REAL Philippines Travel Cost Guide (From Our 2-Month Visit) + City-By-City Expenses
We’ve travelled to the Philippines multiple times and been to over 8 islands all over the country. We can confidently say that it’s an amazing country for budget travel!
How much does it cost to travel to the Philippines? The average daily cost for budget travellers is $40-$50 USD. Mid-range travellers spend around $80–$150 USD daily.
We’ll give you a full breakdown of the general costs – flights, accommodation, food, transport, and activities – based on what we paid.
We also included a city-by-city expense breakdown, so you know how much it costs to visit places like El Nido, Cebu, Coron, Bohol, Puerto Princesa, etc!
This will help you plan your specific trip with confidence. We’ve been to all the places mentioned here so we’re talking from real-life experience!
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
But first… travel essentials for the Philippines
🎉 Activities: These are some of the best tours in the Philippines!
❤️🩹Insurance: This is the travel insurance that we always use
💰 Payments: This is the bank we use every time we travel overseas. It has the best exchange fees for Philippine Pesos and you can withdraw up to ₱12,000 for FREE!
📞 eSIM: Grab our favourite eSIM and stay connected at all times
🛏️Accomodation: Book your next stay here
✈️ Flights: Great deals on flight tickets here
How much does it cost to travel Philippines?
Travelling in the Philippines can be as affordable or as fancy as you want. Here’s a rough breakdown:
Flight costs: $445-$950 USD
Flights from Australia’s major cities to the Philippines usually range between $445-$950 USD, depending on when you book and which airline you go with.
Direct flights from major Aussie cities (Sydney, Melbourne) to Manila take about 7-8 hours.
Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have solid direct options, while AirAsia and Scoot often have bargain stopover flights.
If you’re a budget traveler, book your flights early and be flexible with your dates! You’ll find good deals that way.
Local transportation costs: $0.5-$100 USD
There are several ways to get around the Philippines, and how much you spend depends on your travel style.
Domestic flights cost between $30-$100 USD. They’re the fastest way to hop between islands, so we definitely recommend this!
Local airlines like Cebu Pacific often run flash sales, so keep an eye on that if you’re after a bargain.
Ferries are quite scenic, but they’re VERY slow – it can take 12-24 hours to get to the destination. They cost around $10-$50 USD depending on the route.
But sometimes ferries are the only way to go from one island to another – like when going from Cebu to Bohol (there are no direct flights there). So factor that in when creating your Philippines itinerary.
When in the location, there are a few ways you can get around:
Tuk-tuks (tricycles) are a cheap and easy option. Rides usually cost anywhere from $0.5-4 USD (per person) depending on the distance. They are unmetered though, so always confirm the fare first.
Jeepneys are even cheaper at ₱10-₱50 ($0.20-$1 USD) per ride and are a proper local experience. Just don’t expect much personal space!
Motorbike rentals cost around $8-$12 per day and are a great way to explore at your own pace.
Taxis are also convenient, the minimum cost is ₱40 ($0.7 USD) and the cost per kilometre is ₱13-₱15. Another alternative is using Uber or GrabCar, which can cost ₱150-₱300 ($2.5-5 USD) depending on the distance.
Private cars cost around $40-$70 per day. They can be great if you’re after more comfort.
Accommodation costs: $5-$100 USD
Here’s where your budget can be cheap or get out of control!
Budget-friendly hostels range from $5-$25 per night. These can be either dorm beds, simple private rooms, or even huts! These are basic options but comfortable enough if you just need a place to crash.
Mid-range hotels cost $30-$80 per night, these include hotels and Airbnbs. They usually come with air-con, hot showers, and sometimes even a pool.
Luxury hotels, beachfront stays, etc. often start at $100 per night. These usually include ocean views, infinity pools, and other comforts.
Another alternative is multi-day sailing tours!
They cost $300-$400 USD (3 days + 2 nights) and include stay, all meals, and all island-hopping transfers in one go.
For example we did a 3-day sailing trip like this one and it was incredible plus so budget-friendly! Would 100% do it again.
Food & drink costs: $2-$50 USD
Eating in the Philippines is an experience, and it doesn’t have to cost much.
Keep your expenses low by eating street food at the carinderias (turo-turo). They offer local food with great portions for just $2-$5. Also local restaurants or at Jollibee, a fast-food chain all over the country.
And of course, you can do it even cheaper by buying food from the local markets and cooking it.
Mid-range restaurants will set you back around $5-$15 per meal. They also have more variety of food and Western dishes.
If you want to go all out, fancy spots can charge anywhere from $20-$50 per meal.
Drinks follow the same trend. A local beer costs $1-$2 a bottle, while cocktails at a beachfront bar cost around $5-$7. But rum is crazy cheap – cheaper than most soft drinks!
Miscellaneous costs
There are a few other travel expenses to keep in mind.
