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

Should you visit Ephesus or Manila?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus 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: Ephesus or Manila?

Ephesus

The ancient city of Ephesus was famed for the Temple of Artemis (completed around 550 BC). It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The temple was destroyed in 401 AD and rebuilt by Emperor Constantine I along with new public baths. The town was again partially destroyed by an earthquake in 614 AD. The city's importance as a commercial center declined as the harbor was slowly silted up by the Cayster River (Kucuk Menderes).

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 Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines.


Which place is cheaper, Manila or Ephesus?

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 Ephesus is $131, 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 Ephesus and Manila in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Ephesus $55
    Manila $54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Ephesus $110
    Manila $108
Compare Hotels in Ephesus and Manila

Looking for a hotel in Ephesus 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 Ephesus


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: Ephesus Hotel Prices and Manila Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Ephesus $40
    Manila $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ephesus

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

  • Kusadasi Boat Trip With Lunch And Hotel Transfer: $40
  • Kusadasi Half Day Quad Safari Experience With Free Hotel Transfer: $50
  • Kusadasi Buggy Car Safari With Free Hotel Transfer Service: $50
  • Private Transfer from Kusadasi hotels to Kusadasi Cruise Port: $63
  • Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Kusadasi Hotels: $63
  • Kusadasi Horse Riding Beach and Forest options with Transfer : $66
  • Scuba Diving Experience in Kusadasi with Instructor and Transfer: $67
  • Transfer: $72
  • Private Transfer from Kusadasi Cruise Port to Izmir Airport (ADB): $74
  • Ephesus Private Guided Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $80
  • Private Guided Ephesus Tour with Cruise port Transfers: $80
  • Kusadasi Samos Ferry Trip With Free Hotel Transfer Service: $90

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:

  • Safe and secure Airport Transfer Best in Manila: $216
  • Tagaytay-Pagsanjan Falls combo tour with transfers** updated 2024: $180
  • Escape to Enchanting Hidden Valley Springs! with Transfers***: $170
  • Amazing Pagsanjan Falls with Authentic filipino lunch Plus Transfers frm manila*: $139
  • Amazing Taal Volcano Island Boat Tour with Transfers: $120
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Manila: $98
  • Airport Transfer from Manila Airport: $96
  • METRO MANILA AIRPORT TRANSFERS | VAN: $64
  • Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $53
  • Transfers from Manila, Makati, Taguig and Pasay Hotel to Airport: $50
  • Quality Safe and Reliable Manila Airport Transfers: $49
  • Private Departure Transfer: All Hotels in Ortigas: $41

Is it cheaper to fly into Ephesus or Manila?

Prices for flights to both Manila and Ephesus 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
    Ephesus $45
    Manila $31
Typical Food Prices in Ephesus

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ephesus:


  • Sandwiches
    $0.12
  • Dessert
    $0.13
  • Lunch at Beach (for 2)
    $0.46
  • Snacks
    $0.19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ephesus

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

  • Cooking Class in Kusadasi Ephesus: $110

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⭐: $62
  • 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: $66
  • Binondo Chinatown Food Tour with Free Food Samples: $70
  • Manila Chinatown Food Tour with Local Guide: $71
  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Ephesus $46
    Manila $19

Tours and Activities in Ephesus

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

  • Kusadasi Legacy of the Ottomans: Exploration Game and Tour: $5.96
  • Skip-the-Line Ephesus Tour with Lunch: $7.17
  • SKIP-THE-LINE: BEST-SELLER PRIVATE EPHESUS TOUR for Cruise Guests: $9.56
  • Ephesus and Sirince Village Tour For Cruisers: $9.90
  • Mini Group Ephesus & House of Virgin Mary Tour (Max. 10 guests): $9.90
  • "private Ephesus tours "" wholesaler Shop Tours ""from cruise port Kusadasi ": $10
  • For Cruisers: Religious Ephesus Shore Excursion From Kusadasi Port: $11
  • For Cruisers: Best of Ephesus & Shopping Tour: $11
  • Private Ephesus Tour for Cruiser with Ticket and Lunch Options: $11
  • PRIVATE or SHARED: Ephesus & Mary's House Tour ENTRY FEES & LUNCH: $11
  • For Cruisers: Hidden Sights of Ephesus Tour: $11
  • Skip the Line: Ephesus Tour For Cruise Guest : $12

