Which place is cheaper, Phoenix or Manila?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Manila or Phoenix?
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 Phoenix can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Phoenix?
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.
Phoenix
The most populous city in the American Southwest, Phoenix is the capital city of Arizona and busiest hub of activity in the general area. Geographically it is located in the Sonoran Desert, making for long hot summers and mild winters. This climate has ensured a thriving tourism industry with plenty of attractions both in and around Phoenix.
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 Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $93Phoenix $238
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $93, while the average daily cost in Phoenix is $238. 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 Phoenix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $54Phoenix $144
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $108Phoenix $288
Compare Hotels in Manila and Phoenix
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Phoenix? 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 Phoenix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14Phoenix $39
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
- Tagaytay + Hidden Valley Springs: A Scenic Escape w/ Transfers: $200
- 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
- Day Hike Mt. Batulao 811 meters with transfers from Manila** 2024: $130
- Nagpatong Rock Day hike + Tungtong Falls(with transfers**) 2023: $130
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Paranaque Private Transfer: $120
- ⭐ Manila International Airport Car Transfer To & From City⭐: $73
- Half Day Historical Manila City tour and much more with transfers: $70
- Private Arrival Transfer: Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Manila: $68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phoenix
Also for Phoenix, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer From Hotels To Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport PHX : $41
- Private Tesla Transfer from Phoenix Airport to all Hotels : $42
- Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) to Phoenix - Arrival Private Transfer: $58
- Phoenix to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) - Departure Private Transfer: $58
- Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) Private Transfer: $80
- Departure Private Transfer: Phoenix to Sky Harbor Airport PHX in Business Car: $90
- Private Transfer from Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Business Car: $90
- Arrival Private Transfer: Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Business Car: $91
- Private Transfer from Phoenix to Sky Harbor Airport PHX in Business Car: $91
- Private Transfer from Phoenix to Sky Harbor Airport PHX in Luxury SUV: $104
- Private Transfer from Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Luxury SUV: $104
- Arrival Private Transfer: Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Luxury SUV: $104
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Phoenix?
Prices for flights to both Phoenix 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 $18Phoenix $52
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
- ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $64
- Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $65
- Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $65
- Makati Street Food Tour Experience: $69
- Food Tour at the World's Oldest Chinatown: $75
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour Experience with Mari: $82
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $120
- Cultural Dinner and Show in Manila: $145
Typical Food Prices in Phoenix
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Phoenix:
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Nice Lunch (for 2)$36
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Indian Food Dinner (for 2)$32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phoenix
For Phoenix, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Awesome French Crêpes Cooking Class: $75
- Old Town Scottsdale Food Tour: $92
- Downtown Phoenix Food Tour: $92
- Scottsdale Waterfront Food Tour: $95
- Quiche Lorraine French Cooking Class in Scottsdale: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $19Phoenix $40
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: $73
- 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: $342
- From Day Tour to Enchanting Hidden Valley: $160
- From Majestic Pagsanjan Falls Adventure: $160
- From Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour: $107
- From Panoramic Tagaytay Ridge Tour: $150
- From Taal Volcano Island & Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour: $135
Tours and Activities in Phoenix
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Phoenix.
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Surprise by Operation City Quest: $10
- Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting Entry Ticket: $17
- SEA LIFE Aquarium Arizona Admission Ticket: $19
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Mesa by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Phoenix Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
- Treasure Island Escape Room Experience in Avondale : $24
- Asylum Escape Room Experience in Avondale: $24
- Private Speakeasy Escape Room Experience in Avondale: $24
- The Scottsdale Selfie Experience: $25
- Ghosts & Poltergeists Guided Haunted Walking Tour: $26
- LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Arizona Admission Ticket: $26
- RoRo Street Art Tour in Phoenix: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.88Phoenix $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Phoenix
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Phoenix:
- Scottsdale Bar Hunt: Scorching Scottsdale Bar Crawl: $12
- Pedal Bar Crawl of Old Town Scottsdale: $55
- Stretch Limo Party Cart - Custom Bar Crawls, Wine Tastings, Night Clubs & More: $155
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix 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 Phoenix is in North America, 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix 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 Phoenix Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Phoenix?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Phoenix. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?
Phoenix 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 Phoenix in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Manila as well as Phoenix. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Phoenix in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
The heat can be very extreme in Phoenix. Manila is cooler than Phoenix in the summer. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).
Manila receives a lot of rain in the summer. Manila usually gets more rain in July than Phoenix. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManila 27°C (80°F)Phoenix 98°F (36°C)
Should I visit Manila or Phoenix in the Autumn?
Both Phoenix 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 Phoenix for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Manila is around the same temperature as Phoenix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Manila in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Phoenix averages at about 79°F (26°C).
It's quite rainy in Manila. In October, Manila usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManila 26°C (79°F)Phoenix 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Manila or Phoenix in the Winter?
Both Phoenix 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, the winter months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Manila is generally much warmer than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 24°C (76°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
Manila usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Phoenix. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManila 24°C (76°F)Phoenix 58°F (14°C)
Should I visit Manila or Phoenix in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Phoenix. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round.
Manila is a little warmer than Phoenix in the spring. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
In April, Manila usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManila 29°C (84°F)Phoenix 74°F (23°C)
Typical Weather for Phoenix and Manila
| Manila | Phoenix | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 83°F (28°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 92°F (34°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 98°F (36°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 96°F (35°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 90°F (32°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
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.