Which place is cheaper, Sydney or Manila?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Manila or Sydney?
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 Sydney can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Sydney?
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.
Sydney
Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Philippines, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Australia, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $94Sydney $273
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $94, while the average daily cost in Sydney is $273. 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 Sydney in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $55Sydney $102
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $110Sydney $204
Compare Hotels in Manila and Sydney
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Sydney? 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 Sydney Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14Sydney $15
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
- Active Taal Volcano experience 2024 (with transfers): $140
- Adventure Awaits: Spelunking at Cavinti Cave Complex w/ Transfers: $160
- Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $139
- Day Hike Mt. Batulao 811 meters with transfers from Manila** 2024: $130
- Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
- Half Day Historical Manila City tour and much more with transfers: $70
- Manila Airport (MNL): One-way Private Transfers: $57
- Manila Airport Transfer: $37
- Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $35
- Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport Private Transfer: $9.80
- Nagpatong Rock Day hike + Tungtong Falls(with transfers**) 2023: $130
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:
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Taxi Ride$13
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Taxi to Airport$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:
- Transfer Between Airport & Hotels or Cruise Terminal: $13
- Sydney Arrival Transfer: Airport to City or Overseas Passenger Terminal: $23
- Shuttle Transfer from Cruise Ship Terminal at Circular Quay to Sydney Airport: $23
- Sydney Port Arrival Transfer: Cruise Port to City Hotel: $23
- Shuttle Transfer from Sydney Airport to Cruise Ship Terminal at Circular Quay: $23
- Sydney Airport to White Bay Port transfer: $27
- Private Departure Transfer: Sydney Airport: $33
- Airport Shuttle Transfer to and from CBD Hotels: $36
- Private Arrival Transfer: Sydney Airport to Hotel or Cruise Port: $38
- Sydney Airport (SYD) to Sydney Arrival Private Transfer: $39
- Sydney to Sydney Airport (SYD) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
- Sydney International Airport to/from Sydney One Way Transfer: $47
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Sydney?
Prices for flights to both Sydney 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 $18Sydney $44
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
Typical Food Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:
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Tea$2.60
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Lunch Special$9.73
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Food/Drink Coogie Beach$9.73
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Meat Pies$3.24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sydney.
- VIVID Dinner Cruise with Complimentary Drink on Arrival: $36
- Vivid Sydney Harbor Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $46
- Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $50
- Christmas in July Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $56
- Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $58
- Sydney Harbour: Tall Ship Vivid Dinner Cruise: $58
- Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
- Small Group Refugee Chef Dinner Banquet at Bohemian Cafe: $63
- Kids Cooking Classes: $63
- Sydney Harbour: Latin Fiesta Dinner Cruise: $69
- Latino Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $69
- Latino Dinner Cruise on Sydney Harbour: $69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $20Sydney $31
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- Guided Tour of the Historic San Sebastian Basilica (Manila): $6.42
- Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $18
- Skip the Line: Hike Eat Swim at Mount Purro Nature Reserve Ticket: $22
- ⭐ Makati Bar Hopping Tour with Venus ⭐: $27
- Intramuros Historical Walk Tour: $27
- Old Manila Intramuros Area Walking Tour: $32
- Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $34
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $43
- ⭐ Intramuros The Walled City Walking Tour ⭐: $45
- ⭐ Authentic Manila Chinatown Experience ⭐: $46
- Manila One-on-One Walking Tour with Mobile Photography: $50
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney
Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Theatre Show$29
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Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)$30
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Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)$124
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Powerhouse Museum$9.76
Tours and Activities in Sydney
Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $2.14
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Spirits of Sydney - Self Guided Ghost Tour of the Rocks Area: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Australia: Tourist eSIM Data Plan: $11
- Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $14
- Botanic Garden Self-Guided Adventure Hunt for Kids: $16
- Australian National Maritime Museum: All-Inclusive Ticket: $16
- Unlock The Rocks Scavenger Hunt Adventure Game: $16
- Secret Laneways Scavenger Hunt Adventure Game: $16
- Broken Bay Pearl & Oyster Farm Tours: $17
- Australian National Maritime Museum Entry Ticket - See it All: $17
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.97Sydney $15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:
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Wine$10
Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sydney:
- Haunted Pub Tour with Local Guide: $20
- Sydney's Haunted Pub Tour with a Licensed Guide: $26
- Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $29
- Sydney Cellar Door - Old Vine Expressions Wine Tasting: $46
- Urban Winery Wine Tasting Tour with Cheese Platter: $56
- Private Wine Tour and Tasting: $56
- The Rocks Pub Walking Tour: $76
- Balmain Pub Walking Tour: $76
- Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour: $102
- Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $111
- Northern Beaches Brewery Tour and Tasting: $121
- Hunter Valley Wine Tasting + Lunch Guided Day Tour : $132
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Sydney, we can see that Sydney 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 Sydney 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney 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 Sydney Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Sydney?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Sydney. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Sydney, 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 Sydney?
Sydney 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 Sydney in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Sydney. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sydney for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Manila is a little warmer than Sydney in the summer. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Sydney fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in January.
Sydney receives a lot of rain in the summer. Manila gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Manila usually receives more rain than Sydneyin January. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryManila 27°C (80°F)Sydney 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Manila or Sydney in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Manila as well as Sydney. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Sydney in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Manila is a little warmer than Sydney. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Manila in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Sydney averages at about 19°C (65°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Sydney. Manila receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Manila usually gets more rain in October than Sydneyin April. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilManila 26°C (79°F)Sydney 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Manila or Sydney in the Winter?
Both Sydney and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Sydney for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Manila is generally much warmer than Sydneyin July. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 24°C (76°F), and Sydney fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
In January, Manila usually receives less rain than Sydneyin July. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyManila 24°C (76°F)Sydney 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Manila or Sydney in the Spring?
Both Sydney 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. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Sydney because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Manila is much warmer than Sydney in the spring. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Sydney fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in October.
Manila usually gets less rain in April than Sydneyin October. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Sydney receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberManila 29°C (84°F)Sydney 18°C (64°F)
Typical Weather for Sydney and Manila
| Manila | Sydney | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 128 mm (5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 81 mm (3.2 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.