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

Should you visit Manila or Qingdao?

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

Where Should I go: Manila or Qingdao?

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.

Qingdao

Qingdao, China, located in the Shandong Province, is a very large city right on the Yellow Sea coast. The city, whose name means "The Green Island" due to it's gorgeous landscapes and interesting geography, was named China's most livable city in 2012. The city is rich in history, having almost become a German territory in 1897 and being occupied by the Japanese during WWI. Evidence of these occupiers is present in much of the architecture around the city, which includes a few Catholic and Protestant churches.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Philippines, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Cultural Tours in China, and The Best Luxury Tours to China.


Which place is cheaper, Qingdao or Manila?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $94, while the average daily cost in Qingdao is $58. 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 Qingdao in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Manila $55
    Qingdao $26
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Manila $110
    Qingdao $52
Compare Hotels in Manila and Qingdao

Looking for a hotel in Manila or Qingdao? 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 Qingdao


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Manila $14
    Qingdao $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:

  • ⭐ Manila International Airport Car Transfer To & From City⭐: $72
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Manila APT-HTL (MNL) : $30
  • Transfers from Manila, Makati, Taguig and Pasay Hotel to Airport: $50
  • Round-trip Coron Airport Transfer + Town Tour (Shared): $31
  • Puerto Princesa Airport to El Nido Transfer: $25
  • Private Transfer from Manila Airport (MNL) to Manila Cruise Port: $22
  • Private Transfer from Clark Airport (CRK) to Subic Bay Port: $46
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer(Manila Airport To/From Manila): $22
  • Private Departure Airport Transfer in Manila Bay and Makati Area: $23
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Manila: $68
  • Private Arrival Airport Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
  • Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Paranaque Private Transfer: $120

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Qingdao

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

  • Private Departure Transfer: City Hotel to Qingdao Railway Station : $36
  • Qingdao Railway Station Depature Transfer from City Hotels: $36
  • Qingdao Railway Station Arrival Transfer to City Hotel: $36
  • Qingdao Cruise Port Departure Transfer from City Hotels: $36
  • Qingdao Northern Railway Station Arrival Private One-Way Transfer: $42
  • Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao central to Qingdao Airport (TAO): $83
  • Qingdao Private Transfer from Qingdao Airport (TAO) to central Qingdao: $83
  • Qingdao Liuting Airport Transfer Service by Minivan: $86

Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Qingdao?

Prices for flights to both Qingdao 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 $18
    Qingdao $20

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Manila $20
    Qingdao $20

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 Qingdao

For Qingdao, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Private Qingdao City tour with Lunch and Qingdao beer: $175
  • Private Qingdao Historic architectural day tour with Tsingdao beer during Lunch: $190
  • Private Qingdao Laoshan half day tour with one bottle of Tsingdao beer as gift: $199
  • Qingdao private half day tour with Tsingdao Beer Lunch : $202
  • Qingdao Shore Excursion: Private Full Day Laoshan Mountain Sightseeing Tour: $207
  • Private Qingdao Essentials Tour: City Highlights and Beer Museum: $216
  • Laoshan Mountain Full Day Private Activity Tour: $224
  • Qingdao Private Day Tour to Laoshan Mountain with Lunch and Cable Car: $238
  • Private Qingdao Laoshan day tour with lunch& round way cable car: $240
  • Qingdao Discover Tour to the Mount Laoshan and Tasting Famous Local Beer: $248
  • Qingdao Private Tour: City Highlights and Laoshan Mountain with Lunch+Cable Car: $268
  • All-Inclusive Private Day Tour: Qingdao Highlights with Lunch: $285

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Manila $9.97
    Qingdao $14


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Qingdao, we can see that Manila is more expensive. And not only is Qingdao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Qingdao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Qingdao 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 Manila would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manila than you might in Qingdao.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manila Expensive? and Is Qingdao Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Manila or Qingdao?

Manila has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Qingdao. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Qingdao, 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 Qingdao?

Qingdao 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 Qingdao in the Summer?

Both Qingdao and Manila during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Manila is around the same temperature as Qingdao in the summer. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Qingdao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Qingdao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Manila. Manila usually gets more rain in July than Qingdao. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Manila 27°C (80°F) 
    Qingdao 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Manila or Qingdao in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Qingdao. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round.

In the autumn, Manila is much warmer than Qingdao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Manila in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Qingdao averages at about 17°C (62°F).

Manila gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Manila usually receives more rain than Qingdao. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Manila 26°C (79°F) 
    Qingdao 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Manila or Qingdao in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Manila as well as Qingdao. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Qingdao can be very cold during winter. In January, Manila is generally much warmer than Qingdao. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 24°C (76°F), and Qingdao fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

Manila usually gets more rain in January than Qingdao. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Manila 24°C (76°F) 
    Qingdao -0°C (32°F)

Should I visit Manila or Qingdao in the Spring?

Both Qingdao and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year.

Manila is much warmer than Qingdao in the spring. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Qingdao fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In April, Manila usually receives less rain than Qingdao. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Qingdao receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Manila 29°C (84°F) 
    Qingdao 12°C (53°F)

Typical Weather for Qingdao and Manila

Manila Qingdao
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 17 mm (0.7 in) -0°C (32°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 1°C (34°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Mar 27°C (80°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 6°C (43°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 12°C (53°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
May 29°C (83°F) 142 mm (5.6 in) 17°C (62°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 303 mm (11.9 in) 21°C (70°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 27°C (80°F) 408 mm (16.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 211 mm (8.3 in)
Aug 27°C (80°F) 452 mm (17.8 in) 26°C (79°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)
Sep 27°C (80°F) 357 mm (14.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Oct 26°C (79°F) 240 mm (9.4 in) 17°C (62°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Nov 25°C (77°F) 121 mm (4.8 in) 10°C (49°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Dec 23°C (73°F) 50 mm (2 in) 3°C (37°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)