Travel insurance is a must-have. It can cost anywhere from $30-$100 for two weeks, depending on the level of excess. We use CoverMore!
Always read the fine print, though, regardless of which travel insurance you go with. Most insurances don’t cover stuff like Bec’s motorbike accident in Siargao, we had to pay that out of pocket ($80 AUD).
An eSIM card costs around $7-$20 for 1-5GB, depending on how much you need. We always use Airalo, it’s hassle-free and pretty much instant.
Also, ATM withdrawal fees can be expensive, and can be anywhere from $5-$10 per transaction! Not to mention the exchange rates.
That’s why we always use Wise. The exchange rates are very low and you can withdraw up to ₱12,000 ($320 USD) for free!
As for activities, island-hopping is the best value by far. A full-day tour costs around $20-$30 per person and usually includes pick-up and drop-off plus lunch!
Cost breakdown by city
Your travel costs will definitely depend on where you go in the Philippines as some places are a bit cheaper than others.
Here’s a breakdown of expenses by city so you can plan your specific trip with more clarity:
Coron
The best (and fastest) way to get to Coron is by flying from Manila with Philippine Airlines (PAL) or Cebu Pacific. It takes ~1 hr 15 min, with promo fares as low as $30 and regular fares around $60-$94.
Flights land at Francisco B. Reyes Airport (Busuanga), is about a 30-40 minute drive to Coron Town proper. Once in town, the best ways to get around are:
Motorcycle taxis, ₱20–₱50 per person for short trips and ₱50–₱150 for longer rides.
Jeepneys, at ₱10–₱20 per ride.
Renting a motorcycle or scooter, ₱300–₱500 per day ($5.12 – $8.53).
As for the cost of activities in Coron, island-hopping is a highlight, so definitely consider booking a tour if you can.
A shared boat tour (full-day) costs ₱1,000–₱2,000 ($17.06 – $34.11) per person, while private boat rentals start at ₱3,000–₱6,000 ($51.17 – $102.33), depending on the boat type and tour duration.
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El Nido
El Nido is one of the main tourist hotspots of the Philippines, and one of the best ways to get there is by taking an island-hopping tour from Coron.
These are 3-day, 2-night tours that cost around $300 USD and include meals, accommodation, transport, and island-hopping through the pristine beaches!
If you have the time, it’s an unforgettable (and convenient) way to get there.
If you’re short on time, flying direct from Manila or Cebu takes just 1 hour 30 minutes, with flights costing between $100-$200 USD.
We recommend spending at least 3 days in El Nido, and getting around is quite easy:
Tuk-tuks cost ₱50–₱100 per person for short trips
Jeepneys are even cheaper at ₱10–₱20 per ride.
For more flexibility, renting a motorbike or scooter for ₱500–₱700 per day is a great way to explore hidden beaches and inland spots at your own pace.
Puerto Princesa city (PPC)
This is another tourist hot spot and it’s Palawan’s capital. It’s a great spot to recharge and enjoy some city comforts, so we recommend staying 3 days there.
The easiest way to reach PPC is by flying direct from Manila or Cebu, with flights costing between $30-$100 USD.
But if you’re coming from El Nido, the only option is a van transfer. It’s a 5–6 hour ride on winding roads, so keep that in mind!
A shared van costs ₱500–₱700 per person ($8.53 – $11.94), while a private transfer for 4-8 passengers runs ₱4,000–₱6,000 ($68.22 – $102.33).
As for getting around:
Motorcycle taxis cost ₱20–₱50.
Jeepneys are the cheapest option at ₱10–₱20 per ride.
Motorbike rentals go for ₱500–₱800 per day if you want more freedom.
As for things to do, the Underground River is a must—it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most fascinating natural wonders in the Philippines!
A full-day tour of the Underground River, including transportation and lunch, costs around $50USD.
Cebu
Cebu is another iconic destination in the Philippines. The airport connects with most cities of the country so it will be easy to get there by plane, with domestic flights ranging from $32 to $93 USD.
You can get there from Manila via plane (1h 15m) or ferry (26 hr), and from PPC via plane.
We recommend spending 4 to 5 days here because there’s SO much to explore! It’s the oldest town in the country so there are lots of historical landmarks, plus some of the best diving spots in the country.
Getting around Cebu is easy and budget-friendly:
Jeepneys are the cheapest option, costing between ₱12 and ₱20 per ride.
A taxi ride from the airport to the city centre costs anywhere from ₱300 to ₱500, depending on traffic.
GrabCar fares are between ₱150 and ₱300 per trip.
Buses charge between ₱15 and ₱30 for city routes and ₱50 to ₱200 for intercity travel.
As for activities, it’s worth booking a full-day tour around the city, like this one! These cost $80-$90 USD and are a great way to learn about the area and check out the highlights.
Note: Many travellers head to the nearby Oslob to swim with whale sharks. But we’re not fans of this as it’s not their natural environment. A more ethical alternative is Southern Leyte.
