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

Should you visit Santorini or Manila?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Manila, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Santorini or Manila?

Santorini

Santorini is a volcanic island that is part of the Cyclades group of the Greek Islands. It has some spectacular views, beautiful sunsets, and excellent beaches. As one of the most popular of the Greek Islands to visit, Santorini sees many tourists every year. However, it's for a good reason, as the famous white-washed buildings that spill down the hill, some with blue domes that match the gorgeous color of the water, are set against the beautiful mountainous backdrop of one of the most scenic areas of the Mediterranean. Home to several of these small and scenic towns such as Oia, Kamari, Perissa, and Fira, visitors can explore the large island, enjoy delicious food, swim at the beaches, hike the hills, and sail the blue waters.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best Eco Tours in Philippines, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Philippines.


Which place is cheaper, Manila or Santorini?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €175, while the average daily cost in Manila is €86. 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 Santorini and Manila in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santorini 93
    Manila 50
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santorini 186
    Manila 100
Compare Hotels in Santorini and Manila

Looking for a hotel in Santorini or Manila? 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 Santorini


Hotels in Manila


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: Santorini Hotel Prices and Manila Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santorini 28
    Manila 13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini

Also for Santorini, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • One-Way Transfer to/from the Port or Airport: $15
  • Santorini Private Transfer From or To Airport: $19
  • Departure Shared Transfer in Santorini Island: $22
  • Arrival Shared Transfer in Santorini Island: $22
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Santorini Hotel to Airport or Cruise Port: $22
  • Santorini shared transfer: $22
  • Private Transfers To/From Airport, Port & Hotels: $22
  • Santorini : Economy Private transfer to all destinations: $22
  • Departure Private Transfer Santorini to Santorini Airport JTR by Sedan Car: $23
  • Private Transfer from Santorini Airport to Santorini : $24
  • Economy Transfers From & To Santorini Port: $24
  • PrivateTransfer from Santorini to Santorini Airport: $24

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Manila?

Prices for flights to both Manila and Santorini 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
    Santorini 48
    Manila 16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santorini

For Santorini, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Traditional Greek Night live Music & Dinner Show in Santorini: $55
  • Santorini Caldera: Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $70
  • Romantic Sunset Caldera Cruise with Dinner: $70
  • Volcanic Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $81
  • Catamaran Tour with BBQ Dinner, Drinks, and Music: $85
  • Santorini Caldera Sunset Sailing Cruise with Dinner and Wine: $87
  • Volcano and Hot Springs Sunset Dinner Cruise: $97
  • Santorini Cooking Class with Wine Tasting: $108
  • Santorini Volcano Sunset Cruise Including Dinner on Board: $108
  • The Aegean Cooking Class: $109
  • Cooking Class in Traditional cave house in Santorini!: $120
  • Fira: 4-Hour Walking Food Tour With Tastings: $124

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santorini 36
    Manila 18

Tours and Activities in Santorini

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santorini.

  • Authentic A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Oia: $6.99
  • Megalochori: Lost Atlantis 9D Experience Museum Entry Ticket: $15
  • Skip the Line Lost Atlantis Experience Ticket: $15
  • Akrotiri Archaeological Site Entry Ticket: $16
  • E-Ticket to Akrotiri with Audio Tour on your Phone: $24
  • Santorini Volcano and Hot Springs Cruise Tour from Fira Old Port: $27
  • Volcanic Islands Cruise with Hot Springs Visit: $28
  • Kayak Rental Adventure in Watersports Santorini: $33
  • Santorini Caldera Cruise Tour (Volcano, Hot Springs, Thirassia): $33
  • Santorini Volcano and Hot Springs Tour: $38
  • Santorini Volcano & Hot Springs Tour : $40
  • Santorini Volcano Half Day Tour: $44

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santorini 26
    Manila 9.16

Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini

Also in Santorini, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Top Sights Day Trip, Wine Tasting, & Oia Sunset: $63
  • Fira Town Walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $75
  • Visit to a Wine Museum and Wine Tasting in Santorini : $76
  • 2 Hours Private Wine Tasting Tour in Santorini With Pick Up: $87
  • Notos Day Tour through History & Wine Tasting: $98
  • Wine Tour with Sunset in Oia: $107
  • Santorini Highlights Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting from Fira: $109
  • 5 towns in 5 hours: Santorini Most Popular Tour with Wine tasting: $117
  • 3-Hour Wine Tasting in Santorini : $126
  • Santorini Wine Adventure with 12 Wine Tastings, Tapas and Sunset: $131
  • Santorini wine tasting and Traditional Cave Settlement Tour: $142
  • Intimate Santorini - Small Group Shore Excursion and Wine Tasting: $142


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santorini and Manila, we can see that Santorini is more expensive. And not only is Manila much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santorini is in Europe and Manila is in Asia, 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 Santorini would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santorini 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 Santorini Expensive? and Is Manila Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Santorini or Manila?

Manila has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Santorini. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Manila, 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.