Which place is cheaper, Manila or Helsinki?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Helsinki 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 Helsinki 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: Helsinki or Manila?
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital of Finland and dates back to 1550. Helsinki is an international metropolis with a diverse population, but also a small town vibe. The city itself has a population of just over 600,000 but the metropolitan area, including Espoo and Vantaa, has a population of more than 1.3 million. There are many outdoor bars and cafes that take advantage of the warmer summer months. During this time there are long days, and the population floods into the street after a long and cold winter, so visiting during the summer is a fun and lively experience.
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 10-Day Tours in Finland, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Finland, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines.
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Helsinki Prices
Finland PricesManila Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHelsinki €164Manila €87
The average daily cost (per person) in Helsinki is €164, while the average daily cost in Manila is €87. 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 Helsinki and Manila in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHelsinki €73Manila €44
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHelsinki €146Manila €88
Compare Hotels in Helsinki and Manila
Looking for a hotel in Helsinki 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: Helsinki Hotel Prices and Manila Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Helsinki €22Manila €12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Helsinki
Also for Helsinki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Helsinki City Private Departure Transfer to Helsinki Airport HEL: $66
- Helsinki to Helsinki Airport (HEL) - Departure Private Transfer: $67
- Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki - Arrival Private Transfer: $67
- Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki West Terminal Private Transfer: $67
- Helsinki West Terminal to Helsinki Airport (HEL) - Departure Private Transfer: $67
- Helsinki West Harbour Terminal to Helsinki hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $67
- Helsinki Private Transfer from Helsinki city centre to Helsinki airport: $82
- Private Transfer: Cruise Port to Helsinki by Business Car: $97
- Private Transfer: Helsinki to Cruise Port by Business Car: $97
- Private Transfer: Cruise Port to Helsinki City by Luxury Van: $99
- Departure Transfer: Helsinki to Airport HEL by Business Car: $103
- Arrival Transfer: Airport HEL to Helsinki by Business Car: $103
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 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
- MNL Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $13
Is it cheaper to fly into Helsinki or Manila?
Prices for flights to both Manila and Helsinki 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 dayHelsinki €59Manila €25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Helsinki Authentic Walking Food Tour with 8 Local Tastings: $119
- From Moose & Wildlife Safari with Campfire Dinner: $168
- FOOD Tour with Roof Top Bar in Helsinki: $173
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: $60
- Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $60
- 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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Helsinki €27Manila €16
Tours and Activities in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- The 1st Helsinki Free Tour - Since 2016: $3.48
- Helsinki Free Walking Tour en Español Small Group: $5.78
- Helsinki Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Helsinki Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h00 and 26 Audio Commentaries: $6.84
- Helsinki Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.10
- Helsinki Historic Downtown Self Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.99
- Helsinki Christmas Lights Self Guided Walking Tour with an APP: $9.99
- A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Helsinki's Historical Highlights: $12
- Discover Helsinki City Walk - Multiple Tours Daily: $23
- A Finntastic Walking Tour in Helsinki: $23
- A Finntastic Walking Tour of Underground Helsinki: $28
- TAITO: The Helsinki Design, Industry & Architecture Walking Tour: $29
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 Full Day Tour Adventure From Manila’s History to Volcano Views: $180
- 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
- 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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHelsinki €16Manila €8.10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Helsinki and Manila, we can see that Helsinki is more expensive. And not only is Manila much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Helsinki 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 Helsinki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Helsinki 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 Helsinki Expensive? and Is Manila Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Manila?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Helsinki. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki 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 Helsinki or Manila?
Helsinki 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 Helsinki or Manila in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Manila. Many visitors come to Helsinki in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year.
In the summer, Helsinki is much colder than Manila. Typically, the summer temperatures in Helsinki in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Manila averages at about 27°C (80°F).
It's quite rainy in Manila. Helsinki usually gets less rain in July than Manila. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Manila receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHelsinki 17°C (62°F)Manila 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or Manila in the Autumn?
Both Manila and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Helsinki for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Helsinki is generally much colder than Manila. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 6°C (42°F), and Manila fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Manila. In October, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Manila. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Manila receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHelsinki 6°C (42°F)Manila 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or Manila in the Winter?
Both Manila and Helsinki during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round.
The weather in Helsinki can be very cold. Helsinki is much colder than Manila in the winter. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around -6°C (21°F) in January, and Manila fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
Helsinki usually gets more rain in January than Manila. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Manila receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHelsinki -6°C (21°F)Manila 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or Manila in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Manila. The natural beauty are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
It's quite cold in Helsinki in the spring. In the spring, Helsinki is much colder than Manila. Typically, the spring temperatures in Helsinki in April average around 3°C (37°F), and Manila averages at about 29°C (84°F).
In April, Helsinki usually receives more rain than Manila. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Manila receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHelsinki 3°C (37°F)Manila 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Manila and Helsinki
| Helsinki | Manila | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -6°C (21°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (27°F) | 34 mm (1.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (51°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (33°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | -4°C (26°F) | 58 mm (2.3 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.