Which place is cheaper, Palawan or Pattaya?
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 Pattaya 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 Pattaya 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: Pattaya or Palawan?
Pattaya
Go where the locals go. If that is your vacation motto, you will want to take a look at the popular weekend getaway of Pattaya, Thailand. This seaside resort on the Eastern Gulf Coast of Thailand is just outside of Bangkok, and full of resorts, beer bars and beaches.
Hosting more than five million visitors a year, Pattaya is easily accessed from the capital and the airport. Keep in mind, the sex tourism industry is still a large money earner for this city, but efforts by local authorities have created resorts and attractions for families and vacationers from all around the world.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Philippines, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines.
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Pattaya Prices
Thailand PricesPalawan Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPattaya $93Palawan $43
The average daily cost (per person) in Pattaya is $93, 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 Pattaya and Palawan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPattaya $27Palawan $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPattaya $54Palawan $26
Compare Hotels in Pattaya and Palawan
Looking for a hotel in Pattaya 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: Pattaya Hotel Prices and Palawan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pattaya $13Palawan $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pattaya
Also for Pattaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Underwater World at Pattaya Admission Ticket with Return Transfer: $41
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Pattaya HTL-APT (BKK): $59
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Pattaya HTL-APT (DMK): $67
- Tiffany’s Show Pattaya – VIP Gold/Diamond with Transfers: $75
- Tiffany's Show Pattaya Admission Ticket with Return Transfer (SHA Plus): $70
- Tiffany Show Pattaya with Transfer: $74
- Tiffany Show Pattaya with Transfer: $74
- Tiffany Show Pattaya Tickets With Transfers: $53
- The Sanctuary of Truth Pattaya Ticket & Transfer Optional: $19
- Teddy Bear Museum in Pattaya with Return Transfer: $22
- Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum at Pattaya with Return Transfer: $58
- Ramayana Water Park with Transfer from Pattaya : $89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palawan
Also for Palawan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfers Puerto Princesa To Elnido: $260
- Private Transfer from Puerto Princesa to El Nido: $203
- El Nido Big Lagoon and Tropical Island Private Tour with Transfer: $179
- Private Van Transfer : From El Nido to Puerto Princesa Palawan: $170
- Private Transfer from El Nido to Port Barton Palawan: $170
- 3day van transportation: airport transfer, city sightseeing van, beach transfers: $120
- Private for your group - transfers Puerto princesa to elnido : $100
- Busuanga Palawan Private Airport Transfer to Coron Town: $90
- Private Busuanga Airport to Coron Hotel Transfer: $79
- PrivateTransfer from Puerto Princesa Port to Puerto Princesa city: $60
- El Nido (Lio) Airport Transfers: $50
- Private Van Transfers: Busuanga Airport to Coron Hotel Vice Versa: $48
Is it cheaper to fly into Pattaya or Palawan?
Prices for flights to both Palawan and Pattaya 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 dayPattaya $43Palawan $19
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pattaya
For Pattaya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- All Star Dinner Cruise with Cabaret Show in Pattaya: $45
- Ocean Sky Pattaya Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment : $54
- Pattaya Night Guided Tour with Dinner: $54
- Ocean Sky Dinner Cruise with Live Cabaret Show in Pattaya: $60
- All Star Dinner Cruise Pattaya with Private Hotel Transfer: $73
- Thai Cooking Class in Pattaya: $76
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pattaya $24Palawan $5.21
Tours and Activities in Pattaya
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pattaya.
- Andamanda Waterpark Phuket Ticketed Fun: $53
- Private Wachira Benchathat Tour with Transportation: $287
- 1 Hour ATV Off Road Adventure In Pattaya: $72
- 6 Hour Private Selfie City Tour in the Landmark of Pattaya: $102
- Admission Ticket to Ramayana Water Park in Pattaya: $39
- Alcazar Cabaret Show Pattaya Admission Ticket: $50
- Alcazar Cabaret Show Tickets: $50
- All Star Cabaret Cruise Pattaya with Indian Buffet Lunch: $49
- Art In Paradise Pattaya Admission Ticket: $12
- Art in Paradise 3D Art Museum Entry Ticket in Pattaya: $9.34
- Art in Paradise Pattaya 3D Illusion Museum Ticket : $13
- Art in Paradise Pattaya Entrance (Ticket Only): $8.51
Tours and Activities in Palawan
For Palawan, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- El Nido Full Day Tour C with Buffet Lunch : $45
- 2in1 City tour and museum with pick up at hotel or cruise port: $25
- 3D2N El Nido Experience: $250
- 5D4N Puerto Princesa & El Nido Experience: $299
- All-Inclusive El Nido Island Hopping Private Tour: $153
- Balabac Tour Semi-Private 4D3N (price varies by group size): $590
- City Tour of Puerto Princesa sightseeing excursion: $35
- City tour of Puerto Princesa Palawan Philippines : $20
- Coron Calauit Safari Tour E: $146
- Coron Culion Island Escapade Private Tour: $132
- Coron Island Escapade Group Tour with Island Lunch: $48
- Coron Island Escapade Tour (Shared Tour): $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPattaya $9.42Palawan $7.44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pattaya and Palawan, we can see that Pattaya 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 Pattaya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pattaya 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 Pattaya 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.