Which place is cheaper, Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise?
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 Surfers Paradise can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Surfers Paradise?
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.
Surfers Paradise
A tourist mecca, Surfers Paradise is one of the most popular travel destinations along Australia's famed Gold Coast. The beach stretches for miles and there is an endless supply of almost constant parties. You'll find high rise apartments lined up along the shore and plenty of shopping areas, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Travelers from around the world visit the area, and it's a right of passage for Australia's teens to vacation in or near Surfers Paradise. For many travelers, Surfers Paradise comes across as little more than a mass marketed, over commercialized, party destination, but for others it is a vacation dream. Prices are highly inflated so you have to keep your whits about you to avoid being ripped off. Surfers Paradise is a destination of extremes and it conjures up extreme emotions in many travelers, be it positive or negative.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, The Best Luxury Tours to Australia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Australia.
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Manila Prices
Philippines PricesSurfers Paradise Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $106Surfers Paradise $124
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $106, while the average daily cost in Surfers Paradise is $124. 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 Surfers Paradise in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $54Surfers Paradise $67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $108Surfers Paradise $134
Compare Hotels in Manila and Surfers Paradise
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Surfers Paradise? 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 $14Surfers Paradise $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Manila HTL-APT (MNL): $30
- Transfers from Manila, Makati, Taguig and Pasay Hotel to Airport: $50
- Tagaytay-Pagsanjan Falls combo tour with transfers** updated 2024: $180
- Safe and secure Airport Transfer Best in Manila: $216
- Quality Safe and Reliable Manila Airport Transfers: $49
- Private Transfer from Manila Cruise Port to Manila Airport (MNL): $29
- Private Transfer from Manila Airport (MNL) to Manila Cruise Port: $29
- Private One-way Transfer From Manila To Manila Airport: $24
- Private Departure Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
- Private Arrival Transfer: Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Manila: $98
- Private Arrival Airport Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41
- MNL Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Surfers Paradise
Also for Surfers Paradise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Gold Coast Theme Parks: Shared Hotel Transfers: $15
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Surfers Paradise?
Prices for flights to both Surfers Paradise 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 $31Surfers Paradise $45
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Buffet Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $85
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $19Surfers Paradise $24
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- (Excursion) Day tour in Manila: $258
- A Day in Paradise at Villa Escudero Coconut Plantation Adventure: $150
- A Night in Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $23
- Active Taal Volcano Sightseeing & Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour (2in1): $135
- Amazing Taal Volcano Sightseeing & Pagsanjan Falls Tour 2in1: $125
- Amazing Taal Volcano Tour (Boat Included): $125
- Antipolo Day Tour with Cloud 9 and Pinto Art Museum: $80
- BAGUIO CITY DAY TOUR (FROM MANILA): $357
- BANAUE:BATAD Rice Terraces with Sagada 4D3N PRIVATE TOUR: $7,130
- Bataan Death March Memorial Historical Tour : $208
- Club Crawl and Party Experience at BGC: $71
- Discover Tagaytay's Countryside: Half-Day Sightseeing Tour : $85
Typical Entertainment Prices in Surfers Paradise
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Surfers Paradise's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Surf Lesson$79
Tours and Activities in Surfers Paradise
For Surfers Paradise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing Midday River Cruise: $19
- Gold Coast Afternoon River Cruise: $21
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing City Lights Cruise: $26
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing River Cruises: $26
- HOTA: Gold Coast Home of the Arts Cruise & Dine Experience Pass: $27
- Gold Coast Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Cruise 1 Day Pass: $30
- Gold Coast Quack'rDuck Amphibious Tour from Surfers Paradise: $37
- Surfers Paradise Sightseeing Sunset River Cruise: $37
- Guided Gold Coast Amphibious Bus Tour: $38
- Gold Coast: 360-Degree High-Speed Jet Boat Adventure: $39
- Tropical Fruit World Farm Full Tour : $45
- Surfers Paradise Sunset Kayak Tour: $53
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.90Surfers Paradise $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Surfers Paradise, we can see that Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise is in Pacific, 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 Surfers Paradise would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Surfers Paradise?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 560 times larger than the population of Surfers Paradise. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Surfers Paradise, 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 Surfers Paradise?
Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradise in the Summer?
Both Surfers Paradise 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Surfers Paradise for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Manila is around the same temperature as Surfers Paradise in the summer. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in January.
Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradisein January. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryManila 27°C (80°F)Surfers Paradise 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Manila or Surfers Paradise in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Surfers Paradise. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Surfers Paradise in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Manila is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Manila in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Surfers Paradise averages at about 22°C (71°F)in April.
Surfers Paradise 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 Surfers Paradisein April. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilManila 26°C (79°F)Surfers Paradise 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Manila or Surfers Paradise in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Manila as well as Surfers Paradise. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Surfers Paradise for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Manila is generally much warmer than Surfers Paradisein July. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 24°C (76°F), and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
Manila usually gets less rain in January than Surfers Paradisein July. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyManila 24°C (76°F)Surfers Paradise 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Manila or Surfers Paradise in the Spring?
Both Surfers Paradise and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Surfers Paradise because of the beaches.
Manila is a little warmer than Surfers Paradise in the spring. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Surfers Paradise fluctuates around 21°C (69°F)in October.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Surfers Paradise. In April, Manila usually receives less rain than Surfers Paradisein October. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Surfers Paradise receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberManila 29°C (84°F)Surfers Paradise 21°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Surfers Paradise and Manila
| Manila | Surfers Paradise | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 103 mm (4 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 129 mm (5.1 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.