Philippines Budget Guide: what two weeks actually costs [real figures & 2026 estimates]
Originally published 2019, updated 2026.
My two week trip to The Philippines had been planned in my notes app for years before I arrived.
When backpacking in Southeast Asia, I ran out of money in Thailand and had to make a tricky decision. I headed to Malaysia for our final stop and the Philippines stayed in my dreams. So, when I won my dream trip after being named Post Office Travel Blogger of the Year, I was determined to see as much as I could in two short weeks.
That decision is what makes budgeting for the Philippines so complicated.
I tracked every peso, internal flight (there were many!) and meal to create this honest two week Philippines budget guide so that, if you’re struggling like I did, you’ll have an honest view of what it costs.
Here’s how much to budget for two weeks in the Philippines and what you can expect to spend in 2026.
Summary | Our Philippines travel budget breakdown
| Spend per person: £1,375 (2019) Expect to pay approximately £1,800 in 2026 | |
| Accommodation (for two people sharing) | £1,059 | $787 |
| Food & drink | £152 | $195 |
| Transport (excluding international flights) | £510 | $656 |
| Activities | £187 | $238 |
| Other | £26 | $35 |
Table of Contents
Why travelling the Philippines may cost more than you expect
Most of Southeast Asia has a reputation perfect for backpackers on a budget (I mean, I’ve been writing budget travel blogs since 2016!), but the Philippines is a little different for two reasons.
Firstly, the geography forces you onto lots of internal transport – either flights or ferries – and since the pandemic, costs have risen significantly, like with elsewhere across the globe.
Secondly, being separated from the mainland, prices are naturally higher for certain goods. Add on how the most popular islands have seen significant tourism-related price increases and you’re in for a more expensive trip.
As my trip was prize-funded, I was luckily able to prioritise speed over budget to hit most of my dream spots in one two week trip. A traveller with more time may make different choices.
This guide is designed to help all types of traveller figure out how much to budget for two weeks in the Philippines. Use the approximate costs of getting around, food, transport and activities to compare with your budget and you’ll be on your way in no time!
How much does transport cost in the Philippines?
2026: The detailed price breakdown here is from 2019. However, internal flights (particularly with Airswift) have risen significantly, so budget roughly 40% more than my figures as a baseline. Always check current prices, as routes and airlines change frequently!
As a group of over 3,000 islands, getting around in the Philippines is harder than mainland South East Asia where frequent and cheap buses shuttle thousands of tourists between cities each day.
Ferry and plane are your main methods of getting between islands. The former are cheap but notoriously slow, while the latter is much quicker but far more expensive, with a greater environmental impact to consider too. We used both during our two weeks in the Philippines: let me break it down further for you.
Cost of internal flights in the Philippines: £427 | $550 per person
Internal flights bumped up the cost of transport significantly as travelling the Philippines in two weeks will involve flying to save time. However you’ll visit some of the smallest, cutest airports you’ll ever see this way too! Our itinerary included:
Manila – Boracay (Caticlan)
Boracay has two main airports: Caticlan and Kalibo. Caticlan is much closer with just a 30 minute transfer to Boracay (bus-boat-bus) vs a two hour transfer from Kalibo to Boracay.
If you’re a budget traveller, compare the price of both airports – understandably, Kalibo is usually cheaper – but we paid extra to avoid adding even longer to our nearly day-long journey.
Boracay (Caticlan) – El Nido
To get to El Nido, many budget travellers will fly into Puerto Princesa in Palawan, then take a six hour van transfer to El Nido itself.
For travellers with more to spend or less time to wait (like us), we chose to fly directly into El Nido’s Lio Airport with Airswift, a domestic Philippino airline.
El Nido – Cebu
We took another Airswift flight from El Nido to Cebu, before catching a ferry across to Panglao island to Bohol.
Cebu – Legazpi
We left the tourist trail to seek out an ethical whale shark experience in Donsol – my guide goes into more detail about that! It was a long journey with the flight and a two hour van transfer to Donsol, was worth every second.
