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

Should you visit Manila or Guilin?

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

Where Should I go: Manila or Guilin?

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.

Guilin

Guilin is a city in Southern China situated on the west bank of the Li River with Hunan to the north. Its name means, "Forest of Sweet Osmanthus," owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. Products like tea, sugar, and wine, can be made from the tree and are found in many shops throughout Guilin. A popular tourist destination, the city is renowned for its scenery of karst topography with unique mountains jutting out of the urban landscape.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Philippines, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.


Which place is cheaper, Guilin or Manila?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $94, while the average daily cost in Guilin is $67. 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 Guilin in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Manila $55
    Guilin $34
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Manila $110
    Guilin $68
Compare Hotels in Manila and Guilin

Looking for a hotel in Manila or Guilin? 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 Guilin


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
    Guilin $5.76

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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Guilin

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Guilin are as follows:


  • Taxi
    $2.76

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guilin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guilin:

  • Private Departure Transfer from Hotel to Guilin Train Stations: $17
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Guilin International Airport (KWL) to Downtown Hotel: $25
  • Private Departure Transfer: Downtown Guilin Hotel to Airport (KWL): $25
  • Private Airport Transfer: Guilin Liangjiang International Aiport to Guilin Hotel: $35
  • Private Transfer from Guilin hotel to Yangshuo hotel: $37
  • Private Guilin Airport Transfer to Yangshuo: $42
  • Guilin liangjiang Airport Chauffeur Service,Guilin Airport Transfer: $57
  • Four Lakes Night Cruise with Round-trip Transfer: $57
  • Guilin Transfer Services: Airport,train station & hotel: $57
  • Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Chauffeur Service , to Dongguan Transfer: $71
  • Yangshuo Via Ferrata with Round way private transfer from Guilin hotel: $92
  • Guilin Private Transfer (English-speaking) Between Guilin Hotels & Yangshuo: $93

Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Guilin?

Prices for flights to both Guilin 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
    Guilin $22

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

Typical Food Prices in Guilin

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


  • Fresh Coconut Drink
    $1.38

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guilin

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

  • Half day Yangshuo Cooking lesson Small Group Tour: $62

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Manila $20
    Guilin $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: $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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Guilin

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


  • Entrance to the Caves
    $17

Tours and Activities in Guilin

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

  • Guilin Yangshuo & Longji Rice Terrace 4 days tour: $21
  • 1-DAY Private Longji Rice Terraces and Minority Villages Tour: $45
  • Guilin Four lakes night cruise with the English speaking driver from Guilin hotel: $47
  • Guilin City Center Walking Group Tour at Night for Three Hours: $50
  • Half-Day Self-Guided Yangshuo Xianggong Hill Sunrise Tour: $52
  • Private Full-Day City Tour with Fubo Hill: $59
  • Private Bike Tour: Yangshuo Countryside: $72
  • Kayaking Adventure with Local Guide: $72
  • Yangshuo Old Town and Li River Cruise from Guilin: $72
  • One Day Private Longshen Rice Terraces Tour Including Lunch: $73
  • Half/Full day Yangshuo Cuiping hill Sunset Private Tour: $73
  • Full/Half-Day Yangshuo Xianggong Mountain Sunrise Private Tour: $77

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Manila $9.97
    Guilin $5.72


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Guilin, we can see that Manila is more expensive. And not only is Guilin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Guilin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guilin 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 Manila would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manila than you might in Guilin.

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


Which is Bigger, Manila or Guilin?

Manila has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Guilin. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Guilin, 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 Guilin?

Guilin 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 Guilin in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Manila is cooler than Guilin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manila in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Guilin averages at about 30°C (86°F).

Guilin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Manila gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Manila usually receives more rain than Guilin. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Manila 27°C (80°F) 
    Guilin 30°C (86°F)

Should I visit Manila or Guilin in the Autumn?

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

In October, Manila is generally a little warmer than Guilin. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 26°C (79°F), and Guilin fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

Manila receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Manila usually gets more rain in October than Guilin. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Manila 26°C (79°F) 
    Guilin 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Manila or Guilin in the Winter?

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

Manila is much warmer than Guilin in the winter. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Guilin fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In January, Manila usually receives less rain than Guilin. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Manila 24°C (76°F) 
    Guilin 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Manila or Guilin in the Spring?

Both Guilin 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.

In the spring, Manila is a little warmer than Guilin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manila in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Guilin averages at about 20°C (68°F).

Guilin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Manila usually gets less rain in April than Guilin. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Guilin receives 263 mm (10.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Manila 29°C (84°F) 
    Guilin 20°C (68°F)

Typical Weather for Guilin and Manila

Manila Guilin
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 17 mm (0.7 in) 10°C (49°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 11°C (51°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Mar 27°C (80°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 20°C (68°F) 263 mm (10.3 in)
May 29°C (83°F) 142 mm (5.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 334 mm (13.2 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 303 mm (11.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 320 mm (12.6 in)
Jul 27°C (80°F) 408 mm (16.1 in) 30°C (86°F) 206 mm (8.1 in)
Aug 27°C (80°F) 452 mm (17.8 in) 30°C (86°F) 168 mm (6.6 in)
Sep 27°C (80°F) 357 mm (14.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 26°C (79°F) 240 mm (9.4 in) 23°C (73°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 25°C (77°F) 121 mm (4.8 in) 17°C (63°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec 23°C (73°F) 50 mm (2 in) 12°C (53°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)