Which place is cheaper, Boracay or Queenstown?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Queenstown or Boracay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Queenstown and Boracay. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Queenstown or Boracay?
Queenstown
Queenstown is a popular tourist destination on New Zealand's South Island. It is beautifully surrounded by the Southern Alps and sits on the banks of Lake Wakatipu. Across the lake you will find a stunning view of the Remarkables, a dramatic mountain range. The town itself is quite touristy, but prices still remain reasonable. There are options for all travel budgets, whether you're a backpacker hoping to save a few dollars or a family looking for some luxury accommodation. Despite its natural and tranquil setting, Queenstown is actually very much a party town, particularly during the peak seasons. Don't be surprised to find people out enjoying themselves until the early hours of the morning. If you're not into the party scene and are hoping to get a decent night's sleep, consider staying a little outside of town. About an hour outside of Queenstown you'll find Wanaka, which is a much smaller and peaceful town without the party scene.
Boracay
A small island in the Philippines known for its resorts and beaches, Boracay is a little escape. Each beach has its own unique character, each with new treasures waiting to be discovered.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, The Best 10-Day Tours in New Zealand, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, and The Best Adventure Tours to Philippines.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQueenstown $104Boracay $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Queenstown is $104, while the average daily cost in Boracay is $56. 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 Queenstown and Boracay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQueenstown $55Boracay $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQueenstown $110Boracay $46
Compare Hotels in Queenstown and Boracay
Looking for a hotel in Queenstown or Boracay? 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: Queenstown Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Queenstown $10Boracay $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Queenstown
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Queenstown:
- From Mount Cook Transfer w/ Guided Landmark Tour: $104
- Private Transfer from Queenstown Airport to Milford Sound Port: $166
- Private Transfer from Queenstown Central to Wanaka: $178
- Private Transfer from Queenstown to Milford Sound Cruise Port: $166
- Private Transfer from Wanaka to Queenstown Airport: $178
- Private Transfer from Wanaka to Queenstown Central: $178
- Queenstown Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Queenstown: $68
- Milford Sound Cruise with Helicopter Transfer: $736
- Tasman Glacier Helihike with Flight Transfers: $890
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boracay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boracay:
- Shared Transfer from/to MPH for Domestic Passports: $21
- Airport Transfer to Boracay or vice versa: $26
- Departure: Ferry boat Transfer Boracay to Caticlan Airport: $30
- Boracay Adventures Transfer Services Via Caticlan: $35
- Caticlan: Ferry Boat Airport Transfer To Boracay: $41
- Private Transfer from Caticlan Airport to Boracay: $43
- Caticlan: Shared Airport Transfer From/To Boracay: $54
- PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER TO BORACAY: $59
- Boracay Transfer round trip with Island Hopping: $69
- Speedboat Caticlan to Boracay Transfer (Oneway): $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Queenstown or Boracay?
Prices for flights to both Boracay and Queenstown 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 dayQueenstown $36Boracay $14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Queenstown
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Queenstown.
- Bar Crawl with 5 Free Shots and Pizza: $18
- Dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm and Cruise from Queenstown: $114
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Queenstown $21Boracay $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Queenstown
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Queenstown are as follows:
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Skyline Gondola (for 2)$30
Tours and Activities in Queenstown
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Queenstown are as follows:
- Time Tripper Underwater Experience: $8.91
- Skip the Line: Odyssey Sensory Maze Entry Queenstown Ticket: $19
- Private Race Car Simulation Experience: $20
- Gibbston Valley Wines - Winery Tour: $23
- Escape Adventure AR Experience in Queenstown: $24
- Fear Factory Haunted House Admission Ticket: $24
- Minus 5 Ice Bar Experience with Drink Options: $25
- Go Karts - Highlands Motorsport and Tourism Park: $30
- Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise: $35
- Million Dollar Cruise in Queenstown: $36
- Kids Club Experience Including Childcare: $48
- Guided Segway Tour: $53
Tours and Activities in Boracay
Here are a few actual costs in Boracay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Crystal Kayak Photo-op Experience: $6.31
- Boracay - Crystal Kayak phot-op Experience: $9.02
- Flying Donut Water Tubing Experience: $14
- Boracay UFO Adventure: $16
- Sunset Cruise with Water Activities: $16
- Boracay Sunset Cruise: $16
- Island and Beach-Hopping Boat Tour with Snorkeling: $20
- Boracay Island Rhythm Sunset Cruise: $21
- Stand-up Paddleboard Experience: $22
- Helmet Diving Experience with Photos and Videos: $22
- All-Terrain Vehicle or Buggy Car Experience: $23
- Boracay Optional Tours and Packages: $24
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQueenstown $8.90Boracay $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Queenstown
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Queenstown:
- Ice Bar Crawl: $24
- Queenstown & Gibbston Valley: Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tours: $53
- Hop on Hop off Wine Tours Bannockburn - departing Queenstown: $60
- Afternoon brewery tour with lunch: $110
- Afternoon Wine Tasting Tour with 3 Wineries: $110
- Original Wine Tour: $112
- Classic Wine Tour: $118
- Queenstown Classic Wine Tour: 3 Vineyards, Caves and Cheeseboard: $120
- Wine Tasting Tour: $130
- Afternoon Boutique Wine Tour: $132
- The Ultimate Luxury Hop on Hop off Wine Tour: $138
- Central Otago Wine Tour from Queenstown Including Lunch: $144
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Queenstown and Boracay, we can see that Queenstown is more expensive. And not only is Boracay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Queenstown is in Pacific and Boracay is in Asia, 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 Boracay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boracay 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 Queenstown would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Queenstown than you might in Boracay.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Queenstown Expensive? and Is Boracay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Queenstown or Boracay?
Queenstown has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Boracay. When comparing the sizes of Queenstown and Boracay, 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.