Which place is cheaper, Austin or Manila?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Manila or Austin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Manila and Austin can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Austin?
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.
Austin
Located in the Texas Hill Country, Austin is the capital city of the state. It is a relatively small city with a compact downtown area and many sprawling suburbs stretching out along the interstate. Austin prides itself on its eclectic culture and alternative vibe which is epitomized by the city's unofficial slogan "Keep Austin Weird." The University of Texas at Austin is also located downtown. The school's large student population helps give the city a youthful feel with a lively nightlife and no shortage of activities on weekends. The city is also the self proclaimed live music capital of the country. As such, it has many music venues and bars, most of which are clustered around the 6th Street area downtown. There are also many free outdoor concerts, particularly during the summer months.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Philippines, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $93Austin $142
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $93, while the average daily cost in Austin is $142. 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 Manila and Austin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $54Austin $56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $108Austin $112
Compare Hotels in Manila and Austin
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Austin? 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 and Austin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14Austin $47
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
- Active Taal Volcano experience 2024 (with transfers): $140
- Adventure Awaits: Spelunking at Cavinti Cave Complex w/ Transfers: $160
- Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $139
- Day Hike Mt. Batulao 811 meters with transfers from Manila** 2024: $130
- Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
- Half Day Historical Manila City tour and much more with transfers: $70
- Manila Airport (MNL): One-way Private Transfers: $57
- Manila Airport Transfer: $37
- Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $35
- Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport Private Transfer: $9.80
- Nagpatong Rock Day hike + Tungtong Falls(with transfers**) 2023: $130
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Austin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Austin:
- Private Transfer Between Airport and Hotels: $80
- Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $96
- Austin Airport Group Pickup / Transfer up to 1 hour away.: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Austin?
Prices for flights to both Austin and Manila 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 dayManila $18Austin $35
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
- ⭐ 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
- Makati Street Food Tour Experience: $69
- Food Tour at the World's Oldest Chinatown: $75
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour Experience with Mari: $82
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $120
- Cultural Dinner and Show in Manila: $145
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Austin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Austin.
- Famous Texas BBQ & Food Tour in Austin: $89
- Famous Texas BBQ & Food Tour in Austin: $89
- Austin South Congress Walking Food Tour for Small Groups: $95
- Secret Food Tour: $98
- Austin Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $99
- Secret Food Tour of South Congress: $108
- The Brunch Bus: Food Tour with a Live Band on Board the Bus!: $125
- Private Guided Food Tour of Austin Neighborhoods: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $19Austin $28
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
- Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $18
- Skip the Line: Hike Eat Swim at Mount Purro Nature Reserve Ticket: $22
- ⭐ Makati Bar Hopping Tour with Venus ⭐: $27
- Intramuros Historical Walk Tour: $27
- Old Manila Intramuros Area Walking Tour: $33
- Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $35
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $43
- ⭐ Intramuros The Walled City Walking Tour ⭐: $46
- ⭐ Authentic Manila Chinatown Experience ⭐: $46
- Manila One-on-One Walking Tour with Mobile Photography: $50
Typical Entertainment Prices in Austin
Here are a few typical costs in Austin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Austin Duck Tour$31
Tours and Activities in Austin
Here are a few actual costs in Austin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Round Rock by Operation City Quest: $10
- Austin,TX: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
- Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Austin Trails Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
- Downtown Austin Haunted History Tour: $24
- Family-Friendly Ghosts of Austin Tour: $25
- The Ghosts of Austin Walking Tour: $25
- Ha Ha Haunted Austin Walking Ghost Tour: $26
- Private 1 Hour Axe Throwing Experience in Texas: $27
- Haunted Austin Walking History Tour: $28
- City and Hill Country Non-Stop Tour in a Mercedes: $30
- Forest Mindfulness and Embodiment Experience: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.88Austin $28
Sample the Local Flavors in Austin
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Austin:
- Austin Bar Hunt: Sixth Street Spree: Austin Bar Crawl: $12
- Austin Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
- Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
- Downtown Austin Live Music Pub Crawl: $35
- Downtown Live Music Pub Crawl: $35
- Austin Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $44
- From Texas Hill Country Brewery & Distillery Shuttle: $65
- Private Austin Brewery Tour by Pedicab with All-Inclusive Beer Flight Option: $70
- 4-Hour Austin Signature Brewery Tour: $100
- The Brew Bus: Austin Brewery Tour with Live Band: $125
- Half-Day Private Texas Hill Country Wine Tour from Austin: $143
- Brewery 5K Fun Run, BBQ, and Texas History Museum in Austin : $175
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Austin, we can see that Austin is more expensive. And not only is Manila much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Manila is in Asia and Austin is in North America, 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 Austin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Austin 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 Manila Expensive? and Is Austin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Austin?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Austin. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Austin, 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 Manila or Austin?
Austin 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 Manila or Austin in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Austin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round. Also, many travelers come to Austin for the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Manila is cooler than Austin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manila in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Austin averages at about 87°F (30°C).
Manila gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Manila usually receives more rain than Austin. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Austin receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManila 27°C (80°F)Austin 87°F (30°C)
Should I visit Manila or Austin in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Manila as well as Austin. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Austin in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Manila is generally a little warmer than Austin. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 26°C (79°F), and Austin fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
Manila receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Manila usually gets more rain in October than Austin. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Austin receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManila 26°C (79°F)Austin 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Manila or Austin in the Winter?
Both Austin and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Austin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Manila is much warmer than Austin in the winter. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Austin fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
In January, Manila usually receives less rain than Austin. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Austin receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManila 24°C (76°F)Austin 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit Manila or Austin in the Spring?
Both Austin and Manila during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Austin because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Manila is a little warmer than Austin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manila in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Austin averages at about 71°F (22°C).
Manila usually gets less rain in April than Austin. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Austin receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManila 29°C (84°F)Austin 71°F (22°C)
Typical Weather for Austin and Manila
| Manila | Austin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 83°F (29°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 87°F (30°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 87°F (31°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
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.