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

Should you visit Manila or Calgary?

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

Where Should I go: Manila or Calgary?

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.

Calgary

Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and, located at the edge of the prairie and foothills, it is a gateway to the Rocky Mountains. If you're headed to Banff or Jasper, this is likely to be your first stop. It's also Canada's fourth largest city and worth a few days visit. Calgary's economy is diverse, but includes energy, financial services, film and television, transportation, technology, manufacturing, and much more.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Philippines, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Calgary or Manila?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $93, while the average daily cost in Calgary is $156. 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 Calgary in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Manila $54
    Calgary $74
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Manila $108
    Calgary $148
Compare Hotels in Manila and Calgary

Looking for a hotel in Manila or Calgary? 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 Calgary


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 Calgary Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Manila $14
    Calgary $13

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 Calgary

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Calgary:

  • Private Transfer from Calgary Airport to Sunshine Village : $60
  • Private Transfer from Calgary Airport to Calgary Hotels: $63
  • Alberta Transfer: Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, Calgary: $67
  • Calgary Int Airport (YYC) to Fernie - Arrival Private Transfer: $76
  • Calgary Downtown Transfers: $88
  • Transfer in private minivan from Calgary Airport (YYC) - Calgary Downtown: $91
  • Transfer in private minivan from Calgary Downtown - Calgary Airport (YYC): $91
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Calgary Airport YYC to Calgary in Business Car: $108
  • Private Transfer: Calgary Airport to Downtown: $111
  • Calgary hotel or address to Calgary Airport (YYC) - Departure Private Transfer: $115
  • Private Transfer: Calgary Airport YYC to Calgary by Luxury SUV: $119
  • Roundtrip Transfer Private Vehicle Calgary Airport (YYC) -Calgary Downtown: $121

Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Calgary?

Prices for flights to both Calgary 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 $18
    Calgary $31

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

Typical Food Prices in Calgary

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Calgary:


  • Bread, Chips, Cheese
    $8.16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Calgary

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

  • Light Brunch & Food Tour at Calgary Farmers' Market WEST: $81

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Manila $19
    Calgary $16

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 Calgary

Here are a few typical costs in Calgary for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Stampede Admission (for 2)
    $22

Tours and Activities in Calgary

Here are a few actual costs in Calgary for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Downtown Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
  • Bow River Trail Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
  • Downtown Calgary a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.19
  • 3-Hour Tips Based Walking Tour of Calgary: $5.46
  • 3-hour Tips-Based City Walking Tour: $6.58
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Rocky Mountains: Smartphone Driving and Walking Audio Tours: $15
  • Calgary Downtown: 2-Hour Introductory Walking Tour: $22
  • Heritage Park Historical Village Admission Ticket: $26
  • Calgary self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt: $38
  • Sheep & Spirits: Diamond Valley Hiking Experience: $39
  • 3-Hour Sightseeing Bus Tour: $45

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Manila $9.88
    Calgary $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Calgary

Also in Calgary, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Calgary Brewery and Wine Tours at Award Winning Venues: $83
  • Calgary Brewery Tour: $89


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Calgary, we can see that Calgary 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 Calgary 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 Calgary would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Calgary 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 Calgary Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Manila or Calgary?

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