CFC Approved Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Maui Bay Properties: $44
  • CFC Approved Private Arrival Transfer - Nadi Airport to Outrigger & Bedarra Inn: $41

Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

Prices for flights to both Nadi (Port Denarau) 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 $43
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $69
Typical Food Prices in Phuket

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


  • Casual Dinner (for Two)
    $9.08
  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $5.34
  • Sit Down Dinner (for Two)
    $13
  • Thai Noodles
    $2.83
  • Bananas
    $0.79
  • Pizza (for Two)
    $9.42

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket

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

  • Phuket Coral Island and Sunset Dinner by Luxury Catamaran: $43
  • Phuket Express Thai Cooking Course with Authentic Recipes : $44
  • Phuket 10+ Tastings Food Tour & Charming Old Town: $52
  • Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $52
  • Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $54
  • Authentic Thai Cooking Class by Suuko Wellness Spa: $57
  • Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour and Hotel Pickup: $58
  • Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $58
  • Carnival Entertainment and Dinner Experience in Phuket: $59
  • Southern Flavors Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
  • Flavours of the South Food Tour: $59
  • Baba Tastes Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Phuket $49
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $32
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
    $28
  • Scuba Diving (Two Dives)
    $79
  • Thai Oil Massage
    $20
  • Surfboard Rental
    $9.42

Tours and Activities in Phuket

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

  • Self Guided Scavenger Hunts and Gamified Tours: $4.75
  • Oto Indoor Play Park Entrance Ticket in Phuket: $8.05
  • Phuket Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Aquarium Phuket Admission Ticket: $14
  • Phuket Rock Beach Swing Tickets: $17
  • Aquaria Phuket Tickets and 4D Trickeye Museum Combo Deal: $17
  • Aquaria Phuket and 4D Trickeye Museum Experience Ticket: $17
  • Phuket to Koh Phi Phi by Phi Phi Cruiser: $19
  • Phuket Highlights: Half Day City Tour with Landmark & Viewpoint: $21
  • Phang Nga Bay Skywalk at Samet Nangshe Admission Ticket: $21
  • Half Day Phuket City tour + Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off: $21
  • Patong Beach Parasailing and Jet Skiing Experience Shared: $22

Tours and Activities in Nadi (Port Denarau)

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nadi (Port Denarau) are as follows:

  • Nadi Sightseeing Including Viseisei Lookout, Village Tour, Garden & Temple Tour: $70
  • Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pool Tour: $73
  • Shore Excursion-Wonders of Nadi Sightseeing Tour-Temple,Gardens,Markets&Shopping: $77
  • Coral Coast Sightseeing & Pottery Village Tour: $80
  • Nadi Therapeutic Mud Pools and Garden Tour - Shore Excursions EX PORT DENARAU: $82
  • Authentic Fijian Day Tour: $83
  • Fiji Lautoka Shore Excursions Tour : $92
  • Nadi Sightseeing & Mud Pool Tour - Ex Fiji Marriott, Momi Bay: $100
  • Biausevu Waterfall Tour (Sigatoka) : $101
  • CFC Hot Spring Mud Pool,Garden Of Sleeping Giant And Village Visit Half Day Tour: $105
  • Jewel Of Fiji Day Tour from The Marriot & Shangri-La Resort: $107
  • Fijian Islands and Snorkel Full-Day Whales Tale Cruise including Beach BBQ Lunch: $117

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Phuket $7.32
    Nadi (Port Denarau) $11
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)
    $6.28
  • Beer
    $2.67

Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket

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

  • Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience: $41
  • Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience and Lunch: $55
  • Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $89
  • Phuket Sightseeing Tour with Rum Distillery : $113
  • Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $138
  • Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple : $172


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

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


Which is Bigger, Phuket or Nadi (Port Denarau)?

Phuket has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Nadi (Port Denarau). When comparing the sizes of Phuket and Nadi (Port Denarau), 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.