A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Addis Ababa vs. Manila for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Addis Ababa or Manila?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Manila, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Addis Ababa or Manila?

Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia and also the nation's largest when ranked by its population of over three million. There are also more than 120 international missions and embassies in Addis Ababa, making the city a hub for international diplomacy concerning Africa. Other draws include its thriving marketplaces, spicy food, and rich coffee.

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 2-Week Tours in Philippines, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines.


Which place is cheaper, Manila or Addis Ababa?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $29, while the average daily cost in Manila is $99. 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 Addis Ababa and Manila in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Addis Ababa $16
    Manila $50
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Addis Ababa $32
    Manila $100
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Manila

Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa 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.

Hotels in Addis Ababa


Hotels in Manila


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: Addis Ababa Hotel Prices and Manila Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Addis Ababa $2.80
    Manila $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa

Also for Addis Ababa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Pickup and transfer: $18
  • Addis Ababa Airport transfer and shuttle service(privet): $23
  • Addis Ababa Airport pickup and Transfer: $29
  • Bole International Airport to Addis Ababa Private Transfer: $30
  • City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $39
  • Cultural Show and Jazz Night with Transfers: $44
  • Addis Ababa Airport in/out transfer: $49
  • Private Addis Ababa Airport Transfer: $55
  • Customizable Layover Tour with Transfers: $55
  • Photography Tour with Guide & Transfer: $62
  • Private Tour with Local Guide and Transfers: $65
  • Luxury Private Mercedes Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa: $75

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:

  • Full On 5-7 hours ATV Adventure Rivers-Mountains-Jungle with Transfers Manila: $280
  • Safe and secure Airport Transfer Best in Manila: $216
  • Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
  • Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $150
  • Amazing Taal Volcano Island Boat Tour with Transfers: $120
  • Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Paranaque Private Transfer: $120
  • Airport Transfer from Manila Airport: $96
  • Half Day Intramuros and Distillery Experience with Transfer: $73
  • METRO MANILA AIRPORT TRANSFERS | VAN: $64
  • Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $52
  • Transfers from Manila, Makati, Taguig and Pasay Hotel to Airport: $50
  • Quality Safe and Reliable Manila Airport Transfers: $49

Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Manila?

Prices for flights to both Manila and Addis Ababa 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 day
    Addis Ababa $11
    Manila $29
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:


  • Slice of Cake
    $0.04

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Addis Ababa

For Addis Ababa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Authentic Ethiopian Cooking Class with a Local Host: $47
  • Addis Eats Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $49
  • Addis Ababa Food Tour: Ethiopian Cuisine, Coffee & Drinks: $50
  • Addis Eats Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $50
  • Berbere Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $50
  • Flavors of Ethiopia: Hands-On Cooking Class in Addis Ababa: $55
  • Food tour in Addis Ababa with airport pick-up.: $56
  • Totot Cultural Feast & Rhythm Show With Dinner: $60
  • Addis Ababa Ethiopian Food Cooking Class and Kitchen Tour: $60
  • Addis Ababa Cooking, Coffee & Traditional Drink Tasting: $65
  • Ethiopian Cooking Class with Coffee Ceremony: $70
  • Ethiopian Enjera Cooking Class and Coffee Ceremony: $70

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: $51
  • Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $51
  • 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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Addis Ababa $2.89
    Manila $18

Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.

  • Addis Ababa City Tour & Coffee Ceremony with Shopping areas: $18
  • Addis Ababa Nature Park & Full Day Museums Tours (English): $20
  • National Museum Guided Tour with Lucy Fossil: $28
  • Guided Walking Tour with Coffee & Food: $28
  • Kebena to Entoto Green Corridor Discovery Tour: $30
  • Guided City Tour with Coffee Break & Entry fee: $30
  • Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Tour: $30
  • Mercato Market Guided Tour with Hotel Pickup: $32
  • Premium Addis Ababa Piassa Walking Tour with Coffee Ceremony: $32
  • Best Addis Ababa Half-Day Tour: $32
  • Red Terror Memorial Storytelling Experience: $35
  • Flexible City tour Museum's,other layover vist: $35

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 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
  • Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $39

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Addis Ababa $2.38
    Manila $9.21

Sample the Local Flavors in Addis Ababa

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Addis Ababa:

  • Pastry, Chocolate, and Wine Tour with Pickup: $60


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Addis Ababa and Manila, we can see that Manila is more expensive. And not only is Addis Ababa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Addis Ababa is in Africa and Manila is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Addis Ababa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Addis Ababa 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 Addis Ababa.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Addis Ababa Expensive? and Is Manila Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Manila?

Manila has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Addis Ababa. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa 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.