Which place is cheaper, Manila or Istanbul?
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 Istanbul or Manila?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Manila, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Istanbul or Manila?
Istanbul
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
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 2-Week Tours in Turkey, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines.
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Istanbul Prices
Turkey PricesManila Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIstanbul $159Manila $99
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $159, while the average daily cost in Manila is $99. 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 Istanbul and Manila in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $74Manila $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $148Manila $102
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Manila
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul 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.Istanbul $35Manila $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Metro Cards$4.59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Fast & Luxury VIP Private Transfer | IST Airport & Hotel pickup: $8.11
- Sapanca & Masukiye Day Tour from Istanbul with Lunch & Transfer: $15
- Istanbul Princes Island Tour with Lunch & Hotel Transfer: $20
- Full Day Sapanca Tour with Lunch and Transfer From Istanbul: $23
- Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen Private Airport Transfers: $25
- Istanbul Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $29
- Reliable & Safe Istanbul Airport Taxi Transfer – VIP Service: $30
- Istanbul Airport Private Departure Transfer: $31
- Istanbul Airport Private Transfer: $32
- Private Minivan Transfer from Istanbul Airport: $33
- Istanbul Airports Arrival or Departure Private Transfers: $34
- Istanbul to Istanbul Airport (IST) - Departure Private Transfer: $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- MNL Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $13
- Private Departure Airport Transfer in Manila Bay and Makati Area: $23
- Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Arrival Private Transfer: $25
- Private Transfer from Manila Cruise Port to Manila Airport (MNL): $28
- Private Transfer from Manila Airport (MNL) to Manila Cruise Port: $28
- Private Airport Transfer: Metro Manila → NAIA Airport (MNL): $30
- Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $30
- NAIA Airport Transfer to/from anywhere in Metro Manila: $31
- Manila Airport Transfer: $38
- Manila Private Airport Transfer: Comfortable & Affordable: $38
- Manila Airports Quality Safe and Reliable Airport Transfer: $40
- Private Arrival Airport Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Manila?
Prices for flights to both Manila and Istanbul 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 dayIstanbul $59Manila $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Istanbul Dinner Cruise Show: $20
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour: $22
- Dinner and Turkish Night Show in Bosphorus Strait: $29
- Budget Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Party: $29
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Show Private Table: $29
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Shows and Drinks: $30
- Mega Lüfer Dinner Cruise Bosphorus and Show with Private Table: $30
- Bosphorus Turkish Night Show and Dinner Cruise with Private Table: $30
- Istanbul Night Life : Bosphorus Dinner Cruise - Unlimited Drinks: $31
- Bosphorus Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Private Table: $31
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show: $32
- Istanbul Turkish Coffee Cooking and Tasting with Locals at Home: $33
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.Istanbul $39Manila $18
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- Istanbul Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $3.46
- Self Guided Walking Tour of Istanbul with Audio Guide: $4.64
- Daily Bursa and Uludag Tour from Istanbul with lunch: $5.00
- Istanbul Sites: Peel back the layers of Turkish history a self-guided audio tour: $5.40
- Princess Islands Tour With Lunch and Guide: $5.79
- Istanbul Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Kadikoy's history, theatres and sweet shops: a self-guided audio tour: $6.31
- Istanbul Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.94
- Walking Tour in Istanbul with Audio and Written Guide Balat&Asia: $8.00
- Walking Tour in Istanbul with Audio and Written Guide Pera: $8.00
- Istanbul's Old Town Through Time: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Enjoy Istanbul’s Bosphorus:2-Hour Daytime, Sunset & Night Cruises: $12
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
- Skip the Line: Hike Eat Swim at Mount Purro Nature Reserve Ticket: $22
- A Night in Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $23
- Explore the Urban Art of Mural and Street Art Tour: $25
- Fort Santiago Guided Tour: $25
- The Dessert Museum Entry Ticket: $27
- Viva Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $27
- Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $30
- Old Manila Intramuros Area Walking Tour: $30
- Manila night cruise, night life, foodie tour and 3d theather: $32
- Intramuros Night Bamboo Bike Tour: $34
- Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $34
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIstanbul $11Manila $9.29
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus in Sultanahmet and Taksim: $30
- Pub Crawl Original Istanbul Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $30
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries: $207
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Istanbul and Manila, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Manila much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Istanbul 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 Istanbul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Istanbul 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 Istanbul Expensive? and Is Manila Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Manila?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Manila. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul 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 Istanbul or Manila?
Istanbul 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 Istanbul or Manila in the Summer?
Both Manila and Istanbul are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Istanbul for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Istanbul is generally cooler than Manila. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 24°C (74°F), and Manila fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Manila. In July, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Manila. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Manila receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIstanbul 24°C (74°F)Manila 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Manila in the Autumn?
Both Manila and Istanbul during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round.
Istanbul is much colder than Manila in the autumn. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Manila fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Manila gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Istanbul usually gets less rain in October than Manila. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Manila receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIstanbul 16°C (61°F)Manila 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Manila in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and Manila. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Istanbul is much colder than Manila. Typically, the winter temperatures in Istanbul in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Manila averages at about 24°C (76°F).
In January, Istanbul usually receives more rain than Manila. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Manila receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIstanbul 6°C (43°F)Manila 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Manila in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Manila. Many travelers come to Istanbul for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year.
In April, Istanbul is generally much colder than Manila. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 13°C (55°F), and Manila fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
Istanbul usually gets more rain in April than Manila. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Manila receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIstanbul 13°C (55°F)Manila 29°C (84°F)
Typical Weather for Manila and Istanbul
| Istanbul | Manila | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 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.