Which place is cheaper, Boracay or Kuala Lumpur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kuala Lumpur or Boracay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kuala Lumpur and Boracay. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Kuala Lumpur or Boracay?
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also an incredibly affordable city, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
Boracay
A small island in the Philippines known for its resorts and beaches, Boracay is a little escape. Each beach has its own unique character, each with new treasures waiting to be discovered.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, and The Best Adventure Tours to Philippines.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKuala Lumpur $62Boracay $56
The average daily cost (per person) in Kuala Lumpur is $62, while the average daily cost in Boracay is $56. 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 Kuala Lumpur and Boracay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKuala Lumpur $36Boracay $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKuala Lumpur $72Boracay $46
Compare Hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Boracay
Looking for a hotel in Kuala Lumpur or Boracay? 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: Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kuala Lumpur $6.41Boracay $28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.14
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.67
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Short Taxi Ride$3.14
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Taxi From Airport$19
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Bus from Airport$1.68
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer in Kuala Lumpur: $34
- *Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Car Transfer: $268
- *Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Transfer [Van]: $173
- 2 Way Transfer to or from Kuala Lumpur International Airport : $25
- AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort Hotel To Kuala Lumpur International Airport KLIA KLIA2 Transfer: $50
- Airport Arrival Transfer-VIP Class: $200
- Airport Transfer Hotel - KL Airport (KLIA / KLIA 2 || Private): $40
- Airport Transfer from/to KLIA /KLIA 2: $25
- Airport to Hotel Drop Off Transfer (Kuala Lumpur): $50
- Airport transfer : $40
- Arrival Private Transfer Kuala Lumpur Airport KUL to Kuala Lumpur by Minivan: $48
- Arrival Private Transfers from Airport KUL to Kuala Lumpur in Business Van: $115
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boracay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boracay:
- Speedboat Caticlan to Boracay Transfer (Oneway): $81
- PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER TO BORACAY: $59
- Departure: Ferry boat Transfer Boracay to Caticlan Airport: $30
- Caticlan: Shared Airport Transfer From/To Boracay: $54
- Caticlan: Ferry Boat Airport Transfer To Boracay: $41
- Shared Transfer from/to MPH for Domestic Passports: $21
- Private Transfer from Caticlan Airport to Boracay: $43
- Boracay Transfer round trip with Island Hopping: $69
- Boracay Adventures Transfer Services Via Caticlan: $35
- Airport Transfer to Boracay or vice versa: $26
Is it cheaper to fly into Kuala Lumpur or Boracay?
Prices for flights to both Boracay and Kuala Lumpur 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 dayKuala Lumpur $15Boracay $14
Typical Food Prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$8.39
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Roti Bread$0.21
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Food Court Lunch$3.02
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$4.51
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- ARAS Restaurant at KL Tower Buffet Dinner: $28
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $43
- Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Cultural Night Experience with Buffet Dinner : $53
- From Kuala Selangor Fireflies Tour with Dinner: $53
- Cultural Night Tour with Dinner: $55
- Malaysia Cooking Classes: $60
- Kuala Lumpur by Night and Malaysian Food Tour: $61
- Petaling Street Heritage Food Tour: $62
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $63
- Kuala Selangor Fireflies Tour Include Seafood Dinner (Free Boat Ride): $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kuala Lumpur $13Boracay $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
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KL Tower Admission (for Two)$9.43
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.05
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- KL Tower Admission E-Ticket with Options: $3.92
- Malaysia: KL Tower Entry Ticket: $4.60
- Alive 3D Art Gallery Admission Ticket: $7.67
- Zoo Negara Instant Entry E-Ticket: $9.81
- Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $9.81
- KL Tower Observation Deck Entry Ticket: $11
- KL Tower Admission Ticket: $12
- Kuala Lumpur's Cultural Highlights and Landmarks: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Berjaya Times Square Theme Park Entry Ticket: $12
- Malaysia: Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $13
- KL Tower Admission Ticket: $13
- Half-Day City Tour: $13
Tours and Activities in Boracay
Here are a few actual costs in Boracay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hours Boracay Land Tour via Etrike: $26
- Aklan Tibiao Antique Tour : $190
- Atv Mainland Adventure with lunch: $63
- Best Boracay Sunset Party Boat Experience: $45
- Boracay - Crystal Kayak phot-op Experience: $9.02
- Boracay ATV Tour and Kawa Hot Bath: $85
- Boracay Buggy Car Adventure: $105
- Boracay Cliff Jumping & Snorkeling Experience (Private): $105
- Boracay Eco-Hopping Tour: $86
- Boracay Helicopter Tour with Red Whale Party Yacht: $204
- Boracay Hopping Tour with Standard Boodle Fight Lunch: $36
- Boracay Island Hopping +Banana Boat (Shared Tour): $41
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKuala Lumpur $6.21Boracay $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$9.43
When comparing the travel costs between Kuala Lumpur and Boracay, we can see that Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur Expensive? and Is Boracay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or Boracay?
Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 630 times larger than the population of Boracay. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur and Boracay, 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.