vs
Manilais 5% cheaper — BDI "Fair" (51/10) vs Kuala Lumpur "Fair" (47/10). Dorms avg $12/night vs $12/night.
Quick Verdict
Best For…
Traveler type
🇲🇾 Kuala Lumpur
🇵🇭 Manila
Solo budget traveler
★★★★★
15 hostels, avg 8.5 rating
★★★★★
15 hostels, avg 8.4 rating
Couple on a budget
★★★★★
Private rooms avg $25/night
★★★★★
Private rooms avg $34/night
Digital nomad
★★★★★
Coffee $3.43, dorms avg $12
★★★★★
Coffee $2.70, dorms avg $12
Nightlife seeker
★★★★★
Beer $4.74, 15 hostels
★★★★★
Beer $1.96, 15 hostels
First-time Europer
★★★★★
25 attractions
★★★★★
25 attractions
Cost Comparison
Daily Budget
| Tier | 🇲🇾 Kuala Lumpur | 🇵🇭 Manila | You Save / day |
|---|---|---|---|
Shoestring Dorm bed · street food · free activities | $21 | $20 cheaper | $1/day |
Comfortable Mix of dorm & private · restaurants | $41 | $32 cheaper | $9/day |
Flashpacker Private rooms · dining out · some tours | $76 | $54 cheaper | $22/day |
Price Intelligence
Seasonal Price Curve
Everyday Costs
Cost of Living
| Item | 🇲🇾 Kuala Lumpur | 🇵🇭 Manila |
|---|---|---|
| 🥙Street food meal Local market, street stall | $5.12 1% less | $5.15 |
| 🍽️Mid-range meal Sit-down restaurant, one person | $15.38 | $12.10 21% less |
| 🍺Beer (local draft) 500ml at a bar | $4.74 | $1.96 59% less |
| ☕Coffee Espresso or flat white | $3.43 | $2.70 21% less |
| 🚇Single metro / bus Standard single ticket | $0.77 | $0.60 22% less |
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Our Verdict + Hostel Quality
🇲🇾▼
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
47
BDI: Fair
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Moderate dorm prices (avg $12/night).
Hostel Quality
Avg guest rating8.5
Top-rated hostelSunshine Bedz Kl (9.3)
Annual dorm avg$12/night
Total hostels15
🇵🇭▼
Manila
Philippines
51
BDI: Fair
Brokepackr Deal Index™
Moderate dorm prices (avg $12/night).
Hostel Quality
Avg guest rating8.5
Top-rated hostelThe Grid Co Living Managed By Hii (9.7)
Annual dorm avg$12/night
Total hostels15
Entry Requirements
Visa & Entry
Passport
🇲🇾 Kuala Lumpur
🇵🇭 Manila
🇪🇺 EU / EEA
Visa Free (90d)
Visa Free (30d)
🇺🇸 US
Visa Free (90d)
Visa Free (30d)
🇬🇧 UK
Visa Free (90d)
Visa Free (30d)
🇦🇺 Australia
Visa Free (90d)
Visa Free (30d)
🇨🇦 Canada
Visa Free (90d)
Visa Free (30d)
Flights
Getting There
City to City
Getting Between Kuala Lumpur & Manila
Climate
Weather & Best Time to Visit
°C · mm
🇲🇾 Kuala Lumpur
32°C
High
/
24°C
Low
🌧 Rainfall: 202mm/month
Best months: Mar
🇵🇭 Manila
32°C
High
/
25°C
Low
🌧 Rainfall: 13mm/month
Best months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov
Things To Do
Top Attractions
🇲🇾 Kuala Lumpur
1. Petaling Jaya MuseumFree
2. Bukit Gasing - KL viewFree
3. Bukit Gasing - Puchong viewFree
4. Forestry Information CentreFree
5. NN Gallery Sdn BhdFree
🇵🇭 Manila
1. Ayala MuseumFree
2. San Juan BridgeFree
3. The Life and Heroism of Gat Andres Bonifac…Free
4. Boom Na BoomFree
5. Douglas MacArthurFree
Common Questions
FAQ
Is Kuala Lumpur or Manila cheaper for backpackers?+
How many hostels are in Kuala Lumpur vs Manila?+
Do I need a visa for Kuala Lumpur or Manila?+
When is the best time to visit Kuala Lumpur or Manila?+
What's the cheapest month to visit Kuala Lumpur and Manila?+
Keep Exploring
People Also Compared
Ready to book?
Plan a trip to both cities
Full itinerary with real-time flights, hostels & transport — built on our 64k+ price index.
Build Your Itinerary →Free · No account required · Results in under 30 seconds