Which place is cheaper, Manila or Vang Vieng?
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 Vang Vieng or Manila?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Manila? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Vang Vieng or Manila?
Vang Vieng
Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.
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 Adventure Tours to Laos, The Best Budget Tours to Laos, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines.
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Vang Vieng Prices
Laos PricesManila Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVang Vieng $19Manila $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Vang Vieng is $19, 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 Vang Vieng and Manila in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVang Vieng $4.25Manila $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVang Vieng $8.50Manila $108
Compare Hotels in Vang Vieng and Manila
Looking for a hotel in Vang Vieng 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: Vang Vieng Hotel Prices and Manila Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vang Vieng $3.11Manila $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vang Vieng
Also for Vang Vieng, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared transfer from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang city: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- Safe and secure Airport Transfer Best in Manila: $216
- Tagaytay-Pagsanjan Falls combo tour with transfers** updated 2024: $180
- Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
- Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $139
- Amazing Taal Volcano Island Boat Tour with Transfers: $120
- Private Arrival Transfer: Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Manila: $98
- Airport Transfer from Manila Airport: $96
- METRO MANILA AIRPORT TRANSFERS | VAN: $64
- Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $53
- Transfers from Manila, Makati, Taguig and Pasay Hotel to Airport: $50
- Quality Safe and Reliable Manila Airport Transfers: $49
- Private Departure Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
Is it cheaper to fly into Vang Vieng or Manila?
Prices for flights to both Manila and Vang Vieng 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 dayVang Vieng $11Manila $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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vang Vieng $4.76Manila $19
Tours and Activities in Vang Vieng
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vang Vieng.
- Nam Song River Kayak Tour: $18
- Tham Nangfar and Tham Nam Day Tour with Kayaking: $24
- Get Your Laos–China Train Ticket Fast – No Waiting, No Worries: $30
- Blue Lagoon and Countryside Bike Tour with Lunch: $38
- Vangrong Full Day Tour: $45
- Vang Vieng Shared Tour with Kayaking in Nam Song River: $48
- Vang Vieng Bike Tour: $49
- One Day Guided Tour: Kayaking, Zipline & Tubing In The Cave from Vang Vieng : $50
- Kayaking&Zipline&Cave Tubing&cave tour: $51
- Vangrong One Day Shared Tour: $52
- Vang Vieng Tour B - Nam Xay Viewpoint Hike & Blue Lagoon 1 Tour: $55
- Laos: Jungle Zipline and Caving Tour: $58
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVang Vieng $1.11Manila $9.90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Manila, we can see that Manila is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vang Vieng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vang Vieng Expensive? and Is Manila Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Manila?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 420 times larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Manila, 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 Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng or Manila in the Summer?
Both Manila and Vang Vieng during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round.
Manila gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in July than Manila. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Manila receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
Vang Vieng is cooler than Manila in the summer. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Manila fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVang Vieng 22°C (72°F)Manila 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Manila in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Manila. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Manila receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Manila. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Manila receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Vang Vieng is cooler than Manila. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vang Vieng in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Manila averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Manila 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Manila in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Manila. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year.
Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in January than Manila. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Manila receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Vang Vieng is generally around the same temperature as Manila. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 24°C (75°F), and Manila fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVang Vieng 24°C (75°F)Manila 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Vang Vieng or Manila in the Spring?
Both Manila and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Vang Vieng. In April, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Manila. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Manila receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Vang Vieng is cooler than Manila in the spring. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in April, and Manila fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVang Vieng 23°C (73°F)Manila 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Manila and Vang Vieng
| Vang Vieng | Manila | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) |
| Jul | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 81 mm (3.2 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.