Which place is cheaper, San Diego or Manila?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Manila or San Diego?
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 San Diego can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or San Diego?
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.
San Diego
For many visitors and locals alike, San Diego is a paradise. Located in southern California, not far from Los Angeles, it has the perfect climate, wonderful beaches, and a culturally rich environment. It's surrounded by beautiful landscape and has a strong focus on wildlife conservation and eco-friendly living. Home to about 1.3 million residents, it is California's second largest city. It also has many universities, a large tech industry, and a thriving economy. Despite its size, many people perceive San Diego as a slower, more relaxed city with a pleasant vibe away from the chaos of a large city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Philippines, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $93San Diego $202
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $93, while the average daily cost in San Diego is $202. 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 San Diego in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $54San Diego $115
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $108San Diego $230
Compare Hotels in Manila and San Diego
Looking for a hotel in Manila or San Diego? 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 San Diego Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14San Diego $24
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 San Diego
Also for San Diego, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in San Diego HTL-APT(SAN): $47
- Private Departure Transfer to San Diego Airport SAN: $50
- Tijuana to Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) – Departure Private Transfer: $55
- Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) to Tijuana hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
- Private Arrival Transfer from San Diego Airport SAN: $56
- San Diego Airport (SAN) to San Marcos, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $64
- Transfer in private minivan from San Diego Downtown to San Diego Airport (SAN): $68
- Transfer in private minivan from San Diego Airport (SAN) to San Diego Downtown: $68
- San Diego Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to San Diego: $70
- San Diego Airport - Private Round Trip Transfer: $70
- Private Transfer from San Diego Airport (SAN) to San Diego Port : $74
- Private Transfer from San Diego Port to San Diego city hotels: $74
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or San Diego?
Prices for flights to both San Diego 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 $18San Diego $45
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 San Diego
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to San Diego:
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Mexican Lunch for Two$27
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Breakfast at Starbucks$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Pizza and Gelato Tour in San Diego: $80
- San Diego Vegan Food Tour: $85
- Old Town Tequila and Tacos Walking Food Tour: $85
- Gaslamp Quarter Food Tour: $89
- Gaslamp Quarter Downtown San Diego Food Tour: $89
- San Diego Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $95
- San Diego, Seaport Village: Waterfront Walking Food Tour: $99
- Seaport Village Food Tour in San Diego : $99
- Guided Secret Food Tour: $103
- Scenic Buffet Dinner Cruise: $108
- San Diego Dinner Cruise: $116
- Gourmet Dinner Cruise: $118
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $19San Diego $48
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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San Diego Zoo$15
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Sea World Parking$12
Tours and Activities in San Diego
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Diego.
- Pies & Pickaxes: A Historic Walking Tour of Julian, CA: $4.49
- Waterfront Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $7.31
- A Seaside Stroll: La Jolla's Hidden Treasures Self-Guided Tour: $9.99
- Historical Walking Tour of San Diego: $10
- Beaches & Bluffs San Diego's Ultimate Coastal Driving Tour: $12
- San Diego Natural History Museum Ticket: $12
- Haunted Historic Whaley House - Self-Guided Tour: $14
- Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
- Private Walking Tour and Gaslamp Adventure in San Diego: $20
- Explore Balboa in a Private Tour of San Diego Hidden Gems: $20
- San Diego's Historic Treasures and Old Town Tour: $20
- San Diego Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.88San Diego $21
Sample the Local Flavors in San Diego
Also in San Diego, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- San Diego Bar Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $13
- History Tour Pub Crawl of Famous Gaslamp Quarter: $30
- Brewery Tour with Tastings and Food Pairings: $85
- Vino! Vino! Little Italy Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $125
- Little Italy Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $125
- Private Wine Tasting Tour in Valle de Guadalupe: $133
- Cruise & Booze Brewery tours : $149
- Baja Tour Guide wine tour: $169
- Sidecar Wine Tasting Tour: $199
- Brewery and Tap Room Sidecar Tour: $199
- California Sunset Brewery Tour: $199
- Brewery and Beer Tasting Tour in San Diego: $215
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and San Diego, we can see that San Diego 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 San Diego 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 San Diego would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Diego 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 San Diego Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or San Diego?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of San Diego. When comparing the sizes of Manila and San Diego, 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 San Diego?
San Diego 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 San Diego in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Manila as well as San Diego. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to San Diego for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Manila is generally a little warmer than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 27°C (80°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
Manila receives a lot of rain in the summer. Manila usually gets more rain in July than San Diego. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManila 27°C (80°F)San Diego 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Manila or San Diego in the Autumn?
Both San Diego 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, the autumn months attract visitors to San Diego because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Manila is a little warmer than San Diego in the autumn. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and San Diego fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
It's quite rainy in Manila. In October, Manila usually receives more rain than San Diego. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManila 26°C (79°F)San Diego 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Manila or San Diego in the Winter?
Both San Diego 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 museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.
In the winter, Manila is much warmer than San Diego. Typically, the winter temperatures in Manila in January average around 24°C (76°F), and San Diego averages at about 57°F (14°C).
Manila usually gets less rain in January than San Diego. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManila 24°C (76°F)San Diego 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Manila or San Diego in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and San Diego. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round. Also, many travelers come to San Diego for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Manila is generally much warmer than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 29°C (84°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
In April, Manila usually receives less rain than San Diego. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManila 29°C (84°F)San Diego 62°F (17°C)
Typical Weather for San Diego and Manila
| Manila | San Diego | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 inches (46 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.8 inches (20 mm) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.5 inches (37 mm) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.6 inches (40 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.