A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Lipe vs. Manila for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Koh Lipe or Manila?

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 Koh Lipe and Manila can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Koh Lipe or Manila?

Koh Lipe

Ko Lipe used to be one of Thailand's most gorgeous hidden treasures. While it's still breathtaking, it's certainly not hidden anymore. With a small community of approximately 700 chow lair, or sea gypsies, this region is doing its best to maintain the beauty of its culture and beaches despite the influx of tourism. The rapid development has seen additions of concrete cafes and travel agencies. There are still rich, cultural gems to find in Ko Lipe - you just have to be willing to wander.

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 Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines.


Which place is cheaper, Manila or Koh Lipe?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Lipe is $120, 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 Lipe and Manila in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Koh Lipe $50
    Manila $54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Koh Lipe $100
    Manila $108
Compare Hotels in Koh Lipe and Manila

Looking for a hotel in Koh Lipe 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.

Hotels in Koh Lipe


Hotels in Manila


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 Lipe Hotel Prices and Manila Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Koh Lipe $21
    Manila $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Koh Lipe

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Koh Lipe:

  • Private Transfer Pak Bara Pier to Hatyai Airport by Van: $80

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: $65
  • 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: $39

Is it cheaper to fly into Koh Lipe or Manila?

Prices for flights to both Manila and Koh Lipe 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 day
    Koh Lipe $52
    Manila $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⭐: $64
  • 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: $68
  • Binondo Chinatown Food Tour with Free Food Samples: $70
  • Manila Chinatown Food Tour with Local Guide: $73
  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Koh Lipe $27
    Manila $19

Tours and Activities in Koh Lipe

Here are a few actual costs in Koh Lipe for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Experience the Koh Lipe Backyard including 5 Mysterious Islands: $25
  • Full-Day Koh Lipe 7 Islands Snorkeling Experience with Lunch: $27
  • Experience the Koh Lipe Frontier in the Eastern Adang Archipelago: $29
  • Private Experience with Fishing, Barbeque, Sashimi and Snorkeling: $78
  • Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) 1 day Experience: $127
  • Koh Lipe Beginner Scuba Diving Half Day Tour with Lunch: $131

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: $24
  • 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: $31
  • Old Manila Intramuros Area Walking Tour: $31
  • Manila night cruise, night life, foodie tour and 3d theather: $33
  • Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $35
  • Intramuros Night Bamboo Bike Tour: $35
  • Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Koh Lipe $9.42
    Manila $9.90


When comparing the travel costs between Koh Lipe and Manila, we can see that Koh Lipe is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Lipe Expensive? and Is Manila Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Koh Lipe 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 Lipe or Manila in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lipe and Manila. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lipe year-round. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Manila receives a lot of rain in the summer. Koh Lipe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Lipe usually receives less rain than Manila. Koh Lipe gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Manila receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In July, Koh Lipe is generally around the same temperature as Manila. Daily temperatures in Koh Lipe average around 27°C (81°F), and Manila fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Koh Lipe 27°C (81°F) 
    Manila 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Manila in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Lipe as well as Manila. Koh Lipe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year.

Also, December to April in Koh Lipe is the dry season. May to October in Koh Lipe is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Manila. Koh Lipe receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Lipe usually gets more rain in October than Manila. Koh Lipe gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Manila receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Koh Lipe is around the same temperature as Manila in the autumn. The daily temperature in Koh Lipe averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Manila fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Koh Lipe 27°C (81°F) 
    Manila 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Manila in the Winter?

Both Manila and Koh Lipe are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lipe throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Koh Lipe usually receives more rain than Manila. Koh Lipe gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Manila receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In the winter, Koh Lipe is around the same temperature as Manila. Typically, the winter temperatures in Koh Lipe in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Manila averages at about 24°C (76°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Koh Lipe 27°C (80°F) 
    Manila 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Manila in the Spring?

Both Manila and Koh Lipe during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lipe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round.

December to April is the dry season in Koh Lipe. May to October is the rainy season in Koh Lipe. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lipe. Koh Lipe usually gets more rain in April than Manila. Koh Lipe gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Manila receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

In April, Koh Lipe is generally around the same temperature as Manila. Daily temperatures in Koh Lipe average around 29°C (85°F), and Manila fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Koh Lipe 29°C (85°F) 
    Manila 29°C (84°F)

Typical Weather for Manila and Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe 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)