Which place is cheaper, Beijing or Puerto Princesa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Puerto Princesa or Beijing?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Puerto Princesa and Beijing 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: Puerto Princesa or Beijing?
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.
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Honeymoon Tours in Philippines, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Princesa $73Beijing $77
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Princesa is $73, while the average daily cost in Beijing is $77. 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 Puerto Princesa and Beijing in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Princesa $24Beijing $39
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Princesa $48Beijing $78
Compare Hotels in Puerto Princesa and Beijing
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Princesa or Beijing? 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: Puerto Princesa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Princesa $51Beijing $7.63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Princesa
Also for Puerto Princesa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Airport transfers from Puerto Princesa Airport to Hotels: $7.50
- Arrival airport transfer-Private airport to hotel in central area: $20
- El Nido to Puerto Princesa Private Van Transfer: $153
- El Nido to Puerto Princesa van transfer: $14
- Private Puerto Princesa Airport Transfers: $29
- Private Transfer to El Nido: $171
- Private Transfers Puerto Princesa To Elnido: $260
- Puerto Princesa - El Nido | Private Van Transfer: $149
- Puerto Princesa to El Nido Private Van Transfer: $153
- Airconditioned Van Transfers to/from Sabang: $12
- Astoria Water Park Day Pass & Transfers: $234
- One-Way Transfer To/From El Nido: $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
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Taxi$4.71
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Train from Airport for Two$6.90
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Taxi to Hotel$8.28
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2 Metro Passes$2.21
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Metro$0.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
- [Airport Transfer] Beijing Capital Airport ⇔ Beijing City Transfer (one way) ☆ High reputation for service! <Charter charter>: $30
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Beijing APT-HTL (PEK): $62
- Tianjin Cruise Port Private Transfer to Beijing International Airport: $153
- Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City Private Tour With Airport Transfer: $205
- Shared Shuttle Bus Transfer Between Tianjin Cruise Port And Downtown Beijing : $59
- Self Guided transfer service to Juyongguan Great Wall or Badaling Great Wall: $78
- Red Theatre Acrobatics Show Ticket with Hotel Transfer: $79
- Private transfer to the Great Wall of Jinshanling: $106
- Private transfer to Tianjin airport from downtown Beijing: $108
- Private transfer from Zhangjiakou Ski Resort to Beijing: $168
- Private transfer Service from Beijing To Mutianyu and Huanghuacheng Great Wall: $76
- Private day to Beijing Hua Bei ski resort with transfer service : $174
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Princesa or Beijing?
Prices for flights to both Beijing and Puerto Princesa 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 dayPuerto Princesa $20Beijing $21
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 Tour with Dinner: $26
- Firefly Watching Paddle Boat Tour & Dinner: $27
- Jungle Firefly Watching Boat Tour & Dinner: $32
- Firefly Watching Bay Cruise with Dinner: $34
- Puerto Princesa Fireflies Watching with Dinner: $40
- Seafood Lunch or Dinner with transfers: $60
- Underground River and Firefly Watching with Dinner: $81
- Underground River with Dinner at Kalui: $81
- Balayong People's Park with Dinner and Show: $117
Typical Food Prices in Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
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Popcorn$0.83
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Hot Pot Dinner$6.90
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Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.76
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Watermelon$1.93
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Peking Duck Dinner for 2$16
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Two Popsicles$0.83
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
- Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Nangong Hot Spring Water World with Dinner: $38
- Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
- Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $60
- 3 hours Morning or Afternoon Tea Tasting on Maliandao Street and Tea Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Tour: $69
- Mogolian Hot Pot Dinner with no limit soft drink and local beer .: $70
- Old Beijing Dinner Tour: $80
- Authentic Lunch or Dinner Tour in Beijing's Best Hidden Spots: $80
- Acrobatic Show with Peking Duck Dinner Private Tour: $80
- Discovery more local Beijing evening food Tour: $89
- 4-hour Evening Tour: Jingshan Hill, Beihai Park & Hutongs Street Food Tour: $105
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Princesa $6.82Beijing $24
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: $14
- PPS CITY TOUR: $14
- Guided City Walking Tour with Snacks: $14
- Puerto Princesa City Tour with Snacks: $14
- Half-Day City Tour with Optional Massage: $14
- 2in1 City tour and museum with pick up at hotel or cruise port: $15
- Half-day Puerto Princesa City Tour: $15
- City tour of Puerto Princesa Palawan Philippines : $19
- Puerto Princesa Half Day City Tour (shared tour): $22
- Joiners Puerto Princesa City Tour: $27
- Puerto Princesa City Tour (Joiners Tour): $28
- El Nido Nacpan Inland Tour (TRICYCLE) (Private Tour): $33
Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Summer Palace for Two$8.28
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Two Opera Tickets$59
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Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$9.66
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Forbidden City (for 2)$17
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Forbidden City Tickets$17
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Audio Guides at Forbidden City$11
Tours and Activities in Beijing
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- All Inclusive Mutianyu Great Wall & Summer Palace Private Tour: $188
- Beijing Art Tour: Seeing Fantastic Ming Murals at Fa Hai Temple : $220
- Classic One Day Beijing Tour: $240
- Forbidden City Tour : $110
- Mutianyu Great Wall And Ming Tomb Private One Day Tour: $205
- Mutianyu Great Wall and Ming Tomb Private Tour: $190
- Private Day to T-Square, Forbidden city, Temple of heaven, Summer palace Tour : $177
- Private Temple of Heaven Walking Tour w/ Options Nearby: $90
- The Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan) Entrance Ticket: $8.00
- 1 Day Romantic Tour in Oriental Provence Lavender Manor and Mutianyu Great Wall: $208
- 1 day Summer Palace+Yonghe Temple+Confucius Temple Private Tour: $280
- 1-Day Beijing Private tour: Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace: $267
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Princesa $14Beijing $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
- Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing: $110
- Private Tour-Drum Tower, Hutong Food Taste and Local Brewery Beer: $150
- 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
- Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238
When comparing the travel costs between Puerto Princesa and Beijing, we can see that Beijing 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 Puerto Princesa Expensive? and Is Beijing Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Princesa or Beijing?
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Puerto Princesa. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Princesa and Beijing, 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.