Which place is cheaper, Nara or Manila?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Manila or Nara?
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 Nara can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Nara?
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.
Nara
As Japan's first capital, Nara offers a world of tradition and culture second only to the city of Kyoto. It is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which are largely concentrated in the area of Nara Park. Here, it is also common to see many deer wandering freely amongst the temples and shrines.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Japan.
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Manila Prices
Philippines PricesNara Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $106Nara $111
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $106, while the average daily cost in Nara is $111. 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 Nara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $54Nara $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $108Nara $108
Compare Hotels in Manila and Nara
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Nara? 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 Nara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14Nara $6.04
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:
- MNL Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $13
- Manila Airport Chauffeur service Manila Airport private Transfer : $20
- Private One-way Transfer From Manila To Manila Airport: $24
- Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
- Private Transfer from Manila Airport (MNL) to Manila Cruise Port: $29
- Private Transfer from Manila Cruise Port to Manila Airport (MNL): $29
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Manila HTL-APT (MNL): $30
- Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport (MNL) Private Transfer to Manila City: $30
- Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $30
- Manila Airport Transfer: $38
- Manila Private Airport Transfer: Comfortable & Affordable: $39
- Manila Airports Quality Safe and Reliable Airport Transfer: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Nara?
Prices for flights to both Nara 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 $31Nara $51
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nara.
- Handmade Soba and Tempura Cooking Class in Nara: $49
- Udon and Tempura Cooking Class in Nara: $52
- Nara Personalized Half Day Food Tour with a Local Guide: $160
- Taste of Nara A Guided Half Day Food Tour Tailored to Your Taste: $160
- Full Day Nara E bike Tour and Osaka History Food Tour: $199
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $19Nara $8.09
Tours and Activities in Manila
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Manila are as follows:
- Skip the Line: Hike Eat Swim at Mount Purro Nature Reserve Ticket: $22
- A Night in Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $24
- Fort Santiago Guided Tour: $25
- Explore the Urban Art of Mural and Street Art Tour: $25
- Viva Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $27
- The Dessert Museum Entry Ticket: $27
- Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $31
- Old Manila Intramuros Area Walking Tour: $31
- Manila night cruise, night life, foodie tour and 3d theather: $33
- Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $35
- Intramuros Night Bamboo Bike Tour: $35
- Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37
Tours and Activities in Nara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nara are as follows:
- Gripped Sumi Ink Experience at a Historic Workshop in Nara: $23
- Tea Ceremony Experience in Nara 3 Minutes from Nara Station: $28
- Nara Craft Tours - local Craft beers tour experience in Nara City: $28
- Naramachi walking tour with Local: $31
- Nara Highlight Walking Tour with Furoshiki Experience with Lunch: $35
- Samurai Spirit Kendo Experience【Nara】: $41
- All must-sees in 3 hours - Nara Park Classic Tour! From JR Nara!: $45
- Traditional Kimono Experience in Historic Nara(with Hair Styling): $48
- Uji Tea Ceremony and UNESCO Heritage Walking Tour: $56
- Nara English Guided Walking Tour (All Entrance Fee Included): $62
- Perfect Nara Park Half-Day Bus Tour with English Speaking Guide: $69
- Kyoto: Tea Museum and Tsuen Teahouse Guided Tour: $73
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.90Nara $12
When comparing the travel costs between Manila and Nara, we can see that Nara is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manila Expensive? and Is Nara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Nara?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Nara. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Nara, 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 Nara?
Nara 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 Nara in the Summer?
Both Nara and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Nara because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Manila is generally around the same temperature as Nara. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 27°C (80°F), and Nara fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nara. It's quite rainy in Manila. In July, Manila usually receives more rain than Nara. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Nara receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManila 27°C (80°F)Nara 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Manila or Nara in the Autumn?
Both Nara and Manila during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Nara this time of year.
Manila is much warmer than Nara in the autumn. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Nara fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
Nara gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Manila. Manila usually gets more rain in October than Nara. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Nara receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManila 26°C (79°F)Nara 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Manila or Nara in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Nara. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round. Also, many travelers come to Nara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Nara. In the winter, Manila is much warmer than Nara. Typically, the winter temperatures in Manila in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Nara averages at about 4°C (40°F).
In January, Manila usually receives less rain than Nara. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Nara receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManila 24°C (76°F)Nara 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Manila or Nara in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Manila as well as Nara. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Nara in the spring for the natural beauty.
In April, Manila is generally much warmer than Nara. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 29°C (84°F), and Nara fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
It's quite rainy in Nara. Manila usually gets less rain in April than Nara. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Nara receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManila 29°C (84°F)Nara 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Nara and Manila
| Manila | Nara | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 60 mm (2.3 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 128 mm (5.1 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 214 mm (8.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 186 mm (7.3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
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.