Legazpi – Manila
My least favourite flight of the lot to start our journey home!
When travelling in the Philippines, you’ll usually find that there’s a super cheap. long route or a fast, expensive option. A two week itinerary will have you choosing speed and convenience over budget, unless you’re happy relaxing on just a couple of islands.
While I won’t go through everything we spent, here’s what you can expect to pay for some of the most common ferry or car journeys in the Philippines.
Cost of other transport in the Philippines: 5,470 Pisos | £83 | $106 per person
Transfers to/from Boracay
300 – 700 Pisos | £4.50 – £10.50 | $7 – $15 per person
After a 4am alarm, three flights and barely two hours sleep sat upright in economy, we blearily booked our bus – boat – bus transfer for 700 Pisos per person in Caticlan airport.
On our return journey, we arranged a tricycle and boat transfers ourselves which cost 300 Pisos per person – under half the price! Budget travellers take note – that’s an easy way to save!
Ferry from Cebu to Tagbilaran, Bohol
500 – 600 Pisos | £7.50 – £9 | $9.50 – $11.50 per person
If you’re headed to Bohol (and I would highly recommend it!), the ferry is super easy to navigate. I’d highly recommend upgrading to an air conditioned boat as the cost is minimal – we did and it was worth it for the two hour journey.
We paid for our ferry tickets at the office outside the terminal on both occasions but be aware that this doesn’t include a ‘luggage fee’ of just over 100 Pisos per bag. To this day, I still don’t know whether this is legit or a scam but it’s something to bear in mind. Bohol ferry port also charge a terminal fee of 20 Pisos per person.
Van from Tagbilaran to Alona Beach, Panglao
600 Pisos | £9.00 | $11.50 per car
Chat to people on the ferry if you want to share lifts – you’ll often find someone staying in the same area which can bring the cost down!
Van from Legazpi to Donsol
125 – 2,000 Pisos | £2 – £30 | $2.50 – $38 per car
If you’re on a budget or travelling with a group, take a tricycle to Legazpi terminal where you can catch a van to Donsol. This is a super cheap way of reaching Donsol as you’ll pay as little as 125 Pisos per person but you may be waiting for the van to fill up before it leaves.
As our flight arrived an hour before sunset, we didn’t want to risk being stuck in Legazpi for the night so we booked a 2,000 Piso car transfer via our hotel in Donsol.
As for any other transport costs, we only really took taxis or tricycles when we were in transit. Walking is my absolute favourite way to see a destination, not only because it’s more sustainable but also because you often spot things you might have missed otherwise.
How much does food cost in the Philippines?
2026: The detailed price breakdown here is from 2019. I would suggest budgeting roughly 1/3 more than my figures today.
One of my favourite things about travel is eating out and experiencing local cuisine. In all honesty, this was a little harder in the Philippines – it’s not as veggie friendly as other countries in South East Asia – but we still came across some great restaurants!
Cost of eating out in the Philippines: 10,043 Pisos | £152 | $195 per person
Local delicacies in the Philippines are quite meat-based – for example, lechon, a roasted pig dish that Anthony Bourdain claimed ‘the best in the world’ in Cebu.
Typically if you eat more local food, you’ll have cheaper meal costs than if you steer towards more Western options. Their most popular fast-food chain is Jollibee, kind of like the KFC of the Philippines!
- Average lunch for two, including drinks: 618 Pisos | £9.50 | $12
- Average dinner for two, including drinks: 927 Pisos | £14 | $18
- Average snacks for two (e.g. ice cream or grab & go bits): 246 Pisos | £3.80 | $4.80
- Average price of a cocktail: 150 Pisos | £2.30 | $2.90
How much do activities cost in the Philippines?
2026: The detailed price breakdown here is from 2019. I would suggest budgeting roughly 1/3 more than my figures today.
There are so many incredible things to do and see in the Philippines that it’d be possible to spend months there and barely scratch the surface. From hidden streets in sprawling cities to tiny islands with sand that almost glows in the sunlight, spending time here can cost as much or as little as you’d like.
