A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Manila vs. Tauranga for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Manila or Tauranga?

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 Tauranga can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Manila or Tauranga?

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.

Tauranga

Tauranga is a city on the North Island of New Zealand. It is situated on the western side of the Bay of Plenty, which is on the east coast of the island. Its population of 130,000 makes it the fifth largest city in the country. Tauranga is a Maori word translated roughly to 'a sheltered anchorage'. This makes sense as the town is located near a very large harbor and protected by Matakana Island. Mount Maunganui is at the headland of the town and regarded as a suburb of Tauranga. The beach at Mt Maunganui is a surfing hot spot. The climate is mostly warm and dry because of the town's sheltered position.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Eco Tours in New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Tauranga or Manila?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $106, while the average daily cost in Tauranga is $118. 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 Tauranga in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Manila $54
    Tauranga $74
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Manila $108
    Tauranga $148
Compare Hotels in Manila and Tauranga

Looking for a hotel in Manila or Tauranga? 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.

Hotels in Manila


Hotels in Tauranga


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 Tauranga Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Manila $14
    Tauranga $6.75

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:

  • MNL Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $13
  • Manila Airport Chauffeur service Manila Airport private Transfer : $20
  • Private One-way Transfer From Manila To Manila Airport: $24
  • Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
  • Private Transfer from Manila Airport (MNL) to Manila Cruise Port: $29
  • Private Transfer from Manila Cruise Port to Manila Airport (MNL): $29
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Manila HTL-APT (MNL): $30
  • Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport (MNL) Private Transfer to Manila City: $30
  • Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $30
  • Manila Airport Transfer: $38
  • Manila Private Airport Transfer: Comfortable & Affordable: $39
  • Manila Airports Quality Safe and Reliable Airport Transfer: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Tauranga?

Prices for flights to both Tauranga 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Manila $31
    Tauranga $37

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⭐: $64
  • 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: $68
  • Binondo Chinatown Food Tour with Free Food Samples: $70
  • Manila Chinatown Food Tour with Local Guide: $73
  • 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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Manila $19
    Tauranga $10

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: $24
  • Fort Santiago Guided Tour: $25
  • Explore the Urban Art of Mural and Street Art Tour: $25
  • Viva Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $27
  • The Dessert Museum Entry Ticket: $27
  • Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $31
  • Old Manila Intramuros Area Walking Tour: $31
  • Manila night cruise, night life, foodie tour and 3d theather: $33
  • Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $35
  • Intramuros Night Bamboo Bike Tour: $35
  • Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37

Tours and Activities in Tauranga

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tauranga are as follows:

  • Mount Maunganui Hot Pools Experience: $16
  • Mount Maunganui: Hot Ocean Water Pools Entry Ticket: $16
  • Mount Maunganui Harbour Sightseeing Cruise: $23
  • Tauranga Harbour Scenic One Hour Historical Boat Cruise : $24
  • Waimarino Adventure Park Supreme Pass Entry Ticket: $35
  • Katikati Avocado Adventure: $35
  • TAURANGA City & Scenic Sightseeing 2-hour Local Bus Tour: $47
  • Tauranga City & Scenic Sightseeing 2-hour Tour: $47
  • Tauranga Harbour Cruise: $56
  • Tauranga Shore Excursion: Small-Group Bay of Plenty and Tauranga Tour: $67
  • New Zealand Tauranga Tour with Transportation and Snacks: $75
  • Scenic Short Hike Tour - Papamoa Hills and McLaren Falls: $77

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Manila $9.90
    Tauranga $10


When comparing the travel costs between Manila and Tauranga, we can see that Tauranga is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Manila is in Asia and Tauranga is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manila Expensive? and Is Tauranga Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Manila or Tauranga?

Manila has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Tauranga. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Tauranga, 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.