Which place is cheaper, Manila or Darjiling?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Darjiling or Manila?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Darjiling 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: Darjiling or Manila?
Darjiling
What began as a cluster of villages grew to prominence in the 19th Century when the British first established a hill station here and eventually realized that the climate was well-suited for tea plantations. Darjeeling (or Darjiling) has since become known for its teas in addition to cultural diversity, stunning views, and trekking opportunities.
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 Religious Tours in India, The Best Yoga Tours and Retreats in India, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDarjiling $35Manila $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Darjiling is $35, while the average daily cost in Manila is $95. 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 Darjiling and Manila in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDarjiling $13Manila $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDarjiling $26Manila $110
Compare Hotels in Darjiling and Manila
Looking for a hotel in Darjiling 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: Darjiling Hotel Prices and Manila Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Darjiling $7.45Manila $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Darjiling
Also for Darjiling, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Gangtok to Bagdogra: $55
- Private Transfer Darjeeling Hotels To Bagdogra Airport IXB Drop: $73
- Rafting Journey at the Down on Teesta River's White Water with Private Transfer: $182
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- Mount Pinatubo ATV Adventure with Transfers: $356
- Full On 5-7 hours ATV Adventure Rivers-Mountains-Jungle with Transfers Manila: $280
- Hundred Island Hopping Day Tour with Transfer: $268
- BATANGAS PROVINCE TO MANILA AIRPORT TRANSFERS | VAN: $203
- BATANGAS PROVINCE TO MANILA AIRPORT TRANSFERS | SEDAN: $176
- BATANGAS PROVINCE TO MANILA AIRPORT TRANSFERS | MPV: $172
- Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
- Active Taal Volcano experience 2024 (with transfers): $140
- Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $139
- Day Hike Mt. Batulao 811 meters with transfers from Manila** 2024: $130
- LAGUNA PROVINCE TO MANILA AIRPORT TRANSFERS | VAN: $126
- Airport Transfer from Manila Airport: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Darjiling or Manila?
Prices for flights to both Manila and Darjiling 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 dayDarjiling $14Manila $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Manila.
- Binondo Chinatown Food Tour with Free Food Samples: $44
- ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $65
- Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $65
- Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $65
- Food Tour at the World's Oldest Chinatown: $65
- Makati Street Food Tour Experience: $70
- Authentic Manila Chinatown Food Tour Exploration : $75
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour Experience with Mari: $83
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $120
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Darjiling $12Manila $20
Tours and Activities in Darjiling
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Darjiling.
- Discover the Spiritual Trails of Gangtok (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $12
- Heritage & Cultural Walk of Darjeeling (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $13
- Tiger Hill Darjeeling Nature Walk (3 Hours Guided Trekking Experience): $25
- Colonial Heritage Walking Tour in Darjeeling: $31
- Cultural & Nature Walking Tour in Darjeeling: $40
- Darjeeling Tea Garden Tour : $55
- Private Morning Excursion Tour To Tiger Hill (3 Points) With Pickup and Drop: $61
- Excursion to Tea Estate Tour With Tea Processing Tour with Transportation: $61
- Gangtok Monastery Tour (Guided Halfday Sightseeing Tour by Car): $81
- Darjeeling Full-Day Sightseeing Tour with Guide & Transports: $98
- The Land Mark Tour (Nautical Day Darjeeling To Mirik crusade): $122
- Day_Trippers (Darjeeling Full Day Tour).: $122
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- Active Taal Volcano Sightseeing & Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour (2in1): $135
- Alluring Floating Cottage and Island Tour : $180
- Amazing Taal Volcano Tour (Boat Included): $125
- Breathtaking Cultural Experience in Villa Escudero : $145
- Cavite Leisure And Farm Tour : $170
- Club Crawl and Party Experience at BGC: $74
- Discover Tagaytay's Countryside: Half-Day Sightseeing Tour : $80
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37
- Exploring A Local Transportation Adventure: $48
- From 4-Day Sagada and Banaue Rice Terraces Tour: $398
- From Day Tour to Enchanting Hidden Valley: $160
- From Majestic Pagsanjan Falls Adventure: $160
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDarjiling $8.73Manila $10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Darjiling and Manila, we can see that Manila is more expensive. And not only is Darjiling much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Darjiling would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Darjiling 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 Darjiling.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Darjiling Expensive? and Is Manila Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Darjiling or Manila?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Darjiling. When comparing the sizes of Darjiling 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.