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

Should you visit Manila or Benxi?

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 Benxi can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Manila or Benxi?

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.

Benxi

Benxi, China is a city in the south east of the Liaoning Province in northeast China. The city itself is a major industrial hub, but is best known for the Benxi Shuidong National Park where you'll find the famous five million year old water cave. Benxi experiences cold winters, with weather being less enjoyable for touring from November through March. May through August see much warmer weather, getting up to the high 80's Fahrenheit in late summer. September and October are also good times to visit as temperatures cool to 60-70 degrees.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Benxi or Manila?

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 Manila is $106, while the average daily cost in Benxi is $118. 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 Benxi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Manila $54
    Benxi $47
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Manila $108
    Benxi $94
Compare Hotels in Manila and Benxi

Looking for a hotel in Manila or Benxi? 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 Manila


Hotels in Benxi


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Manila $14
    Benxi $32

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 Manila or Benxi?

Prices for flights to both Benxi 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Manila $31
    Benxi $53

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.
    Manila $19
    Benxi $7.41

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
    Manila $9.90
    Benxi $7.81


When comparing the travel costs between Manila and Benxi, we can see that Benxi is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manila Expensive? and Is Benxi Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Manila or Benxi?

Manila has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Benxi. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Benxi, 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 Benxi?

Benxi 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 Benxi in the Summer?

Both Benxi and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year.

In July, Manila is generally around the same temperature as Benxi. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 27°C (80°F), and Benxi fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Benxi. It's quite rainy in Manila. In July, Manila usually receives more rain than Benxi. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Manila 27°C (80°F) 
    Benxi 25°C (78°F)

Should I visit Manila or Benxi in the Autumn?

Both Benxi and Manila during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Manila is much warmer than Benxi in the autumn. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Benxi fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Manila. Manila usually gets more rain in October than Benxi. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Manila 26°C (79°F) 
    Benxi 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Manila or Benxi in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Benxi. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round.

The weather in Benxi can be very cold. In the winter, Manila is much warmer than Benxi. Typically, the winter temperatures in Manila in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Benxi averages at about -10°C (14°F).

In January, Manila usually receives more rain than Benxi. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Manila 24°C (76°F) 
    Benxi -10°C (14°F)

Should I visit Manila or Benxi in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Manila as well as Benxi. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Manila is generally much warmer than Benxi. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 29°C (84°F), and Benxi fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Manila usually gets less rain in April than Benxi. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Benxi receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Manila 29°C (84°F) 
    Benxi 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Benxi and Manila

Manila Benxi
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 17 mm (0.7 in) -10°C (14°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) -7°C (20°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 27°C (80°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 2°C (35°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 11°C (51°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
May 29°C (83°F) 142 mm (5.6 in) 18°C (64°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 303 mm (11.9 in) 22°C (72°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Jul 27°C (80°F) 408 mm (16.1 in) 25°C (78°F) 211 mm (8.3 in)
Aug 27°C (80°F) 452 mm (17.8 in) 25°C (76°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Sep 27°C (80°F) 357 mm (14.1 in) 18°C (65°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 26°C (79°F) 240 mm (9.4 in) 11°C (52°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Nov 25°C (77°F) 121 mm (4.8 in) 2°C (35°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Dec 23°C (73°F) 50 mm (2 in) -7°C (20°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)