Which place is cheaper, Kuala Lumpur or Manila?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Manila or Kuala Lumpur?
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 Kuala Lumpur can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Kuala Lumpur?
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.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Philippines, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $94Kuala Lumpur $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $94, while the average daily cost in Kuala Lumpur is $62. 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 Kuala Lumpur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $55Kuala Lumpur $36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $110Kuala Lumpur $72
Compare Hotels in Manila and Kuala Lumpur
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Kuala Lumpur? 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 Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14Kuala Lumpur $6.41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- ⭐ Manila International Airport Car Transfer To & From City⭐: $72
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Manila APT-HTL (MNL) : $30
- Transfers from Manila, Makati, Taguig and Pasay Hotel to Airport: $50
- Round-trip Coron Airport Transfer + Town Tour (Shared): $31
- Private Transfer from Manila Airport (MNL) to Manila Cruise Port: $22
- Private Transfer from Clark Airport (CRK) to Subic Bay Port: $46
- Private One-way Airport Transfer(Manila Airport To/From Manila): $22
- Private Departure Airport Transfer in Manila Bay and Makati Area: $23
- Private Arrival Transfer: Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Manila: $68
- Private Arrival Airport Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Paranaque Private Transfer: $120
- Nagpatong Rock Day hike + Tungtong Falls(with transfers**) 2023: $130
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 Transfer : Kuala Lumpur Attractions: $7.84
- Exclusive Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer: $14
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer Services: $15
- Private Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $15
- PVT Arrival Transfer<>KLIA 1/2 to Kuala Lumpur: $17
- Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $17
- Kuala Lumpur Airport Arrival Transfer: $17
- Sunway Lagoon Theme Park to Kuala Lumpur Hotels Transfer: $17
- Kuala Lumpur Hotels to Sunway Lagoon Theme Park Transfer (1-way): $17
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer to City Hotels: $17
- Kuala Lumpur City to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer: $18
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer : $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Kuala Lumpur?
Prices for flights to both Kuala Lumpur 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 $18Kuala Lumpur $15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Manila.
- Manila Night Market and food tour Experience: $58
- Makati Street Food Tour Experience: $63
- ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $63
- Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $65
- Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $65
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour Experience with Mari: $81
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $120
- Cultural Dinner and Show in Manila: $145
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:
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $43
- Malaysian Culture and Street Food Tour : $44
- Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $48
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Authentic Malaysian Street Food Tour in Kampung Baru: $50
- Best Local Food Tour by Night at Kuala Lumpur : $55
- From Kuala Selangor Fireflies Tour with Dinner: $55
- ARAS Restaurant at KL Tower Buffet Dinner: $58
- Kuala Lumpur Food Tour: $59
- Kuala Lumpur by Night and Malaysian Food Tour: $61
- Petaling Street Heritage Food Tour: $62
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $20Kuala Lumpur $13
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- Active Taal Volcano Sightseeing & Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour (2in1): $135
- Bataan Death March Memorial Historical Tour : $188
- Club Crawl and Party Experience at BGC: $72
- Corregidor daytour Via Manila to Bataan: $298
- Discover Tagaytay's Countryside: Half-Day Sightseeing Tour : $80
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37
- From 4-Day Sagada and Banaue Rice Terraces Tour: $339
- From Day Tour to Enchanting Hidden Valley: $160
- From Majestic Pagsanjan Falls Adventure: $160
- From Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour: $99
- From Panoramic Tagaytay Ridge Tour: $150
- From Taal Volcano Island & Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour: $135
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: $3.91
- Malaysia: KL Tower Entry Ticket: $4.61
- Alive 3D Art Gallery Admission Ticket: $7.67
- Zoo Negara Instant Entry E-Ticket: $9.78
- Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $9.78
- KL Tower Observation Deck Entry Ticket: $11
- KL Tower Admission Ticket: $12
- Berjaya Times Square Theme Park Entry Ticket: $12
- Malaysia: Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $13
- KL Tower Admission Ticket: $13
- KL Tower Admission Ticket: $13
- Half-Day City Tour: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.97Kuala Lumpur $6.21
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Kuala Lumpur, we can see that Manila is more expensive. And not only is Kuala Lumpur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kuala Lumpur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manila Expensive? and Is Kuala Lumpur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Kuala Lumpur?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Kuala Lumpur. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Kuala Lumpur, 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 Manila or Kuala Lumpur?
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 Manila or Kuala Lumpur in the Summer?
Both Kuala Lumpur and Manila during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round.
Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Manila. Manila usually gets more rain in July than Kuala Lumpur. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Manila is around the same temperature as Kuala Lumpur. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manila in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Kuala Lumpur averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManila 27°C (80°F)Kuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Manila or Kuala Lumpur in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Kuala Lumpur. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Manila gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Manila usually receives less rain than Kuala Lumpur. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 280 mm (11 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Manila is generally around the same temperature as Kuala Lumpur. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 26°C (79°F), and Kuala Lumpur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManila 26°C (79°F)Kuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Manila or Kuala Lumpur in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Manila as well as Kuala Lumpur. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. Manila usually gets less rain in January than Kuala Lumpur. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
Manila is cooler than Kuala Lumpur in the winter. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Kuala Lumpur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManila 24°C (76°F)Kuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Manila or Kuala Lumpur in the Spring?
Both Kuala Lumpur and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. In April, Manila usually receives less rain than Kuala Lumpur. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Manila is around the same temperature as Kuala Lumpur. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manila in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Kuala Lumpur averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManila 29°C (84°F)Kuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kuala Lumpur and Manila
| Manila | Kuala Lumpur | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 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.