Which place is cheaper, Hong Kong or Manila?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Manila or Hong Kong?
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 Hong Kong can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Hong Kong?
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.
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong you will find a predominantly Cantonese population that has long been influenced by British occupation. Most residents speak English and you can see the obvious effects of years of capitalism. Shopping malls are everywhere and most are thriving. Along the waterfront every night the buildings light up in a dramatic and festive light show that highlights such businesses as Sony and Canon, which are fixtures in the city. The city is a major financial hub, and is very international in nature. The city itself is very densely packed and there are narrow high rises that look vulnerable due to their height. There are two main areas to the city, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Hong Kong Island is the location of the original British settlement. Today it is where you will find the highest skyscrapers, the most modern buildings, and the most popular shopping areas. Kowloon is located on a peninsula that is to the north of Hong Kong Island. The tip of the peninsula is a popular destination for backpackers as it has many of the city's hostels. This area is referred to as Tsim Sha Tsui. There are also a few high end hotels in the area. It is possible to head outside of the city so that you can escape into some rural regions where you can take a break from the crowds.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines.
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Manila Prices
Philippines PricesHong Kong Prices
Hong Kong Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $103Hong Kong $184
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $103, while the average daily cost in Hong Kong is $184. 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 Hong Kong in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $53Hong Kong $75
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $106Hong Kong $150
Compare Hotels in Manila and Hong Kong
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Hong Kong? 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 Hong Kong Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14Hong Kong $8.77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- Transfers from Manila, Makati, Taguig and Pasay Hotel to Airport: $50
- Safe and secure Airport Transfer Best in Manila: $216
- Round-trip Coron Airport Transfer + Town Tour (Shared): $29
- Quality Safe and Reliable Manila Airport Transfers: $49
- Private Transfer from Manila City Hotels to Manila Cruise Port: $22
- Private Transfer from Manila Airport (MNL) to Manila Cruise Port: $22
- Private Transfer from Clark Airport (CRK) to Subic Bay Port: $45
- Private One-way Transfer From Manila To Manila Airport: $21
- Private Departure Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
- Private Car Airport Transfer: $86
- Private Arrival Transfer: Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Manila: $68
- Private Arrival Airport Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hong Kong
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hong Kong:
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MTR (for 2)$2.83
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Local Bus$2.83
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Ferry Ticket$0.26
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Hong Kong Airport Express Train Ticket$15
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Hong Kong?
Prices for flights to both Hong Kong 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 $30Hong Kong $57
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⭐: $62
- Makati Street Food Tour Experience: $62
- 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: $65
- Authentic Manila Chinatown Food Tour Exploration : $75
- Chinatown Food Tour in Manila with Mari: $80
- Intramuros and Chinatown Food Tour with Tuktuk Ride: $99
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $120
- Cultural Dinner and Show in Manila: $145
- Day Tour in Manilas History and Savor a Cultural Dinner: $175
Typical Food Prices in Hong Kong
For Hong Kong, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner for 2$12
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $19Hong Kong $95
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- : Intramuros: chinatown national museum 6 to 8 hour tour: $44
- A Day in Paradise at Villa Escudero Coconut Plantation Adventure: $150
- A Full Day Tour Adventure From Manila’s History to Volcano Views: $180
- Active Taal Volcano Sightseeing & Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour (2in1): $135
- Amazing Taal Volcano Tour (Boat Included): $125
- Antipolo Day Tour with Cloud 9 and Pinto Art Museum: $62
- Banaue-Hapao Rice Terraces (Car Rental W/ Manila Tourist Driver): $300
- Club Crawl and Party Experience at BGC: $71
- Cruise Shore Excursion of Villa Escudero with Lunch: $120
- Discover Tagaytay's Countryside: Half-Day Sightseeing Tour : $85
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37
- Experience Manila's Heritage: Intramuros & More in Half a Day!: $75
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hong Kong
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hong Kong's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Peak Tram$7.71
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Madame Tussauds Hong Kong$24
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.62Hong Kong $21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Hong Kong, we can see that Hong Kong is more expensive. And not only is Manila much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Hong Kong would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hong Kong 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 Hong Kong Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Hong Kong?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 49% larger than the population of Hong Kong. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Hong Kong, 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.
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.