Which place is cheaper, Manila or Arusha?
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 Arusha or Manila?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Arusha and Manila can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Arusha or Manila?
Arusha
Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometers northeast. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. Annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains. Arusha is Tanzania’s gateway to the northern circuit of stellar national parks and the starting point of many a memorable safari. It’s also a large, sprawling city which offers a nice break from the rigors of life on the African road – it has excellent places to stay and eat and, for the most part, it’s lush and green and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Arusha is a great destination, and you're sure to enjoy your time here, no matter what your interests are.
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 Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines.
-
Arusha Prices
Tanzania PricesManila Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayArusha $188Manila $99
The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $188, 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 Arusha and Manila in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personArusha $125Manila $50
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomArusha $250Manila $100
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Manila
Looking for a hotel in Arusha 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: Arusha Hotel Prices and Manila Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Arusha $13Manila $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha
Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha Private Transfer: $59
- Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
- Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $149
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 One-way Transfer From Manila To Manila Airport: $23
- 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
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Paranaque Private Transfer: $120
- NAIA Airport Transfer to/from anywhere in Metro Manila: $31
Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Manila?
Prices for flights to both Manila and Arusha 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 dayArusha $40Manila $29
Typical Food Prices in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
A Quick Lunch (for 2)$2.08
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Tanzania Cooking Class & Food Market Tour: $45
- NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
- Local Tanzanian Food Cooking Class by Kingstone Asilia (Arusha): $75
- Homestay + Cooking + Animal Care + Fruit Harvesting + Much More: $192
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.Arusha $44Manila $18
Tours and Activities in Arusha
For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Arusha Guided Tour: Culture, History, Markets&Hidden Gems+pickup: $19
- Arusha Guided City Tour &Hotel Pickup (History, Culture &Market: $21
- Arusha City Tour Markets Culture and Maasai Experiences: $22
- Arusha Mountain Village and Coffee Tour: $24
- Arusha City Tour: Where Continents Collide & Cultures Dance: $30
- Private Meru Coffee Tour in Nkoaranga: $35
- Sunset Tour in Arusha with Scenic Views of Mountain: $35
- Private Local Market Tour in Tengeru: $35
- Arusha City Culture and Historical Walking Tour: $40
- Street Food and Community Walking Tour: $45
- Banana Bliss Plantation Coffee Medicinal and Waterfall Tour: $45
- Private Walking Tour with Giraffes: $55
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 dayArusha $10Manila $9.21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Manila, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Manila much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Arusha 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 Manila would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Manila 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 Arusha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arusha than you might in Manila.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arusha Expensive? and Is Manila Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Arusha or Manila?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Arusha. When comparing the sizes of Arusha 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.
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.