Which place is cheaper, Fraser Island or Manila?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Manila or Fraser Island?
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 Fraser Island can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Fraser Island?
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.
Fraser Island
Fraser Island, located off Australia's eastern Queensland coast, is the world's largest sand island. It is best known as a camping and ecotourism destination, with a number of panoramic viewpoints, beaches, lakes, and freshwater pools. Hervey Bay, a beachside city on the nearby mainland, is a primary gateway to the island.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Philippines, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $94Fraser Island $206
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $94, while the average daily cost in Fraser Island is $206. 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 Fraser Island in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $55Fraser Island $102
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $110Fraser Island $204
Compare Hotels in Manila and Fraser Island
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Fraser Island? 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.Manila $14Fraser Island $92
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport Private Transfer: $9.80
- Private One-way Airport Transfer(Manila Airport To/From Manila): $22
- Private Transfer from Manila Airport (MNL) to Manila Cruise Port: $22
- Private Departure Airport Transfer in Manila Bay and Makati Area: $23
- Puerto Princesa Airport to El Nido Transfer: $25
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Manila APT-HTL (MNL) : $30
- Round-trip Coron Airport Transfer + Town Tour (Shared): $31
- Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $35
- Manila Airport Transfer: $37
- Private Arrival Airport Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
- Private Transfer from Clark Airport (CRK) to Subic Bay Port: $46
- Transfers from Manila, Makati, Taguig and Pasay Hotel to Airport: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Fraser Island?
Prices for flights to both Fraser Island 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 $18Fraser Island $47
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
- Makati Street Food Tour Experience: $63
- ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $63
- Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $65
- Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $65
- Food Tour at the World's Oldest Chinatown: $75
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour Experience with Mari: $81
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $120
- Cultural Dinner and Show in Manila: $145
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $20Fraser Island $44
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: $32
- Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $34
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $43
- ⭐ Intramuros The Walled City Walking Tour ⭐: $45
- ⭐ Authentic Manila Chinatown Experience ⭐: $46
- Manila One-on-One Walking Tour with Mobile Photography: $50
Tours and Activities in Fraser Island
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Fraser Island are as follows:
- 2 Hours Hervey Bay Funset Cruise: $52
- Hervey Bay Ultimate Whale Watching Cruise: $72
- Hervey Bay: Best Value Half Day Whale Watching Cruise : $79
- Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise: $98
- Hervey Bay: Half Day Whale watching & Island Stop Tour: $109
- Remote K'gari (Fraser Island) & Whale Experience: $164
- Remote Fraser Island Experience: $164
- K'gari (Fraser Island) Day Tour: $180
- K'gari/2-Day Tagalong Tour from Hervey Bay: $340
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.97Fraser Island $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Fraser Island, we can see that Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island is in Pacific, 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 Fraser Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Manila or Fraser Island?
Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island in the Summer?
Both Fraser Island and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Fraser Island for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Manila is generally around the same temperature as Fraser Islandin January. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 27°C (80°F), and Fraser Island fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Fraser Island. It's quite rainy in Manila. In July, Manila usually receives more rain than Fraser Islandin January. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryManila 27°C (80°F)Fraser Island 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Manila or Fraser Island in the Autumn?
Both Fraser Island 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. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Fraser Island because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
Manila is a little warmer than Fraser Island in the autumn. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Fraser Island fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Manila. Manila usually gets more rain in October than Fraser Islandin April. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilManila 26°C (79°F)Fraser Island 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Manila or Fraser Island in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Fraser Island. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round. Furthermore, the cuisine are the main draw to Fraser Island this time of year.
In the winter, Manila is much warmer than Fraser Island. Typically, the winter temperatures in Manila in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Fraser Island averages at about 15°C (59°F)in July.
In January, Manila usually receives less rain than Fraser Islandin July. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyManila 24°C (76°F)Fraser Island 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Manila or Fraser Island in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Manila as well as Fraser Island. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Fraser Island for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Manila is generally a little warmer than Fraser Islandin October. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 29°C (84°F), and Fraser Island fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).
Manila usually gets less rain in April than Fraser Islandin October. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Fraser Island receives 75 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberManila 29°C (84°F)Fraser Island 21°C (71°F)
Typical Weather for Fraser Island and Manila
| Manila | Fraser Island | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 134 mm (5.3 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.