Travel cost breakdown for a trip to Manila and Cebu for 3 nights and 4 days

We will introduce the cost of travel to the tropical Philippines, from budget to luxury! The Philippines is now a popular destination! Manila, a bustling metropolis, attracts business people and shopping enthusiasts from all over the world. Meanwhile, Cebu is a famous tourist destination that is known around the world as a beach resort.
In this article, we will explain the costs of various styles of travel, from budget to luxury, focusing on the two major tourist destinations in the Philippines, Manila and Cebu.

How much does a trip to the Philippines cost?

The cost of travel to the Philippines can vary depending on the airline and embarkation point. Even if you want a slightly luxurious trip, you can have a very satisfying trip with 40,000 to 75,000 pesos.
There are many cheap airfares to Manila and Cebu, so travel expenses are not that high. Hotels are also reasonably priced, with the exception of some ultra-luxury hotels. There is also a wide variety of gourmet options, from fast food restaurants such as Jollibee, to high-end restaurants serving delicious seafood! Be sure to enjoy the delicious gourmet food as well.
In this article, we will explain the costs of traveling to Manila or Cebu, including hotels and activities, and the price situation in the Philippines!

How expensive is it in the Philippines?

The currency is the Philippine peso (PHP), and the banknotes are arranged from the largest to the smallest. The subunit is the centavo, with 100 centavos making 1 PHP.
For reference, the average prices of food are 10-20 PHP for mineral water (500ml), PHP 65 for Coca-Cola (1.5L), and 35-75 PHP for cup ramen. Locally grown products tend to be cheaper, with 1kg of mangoes and a bunch of bananas costing about 80 PHP. Beer is about 55 PHP. The Philippines is generally said to have low prices, but in recent years, imported products from abroad have become more expensive due to inflation and rising prices.

How to get to Manila and Cebu? and How much does a plane ticket cost?

You can get to Manila from and to different destinations. There are many direct flights to Manila from other parts of the Philippines. Manila, being the main gateway to the country, and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as its main airport. It has extensive connections with numerous domestic airports. On the other hand, Mactan-Cebu International Airport serves Cebu and serves as the main gateway to the Central Visayas region in the Philippines.

◆What is the average price for a direct flight to Manila and Cebu?

The main carriers in the Philippines include Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, PAL Express, Philippines AirAsia, Airswift, Cebgo, and Sunlight Air. There are low-cost carriers (LCCs) and full-service carriers (FSC) that fly direct to different destinations in the Philippines. Even with Philippine Airlines, an FSC, fares and fees are not that high, and a round trip ticket rarely costs more than 10,000 pesos except during busy periods such as Christmas Holidays and the New Year holidays. On the other hand, the average price for LCCs varies from just over 2,500 to 4,000 pesos one way. Cebu Pacific and AirAsia tend to be cheaper.

Direct flights within the Philippines are available through Philippine Airlines, along with other domestic carriers like Cebu Pacific and AirAsia. Here are some examples of cities with direct flights to Manila:

Major cities: Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Tacloban
Tourist destinations: Boracay (Caticlan), Palawan (Puerto Princesa, El Nido), Bohol (Panglao), Siargao (Sayak)

While some airlines that offer direct flights to Cebu and some of their common routes:
Philippine Airlines: Manila, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Bacolod, Tacloban, General Santos City, Puerto Princesa, Zamboanga, Dumaguete
While for Cebu, Cebu Pacific: Manila, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Bacolod, Tacloban, General Santos City, Puerto Princesa, Zamboanga, Dumaguete, Clark, Siargao, Boracay (Caticlan)
Cebgo (a subsidiary of Cebu Pacific): Many destinations within the Visayas and Mindanao, including smaller cities like Busuanga, Calbayog, Masbate, and Surigao.
AirAsia: Manila, Clark, Puerto Princesa, Caticlan
Sunlight Air: Manila, Clark, Siargao, Boracay (Caticlan)
AirSWIFT: El Nido (a popular tourist destination in Palawan)

◆ Are there direct flights from Manila to Cebu and vice versa?

Yes, there are definitely direct flights from Manila to Cebu and vice versa! Philippine Airlines offers multiple direct flights daily between Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) and Cebu's Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB).
These flights are usually around 1 hour and 20-30 minutes long. Aside from Philippine Airlines, other airlines that offer direct flights on this route include: Cebu Pacific, AirAsia Philippines, Cebgo (Cebu Pacific's subsidiary). Having multiple airlines offering direct flights gives you more choices and potentially better deals, so it's worth comparing prices and schedules before booking.

