Traveling to the Philippines Travel Budget Breakdown

While many find it convenient to travel, some of us have to look at our budget and then decide that it just costs too much. This is exactly why more and more people are traveling to the Philippines.

The high costs associated with train or plane tickets, hotels, meals, and spending can make you rethink your decision to travel just about anywhere, but not all destinations are unreasonably priced.

Keep reading to learn more about why traveling to the Philippines might just be the trip you didn’t know you needed to take (or could afford). Here we’ll discuss the cost of travel. Philippines travel is growing in popularity because it’s just so affordable.

One of the many aspects of the cost of traveling is budgeting ideas. Finding ways to save on the more expensive costs like transportation is the best way to start saving and Philippine Airlines flight prices are a good place to check for traveling to this beautiful paradise.

Traveling To The Philippines 

The Philippines is arguably one of Southeast Asia’s most diverse nations, with over 7,000 islands to choose from. It is one of the most cost-effective places for a backpacker to visit, and with almost as many English speakers as in the United Kingdom, traveling to the Philippines is a breeze to fly to!

World-renowned natural wonders such as an underwater river, spectacular diving spots, colorful public transportation, exotic cuisine, lively festivals, and pleasant locals known as some of the happiest in the world can all be found when traveling to the Philippines.

Now, let us discuss how much traveling to the Philippines can actually cost.

Where to Go When Visiting the Philippines

There are a number of islands to choose from when visiting the Philippines. You could spend your whole life exploring the Philippines and never see all the things there are to see.

If you happen to be traveling to the Philippines for more than a month, you should be able to see most of the prominent tourist attractions. However, it may require some careful preparation and can prove to be very time-consuming.

You should be able to find some gorgeous beaches and incredible diving no matter where you go. The Philippines’ most well-known destinations are Palawan and Cebu, but you do not have to go far to get off the beaten path!

Is it Expensive to Travel to the Philippines?

The Philippines is somewhat more expensive than the rest of mainland Southeast Asia, but not significantly so. There are fewer backpackers here, which can be a positive or bad thing, depending on your perspective.

The result of this is that there isn’t as much hostel-style accommodation, which means you might have to pay a little more cash for your hotel stays, but the major cities do have a few budget cheapies where you can share dorms with other backpackers.

Eating out in the Phillippines is very inexpensive, comparable to mainland rates. Beer and Filipino rum are also very reasonable, allowing you to fit a couple of nights out per week on this budget, maybe more if you don’t make many organized-type trips during the day.

However, what makes traveling to the Philippines slightly more costly than, say, Vietnam or Laos, is that there are 7,000 islands to choose from. Therefore, traveling from point A to point B can be a little more complicated and require some planning to get the best deals genuinely.

The Most Economically Friendly Time to Visit the Philippines

These are the date ranges when it is usually cheaper to travel to the Philippines and stay in a hotel:

• 15th of January to 25th of March
• 20th of August to 9th of December

However, the overall cheapest time to travel to the Philippines is generally from mid-September to the end of October.

How to Budget for a Trip to the Philippines

A 7-day trip to the Philippines costs an average of $1,949 for a solo traveler, $3,588 for a couple, and $1,037 per person for a family of four. The average cost of hotels in the Philippines is between $32 and $175 per night, while most vacation rentals cost between $60 and $390 per night for the entire house.

With regard to economy flights, the average cost to fly to the Philippines is between $1,526 and $2,315 per passenger, while first-class flights cost between $4,792 and $7,269 per person.

We suggest budgeting $29 to $60 per person per day for transportation and dining at local restaurants, depending on the activities you plan. Getting around the islands on buses, jeeps, cycles, or even rented bikes is highly inexpensive, but ferries between islands usually cost at least $20 per ride.

Moving around the Philippines can be expensive because items are further away and more difficult to navigate than they seem. If you are trying to see the Philippines on a tight budget, you will need to prepare ahead of time.

Easy Ways to Save Money on Your Visit to the Philippines

Traveling to the Philippines is still very inexpensive as far as other countries go, but that does not imply you cannot save even more money without losing too much comfort or too many local experiences.

Here are some ways you can save when traveling to the Philippines:

1. Stay with the locals

Locally operated guesthouses are often less expensive than hostels. Also, stick to what the locals eat. There are plenty of overpriced tourist trap restaurants.

These should be avoided at all costs, and locals should be followed.

2. Air Asia

Not only is the Philippines a country in Southeast Asia, but Air Asia is one of the most affordable airlines in the world. 

3. Buddy up

Most of the best activities are significantly less expensive when traveling to the Philippines if you can gather a group to share the expense.

4. Camp

If you are on a significantly tight budget, we suggest bringing a tent; there are plenty of beautiful spots to camp, and no one will mind.

Final Thoughts

Many backpackers miss the Philippines, as travel to the Southeast Asian country is limited and foreign nationals are not permitted at this time. However, as travel restrictions begin to ease, the regular visa program will soon be reinstated.

If you’re looking to explore an exotic destination and want to do it on a budget, traveling to the Philippines might just be the place for you. 

Whether you’re traveling solo, with friends, with your partner, or with your whole family, there is something for everyone and every travel style in the Philippines. So, start exploring your options now and start a plan to save. 

Before you know it, you’ll be traveling to the Philippines for the adventure of a lifetime! And don’t forget, as you plan your visit, be sure to include the beautiful outdoors, meeting new people, and trying new activities, and foods to make your time traveling to the Philippines genuinely unforgettable.