Which place is cheaper, Managua or Hanoi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hanoi or Managua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Hanoi and Managua 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: Hanoi or Managua?
Hanoi
Hanoi is the chaotic capital of Vietnam, and it serves as a great introduction to the country for many travelers. It's the second largest city in the country after Saigon and is an interesting combination of East meets West. There's traditional Vietnamese culture with subtle influences brought by the French. The city continues to grow and change rapidly and it's easy to get lost amidst the chaos.
Managua
Managua is the capital, and largest city in Nicaragua. The economy is generally centered around the trade of coffee, cotton, and other types of agriculture. It also is a textile capital for the area. Managua is also a very reasonably priced destination in Central America. Restaurants and hotels are quite affordable and you'll find all kinds of international cuisine around the city. Transportation is also incredibly affordable and you'll find yourself pleasantly surprised at the cost of intercity bus rides.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, The Best Eco Tours in Vietnam, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHanoi $48Managua $55
The average daily cost (per person) in Hanoi is $48, while the average daily cost in Managua is $55. 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 Hanoi and Managua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHanoi $25Managua $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHanoi $50Managua $46
Compare Hotels in Hanoi and Managua
Looking for a hotel in Hanoi or Managua? 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: Hanoi Hotel Prices and Managua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hanoi $6.79Managua $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hanoi:
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Taxi to Bus Station$1.18
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Shuttle Bus From Airport (for Two)$3.15
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Local Bus Ride (for Two)$0.39
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Short Taxi Ride$1.34
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Short Motorbike Ride (10 Minutes)$0.79
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hanoi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hanoi:
- Halong Bay: 3-Day 2-Night 4-Star Cruise with Transfer: $450
- Private Transfer to/from Sapa: $352
- Transfer to Sapa Private car: $300
- Luxury Halong Bay Cruise 2 Days-1 Night with 5 Star included transfer & pick up: $290
- 25 Minutes Scenic Halong Seaplane from Hanoi Transfer Expressway: $280
- Hanoi Private Transfer from Hanoi (HAN) Airport to Cao Bang: $264
- Private Sapa tour 3 days transfer from Hanoi by limousine overnight 3 star hotel: $264
- Halong Bay Seaplane Tour with Transfer from Hanoi by expressway: $255
- Halong Bay Sightseeing With Seaplane Tour Transfer From Hanoi: $250
- Overnight Halong Bay Cruise Including Transfer Service and Kayaking or Bamboo Boat Activities: $250
- Private Transfer One way car between Hanoi and Sapa: $217
- Dora Cruise Luxury Halong Bay Overnight Cruise Transfer Included: $215
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Managua
Also for Managua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from and To Poneloya or Las Peñitas Beach- Leon, Nicaragua: $68
- Granada: Managua to Granada Airport private transfer: $64
- Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) to Managua-Round-Trip Transfer: $66
- Managua Augusto Sandino Airport(MGA) to Managua- Arrival Transfer: $33
- Managua to Managua Augusto Airport (MGA) - Departure Transfer: $33
- Managua-Leon: Airport private transfer from to Managua /Leon: $85
- Managua-San juan del sur: Airport private transfer: $125
- Airport private transfer from Managua.: $25
- PRIVATE San Juan Del Sur Transfer: $56
- Popoyo Beach Transfer: $90
- Private Transfer from Managua Augusto Airport to Corinto Port: $71
- Private Transfer from Managua City Hotels to Corinto Cruise Port: $71
Is it cheaper to fly into Hanoi or Managua?
Prices for flights to both Managua and Hanoi 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 dayHanoi $13Managua $17
Typical Food Prices in Hanoi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hanoi:
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High End Dinner (for Two)$11
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$4.33
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Bowl of Pho$0.79
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Italian Dinner (for Food)$6.10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hanoi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hanoi.
