Which place is cheaper, Manila or Koh Lanta?
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 Koh Lanta or Manila?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Koh Lanta and Manila 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: Koh Lanta or Manila?
Koh Lanta
Located on the southern coast of Thailand is a place populated by long beaches and diving hotspots. Consisting of several islands, Koh Lanta is a large island with nine beaches along the coast. The beautiful scenery makes this a quiet and relaxing spot for tourists. The crowds on this island tend to be older than the party-seekers on Ko Phi Phi so you'll find more activities like serene walks on the beach or travelers catching a sunset.
Manila
A sprawling metropolis that is home to more than 12 million people, Manila is one huge, misunderstood concrete jungle, full of diverse cultures, traffic, pollution, restaurants, shopping malls, noise and nightlife. If you're looking to soak in culture and feel the vibe of a place rather than seeking a city that specifically caters to tourists, Manila is the place to be. Capital of the Philippines, Manila is also the center for education, business, and transportation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Thailand, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines.
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Koh Lanta Prices
Thailand PricesManila Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Lanta $64Manila $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Lanta is $64, while the average daily cost in Manila is $106. 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 Koh Lanta and Manila in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Lanta $28Manila $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Lanta $56Manila $108
Compare Hotels in Koh Lanta and Manila
Looking for a hotel in Koh Lanta or Manila? 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: Koh Lanta Hotel Prices and Manila Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Lanta $6.52Manila $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Lanta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Lanta:
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Ferry from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta$19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- Airport Transfer from Manila Airport: $96
- Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $139
- Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
- METRO MANILA AIRPORT TRANSFERS | VAN: $64
- Manila Airport Chauffeur service Manila Airport private Transfer : $20
- Manila Airport Transfer: $38
- Manila Airports Quality Safe and Reliable Airport Transfer: $40
- Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
- Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $53
- Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $30
- Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport (MNL) Private Transfer to Manila City: $30
- Manila Private Airport Transfer: Comfortable & Affordable: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Lanta or Manila?
Prices for flights to both Manila and Koh Lanta 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 dayKoh Lanta $21Manila $31
Typical Food Prices in Koh Lanta
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Lanta:
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Casual Breakfast$5.02
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Casual Lunch$8.48
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Casual Dinner$14
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$53
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Manila.
- Ugbo Manila Street Food Tour with Tuktuk Ride: $60
- ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $62
- Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $65
- Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $65
- Guided Food Tour of Binondo with Tastings: $65
- Street Food tour & Local Jeepney, Tuktuk Ride: $66
- Binondo Chinatown Food Tour with Free Food Samples: $70
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour with Local Guide: $71
- Authentic Manila Chinatown Food Tour Exploration : $75
- Intramuros and Chinatown Food Tour with Food Samples: $80
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $120
- Day Tour in Manilas History and Savor a Cultural Dinner: $175
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Koh Lanta $35Manila $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Lanta
Here are a few typical costs in Koh Lanta for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Emerald Cave Tour$22
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Yoga Session (1 Hour)$11
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- Skip the Line: Hike Eat Swim at Mount Purro Nature Reserve Ticket: $22
- A Night in Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $23
- Fort Santiago Guided Tour: $25
- Explore the Urban Art of Mural and Street Art Tour: $25
- Viva Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $27
- The Dessert Museum Entry Ticket: $27
- Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $30
- Old Manila Intramuros Area Walking Tour: $30
- Manila night cruise, night life, foodie tour and 3d theather: $32
- Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $34
- Intramuros Night Bamboo Bike Tour: $34
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Lanta $4.36Manila $9.90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Lanta and Manila, we can see that Manila is more expensive. And not only is Koh Lanta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Lanta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Lanta 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 Manila would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manila than you might in Koh Lanta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Lanta Expensive? and Is Manila Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Koh Lanta or Manila?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 1720 times larger than the population of Koh Lanta. When comparing the sizes of Koh Lanta and Manila, 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.
When is the best time to visit Koh Lanta or Manila?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Manila in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lanta and Manila. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lanta year-round. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, June to September is the rainy season in Koh Lanta. Manila receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Lanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Lanta usually receives less rain than Manila. Koh Lanta gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Manila receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Manila. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Lanta in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Manila averages at about 27°C (80°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Lanta 27°C (81°F)Manila 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Manila in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Lanta as well as Manila. Koh Lanta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Manila. Koh Lanta receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in October than Manila. Koh Lanta gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Manila receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Koh Lanta is generally around the same temperature as Manila. Daily temperatures in Koh Lanta average around 27°C (81°F), and Manila fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Lanta 27°C (81°F)Manila 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Manila in the Winter?
Both Manila and Koh Lanta are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lanta throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Koh Lanta is January to April. In January, Koh Lanta usually receives more rain than Manila. Koh Lanta gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Manila receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Manila in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Lanta averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Manila fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Lanta 27°C (80°F)Manila 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Koh Lanta or Manila in the Spring?
Both Manila and Koh Lanta during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lanta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round.
January to April is the dry season in Koh Lanta. June to September is the rainy season in Koh Lanta. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lanta. Koh Lanta usually gets more rain in April than Manila. Koh Lanta gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Manila receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Koh Lanta is around the same temperature as Manila. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Lanta in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Manila averages at about 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Lanta 29°C (85°F)Manila 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Manila and Koh Lanta
| Koh Lanta | Manila | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 355 mm (14 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 204 mm (8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
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.