A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Manila vs. Madrid for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Manila or Madrid?

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 Madrid can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Manila or Madrid?

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.

Madrid

Madrid, the capital of Spain, overs visitors countless opportunities to experience Spain's culture, art, cuisine, and nightlife. It is the largest city in Spain, and as such has much to explore. The city is situated on the Iberian Peninsula on the Spanish central Castillian plateau. If you're flying into Spain, you'll likely fly into the Madrid airport as it's one of the largest airports in Europe. Madrid is well connected to the rest of Spain with planes, trains and buses, making it a popular place to visit for many travelers doing a European tour.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid.


Which place is cheaper, Madrid or Manila?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $99, while the average daily cost in Madrid is $184. 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 Madrid in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Manila $50
    Madrid $88
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Manila $100
    Madrid $176
Compare Hotels in Manila and Madrid

Looking for a hotel in Manila or Madrid? 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.

Hotels in Manila


Hotels in Madrid


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 Madrid Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Manila $13
    Madrid $21

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
  • 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: $52
  • Transfers from Manila, Makati, Taguig and Pasay Hotel to Airport: $50
  • Quality Safe and Reliable Manila Airport Transfers: $49

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Madrid

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid

Also for Madrid, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • MAD Airport Private Transfer to/from Madrid City Center: $23
  • Hotel Madrid City Private Transfer To Madrid Barajas Airport: $28
  • Private transfer departure from City Centre to Madrid Airport: $29
  • Madrid Airport (MAD) to Madrid - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
  • Private Transfer From Madrid Barajas Airport to Madrid: $47
  • Madrid Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $49
  • Private Transfer from San Vicente del Raspeig to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $63
  • Private Transfer from Novelda to Alicante–Elche (ALC) Airport: $63
  • Private Transfer Madrid Barajas Airport to Madrid: $65
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer Madrid To Madrid Airport: $66
  • Arrival Private Transfer by Business Car from MAD Airport to Madrid: $67
  • Roundtrip Private Transfer from Madrid Airport (MAD): $79

Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Madrid?

Prices for flights to both Madrid 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 day
    Manila $29
    Madrid $67

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: $51
  • Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $51
  • 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 Madrid

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:


  • Coffee
    $2.28
  • Ice Cream
    $3.42
  • Kebabs (for 2)
    $18
  • Croissant
    $1.71
  • Lunch at Airport (for 2)
    $18

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid

For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Zarzuela Opera and Dinner at La Castafiore Restaurant in Madrid: $65
  • Madrid Old Town Tour & Flamenco Show with Optional Dinner: $69
  • Small-Group Food Tour with Tapas, Wine & Vermouth: $74
  • Murder Mystery Dinner Experience: $75
  • Chocolate & Churros Cooking Class in Madrid: $76
  • Spanish Tapas Experience and Sangría Showcooking in Madrid: $76
  • Small-Group Food Tour with Local Tapas & Spanish Wine: $76
  • Madrid Luxury Evening Food Tour In the Vibrant La Latina District: $81
  • Madrid Food Tour: Best Tapas, Churros & Market Sights by FLT: $88
  • Guided Food Tour of Tapas, Ham, Olive Oil & Vermouth: $89
  • Madrid Tapas & Wine Tasting Food Tour – Small Group Local Bars: $90
  • Madrid Ultimate Spanish Cuisine Food Tour: $93

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Manila $18
    Madrid $38

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 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
  • Calatagan Beach Waterpark Island Hopping Adventure from Manila: $248
  • Cavite Leisure And Farm Tour: $170
  • Club Crawl and Party Experience at BGC: $71
  • Discover Tagaytay's Countryside: Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $85
  • Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $39

Tours and Activities in Madrid

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.

  • Madrid Walking Tour from Puerta del Sol to Retiro Park: $3.51
  • Walking Tour of Madrid Modern: $3.51
  • Madrid - Medieval to Modern Walking Tour (English): $3.52
  • Madrid City Highlights Walking Tour: $4.69
  • A Self-Guided Tour of El Retiro Park’s Rise, Ruin and Redemption: $5.00
  • Madrid Historical Self-Guided Walking City Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.28
  • Madrid Old Town Self Guided Tour with Mobile App: $5.99
  • Madrid Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
  • Let's Tapear! The Madrid Tapas Route Walking Audio Tour: $7.33
  • Madrid Mystery Quest: Self-Guided Surreal Adventure Game: $8.20
  • Madrid Essential : Self-Guided Tour created by local Official Guide: $8.21
  • Museo Lazaro Galdiano Admission Ticket in Madrid: $8.95

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Manila $9.21
    Madrid $22

Typical Alcohol Prices in Madrid

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:


  • Beer
    $5.70
  • Drinks and Tapas (for 2)
    $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:

  • Top Pub Crawl Madrid & Party: $12
  • Visit to the Winery with Wine Tasting and Appetizers in Navarra: $12
  • Spanish Wine Tasting Overlooking Parque del Oeste: $26
  • Pub Crawl Madrid-The Original since 2005-Shots-Fun-Clubs-Dance: $29
  • Wine Tasting near Plaza Mayor in Madrid: $35
  • Wine Tour with tasting in the Natural Park of La Mata: $38
  • Wine Tasting in Madrid Experience: $54
  • Madrid Tapas and Wine Tour with a Local Guide: $73
  • Hypno Tasting Wine Tasting under Hypnosis in Madrid: $76
  • Spanish Wine Tasting : $90
  • Wine Tasting and Flamenco Master Class in Madrid: $101
  • Madrid Tapas & Wine Tour: Local Bars & Spanish Wine Tasting: $111


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Madrid, we can see that Madrid 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 Madrid 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 Madrid would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Madrid 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 Madrid Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Manila or Madrid?

Manila has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Madrid. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Madrid, 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.