Which place is cheaper, Xiamen 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 Xiamen?
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 Xiamen can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Manila or Xiamen?
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.
Xiamen
Xiamen is a coastal city in the Fujian Province of China and has been a major port city and gateway to China for centuries. This vibrant and modern city was named the most livable city in the world in 2002 and one of the first cities to be named a Special Economic Zone. Xiamen is best known for being home to Gulangyu Island, a beautiful island full of historic colonial buildings and lovely walking paths.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, and The Best Historical Tours in China.
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Manila Prices
Philippines PricesXiamen Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayManila $106Xiamen $84
The average daily cost (per person) in Manila is $106, while the average daily cost in Xiamen is $84. 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 Xiamen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personManila $54Xiamen $31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomManila $108Xiamen $62
Compare Hotels in Manila and Xiamen
Looking for a hotel in Manila or Xiamen? 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 $14Xiamen $6.08
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xiamen
Also for Xiamen, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Gaoqi Airport to Xiamen City Hotel: $10
- Private Transfer from Xiamen North Railway Station to City Area: $19
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport Chauffeur Service ,Xiamen Airport Transfer: $25
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Arrival Transfer to City Area: $30
- Private Xiamen Gaoqi Airport Departure Transfer from City Areas: $33
- Private Transfer Service between Xiamen and Anxi : $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster : $89
- Private Transfer Between Xiamen City and HongKeng Hakka Tulou Cluster: $89
- Private Transfer between Xiamen City and Hui'an county in Quanzhou: $89
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng and HekengHakka Tulou fromXiamen: $90
- Private Transfer to Gaobei Tulou and Yunshuiyao Village from Xiamen City: $98
- Private Transfer to Tianluokeng Tulou and Hekeng Hakka Tulou from Xiamen City : $98
Is it cheaper to fly into Manila or Xiamen?
Prices for flights to both Xiamen 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 $31Xiamen $46
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Manila $19Xiamen $16
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 Xiamen
For Xiamen, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Sailing & Sea Experience.: $22
- Quanzhou Kaiyuan Temple & Luoyang Bridge Tour: $70
- Xiamen Private English Tour Guide Service: $93
- Xiamen Private Half Day Tour of Gulangyu Island and Shuzhuang Garden: $97
- A Night Tour to Xiamen Gulang Island: $100
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Local Food Market Experience: $103
- 4-hour Xiamen Private Flexible Tour in Your Way: $115
- 4-Hour Xiamen Private Shore Excursion Tour in Your Way: $121
- Shanghai Metro Tour: $127
- Xiamen Layover Day Tour-Gulangyu,Shuzhuang Garden And Piano Museum: $132
- Xiamen Half-Day Private Tour include Gulang Yu Island and Garden : $135
- Tour Guide and Car: Private Day Tour to Yunshuiyao Ancient Village from Xiamen: $140
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayManila $9.90Xiamen $17
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Manila and Xiamen, we can see that Manila is more expensive. And not only is Xiamen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Xiamen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Xiamen 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 Xiamen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Manila Expensive? and Is Xiamen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Manila or Xiamen?
Manila has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Xiamen. When comparing the sizes of Manila and Xiamen, 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 Xiamen?
Xiamen 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 Xiamen in the Summer?
Both Xiamen and Manila during the summer 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 cooler than Xiamen in the summer. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Xiamen fluctuates around 30°C (86°F).
Xiamen 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 July than Xiamen. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyManila 27°C (80°F)Xiamen 30°C (86°F)
Should I visit Manila or Xiamen in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Manila and Xiamen. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Manila year-round.
In the autumn, Manila is around the same temperature as Xiamen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Manila in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Xiamen averages at about 25°C (77°F).
Manila gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Manila usually receives more rain than Xiamen. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberManila 26°C (79°F)Xiamen 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Manila or Xiamen in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Manila as well as Xiamen. Manila attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Manila is generally much warmer than Xiamen. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 24°C (76°F), and Xiamen fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
Manila usually gets less rain in January than Xiamen. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryManila 24°C (76°F)Xiamen 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Manila or Xiamen in the Spring?
Both Xiamen and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila throughout the year.
Manila is a little warmer than Xiamen in the spring. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Xiamen fluctuates around 20°C (69°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Xiamen. In April, Manila usually receives less rain than Xiamen. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Xiamen receives 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilManila 29°C (84°F)Xiamen 20°C (69°F)
Typical Weather for Xiamen and Manila
| Manila | Xiamen | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 303 mm (11.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 30°C (86°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 452 mm (17.8 in) | 30°C (85°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (80°F) | 357 mm (14.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 25 mm (1 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.