Which place is cheaper, Tianjin or Manila?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Manila or Tianjin?
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 Tianjin can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Tianjin?
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.
Tianjin
Tianjin is a large metropolis on the north east coast of China. This ancient city, which dates back to prehistoric times, is one of five National Central Cities of China and is rich in culture and history. Tianjin is most famous for its beautiful walking streets and history of European concession territories.
Tianjin experiences hot and humid summers, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are cool and dry with temperatures around 15° (F). Spring and Autumn tend to be the best times to visit as weather is a little more mild, although Spring has a tendency to be a little rainy.
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.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $94Tianjin $76
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $94, while the average daily cost in Tianjin is $76. 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 Tianjin in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $55Tianjin $34
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $110Tianjin $68
Compare Hotels in Manila and Tianjin
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Tianjin? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14Tianjin $36
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
- Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
- Adventure Awaits: Spelunking at Cavinti Cave Complex w/ Transfers: $160
- Active Taal Volcano experience 2024 (with transfers): $140
- Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $139
- Nagpatong Rock Day hike + Tungtong Falls(with transfers**) 2023: $130
- Day Hike Mt. Batulao 811 meters with transfers from Manila** 2024: $130
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Paranaque Private Transfer: $120
- ⭐ Manila International Airport Car Transfer To & From City⭐: $72
- Half Day Historical Manila City tour and much more with transfers: $70
- Private Arrival Transfer: Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Manila: $68
- Manila Airport (MNL): One-way Private Transfers: $57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tianjin
Also for Tianjin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Tianjin Airport Chauffeur Service, Tianjin Airport Transfer: $13
- Tianjin Airport Chauffeur Service, Tianjin Airport Transfer: $18
- Tianjin Binhai International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
- Private Arrival Transfer:Any Tianjin Railway Station to City Hotel: $30
- Private Departure Transfer: Bejing City Hotel to Airport: $32
- Private Transfer from Tianjin Port to Tianjin Binhai Airport TSN: $33
- Private Transfer from Tianjin Binhai Airport TSN to Tianjin Port: $33
- Private Transfer from Tianjin Binhai Airport to Tianjin Port: $36
- Private Arrival Transfer: Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN) to Hotel: $39
- Tianjin Airport (TSN) to Tianjin RoundTrip Private Transfer: $50
- Tianjin Port Private transfers to Tianjin train station: $50
- Private Transfer from Tianjin City Hotels to Tianjin Cruise Port: $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Tianjin?
Prices for flights to both Tianjin 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 dayManila $18Tianjin $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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $20Tianjin $10
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 Tianjin
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tianjin.
- Tianjin Private Walking Tour Guided by a Lady Worked in Europe: $151
- Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing Hotel With the English Speaking Driver: $160
- 5-Hour Private Tianjin Shopping Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $179
- Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing Capital Airport With the English Speaking Driver: $187
- Private Tianjin City Highlight Day Tour: $188
- Tianjin Cruise Port To Beijing Daxing Airport With the English Speaking Driver: $203
- Bullet Train Private Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven: $219
- 1 Day Tianjin City Essence Tour from Tianjin Port: $235
- Tianjin Private Tour to Eastern Qing Tombs with Flexible Departure time: $237
- Private Tianjin Day Tour to Huangyaguan Great Wall and Dule Temple: $238
- Tianjin Shore Excursion: Huangyaguan Great Wall Private Day Tour: $238
- Bullet Train Private Tour: Beijing Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Great Wall: $239
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.97Tianjin $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Tianjin, we can see that Manila is more expensive. And not only is Tianjin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tianjin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tianjin 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 Manila would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manila than you might in Tianjin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manila Expensive? and Is Tianjin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Tianjin?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Tianjin. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Tianjin, 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 Tianjin?
Tianjin 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 Tianjin in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Manila as well as Tianjin. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Manila is around the same temperature as Tianjin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manila in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Tianjin averages at about 27°C (80°F).
It's quite rainy in Tianjin. Manila receives a lot of rain in the summer. Manila usually gets more rain in July than Tianjin. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Tianjin receives 185 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyManila 27°C (80°F)Tianjin 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Manila or Tianjin in the Autumn?
Both Tianjin and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year.
In October, Manila is generally much warmer than Tianjin. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 26°C (79°F), and Tianjin fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
It's quite rainy in Manila. In October, Manila usually receives more rain than Tianjin. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Tianjin receives 21 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManila 26°C (79°F)Tianjin 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Manila or Tianjin in the Winter?
Both Tianjin and Manila during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Tianjin. Manila is much warmer than Tianjin in the winter. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Tianjin fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).
Manila usually gets more rain in January than Tianjin. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Tianjin receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManila 24°C (76°F)Tianjin -3°C (27°F)
Should I visit Manila or Tianjin in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Tianjin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round.
In the spring, Manila is much warmer than Tianjin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manila in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Tianjin averages at about 14°C (58°F).
In April, Manila usually receives less rain than Tianjin. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Tianjin receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilManila 29°C (84°F)Tianjin 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Tianjin and Manila
| Manila | Tianjin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 9 mm (0.3 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 185 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 4 mm (0.2 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.