Which place is cheaper, Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays?
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 Whitsundays can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Whitsundays?
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.
Whitsundays
Just off the coast of Queensland, Australia is a cluster of 74 different islands. These islands, the Whitsunday Islands, welcome over a half a million visitors every year to see one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Barrier Reef.
As one of the most famous destinations in the world, it's not uncommon to see expensive yachts sailing around among the private ferries. Most of the islands are designated as national parks with access to snorkeling and diving in the coral reefs, or just to lay in the sand on the famous Whitehaven Beach.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Melbourne, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Australia.
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Manila Prices
Philippines PricesWhitsundays Prices
Australia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $106Whitsundays $155
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $106, while the average daily cost in Whitsundays is $155. 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 Whitsundays in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $54Whitsundays $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $108Whitsundays $138
Compare Hotels in Manila and Whitsundays
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Whitsundays? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Manila $14Whitsundays $55
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 Manila or Whitsundays?
Prices for flights to both Whitsundays 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 $31Whitsundays $52
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Whitsundays
For Whitsundays, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hamilton Island: Whitsundays Sunset Dinner Cruise: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $19Whitsundays $25
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
Tours and Activities in Whitsundays
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Whitsundays.
- Airlie Beach: Whitsundays Full-Day Camira Sailing Adventure: $164
- MILADY Whitsundays 2-Night Private Yacht Sailing Cruise: $4,953
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.90Whitsundays $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Whitsundays, we can see that Whitsundays is more expensive. And not only is Manila much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Manila is in Asia and Whitsundays is in Pacific, 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 Whitsundays would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Whitsundays 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 Manila Expensive? and Is Whitsundays Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Manila or Whitsundays?
Whitsundays 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 Whitsundays in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Manila as well as Whitsundays. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Manila is around the same temperature as Whitsundays. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manila in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 26°C (79°F)in January.
It's quite rainy in Whitsundays. Manila receives a lot of rain in the summer. Manila usually gets more rain in July than Whitsundaysin January. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryManila 27°C (80°F)Whitsundays 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Manila or Whitsundays in the Autumn?
Both Whitsundays and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year.
In October, Manila is generally a little warmer than Whitsundaysin April. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 26°C (79°F), and Whitsundays fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Whitsundays. It's quite rainy in Manila. In October, Manila usually receives more rain than Whitsundaysin April. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilManila 26°C (79°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Manila or Whitsundays in the Winter?
Both Whitsundays and Manila during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Manila because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Manila is a little warmer than Whitsundays in the winter. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Whitsundays fluctuates around 16°C (62°F)in July.
Manila usually gets less rain in January than Whitsundaysin July. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyManila 24°C (76°F)Whitsundays 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Manila or Whitsundays in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Whitsundays. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round.
In the spring, Manila is a little warmer than Whitsundays. Typically, the spring temperatures in Manila in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Whitsundays averages at about 23°C (73°F)in October.
In April, Manila usually receives less rain than Whitsundaysin October. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Whitsundays receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberManila 29°C (84°F)Whitsundays 23°C (73°F)
Typical Weather for Whitsundays and Manila
| Manila | Whitsundays | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 331 mm (13 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 377 mm (14.8 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 191 mm (7.5 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.