Which place is cheaper, Manila or Koh Samet?
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 Samet or Manila?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Koh Samet or Manila, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Koh Samet or Manila?
Koh Samet
The country of Thailand is full of some of the world's most stunning beauty and peaceful settings. So it begs the question, where the Thai people go to get away from it all? They go to Ko Samet on the eastern gulf coast. Located just outside of Bangkok, Ko Samet provides visitors an easily accessible and desirable weekend getaway spot. With white beaches and coral of every other color, this island has steadily developed over the last few years without an intense construction increase like many other Thai beaches. Once thought to be the home of pirates, this island provides plenty to wonder about including, are there hidden treasures under that gorgeous white sand?
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines.
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Koh Samet Prices
Thailand PricesManila Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Samet $133Manila $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Samet is $133, 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 Samet and Manila in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Samet $37Manila $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Samet $74Manila $108
Compare Hotels in Koh Samet and Manila
Looking for a hotel in Koh Samet 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 Samet Hotel Prices and Manila Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Samet $79Manila $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- MNL Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $13
- Manila Airport Chauffeur service Manila Airport private Transfer : $20
- Private One-way Transfer From Manila To Manila Airport: $24
- Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
- Private Transfer from Manila Airport (MNL) to Manila Cruise Port: $29
- Private Transfer from Manila Cruise Port to Manila Airport (MNL): $29
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Manila HTL-APT (MNL): $30
- Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport (MNL) Private Transfer to Manila City: $30
- Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $30
- Manila Airport Transfer: $38
- Manila Private Airport Transfer: Comfortable & Affordable: $38
- Manila Airports Quality Safe and Reliable Airport Transfer: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Samet or Manila?
Prices for flights to both Manila and Koh Samet 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 Samet $54Manila $31
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 Samet $10Manila $19
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 Samet $5.38Manila $9.90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Samet and Manila, we can see that Koh Samet is more expensive. And not only is Manila much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Manila would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Manila 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 Koh Samet would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Samet than you might in Manila.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Samet Expensive? and Is Manila Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Koh Samet 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 Samet or Manila in the Summer?
Both Manila and Koh Samet are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samet throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Manila. It's quite rainy in Koh Samet. In July, Koh Samet usually receives less rain than Manila. Koh Samet gets 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Manila receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Manila. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Samet in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Manila averages at about 27°C (80°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh Samet 28°C (82°F)Manila 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Manila in the Autumn?
Both Manila and Koh Samet during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samet because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round.
Manila gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Samet. Koh Samet usually gets more rain in October than Manila. Koh Samet gets 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain, while Manila receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Koh Samet is generally around the same temperature as Manila. Daily temperatures in Koh Samet average around 27°C (81°F), and Manila fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh Samet 27°C (81°F)Manila 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Manila in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samet and Manila. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samet year-round. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Koh Samet usually receives more rain than Manila. Koh Samet gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Manila receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Manila in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Samet averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Manila fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh Samet 25°C (77°F)Manila 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Koh Samet or Manila in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Koh Samet as well as Manila. Koh Samet attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year.
Koh Samet usually gets more rain in April than Manila. Koh Samet gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Manila receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Koh Samet is around the same temperature as Manila. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Samet in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Manila averages at about 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh Samet 29°C (84°F)Manila 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Manila and Koh Samet
| Koh Samet | Manila | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 380 mm (15 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 118 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.