Which place is cheaper, Kuala Lumpur or Manila?
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 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 a fairly affordable city by global standards, 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 2-Week Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia.
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Manila Prices
Philippines PricesKuala Lumpur Prices
Malaysia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $98Kuala Lumpur $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $98, while the average daily cost in Kuala Lumpur is $88. 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 $50Kuala Lumpur $44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $100Kuala Lumpur $88
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 $13Kuala Lumpur $7.63
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 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
- MNL Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $13
- Amazing Taal Volcano Island Boat Tour with Transfers: $120
- Manila Private Airport Transfer: Comfortable & Affordable: $38
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$3.78
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.81
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Short Taxi Ride$3.78
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Taxi From Airport$23
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Bus from Airport$2.01
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$3.02
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Train to Airport$1.23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport Departure Transfer KLIA1/KLIA2: $13
- Private Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $17
- Private Kuala Lumpur Airport Arrival Transfer: $17
- Kuala Lumpur Hotels to Sunway Lagoon Theme Park Transfer: $17
- Kuala Lumpur Hotels to Sunway Lagoon Theme Park Transfer (1-way): $17
- Kuala Lumpur Hotel to Airport Transfer: $18
- Kuala Lumpur City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Airport Transfer: $18
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Kuala Lumpur City Transfer: $18
- Kuala Lumpur Airport to Kuala Lumpur City Transfer: $18
- Kuala Lumpur Hotel to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer: $18
- KLIA to Kuala Lumpur Private Transfer: $19
- Kuala Lumpur Airport (KUL) to Kuala Lumpur - Arrival Transfer: $20
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 $29Kuala Lumpur $31
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
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$10
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Roti Bread$0.25
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Food Court Lunch$3.63
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$5.41
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:
- From Batu Caves Night Tour + Indian Set Dinner: $28
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $41
- Kuala Selangor Fireflies & Blue Tears Guided Tour w Dinner (SIC): $50
- Sambal Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $52
- Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 12+ Authentic Dishes & Local Secrets: $54
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $55
- Laksa Lanes Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- Kuala Lumpur Food Tour: $60
- Spiritual Healing and Authentic Cooking with Local Host: $61
- 'Kelip Kelip' Fireflies Tour include Dinner + Free Boat-Ride: $65
- 'Kelip Kelip' Fireflies & Batu Caves Tour include Seafood Dinner & Boat Ride: $65
- Firefly Tour en-route Batu Caves Include Dinner + Boat-Ride: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $18Kuala Lumpur $16
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
- Calatagan Beach Waterpark Island Hopping Adventure from Manila: $248
- Cavite Leisure And Farm Tour: $170
- Club Crawl and Party Experience at BGC: $71
- Discover Tagaytay's Countryside: Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $85
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)$11
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.26
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Sunway Lagoon Ticket: $3.78
- Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Pass: $7.41
- Kuala Lumpur Half Day City Guided Tour (SIC/Shared Tour): $8.00
- Kuala Lumpur Suburbs Batu Caves Half-Day Tour (SIC/Shared Tour): $8.00
- Kuala Lumpur at Your Own Pace: The Complete Self-Guided Tour: $8.24
- KL Tower Admission E-Ticket with Options: $8.65
- Malaysia: KL Tower Admission E-Ticket with Options: $9.56
- Museum Of Illusions Standard Admission Ticket: $9.88
- Genting Highlands Premium Outlets Cable Car Ticket: $9.99
- Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $11
- Selangor: Zoo Negara E-Ticket: $11
- Malaysia Cruise Tasik Putrajaya: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.17Kuala Lumpur $6.97
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$11
When comparing the travel costs between Manila and Kuala Lumpur, we can see that Manila 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 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.