Which place is cheaper, Manila or Islamabad?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Islamabad 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 Islamabad 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: Islamabad or Manila?
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.
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 Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best Eco Tours in Philippines, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIslamabad $42Manila $94
The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $42, while the average daily cost in Manila is $94. 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 Islamabad and Manila in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIslamabad $20Manila $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIslamabad $40Manila $110
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Manila
Looking for a hotel in Islamabad 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: Islamabad Hotel Prices and Manila Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Islamabad $7.68Manila $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad
Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - DEPARTURE: $40
- Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
- Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
- Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
- Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
- Transit Trip: Murree Exploration Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $140
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
- Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
- Adventure Awaits: Spelunking at Cavinti Cave Complex w/ Transfers: $160
- Active Taal Volcano experience 2024 (with transfers): $140
- Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $139
- Nagpatong Rock Day hike + Tungtong Falls(with transfers**) 2023: $130
- Day Hike Mt. Batulao 811 meters with transfers from Manila** 2024: $130
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Paranaque Private Transfer: $120
- ⭐ Manila International Airport Car Transfer To & From City⭐: $72
- Half Day Historical Manila City tour and much more with transfers: $70
- Private Arrival Transfer: Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Manila: $68
- Manila Airport (MNL): One-way Private Transfers: $57
Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Manila?
Prices for flights to both Manila and Islamabad 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 dayIslamabad $15Manila $18
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
- Makati Street Food Tour Experience: $63
- ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $63
- 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: $75
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour Experience with Mari: $81
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $120
- Cultural Dinner and Show in Manila: $145
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Islamabad $9.48Manila $20
Tours and Activities in Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
- Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
- Shopping Tour: Full Day Islamabad Markets Exploration Tour: $90
- Private Tour: Hidden Gems of Islamabad Exploration Tour: $90
- Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
- City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- Islamabad City Tour With Faisal Mosque, Pakistan Monument & Lunch : $110
- Top Ten Wonders of Islamabad Guided City Tour: $120
- Private Tour: Guided Day Trip To Murree from Islamabad: $130
- 5-Hour Private Guided Tour in Islamabad City: $130
- Full Day Private Guided Tour of Taxila Gandahara Civilization : $140
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
- Bataan Death March Memorial Historical Tour : $188
- Club Crawl and Party Experience at BGC: $72
- Corregidor daytour Via Manila to Bataan: $298
- Discover Tagaytay's Countryside: Half-Day Sightseeing Tour : $80
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37
- From 4-Day Sagada and Banaue Rice Terraces Tour: $338
- From Day Tour to Enchanting Hidden Valley: $160
- From Majestic Pagsanjan Falls Adventure: $160
- From Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour: $106
- From Panoramic Tagaytay Ridge Tour: $150
- From Taal Volcano Island & Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour: $135
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIslamabad $2.88Manila $9.97
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Islamabad and Manila, we can see that Manila is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Islamabad.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Islamabad Expensive? and Is Manila Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Manila?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad 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 Islamabad or Manila?
Islamabad 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 Islamabad or Manila in the Summer?
Both Manila and Islamabad during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round.
Islamabad can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Islamabad is generally a little warmer than Manila. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 32°C (90°F), and Manila fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Manila gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. Islamabad usually gets less rain in July than Manila. Islamabad gets 237 mm (9.3 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 JulyIslamabad 32°C (90°F)Manila 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Manila in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Islamabad and Manila. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Islamabad is around the same temperature as Manila in the autumn. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 26°C (80°F) in October, and Manila fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Manila receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Manila. Islamabad gets 12 mm (0.5 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 OctoberIslamabad 26°C (80°F)Manila 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Manila in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Islamabad as well as Manila. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year.
In the winter, Islamabad is much colder than Manila. Typically, the winter temperatures in Islamabad in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Manila averages at about 24°C (76°F).
Islamabad usually gets more rain in January than Manila. Islamabad gets 34 mm (1.3 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 JanuaryIslamabad 14°C (57°F)Manila 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Manila in the Spring?
Both Manila and Islamabad are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Islamabad is generally around the same temperature as Manila. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 27°C (80°F), and Manila fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
In April, Islamabad usually receives more rain than Manila. Islamabad gets 37 mm (1.4 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 AprilIslamabad 27°C (80°F)Manila 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Manila and Islamabad
| Islamabad | Manila | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| May | 32°C (89°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Jun | 35°C (94°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) |
| Jul | 32°C (90°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 31°C (89°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (87°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 30 mm (1.2 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.