Which place is cheaper, Shenzhen or Manila?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Manila or Shenzhen?
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 Shenzhen can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Shenzhen?
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.
Shenzhen
Located in the Guangdong Province of southeastern China, Shenzhen is a metropolis that connects Hong Kong to China's mainland. It is one of China's most populous cities, inhabited by vast array of people from other Chinese regions. It is perhaps best known for it shopping, collection of amusement parks, green parks, museums and galleries, and a few historic sites. It is on UNESCO's Creative Cities list.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Philippines, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $94Shenzhen $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $94, while the average daily cost in Shenzhen is $123. 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 Shenzhen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $55Shenzhen $89
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $110Shenzhen $178
Compare Hotels in Manila and Shenzhen
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Shenzhen? 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 $14Shenzhen $15
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 Shenzhen
Also for Shenzhen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer:Shenzhen City Hotel to Any Shenzhen Railway Station : $29
- Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) Private Transfer: $30
- [Airport Transfer] Shenzhen Airport 送 迎 Shenzhen City Transfer High reputation for service! : $32
- Kai Tak Cruise Terminal to Hong Kong City - Arrival Private Transfer : $36
- Private Transfer from Kai Tak Cruise Terminal to Hong Kong Hotels: $36
- Private Transfer from Shekou Cruise Port to Shenzhen city hotels: $41
- Private Transfer from Shenzhen city hotels to Shekou Cruise Port: $41
- Private Transfer from Shekou Cruise Port to Shenzhen Airport(SZX): $41
- Private Transfer from Shenzhen Int Airport (SZX) to Shekou Port: $41
- Private Transfer - Kai Tak Cruise Port to Hong Kong Airport (HKG): $45
- Private Transfer - Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Kai Tak Cruise Port: $45
- Hong Kong Airport (HKG) to Kai Tak Cruise Terminal - Arrival Private Transfer : $45
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Shenzhen?
Prices for flights to both Shenzhen 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 $18Shenzhen $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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Vegetarian Food Tour: $77
- Wet market tour & cooking class with local mum: $90
- Hong Kong Food Tour: Sham Shui Po District: $108
- Hong Kong Food Tour: Central and Sheung Wan Districts: $108
- Secret Food Tour With the Locals in Tin Hau Hong Kong w/ Private Tour Option: $109
- Traditional Chinese Pun Choi cooking class in Hong Kong: $112
- Hong Kong Food Tour with a Local: A Feast for Foodies 100% Personalized: $160
- Kowloon Street Food Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized & Private: $160
- The 10 Tastings of Hong Kong With Locals: Private Street Food Tour : $161
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $20Shenzhen $17
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 Shenzhen
For Shenzhen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Skip the Line! Walk to the Peak: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.34
- Victoria Peak: Climb to the summit via the Mid-Levels escalato on an audio tour: $5.40
- Yau Ma Tei: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in the Heart of Kowloon: $5.40
- Hong Kong Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Hong Kong Airport Express E-Ticket : $14
- Hong Kong Airport Express Train Tickets(Avoid Heavy Traffic): $15
- Lovely Hong Kong Self-Guided Audio Tour: $16
- [Entry After 6pm] sky100 Min. 2pax Ticket Offer (F-II_2P): $17
- Walking Tour in Hong Kong - Local Experience (New & Best) : $17
- TramOramic Sightseeing Tour plus 2-Day Tramways Ticket: $23
- sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck Tickets: $23
- Dukling Boat Tour in Victoria Harbour: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.97Shenzhen $19
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Shenzhen, we can see that Shenzhen is more expensive. And not only is Manila much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Shenzhen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Shenzhen?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Shenzhen. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Shenzhen, 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 Shenzhen?
Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen in the Summer?
Both Shenzhen 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 cooler than Shenzhen in the summer. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Shenzhen fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).
Shenzhen 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 Shenzhen. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 323 mm (12.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManila 27°C (80°F)Shenzhen 30°C (85°F)
Should I visit Manila or Shenzhen in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Shenzhen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round.
In the autumn, Manila is around the same temperature as Shenzhen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Manila in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Shenzhen averages at about 26°C (78°F).
Shenzhen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Manila gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Manila usually receives more rain than Shenzhen. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManila 26°C (79°F)Shenzhen 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Manila or Shenzhen in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Manila as well as Shenzhen. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Manila is generally much warmer than Shenzhen. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 24°C (76°F), and Shenzhen fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
Manila usually gets less rain in January than Shenzhen. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManila 24°C (76°F)Shenzhen 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Manila or Shenzhen in the Spring?
Both Shenzhen 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 a little warmer than Shenzhen in the spring. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Shenzhen fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Shenzhen. In April, Manila usually receives less rain than Shenzhen. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Shenzhen receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManila 29°C (84°F)Shenzhen 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Shenzhen and Manila
| Manila | Shenzhen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 325 mm (12.8 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 382 mm (15 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 393 mm (15.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 300 mm (11.8 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 27 mm (1.1 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.