A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Puerto Princesa vs. Madrid for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Puerto Princesa or Madrid?

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 Madrid 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 Madrid?

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.

Madrid

Madrid, the capital of Spain, overs visitors countless opportunities to experience Spain's culture, art, cuisine, and nightlife. It is the largest city in Spain, and as such has much to explore. The city is situated on the Iberian Peninsula on the Spanish central Castillian plateau. If you're flying into Spain, you'll likely fly into the Madrid airport as it's one of the largest airports in Europe. Madrid is well connected to the rest of Spain with planes, trains and buses, making it a popular place to visit for many travelers doing a European tour.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Philippines, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.


Which place is cheaper, Madrid or Puerto Princesa?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Princesa is $80, while the average daily cost in Madrid is $184. 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 Madrid in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Puerto Princesa $22
    Madrid $88
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Puerto Princesa $44
    Madrid $176
Compare Hotels in Puerto Princesa and Madrid

Looking for a hotel in Puerto Princesa or Madrid? 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 Puerto Princesa


Hotels in Madrid


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 and Madrid Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Puerto Princesa $47
    Madrid $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Princesa

Also for Puerto Princesa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Astoria Water Park Day Pass & Transfers: $232
  • Private Transfer from Puerto Princesa to El Nido: $203
  • Private Transfer to El Nido: $169
  • Palawan: Private San Vicente Airport Transfers: $160
  • Van Transfers to/from Sabang or Astoria: $116
  • Private for your group - transfers Puerto princesa to elnido: $100
  • Honda Bay Island: Island Tour with Lunch & Transfer: $52
  • Puerto Princesa City Van Transfers: $23
  • Relaxing Massage with optional transfers: $23
  • Private Airport Transfers to/from hotel: $21
  • Transfer between Puerto Princesa and El Nido: $18
  • Shared Transfer Puerto Princesa/Port Barton: $17

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Madrid

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid

Also for Madrid, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Vehicle transfer with driver included in Madrid: $153
  • Transfer from Barajas Airport to Madrid: $117
  • Shuttle Transfer Arrivals: Madrid Airport to City Center: $211
  • Roundtrip Private Transfer from Madrid Airport (MAD): $79
  • Private transfer from Madrid airport to Madrid city center.: $93
  • Private transfer departure from City Centre to Madrid Airport: $29
  • Private tour of Prado & Reina Sofía, tickets and transfer included: $287
  • Private one way Transfer from/to Madrid to/from Segovia: $147
  • Private Transfer: Madrid to Madrid Airport MAD in Luxury Van: $89
  • Private Transfer: Madrid to Madrid Airport MAD in Luxury Car: $120
  • Private Transfer: Madrid to Madrid Airport MAD by Business Car: $84
  • Private Transfer: Madrid Airport MAD to Madrid by Luxury Van: $89

Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Princesa or Madrid?

Prices for flights to both Madrid 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Puerto Princesa $31
    Madrid $67

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

Typical Food Prices in Madrid

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:


  • Coffee
    $2.28
  • Ice Cream
    $3.42
  • Kebabs (for 2)
    $18
  • Croissant
    $1.71
  • Lunch at Airport (for 2)
    $18

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid

For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Zarzuela Opera and Dinner at La Castafiore Restaurant in Madrid: $65
  • Madrid Old Town Tour & Flamenco Show with Optional Dinner: $69
  • Small-Group Food Tour with Tapas, Wine & Vermouth: $74
  • Murder Mystery Dinner Experience: $75
  • Chocolate & Churros Cooking Class in Madrid: $76
  • Spanish Tapas Experience and Sangría Showcooking in Madrid: $76
  • Small-Group Food Tour with Local Tapas & Spanish Wine: $76
  • Madrid Luxury Evening Food Tour In the Vibrant La Latina District: $81
  • Madrid Food Tour: Best Tapas, Churros & Market Sights by FLT: $88
  • Guided Food Tour of Tapas, Ham, Olive Oil & Vermouth: $89
  • Madrid Tapas & Wine Tasting Food Tour – Small Group Local Bars: $90
  • Madrid Ultimate Spanish Cuisine Food Tour: $93

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Puerto Princesa $6.30
    Madrid $38

Tours and Activities in Puerto Princesa

For Puerto Princesa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2in1 City tour + museum & transportation from cruise port /hotel: $25
  • 3D2N El Nido Experience: $250
  • 3d2n ELNIDO Package tour: $280
  • 5D4N Puerto Princesa & El Nido Experience: $299
  • Best of Puerto Princesa Palawan Signature 3Day Tour in 1 Package: $195
  • City tour of Puerto Princesa Palawan Philippines: $20
  • Deals: Puerto Princesa Palawan 2days Tours & 2n Inn accomodation: $250
  • El Nido Day Tour: $80
  • From Honda Bay Island Hopping Full-Day Tour: $40
  • Full Day Excursion: UNESCO Underground River Tour: $48
  • Full-Day UNESCO Underground River Tour: $54
  • Half Day City Joiners Tour | Puerto Princesa: $34

Tours and Activities in Madrid

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.

  • 2 Days Guided Cultural Tour in Madrid Royal Palace and 3 Museums: $223
  • 2 Hour Madrid City Expert Tour: $198
  • 2 Hour Private Panoramic Tuk Tuk Tour: $199
  • 2-Hour Patisserie Experience for Dessert Lovers: $117
  • 3 Hour Private Bike Tour in Madrid with a Guide: $176
  • 3-hour experience on the Redován K2 Family Via Ferrata: $49
  • 30 Minutes of Jet Ski Adventure on the Coast of Alicante: $106
  • A Self-Guided Tour of El Retiro Park’s Rise, Ruin and Redemption: $5.00
  • A local's A self-guided audio tour: $12
  • Alcalá de Henares Private Tour from Madrid: $251
  • Alcala World Heritage Tour: $12
  • Alcala de Henares and Cervantes Guided Tour from Madrid: $55

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Puerto Princesa $13
    Madrid $22

Typical Alcohol Prices in Madrid

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:


  • Beer
    $5.70
  • Drinks and Tapas (for 2)
    $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:

  • Top Pub Crawl Madrid & Party: $12
  • Visit to the Winery with Wine Tasting and Appetizers in Navarra: $12
  • Spanish Wine Tasting Overlooking Parque del Oeste: $26
  • Pub Crawl Madrid-The Original since 2005-Shots-Fun-Clubs-Dance: $29
  • Wine Tasting near Plaza Mayor in Madrid: $35
  • Wine Tour with tasting in the Natural Park of La Mata: $38
  • Wine Tasting in Madrid Experience: $54
  • Madrid Tapas and Wine Tour with a Local Guide: $73
  • Hypno Tasting Wine Tasting under Hypnosis in Madrid: $76
  • Spanish Wine Tasting : $90
  • Wine Tasting and Flamenco Master Class in Madrid: $101
  • Madrid Tapas & Wine Tour: Local Bars & Spanish Wine Tasting: $111


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Princesa and Madrid, we can see that Madrid is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Princesa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Puerto Princesa is in Asia and Madrid is in Europe, 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 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 Madrid would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Madrid 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 Puerto Princesa Expensive? and Is Madrid Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Puerto Princesa or Madrid?

Madrid has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Puerto Princesa. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Princesa and Madrid, 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.