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.
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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.
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Koh Lipe Prices
Thailand PricesManila Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKoh Lipe $115Manila $98
The average daily cost (per person) in Koh Lipe is $115, 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 Koh Lipe and Manila in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKoh Lipe $48Manila $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKoh Lipe $96Manila $100
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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Koh Lipe $20Manila $13
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: $91
- Direct Transfer from Koh Lipe to Phuket by Speedboat: $102
- Comfortable Koh Lipe to Phuket Direct Speedboat Transfer: $111
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- Adventure Awaits: Spelunking at Cavinti Cave Complex w/ Transfers: $160
- Airport Transfer from Manila Airport: $96
- Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $150
- Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
- Full On 5-7 hours ATV Adventure Rivers-Mountains-Jungle with Transfers Manila: $280
- METRO MANILA AIRPORT TRANSFERS | VAN: $64
- 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: $51
- Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $30
- Manila Private Airport Transfer: Comfortable & Affordable: $38
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
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Food Meals for one dayKoh Lipe $50Manila $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: $51
- Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $51
- 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.Koh Lipe $25Manila $18
Tours and Activities in Koh Lipe
Here are a few actual costs in Koh Lipe for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Koh Lipe Low Season Snorkeling Tour by Traditional Longtail Boat: $21
- Experience the Koh Lipe Backyard including 5 Mysterious Islands: $23
- 7 Islands 8 Spots Far Away Longtail Boat Snorkeling Tour: $24
- Experience the Koh Lipe Frontier in the Eastern Adang Archipelago: $27
- Full-Day Koh Lipe 7 Islands Snorkeling Experience with Lunch: $29
- Koh Lipe 5 Stunning Island Snorkeling Tour by Longtail Boat: $31
- Koh Lipe Highlight 5 Islands Snorkeling Adventure Day Trip: $33
- Private Experience with Fishing, Barbeque, Sashimi and Snorkeling: $74
- Private Koh Lipe Inner Zone Snorkeling Tour by Longtail Boat: $113
- Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) 1 day Experience: $122
- Koh Lipe Beginner Scuba Diving Half Day Tour with Lunch: $125
- Koh Lipe Unseen 7 Islands Day Tour by Private Longtail Boat: $133
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- Guided Tour of the Historic San Sebastian Basilica (Manila): $6.42
- Skip the Line: Hike Eat Swim at Mount Purro Nature Reserve Ticket: $22
- A Night in Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $23
- Explore the Urban Art of Mural and Street Art Tour: $25
- Fort Santiago Guided Tour: $25
- The Dessert Museum Entry Ticket: $27
- Viva Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $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
- Intramuros Night Bamboo Bike Tour: $34
- Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $34
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKoh Lipe $9.01Manila $9.18
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Koh Lipe and Manila, we can see that Koh Lipe 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 Lipe would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koh Lipe 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 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).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKoh 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).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKoh 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).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKoh 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).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKoh 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) |
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.