Which place is cheaper, Koh Pha Ngan or Manila?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Manila or Koh Pha Ngan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Manila and Koh Pha Ngan can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Koh Pha Ngan?
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.
Koh Pha Ngan
Ko Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is best known for its full moon parties, attracting backpackers and budget travelers the world over for all-night parties on the beach. The clear, blue water, beautiful beaches, and tropical atmosphere bring the tourists to the island, and the low prices, diverse activities, and abundant amenities keep them here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.
-
Manila Prices
Philippines PricesKoh Pha Ngan Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $106Koh Pha Ngan $61
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $106, while the average daily cost in Koh Pha Ngan is $61. 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 Manila and Koh Pha Ngan in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $54Koh Pha Ngan $27
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $108Koh Pha Ngan $54
Compare Hotels in Manila and Koh Pha Ngan
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Koh Pha Ngan? 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: Manila Hotel Prices and Koh Pha Ngan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14Koh Pha Ngan $15
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
-
Scooter Rental$9.42
-
Ferry Ride$16
-
Gas for Scooter$3.45
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Koh Pha Ngan?
Prices for flights to both Koh Pha Ngan and Manila 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
-
Food Meals for one dayManila $31Koh Pha Ngan $20
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
Typical Food Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Pha Ngan:
-
Noodle Lunch (for One)$1.26
-
Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$12
-
Smoothies (for Two)$1.26
-
Ice Cream$0.63
-
Juice$1.88
-
3 Spring Rolls$0.94
-
2 Pancakes$1.88
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $19Koh Pha Ngan $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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.90Koh Pha Ngan $11
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Pha Ngan
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:
-
Drinks at Irish Pub (for Two)$8.16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Koh Pha Ngan, we can see that Manila is more expensive. And not only is Koh Pha Ngan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Pha Ngan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Pha Ngan 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 Pha Ngan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manila Expensive? and Is Koh Pha Ngan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Koh Pha Ngan?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 880 times larger than the population of Koh Pha Ngan. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Koh Pha Ngan, 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 Manila or Koh Pha Ngan?
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 Manila or Koh Pha Ngan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Koh Pha Ngan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round. Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Koh Pha Ngan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Manila gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Manila usually receives more rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Manila is a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manila in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (76°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyManila 27°C (80°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Manila or Koh Pha Ngan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Manila as well as Koh Pha Ngan. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.
Also, December to March in Koh Pha Ngan is the dry season. October and November in Koh Pha Ngan is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Koh Pha Ngan. Manila receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Manila usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Koh Pha Ngan. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Manila is generally around the same temperature as Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 26°C (79°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManila 26°C (79°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Manila or Koh Pha Ngan in the Winter?
Both Koh Pha Ngan and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Pha Ngan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Koh Pha Ngan is December to March. In January, Manila usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Manila is around the same temperature as Koh Pha Ngan in the winter. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManila 24°C (76°F)Koh Pha Ngan 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Manila or Koh Pha Ngan in the Spring?
Both Koh Pha Ngan and Manila during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Pha Ngan year-round.
Manila usually gets less rain in April than Koh Pha Ngan. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Manila is a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manila in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (76°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilManila 29°C (84°F)Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Pha Ngan and Manila
| Manila | Koh Pha Ngan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 240 mm (9.5 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 335 mm (13.2 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.