Which place is cheaper, Manila or Halong Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Halong Bay 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 Halong Bay 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: Halong Bay or Manila?
Halong Bay
Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the north of Vietnam, near the Chinese border. Known for its thousands of beautiful limestone karsts and stalactite-filled caves, it is one of the most visited destinations in Vietnam. If you appreciate natural scenery and want an adventure at sea, you'll love cruising among more than 1,900 islands in Ha Long Bay.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Vietnam, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Vietnam, 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 dayHalong Bay $59Manila $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Halong Bay is $59, 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 Halong Bay and Manila in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHalong Bay $29Manila $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHalong Bay $58Manila $110
Compare Hotels in Halong Bay and Manila
Looking for a hotel in Halong Bay 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: Manila Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Halong Bay $14Manila $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halong Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Halong Bay:
- Bus/Private Transfer Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh/ Ninh binh to Cat Ba: $19
- Transfer from Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh with D-Class Limousine: $20
- Halong Bay 1 Day Tour Included Limousine Bus Transfer from Hanoi: $41
- From Hanoi with Expessway Transfer to Halong Bay 1 Day Trip: $42
- Halong Bay Full Day Cruise from Hanoi by Transfer Expressway: $42
- Halong Bay Day Tour Roundtrip Transfer by Expressway 2024 - 2025: $43
- Private Transfer from Halong Bay Port to Hanoi Airport (HAN): $43
- Private Transfer from Halong Bay Cruise Port to Hanoi city hotels: $43
- Private Transfer from Halong Bay Cruise Port to Hanoi hotels: $48
- Private Transfer from Halong Bay Port to Hanoi Airport: $48
- Alova Premium Cruise to Halong Bay 1 Day Trip by Highway Transfer: $50
- 6 Hours Sailing on Dragon King Cruise From Halong with Transfer: $50
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
- Airport Transfer from Manila Airport: $120
- Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $139
- BATANGAS PROVINCE TO MANILA AIRPORT TRANSFERS | MPV: $171
- BATANGAS PROVINCE TO MANILA AIRPORT TRANSFERS | SEDAN: $174
- BATANGAS PROVINCE TO MANILA AIRPORT TRANSFERS | VAN: $202
- Day Hike Mt. Batulao 811 meters with transfers from Manila** 2024: $130
- Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
- Hundred Island Hopping Day Tour with Transfer: $268
- LAGUNA PROVINCE TO MANILA AIRPORT TRANSFERS | SEDAN: $110
- LAGUNA PROVINCE TO MANILA AIRPORT TRANSFERS | VAN: $125
- METRO MANILA AIRPORT TRANSFERS | VAN: $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Halong Bay or Manila?
Prices for flights to both Manila and Halong Bay 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 dayHalong Bay $16Manila $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halong Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Halong Bay.
- 1-day private Hanoi city tour with fun and night street walking food tour: $101
- Best 2D1N Lan Ha Bay Cruise: BBQ dinner, Viet Hai Ancient Village: $175
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Manila.
- Ugbo Manila Night Market and Street Food Tour: $64
- ⭐ 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
- Food Tour at the World's Oldest Chinatown: $65
- Makati Street Food Tour Experience: $70
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour Experience with Mari: $83
- Intramuros and Chinatown Food Tour with Tuktuk Ride: $99
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $120
- Day Tour in Manilas History and Savor a Cultural Dinner: $175
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Halong Bay $17Manila $20
Tours and Activities in Halong Bay
Here are a few actual costs in Halong Bay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Shared 6 Hours boat Tour With Cave Kayak Beach From Halong City: $18
- Sky Tour - Entertainment: $25
- Most favorite full day boat tour with kayaking in Lan Ha bay, Ha Long bay: $27
- Half-Day Lan Ha Bay Adventure: Boat Jumping, Kayaking, Sunset : $27
- From Cat Ba Island: Amazing Sunset Tour in Lan Ha Bay, Kayaking: $27
- Experience the Best Lan Ha Bay Sunset Tour from Cat Ba Island: $28
- 1 Day Boat Tour: HaLong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, Natural Beach and Full Moon Party: $29
- Ha Long Bay Day Tour with Lunch, Cave Explore & Titop Island: $29
- Best love - Full Day Boat Tour to Lan Ha Bay and Ha Long Bay: $29
- From Cat Ba island: full day boat tour to Lan Ha bay - Ha Long bay: $32
- Cruise and kayak on Lan Ha bay Ha Long bay with local experts: $32
- Lan Ha Bay-Ha Long Bay 1 Day Boat trip from Cat Ba, less touristy: $32
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
- Intramuros Walking Tour in Manila: $28
- Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $35
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37
- Explore Binondo (Chinatown) Guided Tour: $43
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $44
- Manila Chinatown, and Intramuros Tour with Local Guide: $46
- Intramuros Walled City Guided Walking Tour: $46
- Manila Jeepney Ride Adventure with Local Guide: $48
- Intramuros Walking Tour.: $53
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHalong Bay $13Manila $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Manila
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Manila:
- Makati Pub Crawl with Venus: $52
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Halong Bay and Manila, we can see that Manila is more expensive. And not only is Halong Bay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Halong Bay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Halong Bay 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 Halong Bay.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Halong Bay Expensive? and Is Manila Expensive?.
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.