Which place is cheaper, Palawan or Bangkok?
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 Bangkok or Palawan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bangkok and Palawan 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: Bangkok or Palawan?
Bangkok
Bangkok: a name synonymous with all things exotic. The vibrant and exciting capital of Thailand is not just a hub for Southeast Asia, but also a destination into itself. Known for an active nightlife and party scene, as well as great food, historic temples, and busy markets, Bangkok offers a diversity to entertain even the most experienced travelers.
Palawan
Palawan is an archipelagic province of the Philippines, named for its largest island which measures about 450 kilometers (or 280 miles) long. The island is known as an ecological frontier with plenty of beaches and resorts as well as opportunities to see a diverse array of wildlife and their habitats on land and sea.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Philippines, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines.
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Bangkok Prices
Thailand PricesPalawan Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBangkok $105Palawan $43
The average daily cost (per person) in Bangkok is $105, while the average daily cost in Palawan is $43. 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 Bangkok and Palawan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBangkok $50Palawan $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBangkok $100Palawan $26
Compare Hotels in Bangkok and Palawan
Looking for a hotel in Bangkok or Palawan? 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: Bangkok Hotel Prices and Palawan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bangkok $6.57Palawan $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk to bus station$2.51
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Skytrain Ticket$5.02
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Chao Phraya River Express Ticket$1.00
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Ferry Ride$0.82
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Taxi From Airport$7.85
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Short Taxi Ride$2.83
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Boat Taxi$1.57
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Trains to airport$5.02
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:
- Tuk-tuk tour Bangkok by Night with Chinatown meal and hotel transfers: $63
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Pattaya APT-HTL (BKK): $59
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Pattaya APT-HTL (DMK): $20
- Transfer from Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Koh Chang: $148
- Transfer from DMK Donmuaeng International Airport to BKK Suvarnabhumi Airport: $34
- Transfer from BKK Suvarnabhumi International Airport to khao Yai National Park: $84
- Transfer from BKK Suvarnabhumi International Airport to DMK Donmuang Airport: $34
- Transfer from BKK Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Ayuttaya: $51
- Transfer from BKK Airport to Bangkok City: $30
- Transfer Suvarnabhumi Airport(BKK) to Bangkok City Center: $19
- Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya 24 hour Private Airport Transfer Service: $79
- Suvarnabhumi Airport to Round-Trip Private Transfer: $76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palawan
Also for Palawan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 3day van transportation: airport transfer, city sightseeing van, beach transfers: $120
- Airport Transfers airport to city center hotel and cruise port: $20
- Busuanga Palawan Private Airport Transfer to Coron Town: $90
- Coron Airport Shared Hotel Transfers: $10
- Coron Ultimate Tour: 7 Destinations with Lunch and Transfer: $47
- El Nido (Lio) Airport Transfers: $50
- El Nido Big Lagoon and Tropical Island Private Tour with Transfer: $179
- El Nido Tour C with Lunch and Transfers: $44
- El Nido Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $44
- Private Busuanga Airport to Coron Hotel Transfer: $79
- Private Transfer from El Nido to Port Barton Palawan: $170
- Private Transfer from Puerto Princesa to El Nido: $203
Is it cheaper to fly into Bangkok or Palawan?
Prices for flights to both Palawan and Bangkok 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 dayBangkok $36Palawan $19
Typical Food Prices in Bangkok
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:
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Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (for Two)$28
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Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)$6.28
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2 Rotis (Bread)$1.41
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Mango & Sticky Rice$0.94
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Lunch at KFC (for Two)$6.28
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Pad Thai$2.20
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Airport Lunch for 2$17
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Lunch for 2$23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bangkok.
- Baiyoke Sky Hotel Observation Deck Ticket with Lunch or Dinner : $22
- Viva Alangka Bangkok Sunset Dinner Cruise: $24
- Meridian Sunset Dinner Cruise - Floating Paradise From ICONSIAM Bangkok: $27
- Meridian Sunset Cruise Dinner Buffet from Bangkok: $28
- Baiyoke Sky Dinner Experience with Observation Deck Access: $28
- Royal Princess Chao Phraya River Dinner Cruise from Bangkok: $31
- Bangkok Amazing Chaophraya River Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $31
- Nopparat’s Traditional Thai Dinner & Dance: $31
- Luxury Riverside Dinner Cruise on Chao Phraya River Bangkok: $33
- Scenic Bangkok Unicorn Dinner Cruise on Chao Phraya River: $33
- White Lotus Thai Cooking Class in Bangkok: $35
- Smile Riverside Cruise Luxury Buffet Dinner from Bangkok: $35
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bangkok $18Palawan $5.21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangkok
Here are a few typical costs in Bangkok for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Movie Ticket$5.02
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Grand Palace Entrance Ticket$11
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Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket$1.57
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Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)$6.28
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Club Cover Charge$12
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Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)$75
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Fish Pedicure$4.71
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Wat Pho entrance ticket$3.14
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Siriraj Museum (2)$13
Tours and Activities in Bangkok
Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- A Day in Ayutthaya: Private 5 UNESCO Temples Tour From Bangkok: $123
- Ayutthaya Historic Park Group Tour from Bangkok: $65
- Ayutthaya Historic Park Tour Group Tour from Bangkok: $55
- Bangkok Hindu Landmark Tour with Grand Palace, Temples & Lunch: $166
- Damnoen Floating Market & Optional Erawan Water Waterfall Tour: $105
- Maeklong Railway & Floating Market Tour (Private & All-Inclusive): $159
- Private Customized Bangkok Tour With Driver : $57
- Private Half-Day Bangkok City Tour explore The Grand Palace: $144
- 10 Hours Private Tour Ayuttaya: $130
- 12-Hour Private Tour: Top Pattaya Attractions & Beach : $139
- 2 Days Pattaya Sunset Boat Party Tour: $142
- 2 Hour Electric Tuk Tuk Cultural Tour of Bangkok: $30
Tours and Activities in Palawan
For Palawan, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Half-day Puerto Princesa City Tour: $15
- Coron Town Tour with Maquinit Hot Spring: $19
- City tour of Puerto Princesa Palawan Philippines : $20
- Coron Island Hopping Tour A with Kayangan Lake: $25
- 2in1 City tour and museum with pick up at hotel or cruise port: $25
- Half-Day City Tour from Puerto Princesa: $27
- Coron Island Hopping Tour B with Skeleton Wreck & Barracuda Lake: $32
- Fullday Coron Island Hopping Tour : $34
- City Tour of Puerto Princesa sightseeing excursion: $35
- Coron Island Tour A (Shared Tour): $37
- Joiners Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour: $38
- Puerto Princesa: Honda Bay Tour with Lunch: $38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBangkok $5.65Palawan $7.44
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:
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Beer$1.26
Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:
- The Original Bangkok Pub Crawl: $31
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bangkok and Palawan, we can see that Bangkok is more expensive. And not only is Palawan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Palawan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Palawan 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 Bangkok would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bangkok than you might in Palawan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bangkok Expensive? and Is Palawan Expensive?.
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.