Travel Budget for Manila Visit Manila on a Budget or Travel in Style

Manila, City of Manila, Philippines

How much does it cost to travel to Manila?

You should plan to spend around $94 (₱5,294) per day on your vacation in Manila. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $18 (₱1,015) on meals
  • $15 (₱815) on local transportation
  • $110 (₱6,178) on hotels

A one week trip to Manila for two people costs, on average, $1,323 (₱74,117). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    $94
    5,294
  • One Week Per person
    $661
    37,058
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $1,323
    74,117
  • One Month Per person
    $2,835
    158,822
  • One Week For a couple
    $1,323
    74,117
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $2,646
    148,234
  • One Month For a couple
    $5,669
    317,644
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.


How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Manila cost?

A one week trip to Manila usually costs around $661 (₱37,058) for one person and $1,323 (₱74,117) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Manila on average costs around $1,323 (₱74,117) for one person and $2,646 (₱148,234) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Manila will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Manila on average costs around $2,835 (₱158,822) for one person and $5,669 (₱317,644) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to Manila has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Is Manila expensive to visit?

Prices in Manila are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.

Within Asia, Manila is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Nagasaki or Xi'an.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Manila Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Manila?

The average Manila trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Manila travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.


Category Cost
Accommodation 1 (Double Occupancy) 6,178 ($110)
Local Transportation 1 815 ($15)
Food 2 1,015 ($18)
Entertainment 1 1,110 ($20)
Tips and Handouts 1 367 - 1,100 ($7 - 20)
Alcohol 2 282 - 846 ($5 - 15)
Accommodation Budget in Manila
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Manila is $55 (₱3,089). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Manila is $110 (₱6,178). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.


  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $55
    3,089
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $110
    6,178

Hotel Prices in Manila

Looking for a hotel in Manila? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

 

Actual Hotel Prices
The average hotel room price in Manila based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $35. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.


Recommended Properties


Transportation Budget in Manila
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The cost of a taxi ride in Manila is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $15 (₱815) per person, per day, on local transportation in Manila.


  • Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    $15
    815

Recommended Services


Flights to Manila
How much does it cost to go to Manila? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.

Rental Cars in Manila
The price of renting a car in Manila will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.



Food Budget in Manila
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While meal prices in Manila can vary, the average cost of food in Manila is $18 (₱1,015) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Manila should cost around $7.25 (₱406) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Manila is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.


  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $18
    1,015

Recommended


Entertainment Budget in Manila
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Entertainment and activities in Manila typically cost an average of $20 (₱1,110) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.


  • Entertainment1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    $20
    1,110

Recommended Activities


Tips and Handouts Budget in Manila
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Manila is $13 (₱733) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Manila is 5% - 15%.


  • Tips and Handouts1 For guides or service providers
    $13
    733


Alcohol Budget in Manila
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $10 (₱564) on alcoholic beverages in Manila per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.


  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    $10
    564

Recommended


Water Budget in Manila
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • On average, people spend $1.29 (₱73) on bottled water in Manila per day. The public water in Manila is not usually considered safe to drink.


  • Water2 Bottled water for one day
    $1.29
    73


Last Updated: Dec 2, 2023
Manila On a Budget
Manila Manila, Philippines
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.

The Philippines has tropical climate with plenty of heat and humidity throughout the day. Wet season starts in May and lasts through October while dry season is from November to April. While wet season doesn't always bring torrential rains, the best time to visit is during dry season, in the months of January and February, which are the coolest months of the year with highs in the low 80s and minimal rainfall.
Sights
The main tourist area is Intramuros, which mean "within the walls" in Spanish. Also known as "Old Manila, during Spanish times," here, you can learn about Manila's history. Visit Fort Santiago, the original seat of Spanish military power, San Agustin Church, the only building left standing after Intramuros' destruction in WWII, and the grand Manila Cathedral, a popular site for weddings even today. Nearby, Rizal Park is a green space away from the noise of the city, perfect to stroll and exercise among the locals themselves.

South of Intramuros are the neighborhoods of Ermita and Malate are the two official tourist districts, where you can take in a nice view of Manila Bay. After visiting both historical Ermita and Malate churches, head toward Remedios Circle for a great selection of restaurants and bars. In Ermita, families may enjoy a visit to Manila Ocean Park, an aquarium comparable to Singapore's Sentosa Aquarium, the Artist's Garden, and the Planetarium. South of Ermita, Malate offers the oldest zoo in Asia, the Manila Zoo and the historical Rizal Stadium.

