Which place is cheaper, Manila or Bucharest?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Bucharest 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 Bucharest 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: Bucharest or Manila?
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital and largest city in the country of Romania. With about 2 million residents living in the city and about 2.4 million in the surrounding urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe. As such, it is the economic, industrial and commercial center for the country. As a visitor, you will likely enter Romania by arriving in Bucharest. The city continues to grow and change, and there are ongoing infrastructure projects that continue to modernize the city. It is not uncommon to find historic churches on the same block as modern office buildings and Communist style apartment buildings. There are also many sights around town and the city continues to grow as a trendy and fascinating city.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best Eco Tours in Philippines, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBucharest $139Manila $93
The average daily cost (per person) in Bucharest is $139, while the average daily cost in Manila is $93. 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 Bucharest and Manila in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBucharest $63Manila $54
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBucharest $126Manila $108
Compare Hotels in Bucharest and Manila
Looking for a hotel in Bucharest 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: Bucharest Hotel Prices and Manila Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bucharest $26Manila $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
- Therme Bucharest Express Shuttle Transfer: $7.68
- Bucharest Airport Transfer: $11
- Bucuresti: Transfer Therme Bucuresti different hours: $12
- Therme Bucuresti Transfer with Optional Ticket: $13
- Bucharest Transfer Service: $17
- Airport Transfer - Bucharest Otopeni Henri Coandă Airport : $18
- Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Tecuci: $22
- Airport Transfer: $22
- Bucharest Private Airport Transfer from or to City Center Hotel: $22
- Private Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP) Transfer: $22
- Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Barlad: $24
- Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Vaslui OMV: $26
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
- Active Taal Volcano experience 2024 (with transfers): $140
- Adventure Awaits: Spelunking at Cavinti Cave Complex w/ Transfers: $160
- Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $139
- Day Hike Mt. Batulao 811 meters with transfers from Manila** 2024: $130
- Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
- Half Day Historical Manila City tour and much more with transfers: $70
- Manila Airport (MNL): One-way Private Transfers: $57
- Manila Airport Transfer: $37
- Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $35
- Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport Private Transfer: $9.80
- Nagpatong Rock Day hike + Tungtong Falls(with transfers**) 2023: $130
Is it cheaper to fly into Bucharest or Manila?
Prices for flights to both Manila and Bucharest 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 dayBucharest $59Manila $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
- Dinner at the Museum of Communism - Traditional Food Tour: $54
- Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Traditional Food Tour: $60
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner: $64
- Cooking Class traditional food: $66
- Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $74
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner - 3 hours: $87
- Private Walking Food Tour - Culture, History & Traditions: $99
- Discover Private Highlights and Traditional Food Tour: $109
- Private Bucharest Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $116
- Historical and Cultural Tour with Romanian Cuisine dinner: $142
- 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $203
- Bucharest City Tour & Traditional Home-made Cooking Experience: $229
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Manila.
- Manila Night Market and food tour Experience: $58
- ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $64
- Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $65
- Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $65
- Makati Street Food Tour Experience: $69
- Food Tour at the World's Oldest Chinatown: $75
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour Experience with Mari: $82
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $120
- Cultural Dinner and Show in Manila: $145
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bucharest $15Manila $19
Tours and Activities in Bucharest
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Buchaest: Peles Castle, Bran Castle, & Brasov Old Town Tour: $5.37
- Reptiland Bucharest Entry Ticket: $13
- A Tale of Bucharest Old Town Walking Tour: $16
- Communism Walking Tour from Lenin to Ceausescu in Bucharest: $16
- City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $17
- Bucharest Highlights Walking Tour: $18
- Parliament Palace Skip-the-line Ticket: $20
- Palace of Parliament Bucharest 1 Hour Guided Tour: $21
- Virtual Reality Experience: $21
- Calea Victoriei and Old Town Highlights Tour: $22
- Guided Tour at museum Casa Storck: $22
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in Bucharest: $22
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- Guided Tour of the Historic San Sebastian Basilica (Manila): $6.42
- Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $18
- Skip the Line: Hike Eat Swim at Mount Purro Nature Reserve Ticket: $22
- ⭐ Makati Bar Hopping Tour with Venus ⭐: $27
- Intramuros Historical Walk Tour: $27
- Old Manila Intramuros Area Walking Tour: $33
- Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $35
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $43
- ⭐ Intramuros The Walled City Walking Tour ⭐: $46
- ⭐ Authentic Manila Chinatown Experience ⭐: $46
- Manila One-on-One Walking Tour with Mobile Photography: $50
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBucharest $9.28Manila $9.88
Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest
Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Weekend Pub Crawl: $24
- Bucharest Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $25
- From Romanian Wine Tasting Tour: $26
- Bachelors Party in Custom Bar Crawl: $38
- Private Bar Crawling in Bucharest Old City: $43
- Private Wine Tasting Experience: $43
- Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $47
- Private Romanian Wine Tasting in Urlați: $52
- Guided Pub Crawl in Bucharest: $56
- Bucharest Old Town Pub and Bar Crawl with Guide: $57
- Bucharest VIP Bar Crawl in Lipscani 'Old Town': $59
- Bucharest City Tour and Wine Tasting: $85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bucharest and Manila, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. And not only is Manila much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bucharest is in Europe 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 Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest 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 Bucharest Expensive? and Is Manila Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Manila?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Bucharest. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest 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 Bucharest or Manila?
Bucharest has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Manila experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Bucharest or Manila in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Manila. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Bucharest is cooler than Manila. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bucharest in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Manila averages at about 27°C (80°F).
Manila receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Manila. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Manila receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyBucharest 23°C (73°F)Manila 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Manila in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Manila. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year.
In October, Bucharest is generally much colder than Manila. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 13°C (55°F), and Manila fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite rainy in Manila. Bucharest usually gets less rain in October than Manila. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Manila receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBucharest 13°C (55°F)Manila 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Manila in the Winter?
Both Manila and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Bucharest can be very cold during winter. Bucharest is much colder than Manila in the winter. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around -1°C (29°F) in January, and Manila fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
In January, Bucharest usually receives more rain than Manila. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Manila receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBucharest -1°C (29°F)Manila 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Bucharest or Manila in the Spring?
Both Manila and Bucharest during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the activities around the city. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round.
In the spring, Bucharest is much colder than Manila. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bucharest in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Manila averages at about 29°C (84°F).
Bucharest usually gets more rain in April than Manila. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Manila receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilBucharest 12°C (54°F)Manila 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Manila and Bucharest
| Bucharest | Manila | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -1°C (29°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (34°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (44°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 1°C (34°F) | 43 mm (1.7 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.