Take our Small Group Japan Cherry
Blossom Tour - Save $200 Early Bird! | 
Is Philippines Expensive?
Everyone knows that Thailand is a popular and budget-friendly destination in South East Asia. Let me show you whether Philippines is expensive compared to Thailand.
- Accommodation: You'll save big! Hotels in the Philippines is way cheaper, like 40% less than in Thailand.
- Food & Dining: Eating out? The Philippines travel cost for restaurants is about 11% lower than in Thailand.
- Transportation: Getting around is generally more affordable here, though Thailand's got a slightly better system.
So, you can definitely explore the Philippines without breaking the bank!
Alright, folks! Let's break down the Philippines trip cost below together.
Cost of Plane Ticket to Philippines
Getting here is the first step, and it's good to know what to expect. Note that these are just estimates for your Philippines travel cost! Please check the updated prices on the day of purchase!
| Departure | Arrival | Air Fare | Flight Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| US (LA, San Francisco, Seattle, New York) | Manila | $600-1300 | Direct |
| Canada (Vancouver) | Manila | $800 | Direct |
| Australia (Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne) | Manila | $400-500 | Direct |
| South Korea (Seoul, Busan) | Manila | $100-200 | Direct |
| Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Nagoya) | Manila | $90-250 | Direct |
From South Korea: For many of you, especially from our biggest source of visitors, South Korea (Seoul, Busan), flights to Manila are a steal – think $100-200, direct!
From the United States: Our friends from the US (LA, San Francisco, Seattle, New York) can find direct flights for around $600-1300.
From Australia: If you're coming from Down Under, Australia (Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne), you're looking at roughly $400-500 for a direct flight.
From Canada: Canadians from Vancouver, expect to pay about $800 for a direct trip.
From Japan: And for our Japanese friends (Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Nagoya), direct flights are generally in the $90-250 range.
Philippines Hotel Cost
From budget-friendly to super luxurious, Philippines offers a range of places to stay. The prices in the table below are for your reference.
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manila | $30-50 | $80-120 | $150-250 |
| Boracay | $30-50 | $100-150 | $200-300 |
| El Nido | $20-50 | $100-150 | $250-350 |
| Coron | $20-50 | $100-150 | $200-300 |
| Cebu | $30-50 | $80-120 | $150-250 |
| Bohol | $20-50 | $100-150 | $200-300 |
In bustling Manila and vibrant Cebu, you can find budget spots for $30-50, mid-range for $80-120, and luxury for $150-250.
For those heading to island paradises like Boracay, El Nido, and Bohol, expect similar budget options ($20-50), with mid-range around $100-150, and luxury ranging from $200-350.
Keep in mind that prices can change! During peak season (like Christmas and Holy Week in April), especially in beach destinations, expect rates to be higher.
But during the off-season (usually surfers’ pick), you might snag some deals, making your Philippines travel cost even more budget-friendly (30%-50% off)!
Know the best time to visit Philippines >>
Daily Food Budget in Philippines
A big part of your Philippines trip cost is, of course, what you'll be eating!
| Street Food & Local Eats | Fast Food Chains | Casual Dining | Mid-Range Restaurants | Fine Dining | Drinks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1-3 per meal | $3-5 per meal | $5-10 per meal | $10-20 per person | $30-50 per person | $1-8 |
For the budget-conscious, street food and local eateries ("carinderias") are your best friend. We're talking $1-3 per meal! Try isaw or balut for a real local experience – often under $1! Fast food like Jollibee or McDonald is also super affordable, around $3-5 a meal.
Casual dining might set you back $5-10. Mid-range restaurants, where you can get a good sit-down meal, are about $10-20 per person.
If you're feeling fancy, fine dining in places like Manila can go for $30-50+ per person.
Drinks-wise, a local beer like San Miguel is usually $1-2. Cocktails at bars range from $3-8.
So, how’s the daily food budget in Philippines? For a daily food budget, if you mix street food/local eats with a mid-range meal, you could spend around $15-25. Of course, you can adjust based on your style and how much you want to spend!
Transportation Cost in Philippines
One thing you'll notice right away is our colorful and diverse transportation. Let's talk about getting around, so you can manage your Philippines trip cost like a pro.
| Price Per Ride | Used For | |
|---|---|---|
| Flight | $23-45 | Inter-island travel, as our country is an archipelago with over 7,000 islands |
| Jeepney | $0.2-0.35 | Short trips in urban areas like Metro Manila and Cebu |
| Tuk Tuk | $0.2-1 | Short trips in Palawan, Bohol, and Siargao |
| Taxi | Start at $0.8, with an additional $0.25-0.3 per km | Door-to-door travel in major cities like Manila and Cebu |
| Van | $1-3 | Intercity travel (e.g., Puerto Princesa to El Nido) |
| Ferry | $1-27 | Inter-island travel (e.g., Cebu to Bohol, Manila to Palawan, or El Nido to Coron) |
| LRT/MRT | $0.25-0.5 | Avoiding traffic in Metro Manila |
Flights: For quick trips from Manila to Cebu or Boracay, expect to pay around $23 to $33 for a one-way ticket. Flights to farther destinations, like Davao or Palawan, range from $30 to $45 one-way.
Jeepneys: These are iconic! For short hops in cities like Manila and Cebu, it's super cheap, like $0.2-0.35. Think of it as a fun, local experience.