Roxas Boulevard is a lovely waterfront promenade. In addition to shopping and restaurants, take a stroll down the baywalk and check out the Metropolitan Museum of Manila or buy tickets to a show at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Manila's Chinatown, located in Santa Cruz and Binondo, is the oldest in the world. Take a walk down Ongpin Street starting at the Goodwill Arches and check out the traditional Chinese shops vending imported herbs, jewelry, and knick-knacks. Don't forget to stop in at one of the many Chinese and Hong Kong restaurants, bakeries, and teahouses.

Makati, which is known as the business center in Manila, is also the place to experience Manila's hottest restaurants, happening nightlife, and luxurious hotels. Offering its cosmopolitan lifestyle, a progressive tech domain, ever-changing arts and culture scene, and plethora of international cuisine (not to mention over 40 embassies and consulates located in the area), it's no wonder Makat is the favorite neighborhood among expats. Stop into the Ayala Museum to gain a better understanding of the complicated history of the country.

Named one of the best shopping destinations in Asia, Manila has numerous malls and shopping centers for shopaholics and window shoppers alike. Don't be fooled, though - a mall here isn't simply for shopping and eating, but offers everything you might possibly want, whether you want to get a facial and massage in a salon, make a wager on a game of bingo, attend mass at church, or even visit the doctor. Some of the most popular malls include the Mall of Asia in Pasay, the Megamall at Ortigas Center, the fancy Glorietta mall in the ever-lux neighborhood of Makati, and the lower-priced Trinoma in Quezon City.

Food and Dining
While Manila has plenty in the way of international restaurants, don't forget to try some of the local foods of the city. Chicken Adobo is a classic and famous Filipino dish, made of chicken marinated in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and pepper, served alongside rice. Try it at The Aristocrat, located on the corner San Andres Street and Roxas Boulevard.

Another popular street snack is Balut, which is 17-day old duck embryo, which you can find at stalls on the street. Balut vendors come out at night and you can find many in the city center near San Roque Church. If you want to stay near the nightlife, walk around the intersection of Makati Avenue and Jupiter Street.

Kare Kare, which is oxtail stew made of oxtail, vegetables, onions, peanuts, and garlic, is another Filipino speciality. Visit Barrio Fiesta to try this, along with Crispy pata, deep-fried pork knuckles, and lumpiang ubod, which are palm hearts, shrimp and pork wrapped into a spring roll.

Save room for dessert! Halo Halo mixes shaved ice with evaporated milk and topped with agar jelly, sago, sweet beans, and fruit. Try it at Raxon's SM Manila or if you're on the go, stop into a Jollibee or Max's for a Halo Halo to go.

Last but not least, don't forget to the Philippines' world-renowned Tanduay Rhum, the most popular rum right after Bacardi.

Transportation
Fly directly into Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila from almost any major city in Asia. Cebu Pacific is a well known low-cost airline offering flights on the daily. However, beware that this airport has a poor reputation because it is not well-connected among its own terminals. This means that you'll need to give yourself plenty of cushion time if you're taking a connecting flight. Note that there is now a free bus transfer service that stays within the airport from Terminal 4, used for budget airlines, to Terminal 1, which is used for most international flights. Clark Airport is two hours north of the city and has direct buses into the center.

You can also get into Manila by boat. Many ferries which serve other major cities in the Philippines dock at Manila South Harbor.

Provincial buses also serve Manila and the stations are located throughout the city, depending on the destination. Go to Sampaloc District to find buses headed north and to the EDSA (a limited-access freeway around Manila) and South Superhighway junction if you're headed south.

To get into the city, you can take a taxi. Note that all airport metered taxis are yellow in color. However, scams are common using accelerated meters, so watch the meter. You can also ask the dispatcher in advance how much a ride to your destination should cost to get an idea of the normal fare before getting in.

Outside of taxis, you can also opt to take a bus or a jeepney, which is a smaller bus originally made up of leftover WWII U.S. military jeeps. Jeepneys are the most popular form of transport for locals and inexpensive. However, they are open-air vehicles without air conditioning and can get very crowded, so beware of pickpockets. The kitschy designs painted onto jeepneys contribute to a huge part of Filipino culture and art. You can often determine the destination of a jeepney or a bus by reading the locations painted onto the outside of the vehicle or on the dashboard. If all else fails, ask a helpful local.

If you need to get to a place that is difficult to access in a larger vehicle, opt for a tricycle, or a Filipino rickshaw. These vehicles cover short distances and should provide a table of fares. Negotiate longer distances with the driver before boarding.

You can also take a calesa or a horse-drawn carriage to get through narrow streets, but similar to negotiating the cost for a rickshaw, be sure you agree on a fare before getting in.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.