Cost of activities in the Philippines: 12,275 Pisos | £187 | $238
Across our two weeks in the Philippines, we balanced our full days out doing tons of activities with some more relaxed days on the beach.
Let’s break down of what we did and how much you’ll need to budget for activities and things to do in the Philippines.
El Nido Island Hopping Tour A
1,200 Pisos | £18 | $23 per person
You’ll find these tours everywhere in El Nido at a consistent price, including four – five stops and lunch.
While the locations were unbelievably beautiful, it did feel super touristy to be shuttled from one beach or snorkelling spot to the next with many boats of others. Secret Beach and Secret Lagoon definitely aren’t so secret any more!
Full disclosure: while I’d factored this tour into our travel budget, it was kindly gifted to us as part of my work with the El Nido Tourist Office. I wrote a whole article about sustainable tourism in El Nido if you’d like to learn more!
For a more luxury or unique experience, my recommendation would be to pay for a private boat to stop exactly where you’d like. This way, you can leave earlier than organised tours and have a more personalised experience seeing only the places you’re really passionate about visiting.
Backpackers, you could group together with travellers from your hostel to split the cost if it’s something you’re interested in.
Private tour of Bohol
1,850 Pisos | £22.25 | $29 per person
After our tour of El Nido left us enthralled by the magical lagoons, but a little flattened by the generic ‘A, B, C or D’ tour style, we decided to do things a little differently in Bohol.
Affordable full day tours of Bohol are available for around 400 – 500 Pisos per person but a few travellers we chatted to sounded pretty disappointed with their experience.
This cemented our decision to splash out on a private driver for the day at 2,500 Pisos (£37.88), then paid the entrances to the attractions separately. We loved every second.
Our driver Arnel was the kindest man, chatting to us for hours as we drove between attractions and taking endless photos whenever we asked. We drove past his mum walking down the road, explored the cave close to his house and he told us about how devastating it was to experience the earthquake that flattened many houses in Bohol back in 2013.
It was a really personal experience that we just wouldn’t have got from a coach tour.
Beginners dive in Panglao, Bohol
From 3,700 | £56 | $71 per person
I was so excited to scuba dive for the first time on this perfect trip. However when the time came, I really sadly had to sit it out.
However, for those of you who do want to dive in Bohol, I’d highly recommend Bohol Fun Divers. They’re a PADI five star centre with brilliant instructors who are kind, patient and highly experienced. Beginners dives include a three hour session, including an in-pool introduction and a 20 – 30 minute dive out at sea.
Moalboal and Kawasan Falls trip from Cebu
8,399 | £128 | $163 per car
I was absolutely desperate to see the Moalboal sardine run and the Kawasan Falls so when we headed back to Cebu after Bohol, I scoured the internet to find a tour that would take us on a day trip. With a long three hour drive each way – something I didn’t realise planning our route – we could only find a private driver option.
That being said, we had an amazing day on the private boat trip to snorkel at the sardine run – with the added bonus of seeing dolphins, turtles and a couple of dangerous jellyfish that had us swimming in the other direction very quickly!
Instead of what we did, see these attractions on a budget by staying in Moalboal. This will save you a ton of money and you’ll also get to explore some of the area’s hidden gems by staying for longer. There are some great tour options out there that can get you from place to place!
Private whale shark tour
3,000 Pisos | £46 | $59 per person
While we didn’t actually intend to book a private whale shark tour in Donsol, it turned out to be the best thing we did.
Donsol is well-known for being a more ethical destination to spot whale sharks but in reality, regulations stating ‘no more than six people to a whale shark’ often aren’t followed.
After about six boatloads of people jumped in the water to glimpse one shark, we asked our captain to head off in a different direction entirely to try and seek out another of the majestic creatures away from the crowds. Was it worth it? Check out my full article about snorkelling with whale sharks in Donsol.
