Which place is cheaper, Katoomba 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 Katoomba?
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 Katoomba can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Katoomba?
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.
Katoomba
Designated an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, the Blue Mountains are located just west of Sydney in the highlands of New South Wales, Australia.
This area can be generally expensive, but is on par with other destinations in Australia and around Sydney. Plenty of luxury places can be found here that cost more than average, but plenty of cheaper places to stay can be found here, too. Expect to pay for various activities such as tours and entrance fees, too.
The landscape is sprawling with majestic scenery over a rugged terrain of steep cliffs, forests, waterfalls, and villages. Whether you come to hike, climb, bike, or drive to the scenic viewpoints, a curtain of tranquility falls upon the mountains in a blue haze from which they get their name.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Australia, and The Best Scuba Diving Tours in Australia.
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Manila Prices
Philippines PricesKatoomba Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $106Katoomba $148
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $106, while the average daily cost in Katoomba is $148. 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 Katoomba in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $54Katoomba $78
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $108Katoomba $156
Compare Hotels in Manila and Katoomba
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Katoomba? 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 Katoomba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14Katoomba $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- MNL Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $13
- Manila Airport Chauffeur service Manila Airport private Transfer : $20
- Private One-way Transfer From Manila To Manila Airport: $24
- Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
- Private Transfer from Manila Airport (MNL) to Manila Cruise Port: $29
- Private Transfer from Manila Cruise Port to Manila Airport (MNL): $29
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Manila HTL-APT (MNL): $30
- Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport (MNL) Private Transfer to Manila City: $30
- Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $30
- Manila Airport Transfer: $38
- Manila Private Airport Transfer: Comfortable & Affordable: $38
- Manila Airports Quality Safe and Reliable Airport Transfer: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Katoomba?
Prices for flights to both Katoomba 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 $31Katoomba $30
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
- Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $65
- Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $65
- Guided Food Tour of Binondo with Tastings: $65
- Street Food tour & Local Jeepney, Tuktuk Ride: $66
- Binondo Chinatown Food Tour with Free Food Samples: $70
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour with Local Guide: $71
- Authentic Manila Chinatown Food Tour Exploration : $75
- Intramuros and Chinatown Food Tour with Food Samples: $80
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $120
- Day Tour in Manilas History and Savor a Cultural Dinner: $175
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $19Katoomba $54
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- Skip the Line: Hike Eat Swim at Mount Purro Nature Reserve Ticket: $22
- A Night in Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $23
- Fort Santiago Guided Tour: $25
- Explore the Urban Art of Mural and Street Art Tour: $25
- Viva Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $27
- The Dessert Museum Entry Ticket: $27
- Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $30
- Old Manila Intramuros Area Walking Tour: $30
- Manila night cruise, night life, foodie tour and 3d theather: $32
- Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $34
- Intramuros Night Bamboo Bike Tour: $34
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37
Tours and Activities in Katoomba
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Katoomba are as follows:
- Blue Mountains 90 Minute Army Truck Adventures: $65
- Army Truck Adventures - 90 Minute Guided Tour: $67
- Blue Mountains Hop On Hop Off Tour: $73
- Blue Mountains 3 Hour Army Truck Adventures: $99
- Army Truck Adventures - 3 Hour Guided Tour: $100
- Blue Mountains Tour with Scenic World, Zoo&Bilingual Driver: $100
- Blue Mountains Day Tour with Wildlife and Scenic World: $101
- Blue Mountains 1-Hour Trike Tour of Three Sisters: $109
- Blue Mountains: Spectacular Half Day Abseiling Adventure: $116
- Half-Day Abseiling Adventure in Blue Mountains National Park: $117
- Blue Mountains Day Tour with Scenic World and Wildlife Park Entry: $119
- Small Group Blue Mountains Wildlife & Bushwalk Tour From Sydney: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.90Katoomba -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Katoomba, we can see that Katoomba 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 Katoomba 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 Katoomba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Katoomba 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 Katoomba Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Katoomba?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 560 times larger than the population of Katoomba. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Katoomba, 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 Katoomba?
Katoomba 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 Katoomba in the Summer?
Both Katoomba 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 Katoomba for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Manila is a little warmer than Katoomba. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manila in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Katoomba averages at about 24°C (74°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Katoomba. It's quite rainy in Manila. In July, Manila usually receives more rain than Katoombain January. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryManila 27°C (80°F)Katoomba 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Manila or Katoomba in the Autumn?
Both Katoomba 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 Katoomba because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Manila is generally a little warmer than Katoombain April. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 26°C (79°F), and Katoomba fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Manila. Manila usually gets more rain in October than Katoombain April. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilManila 26°C (79°F)Katoomba 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Manila or Katoomba in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Katoomba. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Katoomba this time of year.
Manila is much warmer than Katoomba in the winter. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Katoomba fluctuates around 11°C (51°F)in July.
In January, Manila usually receives less rain than Katoombain July. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyManila 24°C (76°F)Katoomba 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Manila or Katoomba in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Manila as well as Katoomba. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Katoomba for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Manila is much warmer than Katoomba. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manila in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Katoomba averages at about 18°C (64°F)in October.
Manila usually gets less rain in April than Katoombain October. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Katoomba receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberManila 29°C (84°F)Katoomba 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Katoomba and Manila
| Manila | Katoomba | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 70 mm (2.8 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.