Which place is cheaper, Tokyo or Manila?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Manila or Tokyo?
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 Tokyo can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Tokyo?
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.
Tokyo
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is by far the most populous city in the world with a staggering 37 million people. As a worldwide hub for technology and business, it hosts millions of visitors annually. But Tokyo is not just a place for business trips. With its incredible mixture of historical temples and shrines, remarkably beautiful parks, endless shopping malls, and genuinely wonderful people, Tokyo is a terrific place to visit and to explore.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Philippines, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best 2-Week Tours in Japan, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $94Tokyo $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $94, while the average daily cost in Tokyo is $157. 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 Tokyo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $55Tokyo $76
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $110Tokyo $152
Compare Hotels in Manila and Tokyo
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Tokyo? 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 Tokyo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14Tokyo $17
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 Tokyo
Also for Tokyo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Japan Railway Station Shared Departure Transfer : Tokyo City to Tokyo Station: $17
- Haneda Airport: 1-Way Shared Shuttle Transfer: $31
- Private Transfer from Tokyo Port to Tokyo Narita Int Airport(NRT): $33
- Private Transfer from Tokyo Port to Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT): $36
- Private Transfer from Tokyo Port to Tokyo Haneda Int Airport(HND): $38
- Private Transfer from Tokyo Cruise Port to Tokyo City Hotels: $38
- One-Way Private Transfer From/To Haneda Airport (HND): $45
- Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) to Tokyo hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $51
- Private Transfer from Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) to Yokohama Port: $59
- Private Transfer from Nagasaki Hotels to Nagasaki Cruise Port: $61
- Private Transfer from Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) to Yokohama Port: $65
- Yokohama Port Shared Transfer : from Haneda Airport to Yokohama Port: $68
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Tokyo?
Prices for flights to both Tokyo 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 $18Tokyo $37
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
- 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 Tokyo
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tokyo:
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Late Night Noodles$5.22
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Conveyor Belt Sushi Snack$5.22
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Meal at Airport$6.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tokyo
For Tokyo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Takoyaki cooking experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $23
- Easy Ramen Cooking Experience in Kabukicho, Shinjuku: $26
- 2 Hours Japanese Style Pub and Food Tour in Ueno: $33
- Private Sushi Roll Cooking Class in Japan: $38
- 【Contemporary Culture】Food tour I Always Visit in Shibuya: $39
- Ueno Private Walking Tour and Night Food Tour: $40
- Tokyo Best Cooking Class! Sushi Making Experience in Tsukiji: $54
- Japanese Traditional Cooking Class: $59
- Wagyu and 7 Japanese Dishes Cooking Class: $60
- Small-Group Wagyu Beef and 7 Japanese Dishes Tokyo Cooking Class: $69
- Sustainable Vegetable Temari Sushi Cooking Class in Asakusa: $69
- Private Food Tour in Downtown Yanesen and Nezu Shrine: $73
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $20Tokyo $68
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: $339
- From Day Tour to Enchanting Hidden Valley: $160
- From Majestic Pagsanjan Falls Adventure: $160
- From Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour: $99
- From Panoramic Tagaytay Ridge Tour: $150
- From Taal Volcano Island & Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour: $135
Tours and Activities in Tokyo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tokyo.
- Japan: Zen and Tea Ceremony Audio Guided Tour: $3.23
- Samurai and Bushido Audio Guided Tour: $4.66
- 24-hour, 48-hour, or 72-hour Subway Ticket: $5.17
- Asakusa（Tokyo）: Smartphone Audio Guide Tour: $6.47
- Akihabara (Tokyo): English Audio Guide Tour: $6.47
- Audio Guide Tour: Deeper Experience of Shinjuku Sightseeing: $6.47
- Ueno: Self-Guided Tour of Ameyoko and Hidden Gems: $6.47
- Local Food and Bar Tour in Ginza: $6.47
- Shibuya Sightseeing with an Audio Guide: $6.47
- Tokyo Local Bar Hopping Tour in Shibuya: $6.47
- Harajuku: Audio Guide Tour of Takeshita Street: $6.47
- Ueno Park Self-Guided Tour with Audio Guide: $6.47
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.97Tokyo $33
Typical Alcohol Prices in Tokyo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Tokyo:
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Sake$3.91
Sample the Local Flavors in Tokyo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tokyo:
- Tokyo Pub Crawl: $25
- TOKYO | Temple, Shrine, Sake Bar Crawling: $62
- Private Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl: $79
- barhopping tour&bar crawl in Retro Town Shimokitazawa: $84
- Toshimaya Sake Brewery Tour with Sake Tasting: $91
- Tokyo | 3 Hours Brewery Tour with Sake Sommelier: $103
- Private Sake Tasting at 300 Years Old Sake Brewery in Tokyo : $106
- 【Harajuku】Night Pub Crawl with Local Japanese: $125
- Private Local Craft Brewery Tour in Tokyo: $150
- Wooden Barrel Sake Brewery Tour and Unlimited Tasting Near Tokyo: $165
- Private Walking Tour with Sake Brewery Visit in Chichibu: $190
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Tokyo, we can see that Tokyo 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 Tokyo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tokyo 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 Tokyo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Tokyo?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Tokyo. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Tokyo, 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 Tokyo?
Tokyo 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 Tokyo in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Manila as well as Tokyo. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Tokyo because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Manila is around the same temperature as Tokyo in the summer. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Tokyo fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
It's quite rainy in Tokyo. Manila receives a lot of rain in the summer. Manila usually gets more rain in July than Tokyo. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManila 27°C (80°F)Tokyo 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Manila or Tokyo in the Autumn?
Both Tokyo and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tokyo this time of year.
In the autumn, Manila is a little warmer than Tokyo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Manila in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Tokyo averages at about 18°C (64°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tokyo. It's quite rainy in Manila. In October, Manila usually receives more rain than Tokyo. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 165 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManila 26°C (79°F)Tokyo 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Manila or Tokyo in the Winter?
Both Tokyo 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. Also, many travelers come to Tokyo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Manila is generally much warmer than Tokyo. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 24°C (76°F), and Tokyo fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
Manila usually gets less rain in January than Tokyo. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManila 24°C (76°F)Tokyo 5°C (42°F)
Should I visit Manila or Tokyo in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Tokyo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round. Also, many visitors come to Tokyo in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Manila is much warmer than Tokyo in the spring. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Tokyo fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
Tokyo receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Manila usually receives less rain than Tokyo. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Tokyo receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManila 29°C (84°F)Tokyo 14°C (58°F)
Typical Weather for Tokyo and Manila
| Manila | Tokyo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 180 mm (7.1 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 46 mm (1.8 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.