For travellers who want to make the most ethical choice, I’d urge you to group together with some like-minded people to hire out your own boat. We booked online through Donsol Eco Tours.
Firefly tour
1,000 Pisos | £15 | $18 for two people
A firefly river tour was such a magical way to end our adventures through the Philippines. Floating down the river in complete darkness, we quickly realised that the stargazing is just as incredible as spotting the many fireflies hovering in the trees.
Our guide was also fascinating with amazing English and tons of really cool facts about fireflies and different environmental initiatives taking place in the Philippines. I’d highly recommend this tour for one of your evenings in Bohol! Again, we booked through Donsol Eco Tours.
Other costs: 1,710 Pisos | £26 per person
Looking back, my smattering of extras were all pretty meaningful. There’s the bamboo straw I bought in a bid to leave behind plastic and the shampoo / conditioner bars I fell in love with from Bohol Bee Farm – I still miss these daily!
The usual gifts for family and friends, plus a few packs of my favourite Indomie Mi Goreng noodles (I’m reminded of backpacking every time I eat these!) made up the rest.
What is the cost of accommodation in the Philippines?
2026: The detailed price breakdown here is from 2019. I would suggest budgeting roughly 1/3 more than my figures today.
For budget travellers, The Philippines has great budget accommodation options absolutely everywhere. You could bag a budget hostel or dorm room for £8-15 per night in 2019 – slightly more than my other Southeast Asia trips, but still insanely great value vs Western prices.
However, if you’re looking for mid-range accommodation including breakfast, you can still get these at fantastic prices – often around £100 per night.
This is generally the approach we took, although we did splash out considerably on one blissful night at a private resort, El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island. Read my full hotel review of Miniloc Island, El Nido here.
Everywhere we stayed in the Philippines at a glance
For more information, read my full article on where to stay in the Philippines and how much it costs or get a quick view on the map below!
If you’re still reading, congratulations for making it through this whopper Philippines budget guide! Along with my total spend, here are some frequently asked questions that may help plan your trip.
FAQs | Philippines budget guide
Is the Philippines more expensive compared to other countries?
Compared to others in Southeast Asia, I found the Philippines to be slightly more expensive. However, vs prices I’m used to in Europe, the Philippines is still extremely affordable, particularly when it comes to eating out.
As with all travel, you can make it as cheap or as spendy as your budget allows!
Can you do two weeks in the Philippines on a budget?
Yes! It has some challenges vs travelling on mainland countries but especially if you’re planning a longer trip without the need to rush, you can easily take some of the more affordable transport options.
What are some top tips for spending less in the Philippines?
How much should I budget for two weeks in the Philippines?
For day-to-day transport, food and activities, our Philippines budget in 2019 broke down as follows:
Total spend per person: 28,643 | £434 | $550
Average daily cost per person: 2,046 Pisos | £31 | $40
Even if you added on inflation to estimate 2026 prices, I think this is still a great price for two weeks worth of activities considering we weren’t massively watching our spending
I hope this information overload has helped you figure out how much to budget for two weeks in the Philippines. I’d love to hear your own experiences – let me know how you found it!
Laura x
Read more on the Philippines
Where to stay in the Philippines and how much it costs
Guide to visiting Boracay
Is this El Nido’s most eco-friendly hotel?
A guide to whale sharks and fireflies in Donsol
Sustainable tourism in El Nido
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It’s more fun in the Philippines!! Thanks for sharing this 🙂 I’m a Lifestyle Blogger from PH
Check out my blog: Living Beyond Style (www.nicolesanmiguel.com)
Amazing article, thank you. We’re thinking of going next April.
Hey
Is it best to fly in/out from the same airport? travelling from London
Wanted to fly into Manilla and slowly head south and catch a flight home back to London from the southern part
We flew to/from Manila just because it worked out much cheaper – even with having to catch internal flights to/from other areas. I’d compare prices for a return to Manila (including an internal flight back to Manila) or the London – Manila / South – London option, then decide based on price/timings.