Which place is cheaper, Honolulu or Manila?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Manila or Honolulu?
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 Honolulu can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Honolulu?
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.
Honolulu
Hawaii's capital city of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is the state's center for government, finance, and transportation. It's also the home of Waikiki Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the state of Hawaii. Nearly one million people live in this Honolulu metropolitan area. This is almost 80% of the state's population. The city is not the relaxed Hawaiian destination that you might be searching for, but is instead a fast paced, cosmopolitan city. In addition to attracting many tourists every year, you'll also find international businesses, military defense and a diverse culture and population.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Philippines, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $93Honolulu $284
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $93, while the average daily cost in Honolulu is $284. 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 Honolulu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $54Honolulu $183
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $108Honolulu $366
Compare Hotels in Manila and Honolulu
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Honolulu? 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 Honolulu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14Honolulu $26
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
- Tagaytay + Hidden Valley Springs: A Scenic Escape w/ Transfers: $200
- Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
- Adventure Awaits: Spelunking at Cavinti Cave Complex w/ Transfers: $160
- Active Taal Volcano experience 2024 (with transfers): $140
- Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $139
- Day Hike Mt. Batulao 811 meters with transfers from Manila** 2024: $130
- Nagpatong Rock Day hike + Tungtong Falls(with transfers**) 2023: $130
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Paranaque Private Transfer: $120
- ⭐ Manila International Airport Car Transfer To & From City⭐: $73
- Half Day Historical Manila City tour and much more with transfers: $70
- Private Arrival Transfer: Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Manila: $68
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Honolulu
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Honolulu are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
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Airport Shuttle for Two$30
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Hilton Parking$24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Honolulu
Also for Honolulu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal: $18
- Departure Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal: $18
- Shared Departure Transfer from Waikiki Hotels to Honolulu Airport: $18
- Shared Arrival Transfer from Honolulu Airport to Waikiki Hotels: $18
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $20
- Shared Departure Transfer: Oahu Hotels or Cruise Terminal to Honolulu Airport: $20
- Honolulu Airport Private Transfer to or from Waikiki: $32
- Airport Private Transfer with Arrival Lei Greeting: $35
- Honolulu Airport -Waikiki Arrival Private Transfer W/Lei Greeting: $35
- Oahu: Honolulu Shuttle Bus Transfer to Pearl Harbor: $37
- Private Transfer from Honolulu Airport (HNL) to Honolulu Port: $37
- Shared Round-Trip Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Honolulu?
Prices for flights to both Honolulu 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 $18Honolulu $53
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 Honolulu
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Honolulu:
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Dinner for Two$73
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Lapperts Hawaii Ice Cream$5.55
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Chai's Island Bistro (for 2)$53
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Cheeseburger Waikiki (for 2)$34
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Matsumoto Shave Ice (for 2)$7.50
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Hot Dog with the Fixins'$8.30
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Sushi Dinner for Two$73
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hawaii Food Tour - Off The Beaten Path : $150
- Oahu Da Local's Food Tour: $150
- Lanai Tabura curated Private Aloha Plate Food Tour from Honolulu: $239
- Brewery and Local Food Tour: $480
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $19Honolulu $40
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- Active Taal Volcano Sightseeing & Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour (2in1): $135
- Bataan Death March Memorial Historical Tour : $188
- Club Crawl and Party Experience at BGC: $73
- Corregidor daytour Via Manila to Bataan: $298
- Discover Tagaytay's Countryside: Half-Day Sightseeing Tour : $80
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37
- From 4-Day Sagada and Banaue Rice Terraces Tour: $342
- From Day Tour to Enchanting Hidden Valley: $160
- From Majestic Pagsanjan Falls Adventure: $160
- From Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour: $107
- From Panoramic Tagaytay Ridge Tour: $150
- From Taal Volcano Island & Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour: $135
Typical Entertainment Prices in Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Parking for Hike$5.00
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Pearl Harbor Audio Tour for Two$12
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2 hr Dinner Cruise$85
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1 Day Kayak Rental$36
Tours and Activities in Honolulu
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Honolulu.
- Heart of Waikiki Walking Tour: Audio Tour Guide: $4.99
- Historic Downtown Honolulu Tour: Audio Tour Guide: $4.99
- Military and Entertainment in Waikiki: A Self-Guided Tour: $7.99
- Waikīkī's Beaches and Royalty: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Hawaii‘s Historic Kingdom: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Oahu: USS Arizona Memorial Chief's Narrated Multimedia Tour: $7.99
- Downtown Honolulu Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.49
- Waikiki Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.49
- Honolulu In-App Audio Tour: Historical & Cultural Treasures: $9.00
- Honolulu's Backyard Rainforest Tour: Audio Tour Guide: $9.99
- USS Arizona Commander's Narrated Multimedia Tour - 23 Stops: $11
- Oahu: Honolulu 3-Hour Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.88Honolulu $6.47
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Honolulu, we can see that Honolulu 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 Honolulu 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 Honolulu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Honolulu 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 Honolulu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Honolulu?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Honolulu. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Honolulu, 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 Honolulu?
Honolulu 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 Honolulu in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Manila as well as Honolulu. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Honolulu in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Manila is around the same temperature as Honolulu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manila in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Honolulu averages at about 81°F (27°C).
Manila receives a lot of rain in the summer. Manila usually gets more rain in July than Honolulu. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManila 27°C (80°F)Honolulu 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Manila or Honolulu in the Autumn?
Both Honolulu and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Honolulu for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Manila is generally around the same temperature as Honolulu. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 26°C (79°F), and Honolulu fluctuates around 80°F (26°C).
It's quite rainy in Manila. In October, Manila usually receives more rain than Honolulu. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManila 26°C (79°F)Honolulu 80°F (26°C)
Should I visit Manila or Honolulu in the Winter?
Both Honolulu and Manila during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Honolulu because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Manila is around the same temperature as Honolulu in the winter. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Honolulu fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
Manila usually gets less rain in January than Honolulu. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManila 24°C (76°F)Honolulu 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Manila or Honolulu in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Honolulu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Honolulu this time of year.
In the spring, Manila is a little warmer than Honolulu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manila in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Honolulu averages at about 76°F (24°C).
In April, Manila usually receives less rain than Honolulu. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManila 29°C (84°F)Honolulu 76°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Honolulu and Manila
| Manila | Honolulu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.6 inches (15 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.7 inches (19 mm) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
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.