Which place is cheaper, Singapore 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 Singapore?
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 Singapore can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Singapore?
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.
Singapore
Singapore is a city-state that was originally founded in 1819 as a British trading colony. Today it is a very international country that is incredibly modern and cosmopolitan. There is a strong financial industry in this country, and a correspondingly strong work ethic. It is one of the most prosperous cities in the world, and has one of the world's busiest ports.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, The Best Budget Tours to Singapore, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Singapore.
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Manila Prices
Philippines PricesSingapore Prices
Singapore Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $99Singapore $178
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $99, while the average daily cost in Singapore is $178. 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 Singapore in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $51Singapore $101
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $102Singapore $202
Compare Hotels in Manila and Singapore
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Singapore? 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 $13Singapore $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- MNL Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $13
- Private Departure Airport Transfer in Manila Bay and Makati Area: $23
- Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
- Private Transfer from Manila Cruise Port to Manila Airport (MNL): $28
- Private Transfer from Manila Airport (MNL) to Manila Cruise Port: $28
- Private Airport Transfer: Metro Manila → NAIA Airport (MNL): $30
- Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $30
- Manila Airport Transfer: $38
- Manila Private Airport Transfer: Comfortable & Affordable: $38
- Manila Airports Quality Safe and Reliable Airport Transfer: $40
- Private Departure Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
- Private Arrival Airport Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Singapore
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Singapore:
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Taxi to Airport$25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Singapore
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Singapore:
- Attractions Shared Transfers from Hotel: $12
- Changi Airport (SIN) Private One-Way Transfer: $23
- Singapore Changi SIN Airport Private Transfer to City Center: $24
- Singapore Airport Private Transfer: $26
- Private Transfer: Singapore to Sentosa Island: $26
- Singapore Airport Private Transfer: $28
- Singapore Private Airport & Hotel Transfer: Meet & Greet: $29
- Changi Airport to/from Hotel Private Transfer: $29
- Singapore Changi Airport: Singapore Private Airport Transfer: $30
- Private Airport Transfer from/to Changi Airport(SIN): $30
- Private Attraction Transfers for Singapore: $31
- Luxurious Airport/Cruise Transfers Singapore: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Singapore?
Prices for flights to both Singapore 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 $29Singapore $50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Manila.
- Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $60
- Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $60
- Ugbo Manila Street Food Tour with Tuktuk Ride: $60
- ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $62
- 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
- Intramuros and Chinatown Food Tour with Food Samples: $80
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $105
- A taste of Manila's History & Filipino Culture with Buffet Dinner: $175
- Subic: Sunset Dinner Yacht Cruise from Manila & Clark: $212
Typical Food Prices in Singapore
Some typical examples of dining costs in Singapore are as follows:
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Breakfast$4.71
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Sugarcane Juice$1.55
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Singapore
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Singapore.
- 8-hr guided tour : Food Tour, 40-min River cruise & 2 light Shows: $41
- 8-hr Combo: Food Tour, 40-Min Cruise & 2 Must-visit Light Shows: $44
- Full day Tour: Food tour, 40-min Cruise & 2 top-visit Light shows: $45
- Secrets of Singapore Kick Scooter Tour with Dinner: $53
- Chinatown Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $54
- Secrets of Singapore Kick Scooter Tour with Dinner: $55
- Chinatown Food Tour with 6 Tastings (Self-Guided Hunt): $56
- Singapore Food Tours - Chinatown Complex Hawker: $58
- Authentic Singapore Street Food Tour: $60
- Breakfast Food Tour in Singapore: $60
- Plant-Based Food Tour with Local Guide: $61
- Hawker Center Street Food Tour with Guide: $68
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $18Singapore $34
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
- Explore the Urban Art of Mural and Street Art Tour: $25
- Fort Santiago Guided 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
- Intramuros Night Bamboo Bike Tour: $34
- Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $34
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $39
Tours and Activities in Singapore
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Singapore are as follows:
- Live Like a Local in Singapore (Half-day Tour): $1.58
- Singapore City Walking Tour: Heartbeat of the City: $3.18
- Singapore Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Science Center E-Ticket: $6.43
- Peranakan Museum Admission Ticket: $6.51
- Ticket to Singapore Changi Chapel and Museum: $6.52
- Singapore GP Audio Tour: The World’s First Night Race Route: $6.99
- Singapore's Stories and Histories: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Gardens by the Bay Bundle Entry Ticket: $7.75
- Indian Heritage Centre Entrance Ticket: $7.75
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Singapore: $8.18
- Outdoor Audio Tour at Gardens by the Bay: $8.23
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.29Singapore $28
Sample the Local Flavors in Singapore
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Singapore:
- Party Singapore Bespoke Pub Crawl: $30
- Singapore Pub Crawl - Party like a Local: $39
- Brass Lion Gin Distillery Tour Ticket: $41
- LeVeL33 Rooftop Brewery Tour & Craft Beer Tasting: $77
- LeVeL33 Craft-Brewery Restaurant & Lounge Package: $192
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Singapore, we can see that Singapore 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 Singapore would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Singapore 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 Singapore Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Singapore?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Singapore. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Singapore, 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.
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.