Tuk-Tuks: In places like Palawan, Bohol, and Siargao, these are your best friend for quick trips. Expect to pay around $0.2-1.
Taxis: For door-to-door comfort in big cities, taxis are great. The meter starts around $0.8, and then it's about $0.25-0.3 per kilometer.
Vans: When you're moving between provinces, like from Puerto Princesa to El Nido, vans are common. Prices are usually between $1-3.
Ferries: Island hopping is a must! Prices vary a lot, from $1-27, depending on the distance. Popular routes include Cebu to Bohol, or Manila to Palawan, or El Nido to Coron.
LRT/MRT: In Manila, these trains can really help you beat the traffic. Fares are reasonable, around $0.25-0.5.
Philippines Trip Cost of Activities & Attractions
The Philippines is packed with incredible things to do, and I'm here to give you the lowdown on what to expect cost-wise, so you can plan your Philippines trip cost effectively.
| Price | Popular In | |
|---|---|---|
| Island Hopping | $80-90 | El Nido, Coron, Cebu |
| Kayaking | $10-30 | El Nido, Siargao |
| Diving | $50-150 | Puerto Princesa, Apo Island, Coron |
| Snorkeling | $10-30 | Moalboal (Cebu), Coron, Boracay |
| Surfing | $10-20 | Siargao, La Union |
| Whale Shark Watching | $20-30 | Oslob (Cebu) |
| Sardine Run Experience | $10-30 | Moalboal (Cebu) |
Island Hopping: This is a must! Prices range from $80 to $90, especially in El Nido, Coron, and Cebu. You'll see stunning lagoons and beaches.
Note that these island-hopping prices are for Asia Odyssey Travel’s group tour in Philippines, covering a private guide, basic snorkeling gear, boat fee, life vest, lagoon entrance fee, and town transfer. It’s valuable!
Kayaking: Enjoy the scenery for $10 to $30 in places like El Nido and Siargao.
Diving: Explore underwater wonders! Expect to pay $50 to $150 in Puerto Princesa, Apo Island, and Coron.
Snorkeling: Get up close with marine life for $10 to $30 in Moalboal (Cebu), Coron, and Boracay. Don't miss the Sardine Run!
Surfing: Catch some waves! Rentals start at $10 to $20 in Siargao (Cloud 9) or La Union (San Juan). Know more surfing spots in Philippines!
Whale Shark Watching: An interesting experience for $20 to $30 in Oslob (Cebu).
Sardine Run Experience: See millions of fish in Moalboal (Cebu) for $10 to $30.
Other Expenses in Philippines
Finally, let's talk about those "other expenses" to help you manage your Philippines travel cost.
| Visa | E-Travel | Internet | Tipping |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa-free for up to 30 days | For free | $5-10 for 5-10GB of data | Around 10% of the bill |
Philippines Visa Cost: Good news! Many of you can enter visa-free for up to 30 days. If you want to stay longer, extending your tourist visa will cost around $30 to $60, depending on how long you want to stay.
Oh, and registering for the e-Travel system? That's totally free!
Philippines Internet Cost: Staying connected is easy and affordable. You can grab a prepaid SIM card with 5GB to 10GB of data for just $5 to $10.
Tipping in Philippines: Tipping isn't mandatory, but it's a nice way to show your appreciation.
In restaurants, if there's no service charge, leaving around 10% of the bill is customary. For hotel bellhops or housekeeping, $1 to $2 is appreciated. And for tour guides, $1 to $5 is a good tip for excellent service.
Cash: Bring $100-200 in cash (to exchange at airports/banks) for initial expense. ATMs are widely available but may charge fees.
How to Travel to Philippines on a Budget?
Want to explore the Philippines without breaking the bank? Here's the local scoop on keeping your Philippines trip cost down.
-
Flights & Stays: Book 2-3 months ahead for better deals. Check Cebu Pacific and AirAsia for promos.
-
Food: Skip fancy restaurants. Dive into local markets and try Filipino food.
-
Timing: Travel during the off season (Jun-Nov) for 30-50% cheaper stays. It’s especially perfect for surf lovers. November sees less rainy days! About 5-10 days.
-
Transportation: Use Grab to avoid taxi overcharges.
-
Philippines Group Tours: Join group tours for better deals on transportation, lodging and food. Contact Asia Odyssey Travel!
Here are some examples! If you want to focus your Philippines trip in Palawan, check out our 7-day El Nido & Coron Group Tour, a best-of for about $720!
Want to see more? Our 9-day Philippines Group Tour starts in Coron, then covers Cebu, Bohol, and Dumaguete, about $1170.
And here's the best part! Our Philippines group tours include the fee of transport, accommodations, food, a guide, entrance fee, gear (e.g. snorkeling mask), and all the details. It's super valuable!
Join in Asia Odyssey Travel’s Philippines Group Tour for the Best Value
If you're looking for the best Philippines trip cost value, look no further than Asia Odyssey Travel.
With 8 years of local experience and offices, we offer great Philippines group tours. We handle everything, from finding the best time to visit Philippines and navigating the Philippines Map, to showcasing the best places to go in Philippines, saving you money and hassle!
If you have any questions about this article, please contact us by submitting the following form and we'll immediately get back to you.
Data in submission...
