Which place is cheaper, Puerto Princesa or Phuket?
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 Phuket or Puerto Princesa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Puerto Princesa, 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 Puerto Princesa?
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.
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 in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Philippines, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines.
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Phuket Prices
Thailand PricesPuerto Princesa Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhuket $133Puerto Princesa $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $133, while the average daily cost in Puerto Princesa is $80. 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 Puerto Princesa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $61Puerto Princesa $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $122Puerto Princesa $44
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Puerto Princesa
Looking for a hotel in Phuket 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: Phuket Hotel Prices and Puerto Princesa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phuket $12Puerto Princesa $47
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:
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Longtail Taxi (for Two)$9.01
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Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town$7.51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
- Ziplines 28 platforms with Free Transfer RoundTrips: $78
- Zipline and ATV Skyline Adventure Phuket Include Pickup Transfer: $41
- VAN PHUKET AIRPORT TRANSFER to NATAI BEACH: $55
- Transfer from Phuket Airport to Khao Lak Hotel: $79
- TAXI PHUKET AIRPORT Transfer to PHUKET TOWN (SHA Plus): $34
- Speedboat Transfer Phuket to Phi Phi, Tonsai Pier: $26
- Speedboat Transfer From Phuket To Koh Yao Yai/ Koh Yao Noi: $46
- Speedboat Racha and Coral Island Transfer and meals from Phuket: $69
- Sky Rock Khao Lak Jungle Zipline Adventure with Transfer: $55
- Similan Islands One day Tour All Exclusive (Transfer Khao Lak): $99
- Similan Islands One Day Tour From Phuket Include Lunch & Pickup Transfer: $95
- Shared Transfer from Phuket to Koh Tao by Coach and Catamaran: $65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Princesa
Also for Puerto Princesa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Honda Bay Island: Island Tour with Lunch & Transfer: $52
- Palawan: Private San Vicente Airport Transfers: $160
- Private Transfer from Puerto Princesa to El Nido: $203
- Private Transfer to El Nido: $169
- Private for your group - transfers Puerto princesa to elnido: $100
- Puerto Princesa City Van Transfers: $23
- Astoria Water Park Day Pass & Transfers: $232
- One-Way Transfer To/From El Nido: $16
- Private Airport Transfers to/from hotel: $21
- Relaxing Massage with optional transfers: $23
- Shared Airport Transfers to/from hotel: $7.11
- Transfers to/from Port Barton: $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Puerto Princesa?
Prices for flights to both Puerto Princesa 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
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Food Meals for one dayPhuket $41Puerto Princesa $31
Typical Food Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:
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Casual Dinner (for Two)$8.68
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.11
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$13
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Thai Noodles$2.70
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Bananas$0.75
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Pizza (for Two)$9.01
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
- One Day Experience Cooking at Phuket Patong Thailand: $28
- Kanta Phuket Peranakan Cooking Class Experience: $31
- Catamaran Sunset Cruise in Phuket with Dinner at Promthep Cape: $41
- Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour Option in Bang Tao Phuket: $47
- Phuket City Tour with Sunset and Thai Cooking: $48
- Phuket 10+ Tastings Food Tour & Charming Old Town: $52
- Phuket Express Thai Cooking Course with Authentic Recipes: $52
- Authentic Thai Cooking Class by Suuko Wellness Spa: $55
- Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $56
- Discounted Ticket to Phuket Siam Niramit Show with Dinner: $58
- Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $58
- Phuket Coral Island and Sunset Dinner by Luxury Catamaran: $58
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.Phuket $47Puerto Princesa $6.28
Typical Entertainment Prices in Phuket
Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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One Day Boat Tour$27
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Scuba Diving (Two Dives)$75
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Thai Oil Massage$19
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Surfboard Rental$9.01
Tours and Activities in Phuket
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1-Hour Quad Bike ATV Ride – Ultimate Adventure: $59
- 12 Islands Overnight Tour: $200
- 2 Day Tour to James Bond Islands, Krabi and Phi Phi: $179
- 2 Days 1 Night Surin Islands Snorkeling Tour from Phuket: $230
- 2 Hours ATV Riding in Phuket (Popular Tour): $89
- 2x Snorkelling Phi Phi, Maiton, Maya Bay, khai islands tour: $71
- 3 Fun Dives King Cruiser Wreck and Koh DokMai for Certified diver: $167
- 3 Khai Islands Snorkeling Tour by Speed Boat: $43
- 3 Khai Islands Tour- Snorkel, Swim & Relax (Half or Full Day): $33
- 3-Dive Discover Scuba Diving Tour in Phuket for Beginners: $153
- 3-Island Speedboat Tour: Racha Noi, Racha Yai & Maiton: $111
- 4 Element Day with Zipline Adventure Expedition: $77
Tours and Activities in Puerto Princesa
For Puerto Princesa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Puerto Princesa; Half day City tour: $13
- PPS CITY TOUR: $13
- Cathedral and Baker's Hill Tour: $14
- Puerto Princesa City Tour with Snacks: $14
- Half Day City Tour with Butterfly Garden: $14
- Half-Day City Tour with Optional Massage: $14
- Half-day Puerto Princesa City Tour: $15
- City tour of Puerto Princesa Palawan Philippines: $20
- 2in1 City tour + museum & transportation from cruise port /hotel: $25
- Puerto Princesa Half Day City Tour (shared tour): $27
- Shared Half City Tour with SPA: $30
- Half Day City Joiners Tour | Puerto Princesa: $34
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhuket $7.00Puerto Princesa $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Phuket
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:
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Cocktails (for Two)$6.01
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Beer$2.55
Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Rooftop, Bars, GoGo & 3 Clubs with Shots: $22
- Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience and Lunch: $52
- Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $86
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple: $172
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Puerto Princesa, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Princesa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Puerto Princesa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Princesa 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 Puerto Princesa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phuket Expensive? and Is Puerto Princesa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phuket or Puerto Princesa?
Puerto Princesa has a larger population, and is about 76% larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket 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.