Bohol
Flying from Manila takes 1hr 30 min, with tickets costing between $20-$50 USD. But if you’re coming from Cebu, the 2-hour ferry is the best option!
The cost of one-way ferry rides depends on the class – economy tickets range from ₱500-₱800, while business class costs ₱800-₱1,500.
We recommend spending 3-4 days in Bohol. For getting around:
Tuk-tuks are the easiest way to get around for short trips, costing ₱20–₱50.
Vans range from ₱150–₱500 per trip ($2.56 – $8.53 USD)
Buses cost ₱40–₱100, depending on the route.
Bohol is famous for the Chocolate Hills and the Tarsier Sanctuary. Seeing the Chocolate Hills in person is mindblowing, and the tarsiers are some of the tiniest (and most fascinating) primates around!
A full-day tour like this one is the easiest way to visit both and check out more of the island.
Siquijor
The easiest way to reach Siquijor is by ferry from Bohol, which takes 2-3 hours and costs between ₱505-₱878, depending on the provider.
Another option is flying from Manila or Cebu to Dumaguete, and then hopping on a ferry from Dumaguete to Siquijor.
Siquijor is absolutely gorgeous, we recommend spending 2-3 days there. For getting around:
Renting a motorbike or scooter is the best way to explore, with daily rentals costing ₱300–₱500.
Tuk-tuks charge ₱10–₱30 per ride.
Multicabs go for ₱150–₱300 per day.
This place is home to stunning waterfalls and the mystical Balete Tree! You could check these highlights out with a full-day tour like this one, it costs $50 and includes transportation.
Southern Leyte
This place is a gem! Getting here takes a bit of effort, but it’s absolutely worth it.
You can fly from Manila or Cebu to Tacloban Airport (1 hr 30 min) for $30-$50 USD, then take a 4-hour van or bus ride to Southern Leyte for ₱1,100 – ₱1,400 ($20-$25 USD).
Another option is taking a ferry from Liloan (Cebu) to Maasin (40 min-1hr, ₱500-₱700), and from there a 2-hour drive to Southern Leyte. You could get there by van (₱150 – ₱250) or a private transfer for ₱1,500.
We recommend staying 2-3 days in Southern Leyte, especially if you’re visiting between November and May for the best chance to swim with whale sharks!
This is one of the best places in the Philippines to do it responsibly, as it’s part of the whale shark’s natural migration route.
Tours run between ₱1,500–₱2,500 ($25.61 – $42.69 USD) and are absolutely incredible! It was an experience we will never forget.
Siargao
The quickest way to get to this popular tourist destination is with a direct flight from Manila or Cebu, which costs between $125–$230 USD and takes about an hour.
If you’re coming from Southern Leyte, take a ferry to Surigao City (2 hours, ₱800 – ₱1,200), then another ferry to Dapa (1.5 hours, ₱350 – ₱500).
As for moving around the island:
The best way is by renting a motorbike, which costs ₱350-₱600 per day.
Tuk-tuks charge between ₱20–₱50 per ride.
Renting a car costs ₱2,000-₱3,500 per day.
We recommend staying 4-5 days in Siargao, it’s the ultimate spot for surfers!
There’s the famous Cloud 9, with surfboard rentals going for ₱300-₱500 per hour. If you’re a beginner, surf lessons range from ₱800–₱1,500 per session.
Top Tips
The wet season in the Philippines runs from May-June to October-November. While there are fewer tourists and lower accommodation prices, the downsides can seriously impact your trip.
Power outages are common, as well as tour cancellations. During typhoon season, flights can be postponed for days. Keep that in mind if you really want to travel during those months and be flexible with your itinerary.
Did you know?
Jeepneys are the most iconic mode of transport in the country.
Originally repurposed from U.S. military jeeps left behind after World War II, they’ve been transformed into colourful, elaborately decorated minibuses.
They’re cheap, but there’s no official stop system. Just hop on, pass your fare to the driver, and yell “Para po!” when you want to get off!
FAQs
Is Philippines expensive for tourists?
The Philippines is generally affordable for tourists, with budget travellers getting by on $40–$50 USD per day, while mid-range travellers spend around $80–$150 USD daily. You can save money by using public transport (tuk-tuks, jeepneys).
How much does a trip to the Philippines cost?
Excluding flights to and from the Philippines, a 2-week trip costs around $560–$700 USD for budget travellers, and $1,120-$2,100 USD for mid-range travellers.
The bottom line
Travelling to the Philippines is a bucket-list trip, plus you can do it for as cheap as you can or splurge to your heart’s content.
It’s a cheap destination in Southeast Asia, with gorgeous beaches and world-class diving. Plus the people are genuinely great, and the food is delicious!
Hopefully, this guide has helped you create your Philippines travel budget, so you can have the best trip possible!
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