Which place is cheaper, Saint John 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 Saint John?
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 Saint John can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Saint John?
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.
Saint John
With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.
This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines.
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Manila Prices
Philippines PricesSaint John Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $106Saint John $233
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $106, while the average daily cost in Saint John is $233. 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 Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $54Saint John $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $108Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Manila and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Saint John? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14Saint John $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- Airport Transfer from Manila Airport: $96
- Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $139
- Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
- METRO MANILA AIRPORT TRANSFERS | VAN: $64
- Manila Airport Chauffeur service Manila Airport private Transfer : $20
- Manila Airport Transfer: $38
- Manila Airports Quality Safe and Reliable Airport Transfer: $40
- Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
- Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $53
- Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $30
- Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport (MNL) Private Transfer to Manila City: $30
- Manila Private Airport Transfer: Comfortable & Affordable: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John 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 $31Saint John $97
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Manila.
- Ugbo Manila Street Food Tour with Tuktuk Ride: $60
- ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $62
- Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $65
- Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $65
- 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
- Authentic Manila Chinatown Food Tour Exploration : $75
- Intramuros and Chinatown Food Tour with Food Samples: $80
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $120
- Day Tour in Manilas History and Savor a Cultural Dinner: $175
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $19Saint John $23
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- Skip the Line: Hike Eat Swim at Mount Purro Nature Reserve Ticket: $22
- A Night in Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $23
- Fort Santiago Guided Tour: $25
- Explore the Urban Art of Mural and Street Art Tour: $25
- Viva Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $27
- The Dessert Museum Entry Ticket: $27
- Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $30
- Old Manila Intramuros Area Walking Tour: $30
- Manila night cruise, night life, foodie tour and 3d theather: $32
- Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $34
- Intramuros Night Bamboo Bike Tour: $34
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37
Tours and Activities in Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.90Saint John $44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Saint John, we can see that Saint John 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 Saint John is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Saint John would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John 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 Saint John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Manila or Saint John?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Manila or Saint John in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Saint John. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Manila gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Manila usually receives more rain than Saint John. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Manila is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manila in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Saint John averages at about 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManila 27°C (80°F)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Manila or Saint John in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Manila as well as Saint John. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Saint John. Manila receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Manila usually gets more rain in October than Saint John. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Manila is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 26°C (79°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManila 26°C (79°F)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Manila or Saint John in the Winter?
Both Saint John and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Manila usually receives less rain than Saint John. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Manila is around the same temperature as Saint John in the winter. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManila 24°C (76°F)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Manila or Saint John in the Spring?
Both Saint John and Manila during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.
Manila usually gets less rain in April than Saint John. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Manila is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manila in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Saint John averages at about 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManila 29°C (84°F)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Manila
| Manila | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.