- Hanoi free food tour - Old Quarter food walking tour: $5.00
- Street Food Tour (Group/Individual): $5.11
- Hanoi Street Food Tour Visit Train Street Add Old Quarter: $19
- Hanoi Walking Street Food Tour: $20
- Walking Street Food Tour Small Group with Local Guide: $22
- Hanoi Street Food Tour: $22
- Hanoi street food tour small group tour: $22
- Hanoi Street Food Tour: $23
- Ngon ngon & Authentic Hanoi Food Tour: $23
- Hanoi food tour-Local street food tour (food&guide included): $23
- Guided Street Food Tour with Train Street Experience: $23
- Vietnamese Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $23
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hanoi $8.38Managua $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hanoi
Here are a few typical costs in Hanoi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Puppet Theater$1.57
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The Hanoi Hilton Entrance$1.57
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National History Museum$1.57
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Puppet Theater Ticket$2.75
Tours and Activities in Hanoi
Here are a few actual costs in Hanoi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Day Private Guided Tour in Pu Luong Nature Hanoi: $169
- 2-day Gen Z Cruise Explore Halong Bay from Hanoi: $228
- 4 Days 3 Nights Ha Giang Loop Tour from Hanoi by Sleeper Bus: $235
- 4 Hours and 30 Minutes Historical Hanoi Army Jeep Tour: $58
- 5 Days Motorbike Tour in Ha Giang Loop From Hanoi: $265
- All-Inclusive 2D/1N 5star Cruises: Meals-Kayak-Cave-Accommodation : $175
- Beautiful Female Riders Vespa Red River Countryside Tour 5 Hours: $65
- Bicycle Tours Full Day Bicycle Tours City & Countryside: $89
- From Halong Bay by Scenic Seaplane and Luxury Day Cruise: $300
- Ha Noi Private city tour and water puppet private tour: $59
- Ha Noi private city tour full day and cyclo: $69
- Halong Bay Luxury Cruise Day Trip with Hercules From Hanoi:: $65
Tours and Activities in Managua
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Managua.
- Private lava tour-Masaya Volcano from Managua: $49
- Masaya Volcano Night Tour: $53
- Laguna de Apoyo Day pass plus Masaya Volcano Night Tour: $60
- Granada Isletas and City tour: $68
- PRIVATE Laguna de apoyo day pass + masaya volcano lava tour: $70
- PRIVATE Boat ride + Colonial city tour at Granada+Catarina lookout: $80
- PRIVATE Day trip Granada Isletas +Colonial City tour from Managua: $80
- Managua City Tour: $84
- PRIVATE Boat tour + Granada City +Masaya Volcano Night Tour : $85
- full tour Somoto Canyon Nicaragua: $86
- PRIVATE Boat tour+Granada City and Catarina lookout from Managua: $88
- Managua City Tour: $88
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHanoi $7.58Managua $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Hanoi
Also in Hanoi, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half-Day Guided Tour Australian Beef with Wine Tasting & Rickshaw in Hanoi: $107
When comparing the travel costs between Hanoi and Managua, we can see that Managua is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Hanoi is in Asia and Managua is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hanoi Expensive? and Is Managua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hanoi or Managua?
Hanoi has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of Managua. When comparing the sizes of Hanoi and Managua, 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 Hanoi or Managua?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Hanoi or Managua in the Summer?
Both Managua and Hanoi during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hanoi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Managua year-round.
May to September is the rainy season in Hanoi. Managua gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hanoi. Hanoi usually gets more rain in July than Managua. Hanoi gets 210 mm (8.3 in) of rain, while Managua receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, Hanoi is generally around the same temperature as Managua. Daily temperatures in Hanoi average around 29°C (84°F), and Managua fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHanoi 29°C (84°F)Managua 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Hanoi or Managua in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hanoi and Managua. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hanoi year-round. Managua attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
November to April in Hanoi is the dry season. Managua receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hanoi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hanoi usually receives less rain than Managua. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Managua receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Hanoi is around the same temperature as Managua in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hanoi averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Managua fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHanoi 25°C (77°F)Managua 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Hanoi or Managua in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Hanoi as well as Managua. Hanoi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Managua throughout the year.
Hanoi usually gets more rain in January than Managua. Hanoi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Managua receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Hanoi is much colder than Managua. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hanoi in January average around 17°C (63°F), and Managua averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHanoi 17°C (63°F)Managua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Hanoi or Managua in the Spring?
Both Managua and Hanoi are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hanoi throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Managua because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Hanoi is November to April. The rainy season in Hanoi is May to September. It's quite rainy in Hanoi. In April, Hanoi usually receives more rain than Managua. Hanoi gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Managua receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, Hanoi is generally cooler than Managua. Daily temperatures in Hanoi average around 24°C (75°F), and Managua fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHanoi 24°C (75°F)Managua 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Managua and Hanoi
| Hanoi | Managua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (63°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) |
| Nov | 22°C (72°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (64°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 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.