Which place is cheaper, Manila or Pai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Pai or Manila?
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 Pai and Manila. 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: Pai or Manila?
Pai
As the lush green mountains adorn the blue horizon amidst its creamy clouds, Pai, in northern Thailand, works as one of the many hubs for some of the world's most exciting cultural adventures and natural wonders. Within this small town just north of the Mae Hong Son Province, near the Myanmar border, Pai lays on the Pai River and holds a population of no more than 2,500. Despite its geographical insignificance, this town attracts a wide array of tourists. From breathtaking waterfalls to relaxing hot springs, you will find yourself astonished at how much this little city holds within its borders.
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 G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines.
-
Pai Prices
Thailand PricesManila Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPai $91Manila $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Pai is $91, 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 Pai and Manila in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPai $16Manila $54
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPai $32Manila $108
Compare Hotels in Pai and Manila
Looking for a hotel in Pai 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: Pai Hotel Prices and Manila Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pai $42Manila $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Manila HTL-APT (MNL): $30
- Transfers from Manila, Makati, Taguig and Pasay Hotel to Airport: $50
- Tagaytay-Pagsanjan Falls combo tour with transfers** updated 2024: $180
- 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): $29
- Private Transfer from Manila Airport (MNL) to Manila Cruise Port: $29
- Private One-way Transfer From Manila To Manila Airport: $24
- Private Departure Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
- Private Arrival Transfer: Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Manila: $98
- Private Arrival Airport Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
- MNL Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $13
Is it cheaper to fly into Pai or Manila?
Prices for flights to both Manila and Pai 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 dayPai $42Manila $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⭐: $62
- 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: $66
- Binondo Chinatown Food Tour with Free Food Samples: $70
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour with Local Guide: $71
- 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.Pai $46Manila $19
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 Day in Paradise at Villa Escudero Coconut Plantation Adventure: $150
- A Night in Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $23
- Active Taal Volcano Sightseeing & Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour (2in1): $135
- Amazing Taal Volcano Sightseeing & Pagsanjan Falls Tour 2in1: $125
- Amazing Taal Volcano Tour (Boat Included): $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
- Bataan Death March Memorial Historical Tour : $208
- Club Crawl and Party Experience at BGC: $71
- Discover Tagaytay's Countryside: Half-Day Sightseeing Tour : $85
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPai $15Manila $9.90
When comparing the travel costs between Pai and Manila, 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 Pai Expensive? and Is Manila Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pai or Manila?
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 Pai or Manila in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Pai as well as Manila. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Manila. Pai receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pai usually gets less rain in July than Manila. Pai gets 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Manila receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, Pai is generally around the same temperature as Manila. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 29°C (85°F), and Manila fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyPai 29°C (85°F)Manila 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Pai or Manila in the Autumn?
Both Manila and Pai are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Manila. It's quite rainy in Pai. In October, Pai usually receives less rain than Manila. Pai gets 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Manila receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Pai is around the same temperature as Manila in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Manila fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPai 29°C (84°F)Manila 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Pai or Manila in the Winter?
Both Manila and Pai during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round.
Pai usually gets less rain in January than Manila. Pai gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Manila receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Pai is around the same temperature as Manila. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pai in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Manila averages at about 24°C (76°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPai 24°C (74°F)Manila 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Pai or Manila in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pai and Manila. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Pai usually receives more rain than Manila. Pai gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Manila receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Pai can become quite hot in the spring. In April, Pai is generally around the same temperature as Manila. Daily temperatures in Pai average around 32°C (89°F), and Manila fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilPai 32°C (89°F)Manila 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Manila and Pai
| Pai | Manila | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (83°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 32°C (89°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| May | 31°C (88°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (85°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) |
| Oct | 29°C (84°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 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.