Is the Philippines expensive to visit?
While the Philippines is a popular destination, it is also fairly affordable and not very expensive to visit. Compared to other countries in Asia, travelers find it to be a moderately priced country. Ranked in the top 50% of countries in Asia for its travel costs, our cost analysis found it to be comparable to countries such as Cambodia and China.
As this is not an overly touristy country to visit, you'll find a number of great places in the Philippines at a variety of price ranges. The most expensive destination is Puerto Princesa. If you're looking for a lower cost destination, you can visit Boracay.
Average daily price of selected cities in the Philippines, by affordability
| City | Average Daily Cost |
|---|---|
| Manila | $107 |
| Puerto Princesa | $87 |
| Cebu | $80 |
| Boracay | $66 |
| El Nido | $48 |
Palawan, Philippines
How expensive is the Philippines?
The average daily spending amount for tourists in the Philippines tends to be around $77 (U.S. Dollars). Keep in mind that your travel style, spending habits, and trip length will influence these costs. However, you can keep fairly close to this budget if you opt for moderately priced hotels, dine at economical restaurants, and make use of public transportation when available. See more travel costs for the Philippines here.
How expensive is a one week trip to the Philippines?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to the Philippines will cost around $536 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $1,073.
How expensive is a two week trip to the Philippines?
On average, a two week trip to the Philippines costs about $1,073 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a two week trip costs $2,145.
How expensive is a month long trip to the Philippines?
A one month trip to the Philippines costs about $2,298 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one month trip costs $4,596.
Manila, Philippines
Is it expensive to backpack in the Philippines?
the Philippines is a very popular destination for backpackers, offering an extensive network of over 220 hostels across the country. The average cost for a dorm room in these hostels is approximately $12 per night. (See detailed information on hostel prices in the Philippines here.) Notably, backpackers often flock to the popular hostels in Cebu, Manila, and Moalboal. If you're looking for budget-friendly options, Siquijor, Moalboal, and Port Barton has some of the most affordable hostels, averaging $10, $9, and $9 per night. Conversely, you'll find the most expensive hostels on average in Boracay, Manila, and El Nido with an average cost of $19, $14, and $13 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in the Philippines.
- $11 for a dorm bed at Mad Monkey Cebu City in Cebu
- $16 for a dorm bed at Manila-Z-Hostel in Manila
- $10 for a dorm bed at Chief Mau Moalboal Cebu in Moalboal
Where to find affordable hostels in the Philippines
| City | Number of Hostels | Average Price for a Dorm |
|---|---|---|
| Cebu | 36 | $12 |
| Manila | 34 | $14 |
| Moalboal | 33 | $9 |
| Coron | 31 | $10 |
| El Nido | 29 | $13 |
| Siquijor | 19 | $10 |
| Port Barton | 11 | $9 |
| Boracay | 10 | $19 |
| Puerto Galera | 6 | $11 |
Are hotels expensive in the Philippines?
When analyzing the price of hotels in the Philippines, they're very affordable compared to the rest of the world. The average price is $41 per night for a decent hotel room. Keep in mind that places like Dauin are more expensive, averaging around $101 per night. But fear not, there are budget-friendly destinations like Mandaue City where you can book a room for an average of $20 per night.
Where to find affordable hotels in the Philippines
| City | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|
| Dauin | $101 |
| Lapu-Lapu City | $61 |
| Moalboal | $58 |
| Olongapo | $56 |
| Pasig | $53 |
| Manila | $35 |
| Cebu | $33 |
| Cagayan de Oro | $32 |
| Puerto Princesa | $31 |
| Tagbilaran | $31 |
| Mandaue City | $20 |
Cebu Island, Philippines
How expensive are sightseeing activities in the Philippines?
In the Philippines, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the country. On average, previous travelers have spent around $14 per day on sightseeing and entertainment.
- Boracay Sunset Cruise with Party DJ & Unlimited Food and Drinks : $70
- Bohol Chocolate hills and Nature tour : $110
- Immerse in Culture: Villa Escudero Coconut Plantation Experience: $150
- Cebu: Scuba Diving Experience beach entry in Mactan: $45
- Makati Street Food Experience with V: $65
- Dumaguete Tours in English: $189
- Coron Ultimate Island Tour & Experience Luxury Style & Comfort. : $180
- Whale Shark Watching and Sumilon Sandbar Private Tour Package: $133
Is food expensive in the Philippines?
In the Philippines, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $26 per day on food, per person.
- Makati Street Food tour Experience : $73
- Manila Chinatown Food Tour Experience : $65
- Manila Food Tour Experience with Local Guide: $70
- Cebu Traditional Bamboo Cooking: $110
- Authentic Manila Chinatown Food Tour Exploration : $75
- Manila Night Market and Food tour experience with Local guide: $62
Dining on crab in Palawan, Philippines
Is transportation expensive in the Philippines?
Local transportation in the Philippines can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $21 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
Expenses for intercity transportation within the Philippines can vary based on the type of transportation used and the distance traveled. On average, previous travelers have spent $59 per person per day for intercity transit. To save money, it's advisable to choose long-distance buses or trains over air travel. This is generally a more cost-effective choice despite the potential increase in travel time.
More for the Philippines
If you're planning a trip to the Philippines, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.