Phong Nhais 7% cheaper — BDI "Good Deal" (63/10) vs Gili Islands "Good Deal" (58/10). Dorms avg $9/night vs $7/night.
Quick Verdict
Best For…
Traveler type
🇮🇩 Gili Islands
🇻🇳 Phong Nha
Solo budget traveler
★★★★★17 hostels, avg 9.0 rating
★★★★★15 hostels, avg 9.6 rating
Couple on a budget
★★★★★Private rooms avg $36/night
★★★★★Private rooms avg $15/night
Digital nomad
★★★★★Coffee $1.80, dorms avg $9
★★★★★Coffee $1.38, dorms avg $7
Nightlife seeker
★★★★★Beer $2.54, 17 hostels
★★★★★Beer $0.75, 15 hostels
Cost Comparison
Daily Budget
| Tier | 🇮🇩 Gili Islands | 🇻🇳 Phong Nha | You Save / day |
|---|
Shoestring Dorm bed · street food · free activities | $11 | $10 cheaper | $1/day |
Comfortable Mix of dorm & private · restaurants | $21 | $19 cheaper | $2/day |
Flashpacker Private rooms · dining out · some tours | $40 | $39 cheaper | $2/day |
Price Intelligence
Seasonal Price Curve
Everyday Costs
Cost of Living
| Item | 🇮🇩 Gili Islands | 🇻🇳 Phong Nha |
|---|
| 🥙Street food meal Local market, street stall | $1.06 8% less | $1.15 |
| 🍽️Mid-range meal Sit-down restaurant, one person | $5.40 6% less | $5.75 |
| 🍺Beer (local draft) 500ml at a bar | $2.54 | $0.75 70% less |
| ☕Coffee Espresso or flat white | $1.80 | $1.38 23% less |
| 🚇Single metro / bus Standard single ticket | $0.60 | $0.32 47% less |
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Our Verdict + Hostel Quality
🇮🇩58
BDI: Good Deal
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Moderate dorm prices (avg $9/night).
Hostel Quality
Top-rated hostelMad Monkey Gili Trawangan (9.8)
Annual dorm avg$9/night
Total hostels17
🇻🇳63
BDI: Good Deal
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Very affordable dorms (avg $7/night).
Hostel Quality
Top-rated hostelBee Backpackers Hostel (10.0)
Annual dorm avg$7/night
Total hostels15
Entry Requirements
Visa & Entry
Passport
🇮🇩 Gili Islands
🇻🇳 Phong Nha
City to City
Getting Between Gili Islands & Phong Nha
Climate
Weather & Best Time to Visit
°C · mm
🇮🇩 Gili Islands
🌧 Rainfall: 196mm/month
Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug
🇻🇳 Phong Nha
🌧 Rainfall: 57mm/month
Best months: Jan, Feb, Mar
Things To Do
Top Attractions
🇮🇩 Gili Islands
1. BunkerFree
2. Gili Meno Taman Burung - Bird ParkFree
3. Gili Meno TurtlesFree
4. HalikFree
5. MALIMBU 2Free
🇻🇳 Phong Nha
No attraction data
Common Questions
FAQ
Is Gili Islands or Phong Nha cheaper for backpackers?+
How many hostels are in Gili Islands vs Phong Nha?+
Do I need a visa for Gili Islands or Phong Nha?+
When is the best time to visit Gili Islands or Phong Nha?+
What's the cheapest month to visit Gili Islands and Phong Nha?+
Keep Exploring
People Also Compared
Ready to book?
Plan a trip to both cities
Full itinerary with real-time flights, hostels & transport — built on our 64k+ price index.
Build Your Itinerary →Free · No account required · Results in under 30 seconds