Which place is cheaper, Setubal 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.
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Should you visit Puerto Princesa or Setubal?
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 Setubal 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 Setubal?
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.
Setubal
Setubal is a busy working port and major commercial fishing center. Setubal is a city that has always had a close connection to the seas, and this is celebrated along the newly rejuvenated waterfront, which encompasses the colorful fishing harbor, the popular urban park and the Troia Peninsula ferry terminal. Within the charming historic center is a maze of narrow alleys, hidden plazas, and family-owned shops, along with Portugal's largest fish market. Setubal is primarily an industrial city, but is situated in a region of immense beauty; to the east is the stunning Serra da Arrabida, to the north is historic Palmela, while to the south are the paradise beaches of the Troia Peninsula. Setubal may not be a conventional holiday destination, but there is a surprising amount to see and do within the city and the surrounding region.
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 2-Week Tours in Portugal, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal.
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Puerto Princesa Prices
Philippines PricesSetubal Prices
Portugal Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Princesa $80Setubal $170
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Princesa is $80, while the average daily cost in Setubal is $170. 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 Setubal in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Princesa $22Setubal $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Princesa $44Setubal $134
Compare Hotels in Puerto Princesa and Setubal
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Princesa or Setubal? 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 and Setubal Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Princesa $47Setubal $62
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Setubal
Also for Setubal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer: Grândola > Lisbon: $279
- Transfer Sesimbra to Lisbon Airport: $100
- Transfer From Évora to Lisbon: $147
- Sesimbra Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $56
- Serra da Arrabida Natural Park E Bike Tour with Transfers: $188
- Evora Private Transfers Multiple Destinations: $155
- Comporta Melides Private Transfers to Multiple Destinations: $156
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Princesa or Setubal?
Prices for flights to both Setubal 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 $31Setubal $68
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Setubal
For Setubal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Evora Cooking Class & Wine Pairings in Fatima’s Home: $220
- Lisbon Getaway: Private Arrábida Wine & Food Tour: $235
- Authentic Evora Cooking Class with Wine in Chef Sofia’s Garden: $279
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Princesa $6.30Setubal $14
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 Setubal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Setubal.
- Évora : Private Walking Tour to Arraiolos with driver and guide: $198
- Évora Jewish History Tour: Private walking tour with tickets: $128
- Évora Private Walking Tour and Traditional Food Tasting: $210
- Évora Walking Tour: Small Group Tour with Chapel of Bones Tickets: $81
- Évora or Montemor-o-Novo: Guided Tour to Escoural Caves: $29
- Évora: Monsaraz Private Walking Tour with Driver and Guide: $292
- Évora: Private walking tour with tickets to main monuments: $128
- 4x4 Tour to the Wonders of Cabo Espichel: $70
- 4x4 and Boat Tour in Arrabida Natural Park: $129
- Arrábida Family and Group Kayak Adventure: $128
- Arrábida: Guided Transparent Kayaking Tour: $65
- Arrabida Adventure Circuit: $76
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPuerto Princesa $13Setubal $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Setubal
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Setubal:
- Workshop - Wine Tasting 101: $71
- Half Day Wine Tour Around Evora: $153
- From: Setúbal Private Arrábida Nature Walk & Premium Wine Tour: $169
- Azeitão Private Wine Tour from Lisbon – Premium Wineries: $235
- Portuguese Wine Tasting in Lisbon with an Award-Winning Sommelier: $299
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Princesa and Setubal, we can see that Setubal 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 Setubal 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 Setubal would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Setubal 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 Setubal Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Princesa or Setubal?
Puerto Princesa has a larger population, and is about 34% larger than the population of Setubal. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Princesa and Setubal, 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.