Which place is cheaper, Kingston or Manila?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Manila or Kingston?
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 Kingston can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Kingston?
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.
Kingston
Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines.
-
Manila Prices
Philippines PricesKingston Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $106Kingston $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $106, while the average daily cost in Kingston is $123. 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 Kingston in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $54Kingston $62
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $108Kingston $124
Compare Hotels in Manila and Kingston
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Kingston? 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 Kingston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14Kingston $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- Airport Transfer from Manila Airport: $96
- Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $139
- Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
- METRO MANILA AIRPORT TRANSFERS | VAN: $64
- Manila Airport Chauffeur service Manila Airport private Transfer : $20
- Manila Airport Transfer: $38
- Manila Airports Quality Safe and Reliable Airport Transfer: $40
- Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
- Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $53
- Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $30
- Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport (MNL) Private Transfer to Manila City: $30
- Manila Private Airport Transfer: Comfortable & Affordable: $38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston: $19
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston Airport: $19
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $24
- Private Transfer from Kingston's Airport: $32
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kingston International Airport (KIN): $34
- Kingston Airport Transfers Private Taxi Service***: $37
- Private Transfer To & From New Kingston to Norman Manley Airport: $40
- Kingston Norman Manley Airport (KIN) to Kingston - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Port Antonio: $47
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport Across Jamaica: $49
- Private Arrival Transfer: Kingston International Airport to Hotel: $53
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Montego Bay: $69
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Kingston?
Prices for flights to both Kingston 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 dayManila $31Kingston $44
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $19Kingston $12
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 Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Art Walk Sunday Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $9.78
- Walking Tour with Mural Exploration: $26
- Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
- Kingston Creative: Mural Art Walking Tour: $31
- Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
- Mural Tours in the Downtown Kingston Art District, Jamaica: $40
- Reggae Legend - Bob Marley Museum Tour Tickets: $41
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios : $62
- Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
- Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64
- Private Bob Marley Tour Experience: $65
- Kingston City Guided Tour - Classic: $69
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.90Kingston $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Kingston, we can see that Kingston 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 Kingston is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Kingston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kingston 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 Kingston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Kingston?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Kingston. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Kingston, 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 Kingston?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Manila or Kingston in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Kingston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Manila gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Manila usually receives more rain than Kingston. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Manila is around the same temperature as Kingston in the summer. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Kingston fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyManila 27°C (80°F)Kingston 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Manila or Kingston in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Manila as well as Kingston. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Kingston. Manila receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Manila usually gets more rain in October than Kingston. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Manila is around the same temperature as Kingston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Manila in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Kingston averages at about 28°C (82°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManila 26°C (79°F)Kingston 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Manila or Kingston in the Winter?
Both Kingston and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Manila usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kingston. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In January, Manila is generally around the same temperature as Kingston. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 24°C (76°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManila 24°C (76°F)Kingston 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Manila or Kingston in the Spring?
Both Kingston 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.
Manila usually gets less rain in April than Kingston. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
Manila is around the same temperature as Kingston in the spring. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilManila 29°C (84°F)Kingston 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Kingston and Manila
| Manila | Kingston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 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.