Which place is cheaper, Kobe or Manila?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Manila or Kobe?
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 Kobe can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Kobe?
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.
Kobe
Located between the sea and the Rokko mountain range, Kobe is a port city in Japan also considered to be one of the country's most attractive. Though it was devastated by a historic earthquake in 1995, known locally as the Great Hanshin Earthquake, Kobe has fully recovered to its cosmopolitan splendor with plenty for visitors to see and do.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Philippines, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $94Kobe $103
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $94, while the average daily cost in Kobe is $103. 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 Kobe in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $55Kobe $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $110Kobe $120
Compare Hotels in Manila and Kobe
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Kobe? 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 Kobe Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14Kobe $13
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
- 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
- Nagpatong Rock Day hike + Tungtong Falls(with transfers**) 2023: $130
- Day Hike Mt. Batulao 811 meters with transfers from Manila** 2024: $130
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Paranaque Private Transfer: $120
- ⭐ Manila International Airport Car Transfer To & From City⭐: $72
- Half Day Historical Manila City tour and much more with transfers: $70
- Private Arrival Transfer: Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Manila: $68
- Manila Airport (MNL): One-way Private Transfers: $57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kobe
Also for Kobe, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kobe Airport (UKB) to Kobe hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $39
- Private Transfer from Kobe Cruise Port to Kobe Airport: $48
- Arima Onsen Resorts to Osaka Airport (ITM) Departure Transfer: $55
- Private Arrival Transfer From Kobe Airport to Kobe City: $63
- Kobe Airport (UKB) to Kobe hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $79
- Private departure transfer from Kobe City & Arima Onsen to Kansai Airport : $92
- Osaka (Itami) Airport to/from Kobe City Private Transfer: $107
- Departure Private Transfers from Kobe City to Kobe Airport UKB in Business Car: $132
- Arima-Onsen Resort to Osaka Kansai Airport KIX-Departure Transfer: $133
- Kobe Airport Transfers : Kobe City to Kobe Airport UKB in Business Van: $163
- Arrival Private Transfers from Kobe Airport UKB to Kobe City in Business Van: $163
- Osaka Kansai Airport to/from Kobe City Private Transfer: $164
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Kobe?
Prices for flights to both Kobe 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 $18Kobe $30
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kobe
For Kobe, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Eat Like a Local Private & Personalized Food Tour: $207
- One day in Kobe with beef dinner =standard=: $272
- One day in Kobe with beef dinner =premium=: $297
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $20Kobe $23
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: $72
- 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: $338
- From Day Tour to Enchanting Hidden Valley: $160
- From Majestic Pagsanjan Falls Adventure: $160
- From Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour: $106
- From Panoramic Tagaytay Ridge Tour: $150
- From Taal Volcano Island & Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour: $135
Tours and Activities in Kobe
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kobe.
- Kobe Urban Aquarium AQUARIUM×ART átoa Admission Ticket: $16
- Mt Rokko night view & Arima Onsen & Sanda Outlet Tour: $57
- Private Tour - Excursion to Osaka / Kyoto possible: $70
- Kobe : Private Custom Tour (Excursion to Osaka / Kyoto possible): $71
- Private tour - Experience Kobe's Best Gems with a local host: $78
- KOBE Sake Walking Tour in Japan's Top Sake Breweries: $83
- Sake Tour and Tasting in Kobe: $84
- Kobe Half-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $90
- Half-Day Private Guided Tour: $92
- Half-Day Private Guided Tour to Kobe City: $94
- Private Walking Tour with Local Guide: $94
- KOBE, SHIOYA, a quaint fishing town walking tour : $97
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.97Kobe $8.56
Sample the Local Flavors in Kobe
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kobe:
- 3-hour KOBE Sake brewery & tasting walking tour with guide: $83
- Sake Brewery and Japanese Life Experience Tour in Kobe: $85
- Nada Sake Brewery District Private Walking Tour: $133
- 5-Hour Nadagogo Sake Brewery Private Guided Experience: $174
When comparing the travel costs between Manila and Kobe, we can see that Kobe is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manila Expensive? and Is Kobe Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Kobe?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Kobe. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Kobe, 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 Kobe?
Kobe 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 Kobe in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Manila as well as Kobe. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Kobe for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Manila is around the same temperature as Kobe in the summer. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Kobe fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It's quite rainy in Kobe. Manila receives a lot of rain in the summer. Manila usually gets more rain in July than Kobe. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManila 27°C (80°F)Kobe 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Manila or Kobe in the Autumn?
Both Kobe 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, the autumn months attract visitors to Kobe because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Manila is a little warmer than Kobe. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Manila in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Kobe averages at about 18°C (65°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kobe. It's quite rainy in Manila. In October, Manila usually receives more rain than Kobe. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 102 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManila 26°C (79°F)Kobe 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Manila or Kobe in the Winter?
Both Kobe 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 museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kobe this time of year.
In January, Manila is generally much warmer than Kobe. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 24°C (76°F), and Kobe fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
Manila usually gets less rain in January than Kobe. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManila 24°C (76°F)Kobe 5°C (42°F)
Should I visit Manila or Kobe in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Kobe. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round. Also, many travelers come to Kobe for the activities around the city.
Manila is much warmer than Kobe in the spring. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Kobe fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
Kobe receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Manila usually receives less rain than Kobe. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Kobe receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManila 29°C (84°F)Kobe 15°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Kobe and Manila
| Manila | Kobe | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 219 mm (8.6 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 65 mm (2.5 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 38 mm (1.5 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.