Tours and Activities in Manila

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:

  • (Excursion) Day tour in Manila: $258
  • A Day in Paradise at Villa Escudero Coconut Plantation Adventure: $150
  • A Night in Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $23
  • Active Taal Volcano Sightseeing & Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour (2in1): $135
  • Amazing Taal Volcano Sightseeing & Pagsanjan Falls Tour 2in1: $125
  • Amazing Taal Volcano Tour (Boat Included): $125
  • Antipolo Day Tour with Cloud 9 and Pinto Art Museum: $80
  • BAGUIO CITY DAY TOUR (FROM MANILA): $357
  • BANAUE:BATAD Rice Terraces with Sagada 4D3N PRIVATE TOUR: $7,130
  • Bataan Death March Memorial Historical Tour : $208
  • Club Crawl and Party Experience at BGC: $71
  • Discover Tagaytay's Countryside: Half-Day Sightseeing Tour : $85

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Ephesus $12
    Manila $9.90
Typical Alcohol Prices in Ephesus

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Ephesus from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $0.10

Sample the Local Flavors in Ephesus

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

  • PRIVATE & GROUP: SKIP-THE-LINE EPHESUS with Wine Tasting & Lunch: $12
  • SKIP-THE-LINE Ephesus & Wine Tasting Tour From Kusadasi Port: $18
  • POTTERY PAINTING & WINE TASTING Tour from Kusadasi Port: $49
  • Kusadasi Shore Excursions Ephesus and Wine Tasting Tours : $70
  • Ephesus Shore Excursion with Wine Tasting and Lunch: $80


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


Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Manila?

Manila has a larger population, and is about 170 times larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus 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.


When is the best time to visit Ephesus or Manila?

Ephesus 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 Ephesus or Manila in the Summer?

Both Manila and Ephesus during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Ephesus for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round.

In the summer, Ephesus is around the same temperature as Manila. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ephesus in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Manila averages at about 27°C (80°F).

Manila gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ephesus usually gets less rain in July than Manila. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Manila receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Ephesus 27°C (81°F) 
    Manila 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Manila in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Manila. The autumn months attract visitors to Ephesus because of the shopping scene. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Ephesus is generally cooler than Manila. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 19°C (66°F), and Manila fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Manila receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Manila. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Manila receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Ephesus 19°C (66°F) 
    Manila 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Manila in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Manila. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ephesus this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year.

Ephesus is much colder than Manila in the winter. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 10°C (50°F) in January, and Manila fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

Ephesus receives a lot of rain in the winter. Ephesus usually gets more rain in January than Manila. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Manila receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Ephesus 10°C (50°F) 
    Manila 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Ephesus or Manila in the Spring?

Both Manila and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Ephesus is much colder than Manila. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ephesus in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Manila averages at about 29°C (84°F).

In April, Ephesus usually receives more rain than Manila. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Manila receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Ephesus 15°C (59°F) 
    Manila 29°C (84°F)

Typical Weather for Manila and Ephesus

Ephesus Manila
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 10°C (50°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 24°C (76°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Feb 10°C (50°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 5 mm (0.2 in)
Mar 12°C (53°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 27°C (80°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 29°C (84°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
May 19°C (67°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 29°C (83°F) 142 mm (5.6 in)
Jun 24°C (75°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 303 mm (11.9 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in) 27°C (80°F) 408 mm (16.1 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 1 mm (0 in) 27°C (80°F) 452 mm (17.8 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 23 mm (0.9 in) 27°C (80°F) 357 mm (14.1 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 240 mm (9.4 in)
Nov 14°C (58°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Dec 12°C (53°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 50 mm (2 in)