Which place is cheaper, London 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 London?
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 London can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or London?
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.
London
The capital of the United Kingdom is a thriving multicultural metropolis. Steeped in iconic landmarks, world-class museums and royal parks, London is energetic, majestic, ambitious and one of the world's greatest cities. London is a cultural and fashion capital, a great place to go out, an amazing place to eat and one of those cities that is constantly changing with new and exciting things sprouting up almost every day. History and tradition greet you at every turn in the UK's capital. London is also a city with an edgy underbelly, delighting in neon pink dive bars, cheeky graffiti and mind-blowing street food. When you need a break from the action, pop into a pub or relax in one of the city's many parks. Blow through the city on a double-decker bus, and take a pinch-me-I'm-in-London walk through the West End. As one of the most visited cities in the world, London is busy, vibrant and very tourist friendly. The only problem with London is that it's very expensive; it can eat away at your budget if you aren't careful. Luckily, there are also tons of free or cheap things to do in London that can fill your time.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom.
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Manila Prices
Philippines PricesLondon Prices
UK Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $96London $286
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $96, while the average daily cost in London is $286. 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 London in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $49London $165
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $98London $330
Compare Hotels in Manila and London
Looking for a hotel in Manila or London? 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 London Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $13London $34
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
- Safe and secure Airport Transfer Best in Manila: $216
- Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
- Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $150
- Amazing Taal Volcano Island Boat Tour with Transfers: $120
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Paranaque Private Transfer: $120
- Private Arrival Transfer: Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Manila: $98
- Airport Transfer from Manila Airport: $96
- Half Day Intramuros and Distillery Experience with Transfer: $73
- METRO MANILA AIRPORT TRANSFERS | VAN: $64
- Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $50
- Transfers from Manila, Makati, Taguig and Pasay Hotel to Airport: $50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in London
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in London:
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Taxi Ride$19
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Heathrow Express$24
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Luggage Storage$11
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London Map$1.70
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Oyster Card$47
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Train to Gatwick Airport (2)$29
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Oyster Card$36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in London
Also for London, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bus Transfer Between Heathrow Airport & Radisson RED: $9.15
- Bus Transfer between Heathrow Airport & Premier Inn: $9.15
- Transfer Heathrow Airport to/from Renaissance Hotel: $9.15
- Stansted airport: Bus transfer from/to Cambridge: $12
- Heathrow Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Birmingham: $15
- Gatwick Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Bristol: $16
- Bus Transfer between Heathrow & Luton Airports: $17
- Manchester Airport : Bus transferring to/from London: $17
- Heathrow Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Bristol City Center: $18
- Luton Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Birmingham: $18
- Departure Private Transfer Argostoli to Kephalonia Airport EFL in Business Car: $26
- Luton Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Oxford Gloucester Green: $26
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or London?
Prices for flights to both London 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 $28London $79
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Manila.
- Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $50
- Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $50
- Ugbo Manila Street Food Tour with Tuktuk Ride: $60
- ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $62
- 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
- Intramuros and Chinatown Food Tour with Food Samples: $80
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $105
- A taste of Manila's History & Filipino Culture with Buffet Dinner: $175
- Subic: Sunset Dinner Yacht Cruise from Manila & Clark: $212
Typical Food Prices in London
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to London:
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Lunch at Starbucks$17
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Tea$7.93
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Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason$52
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Morning Tea$8.39
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Pastry$6.61
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Sushi Dinner for One$24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in London
For London, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- London Food Tour of Soho & Covent Garden: $19
- London Thames Dining Cruise: Lunch, Afternoon Tea or Dinner: $49
- Pizza Making Masterclass: $61
- London Festive Thames Cruise with Festive Afternoon Tea or Dinner: $75
- London Sweet Treats Food Tour: Covent Garden & West End: $89
- London Borough Market Holiday Food Tour: Sweet Treats & Tea Tour: $89
- Authentic Japanese Cooking Class in North London Home: $93
- London River Thames Dinner Cruise with 3-Course Meal: $94
- London Bridge & Borough Market Food Tour with 7 Must-Do Tastings: $100
- The Original Soho and Chinatown Food Tour with Authentic Dishes: $103
- London Foodie Adventure with Sherpa Food Tour: $109
- Private South Indian Home Cooking Class in London with a Local: $109
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $18London $43
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- (Excursion) Day tour in Manila: $258
- A Day in Paradise at Villa Escudero Coconut Plantation Adventure: $150
- A Night in Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $23
- Amazing Taal Volcano Sightseeing & Pagsanjan Falls Tour 2in1: $125
- Antipolo Day Tour with Cloud 9 and Pinto Art Museum: $80
- BAGUIO CITY DAY TOUR (FROM MANILA): $357
- BANAUE:BATAD Rice Terraces with Sagada 4D3N PRIVATE TOUR: $7,130
- Banaue-Hapao Rice Terraces (Car Rental W/ Manila Tourist Driver): $300
- Breathtaking Cultural Experience in Villa Escudero: $145
- Cavite Leisure And Farm Tour: $170
- Club Crawl and Party Experience at BGC: $71
- Discover Tagaytay's Countryside: Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $85
Typical Entertainment Prices in London
For London, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Two Tickets to a Concert$109
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London Symphony Orchestra$45
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London Pass$62
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Comedy Show$11
Tours and Activities in London
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for London.
- London Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.42
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in London: $4.57
- Bohemian Bloomsbury: Literary London Walking Audio Tour: $5.00
- London’s Most Luxurious Neighbourhood: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Mayfair: $5.00
- London Mob Revenge in Westminster: Exploration Game and Tour: $5.14
- The tour in the City of London, London's historic financial heart: $5.42
- The tour in Notting Hill Film Color and Culture in Notting Hill: $5.42
- Brutalism in Barbican: An Architectural Audio Tour: $5.59
- London’s West End at War: Self-Guided WWII Puzzle Adventure: $5.82
- Southwark Pirates of the Thames Quest Experience in London: $6.17
- London Bridge: Troll Hunt Puzzle Adventure: $6.17
- London Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $6.32
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.01London $20
Sample the Local Flavors in London
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in London:
- An Epic Bar Crawl in London United Kingdom: $15
- Historic Pub Walking Tour of London: $19
- The Jack the Ripper Pub Tour - Taverns and Dark Tales: $27
- The Original Shoreditch Pub Crawl: $34
- London Pub Crawl: $34
- City of London Historic Pub Tour: $41
- The Great British Pub Walking Tour: London: $43
- Potter Pub Tour for Muggles: London: $43
- London Sightseeing Gusbourne Sparkling Wine Tasting & Cheese: $67
- Pub Crawl and Sing along London Experience: $80
- London Historical Pub Tour with Pilgrims and Pirates: $80
- Amy Winehouse Camden Pub Tour with beer: $95
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and London, we can see that London 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 London is in Europe, 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 London would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in London 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 London Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or London?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of London. When comparing the sizes of Manila and London, 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 London?
London 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 London in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Manila as well as London. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to London this time of year.
Manila is a little warmer than London in the summer. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and London fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Manila receives a lot of rain in the summer. Manila usually gets more rain in July than London. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while London receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManila 27°C (80°F)London 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Manila or London in the Autumn?
Both London 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, many travelers come to London for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Manila is much warmer than London. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Manila in October average around 26°C (79°F), and London averages at about 12°C (53°F).
It's quite rainy in Manila. In October, Manila usually receives more rain than London. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while London receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManila 26°C (79°F)London 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Manila or London in the Winter?
Both London 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to London in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
London can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Manila is generally much warmer than London. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 24°C (76°F), and London fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
Manila usually gets less rain in January than London. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while London receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManila 24°C (76°F)London 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Manila or London in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and London. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to London for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
Manila is much warmer than London in the spring. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and London fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
In April, Manila usually receives less rain than London. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while London receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManila 29°C (84°F)London 9°C (48°F)
Typical Weather for London and Manila
| Manila | London | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 57 mm (2.2 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.