Which place is cheaper, Washington or Manila?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Manila or Washington?
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 Washington can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Washington?
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.
Washington
Washington, DC is the capital city of the United States of America. It is also a city rich in history and culture. The city dates back to 1791 when the states of Maryland and Virginia donated the land to create the capital. In 1846, Congress returned the land that was ceded by Virginia and in 1871 it created a single municipal government with the remaining area. Today, Washington, DC has a population of over 600,000 people. The metropolitan area includes suburbs in Maryland and Virginia and has a population of about 5.8 million.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Philippines, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $93Washington $198
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $93, while the average daily cost in Washington is $198. 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 Washington in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $54Washington $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $108Washington $226
Compare Hotels in Manila and Washington
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Washington? 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 Washington Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14Washington $47
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
- Tagaytay + Hidden Valley Springs: A Scenic Escape w/ Transfers: $200
- 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
- Day Hike Mt. Batulao 811 meters with transfers from Manila** 2024: $130
- Nagpatong Rock Day hike + Tungtong Falls(with transfers**) 2023: $130
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Paranaque Private Transfer: $120
- ⭐ Manila International Airport Car Transfer To & From City⭐: $73
- Half Day Historical Manila City tour and much more with transfers: $70
- Private Arrival Transfer: Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Manila: $68
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Washington
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Washington are as follows:
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Metro Day Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Washington
Also for Washington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Washington DC: Bus transfer from/to Philadelphia: $5.74
- Washington R. Reagan Airport (DCA) to Washington - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
- Transfer in private car from Washington Ronald Reagan Airport to Washington City: $53
- Private Departure Transfer to Baltimore Washington Airport BWI: $60
- Washington to Washington Airport (IAD) Departure Private Transfer: $64
- Washington to Baltimore Airport (BWI) Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Private Transfer- Washington City Center to Dulles Airport (IAD): $81
- Private Transfer- Dulles Airport (IAD) to Washington City Center: $81
- Transfer in private vehicle from Washington City to Dulles Airport: $88
- Washington to Baltimore Washington Airport (BWI) - Departure Private Transfer: $93
- Arrival Transfer Dulles Airport IAD to Washington DC by Sedan: $106
- Washington DC: DCA Private Transfer from/to Downtown: $110
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Washington?
Prices for flights to both Washington 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 $18Washington $38
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
- ⭐ 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
- Makati Street Food Tour Experience: $69
- Food Tour at the World's Oldest Chinatown: $75
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour Experience with Mari: $82
- Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $120
- Cultural Dinner and Show in Manila: $145
Typical Food Prices in Washington
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Washington:
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Water$2.00
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Snacks on Monuments Tour$6.15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Washington
For Washington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- DC: Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise on the Spirit: $69
- Washington DC Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
- DC: Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise on the Odyssey: $74
- Acquired Taste Food Tour in Georgetown: $85
- Washington D.C.: Georgetown Guided Secret Food Tour: $98
- Washington, DC: African American History Tour with Dinner: $108
- Washington,DC: Union Market Private Food Tour: $125
- Washington D.C.: Taste of Georgetown Walking Food Tour: $129
- Washington DC: Christmas Eve Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $140
- Washington DC Premier Dinner Cruise: $144
- Washington DC: Personalized & Private Food Tour with a Local: $152
- Private Traditional Filipino Cooking Class Near Washington DC : $154
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $19Washington $24
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: $73
- 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: $342
- From Day Tour to Enchanting Hidden Valley: $160
- From Majestic Pagsanjan Falls Adventure: $160
- From Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour: $107
- From Panoramic Tagaytay Ridge Tour: $150
- From Taal Volcano Island & Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour: $135
Tours and Activities in Washington
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Washington.
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Washington: $5.45
- Washington D.C.’s Tidal Basin: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- The Kennedy Homes of Georgetown: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Scandals & Secrets on Embassy Row: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- DC's Presidents, Pubs, and Parties: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- The Kennedy Homes: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Blossoming Friendship: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Washington D.C.’s Tidal Basin: $5.99
- Secrets on Embassy Row: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Washington DC: $5.99
- Washington, DC: Lincoln Assassination Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Washington DC: National Mall Self Guided App Walking Tour: $6.50
- Lincoln Memorial to the Cap Hill D.C. Smart Phone App/GPS Tour: $6.75
- Washington DC Outdoor Escape Game Tour: FBI vs. Bank Robbers: $7.09
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.88Washington $19
Sample the Local Flavors in Washington
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Washington:
- Epic Washington DC Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
- Washington DC: Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of Washington, D.C.: $59
- Washington, D.C.: History Tour Pub Crawl: $59
- DC: Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $105
- From Washington DC: Seneca Creek Region Wine Tour with Lunch: $175
- Full-Day Private Virginia Wine Tour Experience from Washington : $242
- Private Washington DC Virginia Winery Wine Tasting Tour -Spirited: $255
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Washington, we can see that Washington 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 Washington is in North America, 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 Washington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Washington 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 Washington Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Washington?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Washington. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Washington, 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 Washington?
Washington 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 Washington in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Manila as well as Washington. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Washington this time of year.
In the summer, Manila is around the same temperature as Washington. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manila in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Washington averages at about 79°F (26°C).
Manila receives a lot of rain in the summer. Manila usually gets more rain in July than Washington. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Washington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManila 27°C (80°F)Washington 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Manila or Washington in the Autumn?
Both Washington 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, many travelers come to Washington for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Manila is generally much warmer than Washington. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 26°C (79°F), and Washington fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).
It's quite rainy in Manila. In October, Manila usually receives more rain than Washington. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManila 26°C (79°F)Washington 60°F (15°C)
Should I visit Manila or Washington in the Winter?
Both Washington 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 visitors come to Washington in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Washington can get quite cold in the winter. Manila is much warmer than Washington in the winter. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Washington fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).
Manila usually gets less rain in January than Washington. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManila 24°C (76°F)Washington 35°F (1°C)
Should I visit Manila or Washington in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Washington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round. Also, most visitors come to Washington for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Manila is much warmer than Washington. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manila in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Washington averages at about 56°F (14°C).
In April, Manila usually receives less rain than Washington. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManila 29°C (84°F)Washington 56°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Washington and Manila
| Manila | Washington | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 35°F (1°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 60°F (15°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
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.