Which place is cheaper, Ulaanbaatar or Manila?
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 Manila or Ulaanbaatar?
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 Ulaanbaatar can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Ulaanbaatar?
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.
Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia's capital city. It has a population of slightly over two million people, or about sixty percent of the country's entire population. You are likely to arrive in Ulaanbaatar either by train, coming from China or Russia, or by plane. Many people use Ulaanbaatar as a stop off while doing the Transsiberian Railway. The city is a great place to organize a tour of the surrounding countryside. It's also good city to relax, so make sure you allow yourself a few days to recover from your tour, enjoy some of the great food options, and see some of the fascinating cultural sights around town.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mongolia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Mongolia.
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Manila Prices
Philippines PricesUlaanbaatar Prices
Mongolia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $106Ulaanbaatar $30
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $106, while the average daily cost in Ulaanbaatar is $30. 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 Ulaanbaatar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $54Ulaanbaatar $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $108Ulaanbaatar $22
Compare Hotels in Manila and Ulaanbaatar
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Ulaanbaatar? 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 Ulaanbaatar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14Ulaanbaatar $2.79
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ulaanbaatar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ulaanbaatar:
- ULN Airport to Downtown|Hotels Private Transfer: $21
- BEST 5* Chinggis Khaan Airport UBN to Ulaanbaatar Transfer Taxi: $23
- Airport Transfer Taxi Shuttle Pick Up: $23
- Private Airport Transfer taxi in Ulaanbaatar: $30
- Best Price :Terelj National Park Best Non-Guided Transfers: $36
- Private Transfer from Chinggis Khaan Airport to Ulaanbaatar: $38
- Airport - Ulaanbaatar transfer service: $40
- New Ulaanbaatar International Airport Transfer Service: $45
- Chinggis Khaan Airport (UBN) Private Transfer to Ulaanbaatar City: $47
- Private Transfer to Ulaanbaatar Airport UBN by private Vehicule: $51
- Private Transfer Ulaanbaatar Airport UBN to Ulaanbaatar City : $51
- Transfer service to Terelj national park : $51
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Ulaanbaatar?
Prices for flights to both Ulaanbaatar 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
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Food Meals for one dayManila $31Ulaanbaatar $15
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ulaanbaatar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ulaanbaatar.
- Cooking Class in a Traditional Ger Home in Ulaanbaatar Suburbs: $182
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $19Ulaanbaatar $4.24
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
Tours and Activities in Ulaanbaatar
Here are a few actual costs in Ulaanbaatar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Gobi Cashmere Flagship Store Shopping Tour: $35
- Terelj national park transport /Best price tour: $36
- Private custom walking tour with a local guide: $40
- Secrets of the Mongol Script: 1-Hour Script Experience: $49
- Genghis Khan Tour – Mongolia’s #1 Daily Escape: $50
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $52
- Ulaanbaatar Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private): $52
- From UB: Day Tour to Chinggis khaan statue and Terelj NP.: $58
- From Chinggis Khaan Statue and Turtle Rock Day Tour: $59
- Chinggis Khaan Statue and Turtle Rock Day Tour: $59
- Private Tour drive to Chinggis Khan Statue & Terelj National Park: $60
- Full Day Tour of Ulaanbaatar With Museum, Black-market Cashmere Factory Store: $62
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.90Ulaanbaatar $3.67
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Ulaanbaatar, we can see that Manila is more expensive. And not only is Ulaanbaatar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ulaanbaatar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ulaanbaatar 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 Ulaanbaatar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manila Expensive? and Is Ulaanbaatar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Ulaanbaatar?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ulaanbaatar. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Ulaanbaatar, 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.
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.