Which place is cheaper, Nikko or Manila?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Manila or Nikko?
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 Nikko can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Nikko?
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.
Nikko
Nikko is a small Japanese city located in the mountains north of Tokyo. It is well-known for the site of Toshogu, a famed Shinto shrine established in 1617, in memory of Tokugawa Ieyasu who was the founding ruler of the Edo Period. The town is situated just outside of Nikko National Park which offers scenic mountain landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, wild monkeys, and hiking trails.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Philippines, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best 10-Day Tours in Japan, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $94Nikko $82
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $94, while the average daily cost in Nikko is $82. 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 Nikko in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $55Nikko $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $110Nikko $92
Compare Hotels in Manila and Nikko
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Nikko? 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 Nikko Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14Nikko -
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 Nikko
Also for Nikko, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kinugawa Osen to Tokyo Narita Airport Private Departure Transfer: $263
- Kinugawa Osen to Tokyo Haneda Airport Departure Private Transfer: $263
- Haneda Airport to/from Nikko City Private Transfer: $613
- Narita Airport to/from Nikko City Private Transfer: $613
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Nikko?
Prices for flights to both Nikko 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 $18Nikko $31
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $20Nikko $21
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 Nikko
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nikko.
- Nikko self-guided tour app with multi-language audioguide: $4.28
- World Heritage Nikko Walking Tour - Toshogu Shrine, Kanmangafuchi: $59
- Visit the Unexplored Regions of Lake Chuzenji-Scenic Trekking and Rafting Tour: $76
- Nikko Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $137
- Nikko Custom Half Day Tour: $144
- Nikko Custom Full Day Tour: $228
- Nikko Private Full-Day Sightseeing Day Tour: $474
- Full Day Private Nikko Tour from Tokyo with English Driver: $474
- Nikko Toshogu, Lake Chuzenjiko & Kegon Waterfall 1 Day Tour: $483
- Full-Day Private Nikko Tour with English Speaking Driver: $600
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.97Nikko $15
When comparing the travel costs between Manila and Nikko, we can see that Manila 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 Nikko Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Nikko?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 650 times larger than the population of Nikko. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Nikko, 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 Nikko?
Nikko 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 Nikko in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Manila as well as Nikko. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Nikko in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Manila is around the same temperature as Nikko. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manila in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Nikko averages at about 25°C (77°F).
It's quite rainy in Nikko. Manila receives a lot of rain in the summer. Manila usually gets more rain in July than Nikko. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManila 27°C (80°F)Nikko 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Manila or Nikko in the Autumn?
Both Nikko 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, most visitors come to Nikko for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Manila is generally much warmer than Nikko. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 26°C (79°F), and Nikko fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nikko. It's quite rainy in Manila. In October, Manila usually receives more rain than Nikko. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManila 26°C (79°F)Nikko 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Manila or Nikko in the Winter?
Both Nikko 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 winter months attract visitors to Nikko because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Nikko can be very cold. Manila is much warmer than Nikko in the winter. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Nikko fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
Manila usually gets less rain in January than Nikko. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManila 24°C (76°F)Nikko 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Manila or Nikko in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Nikko. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Nikko this time of year.
In the spring, Manila is much warmer than Nikko. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manila in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Nikko averages at about 13°C (55°F).
Nikko receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Manila usually receives less rain than Nikko. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Nikko receives 108 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManila 29°C (84°F)Nikko 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Nikko and Manila
| Manila | Nikko | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 32 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.