A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Manama vs. Manila for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Manama 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 Manama 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: Manama or Manila?

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 Philippines, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines.


Which place is cheaper, Manila or Manama?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Manama is $190, while the average daily cost in Manila is $106. 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 Manama and Manila in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Manama $66
    Manila $54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Manama $132
    Manila $108
Compare Hotels in Manama and Manila

Looking for a hotel in Manama 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.

Hotels in Manama


Hotels in Manila


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: Manama Hotel Prices and Manila Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Manama $30
    Manila $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:

  • MNL Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $13
  • Manila Airport Chauffeur service Manila Airport private Transfer : $20
  • Private One-way Transfer From Manila To Manila Airport: $24
  • Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
  • Private Transfer from Manila Airport (MNL) to Manila Cruise Port: $29
  • Private Transfer from Manila Cruise Port to Manila Airport (MNL): $29
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Manila HTL-APT (MNL): $30
  • Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport (MNL) Private Transfer to Manila City: $30
  • Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $30
  • Manila Airport Transfer: $38
  • Manila Private Airport Transfer: Comfortable & Affordable: $39
  • Manila Airports Quality Safe and Reliable Airport Transfer: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Manama or Manila?

Prices for flights to both Manila and Manama 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Manama $97
    Manila $31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Manila.

  • Ugbo Manila Street Food Tour with Tuktuk Ride: $60
  • ⭐ 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
  • Guided Food Tour of Binondo with Tastings: $65
  • Street Food tour & Local Jeepney, Tuktuk Ride: $68
  • Binondo Chinatown Food Tour with Free Food Samples: $70
  • Manila Chinatown Food Tour with Local Guide: $73
  • Authentic Manila Chinatown Food Tour Exploration : $75
  • Intramuros and Chinatown Food Tour with Food Samples: $80
  • Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $120
  • Day Tour in Manilas History and Savor a Cultural Dinner: $175

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Manama $34
    Manila $19

Tours and Activities in Manila

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:

  • Skip the Line: Hike Eat Swim at Mount Purro Nature Reserve Ticket: $22
  • A Night in Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $24
  • Fort Santiago Guided Tour: $25
  • Explore the Urban Art of Mural and Street Art Tour: $25
  • Viva Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $27
  • The Dessert Museum Entry Ticket: $27
  • Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $31
  • Old Manila Intramuros Area Walking Tour: $31
  • Manila night cruise, night life, foodie tour and 3d theather: $33
  • Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $35
  • Intramuros Night Bamboo Bike Tour: $35
  • Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Manama $11
    Manila $9.90


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manama and Manila, we can see that Manama is more expensive. And not only is Manila much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Manama is in Middle East 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 Manama would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manama 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 Manama Expensive? and Is Manila Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Manama or Manila?

Manila has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Manama. When comparing the sizes of Manama 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.