Which place is cheaper, Manila or Ao Nang?
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 Ao Nang or Manila?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ao Nang or Manila? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Ao Nang or Manila?
Ao Nang
If you're looking for a relaxing beach on the coast of Thailand, it might be time to make a trip to Ao Nang. This developed and "westernized" beach was once the place to be for backpackers, but is now quite popular with package tourist crowds, too, as prices have risen in recent decades. Here you'll find nice hotels, restaurants, and plenty of fun activities at the beach and nearby, too.
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 Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines.
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Ao Nang Prices
Thailand PricesManila Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAo Nang $133Manila $98
The average daily cost (per person) in Ao Nang is $133, while the average daily cost in Manila is $98. 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 Ao Nang and Manila in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAo Nang $51Manila $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAo Nang $102Manila $100
Compare Hotels in Ao Nang and Manila
Looking for a hotel in Ao Nang 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: Ao Nang Hotel Prices and Manila Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ao Nang $63Manila $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ao Nang
Also for Ao Nang, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Krabi: Ao Nang To or From Phi Phi By Fast Speedboat Transfer: $31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- Transfers from Manila, Makati, Taguig and Pasay Hotel to Airport: $50
- Safe and secure Airport Transfer Best in Manila: $216
- Quality Safe and Reliable Manila Airport Transfers: $49
- Private Transfer from Manila Cruise Port to Manila Airport (MNL): $28
- Private Transfer from Manila Airport (MNL) to Manila Cruise Port: $28
- Private One-way Transfer From Manila To Manila Airport: $23
- Private Departure Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
- Private Departure Airport Transfer in Manila Bay and Makati Area: $23
- Private Arrival Airport Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
- Private Airport Transfer: Metro Manila → NAIA Airport (MNL): $30
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Paranaque Private Transfer: $120
- MNL Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $13
Is it cheaper to fly into Ao Nang or Manila?
Prices for flights to both Manila and Ao Nang 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 dayAo Nang $47Manila $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Manila.
- Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $60
- Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $60
- Ugbo Manila Street Food Tour with Tuktuk Ride: $60
- ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $62
- 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
- Intramuros and Chinatown Food Tour with Food Samples: $80
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $105
- A taste of Manila's History & Filipino Culture with Buffet Dinner: $175
- Subic: Sunset Dinner Yacht Cruise from Manila & Clark: $212
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ao Nang $12Manila $18
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- (Excursion) Day tour in Manila: $258
- A Full Day Tour Adventure From Manila’s History to Volcano Views: $180
- A Night in Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $23
- Amazing Taal Volcano Sightseeing & Pagsanjan Falls Tour 2in1: $125
- Antipolo Day Tour with Cloud 9 and Pinto Art Museum: $80
- BAGUIO CITY DAY TOUR (FROM MANILA): $357
- BANAUE:BATAD Rice Terraces with Sagada 4D3N PRIVATE TOUR: $7,130
- Banaue-Hapao Rice Terraces (Car Rental W/ Manila Tourist Driver): $300
- Cavite Leisure And Farm Tour: $170
- Club Crawl and Party Experience at BGC: $71
- Discover Tagaytay's Countryside: Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $85
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $39
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAo Nang $17Manila $9.17
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ao Nang and Manila, we can see that Ao Nang 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 Ao Nang would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ao Nang 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 Ao Nang Expensive? and Is Manila Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ao Nang or Manila?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 1310 times larger than the population of Ao Nang. When comparing the sizes of Ao Nang 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 Ao Nang or Manila?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Ao Nang or Manila in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Ao Nang as well as Manila. Ao Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year.
August to October in Ao Nang is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Manila. Ao Nang receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ao Nang usually gets less rain in July than Manila. Ao Nang gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Manila receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
Ao Nang is around the same temperature as Manila in the summer. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Manila fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAo Nang 28°C (82°F)Manila 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Manila in the Autumn?
Both Manila and Ao Nang are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ao Nang 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 Ao Nang is December to March. The rainy season in Ao Nang is August to October. It rains a lot this time of the year in Manila. It's quite rainy in Ao Nang. In October, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Manila. Ao Nang gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Manila receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Ao Nang is around the same temperature as Manila. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ao Nang in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Manila averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAo Nang 27°C (81°F)Manila 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Manila in the Winter?
Both Manila and Ao Nang during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ao Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round.
December to March is the dry season in Ao Nang. Ao Nang usually gets more rain in January than Manila. Ao Nang gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Manila receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Ao Nang is generally a little warmer than Manila. Daily temperatures in Ao Nang average around 28°C (82°F), and Manila fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAo Nang 28°C (82°F)Manila 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Ao Nang or Manila in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ao Nang and Manila. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ao Nang year-round. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Ao Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Ao Nang usually receives more rain than Manila. Ao Nang gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Manila receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Ao Nang is around the same temperature as Manila in the spring. The daily temperature in Ao Nang averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Manila fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAo Nang 29°C (84°F)Manila 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Manila and Ao Nang
| Ao Nang | Manila | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.