Should you visit Yogyakarta or Manila?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Yogyakarta or Manila? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Yogyakarta or Manila?
Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta, also called Yogya, Jogja, and Jogjakarta, is Java's hub of culture and art, and is the top-visited destination on the island. While Jakarta is the most populated and industrially-developed city in Indonesia, Yogya has managed to progress without losing its cultural charm, as illustrated in its well-kept traditional Indonesian architecture.
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 Adventure Tours to Indonesia, The Best Eco Tours in Indonesia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines.
Which place is cheaper, Manila or Yogyakarta?
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 Yogyakarta is $64, while the average daily cost in Manila is $106. 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 Yogyakarta and Manila in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Yogyakarta 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.
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:
Yogyakarta Hotel Prices and
Manila Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yogyakarta
Also for Yogyakarta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Transfer Airport Yogyakarta (JOG) to All City Destination:
$7.00
-
Indonesia: Yogyakarta Airport Transfer:
$14
-
Private Transfer Airport Jogyakarta ( Adisucipto ):
$25
-
Yogyakarta Airport Transfer ( Private Service ):
$28
-
Jomblang Cave Day Trip with Hotel Transfer:
$30
-
Yogyakarta Private Departure Transfer- Yogyakarta Hotel to Airport:
$34
-
Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Karangwaru:
$35
-
Private Transfer from Kricak to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG):
$35
-
Private Transfer from Panembahan to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG):
$35
-
Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Panembahan:
$35
-
Private Transfer from Musikanan to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG):
$35
-
Private Transfer from Pekuncen to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG):
$35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
-
Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Manila HTL-APT (MNL):
$30
-
Transfers from Manila, Makati, Taguig and Pasay Hotel to Airport:
$50
-
Tagaytay-Pagsanjan Falls combo tour with transfers** updated 2024:
$180
-
Safe and secure Airport Transfer Best in Manila:
$216
-
Quality Safe and Reliable Manila Airport Transfers:
$49
-
Private Transfer from Manila Cruise Port to Manila Airport (MNL):
$29
-
Private Transfer from Manila Airport (MNL) to Manila Cruise Port:
$29
-
Private One-way Transfer From Manila To Manila Airport:
$24
-
Private Departure Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas:
$41
-
Private Arrival Transfer: Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Manila:
$98
-
Private Arrival Airport Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas:
$41
-
MNL Airport to City Centre Private Transfer:
$13
Is it cheaper to fly into Yogyakarta or Manila?
Prices for flights to both Manila and Yogyakarta 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 day
Yogyakarta $19
Manila $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yogyakarta
For Yogyakarta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Kotagede Night Food Tour:
$27
-
Yogyakarta Historical Walking and Food Tour:
$29
-
Yogyakarta Evening Walking and Food Tour:
$30
-
Prawirotaman Night Food Tour:
$35
-
Yogyakarta Cooking Class and Market Tour :
$35
-
Small-Group Walking and Food Tour by Night in Yogyakarta:
$36
-
Yogyakarta Night Food Tour:
$48
-
Yogyakarta Day Food Tour:
$48
-
Prambanan Sunset and Ramayana Ballet with Dinner:
$65
-
Yogyakarta Cooking Class:
$71
-
Private Ramayana Ballet Performance Tour at Prambanan with Dinner:
$104
-
Prambanan Temple and Ramayana Ballet Show (VIP Seat with dinner):
$125
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
Tours and Activities in Yogyakarta
For Yogyakarta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
Chicken Church at Karangrejo Village Admission Ticket:
$1.84
-
Java Puppets Museum Admission Ticket:
$2.50
-
Half Day Keraton and Taman Sari Tour:
$10
-
Yogyakarta Merapi Volcano Jeep Adventure with English/France/Italia guide:
$16
-
Mount Merapi Sunrise , Jomblang cave and Pindul Cave Tour :
$20
-
Official Tickets - Experience Ramayana Ballet Jogja Show:
$20
-
Roro Jonggrang Ballet in City Center Official Tickets MURI Award:
$20
-
Private Borobudur Village Tour by Bike:
$25
-
Rent a Car Private Day tour with Driver :
$25
-
Borobudur ( Guarantee ClimbUP ) and Prambanan Temple Day Tour:
$26
-
Yogyakarta Borobudur Sunset Shared Guided Tour :
$26
-
FUN Cycling Tour De Temples:
$27
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
-
(Excursion) Day tour in Manila:
$265
-
A Day in Paradise at Villa Escudero Coconut Plantation Adventure:
$150
-
A Night in Old Intramuros Walking Tour:
$24
-
Active Taal Volcano Sightseeing & Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour (2in1):
$135
-
Amazing Taal Volcano Tour (Boat Included):
$125
-
Antipolo Day Tour with Cloud 9 and Pinto Art Museum:
$82
-
BAGUIO CITY DAY TOUR (FROM MANILA):
$365
-
BANAUE:BATAD Rice Terraces with Sagada 4D3N PRIVATE TOUR:
$7,305
-
Bataan Death March Memorial Historical Tour :
$208
-
Club Crawl and Party Experience at BGC:
$73
-
Discover Tagaytay's Countryside: Half-Day Sightseeing Tour :
$85
-
Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours:
$37
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yogyakarta and Manila, we can see that Manila is more expensive. And not only is Yogyakarta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Yogyakarta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yogyakarta 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 Yogyakarta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yogyakarta Expensive? and Is Manila Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yogyakarta or Manila?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Yogyakarta. When comparing the sizes of Yogyakarta 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.
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