Travel budget and cost of living in Papua New Guinea how much does a trip cost?

Travel budget in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea: calculate your travel budget

Papua New Guinea: sample budgets by traveller type

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Papua New Guinea for 2 people.

* Estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks. This represents an average across the country (budget may vary depending on the city or region visited).

Cost of living in Papua New Guinea in 2025

Cost of living: Papua New Guinea VS United States

On average, the cost of living in Papua New Guinea in 2025 is 27% less than in the United States (USA).

The graphic below shows the percentage of variation between prices United States in in the United States (USA) and United States by types of expenses:

Local prices in Papua New Guinea by expense type

Papua New Guinea: Restaurant budget

Lunch

$ 12/person
($ 5.3 to $ 24)

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45% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22

3 course dinner

$ 28/person
($ 21 to $ 81)

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33% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 41

McDonald's meal

$ 8/person
($ 6.7 to $ 13)

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32% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Local beer

$ 3.2 for 500ml
($ 1.6 to $ 8)

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50% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6.5

Imported beer

$ 3.4 for 330ml
($ 1.8 to $ 5.3)

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12% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.8

Cappuccino

$ 2.3/cup
($ 1.4 to $ 3.7)

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58% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.6

Fizzy drink

$ 0.9/can
($ 0.7 to $ 1.6)

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66% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7

Water bottle

$ 0.8/bottle
($ 0.8 to $ 1.6)

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61% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Papua New Guinea: Hotel and accommodation budget

1-star hotel

$ 120/night
($ 50 to $ 192)

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31% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 174

2-star hotel

$ 128/night
($ 86 to $ 170)

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23% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 166

3-star hotel

$ 135/night
($ 106 to $ 166)

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45% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 244

4-star hotel

$ 140/night
($ 93 to $ 191)

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59% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 344

5-star hotel

$ 141/night
($ 103 to $ 181)

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74% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 561

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 120/month
($ 50 to $ 193)

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32% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 176

Room with kitchen

$ 181/month
($ 129 to $ 288)

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30% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 262

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 140/month
($ 106 to $ 182)

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36% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 222

Cottage or guest house

$ 120/month
($ 50 to $ 193)

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52% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 252

Family room

$ 256/month
($ 193 to $ 413)

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19% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 217

Papua New Guinea: Supermarket food budget

Milk

$ 2/litre
($ 1.8 to $ 2.7)

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77% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 1.6/500g
($ 1.2 to $ 4)

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59% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9

Rice

$ 1.5/kg
($ 1.4 to $ 1.8)

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69% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9

Eggs

$ 4.2/12 eggs
($ 2.5 to $ 5.1)

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4% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4

Chicken

$ 7.2/kg
($ 4.3 to $ 12)

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44% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Apples

$ 4.4/kg
($ 2.2 to $ 5.9)

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23% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.7

Tomatoes

$ 3.5/kg
($ 1 to $ 8.8)

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35% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Potatoes

$ 3.8/kg
($ 1.4 to $ 6.7)

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19% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.2

Water bottle

$ 1
($ 0.6 to $ 1.6)

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58% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4

Papua New Guinea: Public and private transport budget

Bus ticket

$ 0.6/ticket
($ 0.2 to $ 1.4)

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80% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7

Taxi (per km)

$ 1.6/km
($ 1.6 to $ 2.7)

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13% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9

Petrol

$ 1.3/litre
($ 0.9 to $ 1.4)

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21% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 6.7
($ 5.3 to $ 11)

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69% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4

Papua New Guinea: Leisure activity budget

Cinema

$ 8.7/ticket
($ 6.7 to $ 11)

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42% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16

Tennis

$ 19/hr
($ 11 to $ 19)

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21% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 23

Papua New Guinea: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes

Cigarettes

$ 7.6/pack
($ 6.7 to $ 9.4)

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29% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Levi's jeans

$ 39
($ 8.6 to $ 58)

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33% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 57

Summer dress

$ 36
($ 17 to $ 68)

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24% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 47

Plane ticket budget

Sydney → Port Moresby

$ 678
(fair price: $ 584)

Melbourne → Port Moresby

$ 711
(fair price: $ 607)

London → Port Moresby

$ 1857
(fair price: $ 1428)

Auckland → Port Moresby

$ 884
(fair price: $ 727)

Los Angeles → Port Moresby

$ 1965
(fair price: $ 1686)

New York City → Port Moresby

$ 2201
(fair price: $ 1972)

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