◆Average price of connecting flights from Manila to Cebu

You can find connecting flights from Manila to Cebu starting from around ₱2,000 to ₱4,000 (round trip).

What is the average cost of a hotel? ~Manila Edition~

We will introduce guesthouses and hotels in Manila.
The most important thing to consider when choosing a hotel in Manila is "security and safety" rather than price. Even though the city is now lined with skyscrapers and the economy is on the upswing.
If you are choosing a hotel, we recommend the Makati area or BGC (Bonifacio Global City), which have relatively good security.

◆Manila guesthouse "8 Hostel"

8 Hostel is located in the Quiapo district, downtown Manila, and is a recommended guesthouse for backpackers traveling to Manila on a budget. Despite being in the downtown area, it features quiet rooms! You can rest your tired body after a long trip to the Philippines. There is a convenience store on the first floor of 8 Hostel, so you can get the basic groceries and daily necessities.
The highlight of this guesthouse is the futuristic capsules, which also have rooms for women only. It has an image like the inside of a spaceship, so it is said to be photogenic for social media! There are also dormitories with a normal atmosphere and private rooms that can accommodate two people.
Free coffee and hospitality from the staff are also appreciated, making this one of the recommended guesthouses in Manila.

◆Manila luxury hotel "Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria IHG Hotel"

The luxury hotel in Manila, Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria IHG Hotel, is a hotel for business people with conference rooms, but is also suitable for tourists.
All 263 rooms have large floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the rapidly growing city of Manila. There are many ways to enjoy Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria IHG Hotel, including relaxing at the pool, fitness center, and gym, or shopping at the adjacent Robinsons Galleria Mall.

What is the average cost of a hotel? ~Cebu Island~

Cebu Island has a variety of accommodations, from budget guesthouses to luxury resort hotels. However, Cebu Island itself is quite big, so please choose your accommodation carefully, taking into consideration the location.

◆Guesthouse "Little Norway Guest House" in Cebu (Mactan Island)

"Little Norway Guesthouse" is a guesthouse run by a Norwegian owner. The rooms have a cool design with a Scandinavian motif.
Not only is the interior stylish, but the owner's cheerful and friendly personality is also popular.
This guesthouse is located on Mactan Island, the same island as the airport, so it is also attractively located about 10 minutes by car from the airport! Gaisano Mactan Island Mall, which has a supermarket and a food festival, is also about 10 minutes on foot.
*The curfew at this guesthouse is 10pm.

◆Cebu business hotel Toyoko-INN

It is perfect for workcations, with high-speed Wi-Fi, a large desk, a coin laundry, and a shuttle service to major shopping spots (for a fee)! There are also rooms that can accommodate up to four people.
Not only can you enjoy a shower, but you can also take a relaxing bath in a deep bathtub, which is only possible because of the modern high-tech specifications.

Of course, breakfast is also free! Get plenty of energy in the morning.

◆Badian Island Wellness Resort, a luxury hotel on the outskirts of Cebu

Badian Island Wellness Resort, located on Badian Island (Zaragoza Island), a ferry ride from Cebu, is a quiet hotel far from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Only guests and staff of the hotel are allowed to enter Badian Island, where the hotel is located. The hotel has many repeat customers, as it keeps artificial things to a minimum and makes the most of the natural scenery.

The rooms at the Badian Island Wellness Resort are not flashy, but rather have a natural and calming atmosphere.
The spa, which incorporates elements of thalassotherapy, and the restaurant, which serves food made with natural ingredients without additives, are also highly rated.
Why not visit the secluded Badian Island Wellness Resort, which is just two and a half hours away from Cebu Airport?

What is the transportation situation and fares in the Philippines?

Manila, the capital of the Philippines, has a variety of transportation options, including trains, buses, jeepneys (small buses), taxis, tricycles (shared motorbike taxis), and habal-habals (motorcycle taxis). Cebu, on the other hand, does not have trains, and transportation is mainly by road, such as buses, jeepneys, and taxis.
Both cities have heavy traffic congestion, so it is difficult to predict the time. The few railways in Manila also have admission restrictions, so it is best to avoid using them during rush hour.
However, the situation is improving year by year, with the introduction of railways being considered in Cebu as well.
The initial fare for a train is about 13 to15 PHP, and the initial fare for a taxi is about 40 to 60 PHP.

◆What is the Philippine version of a shared taxi, the jeepney?

Jeepneys are the Philippine version of shared taxis. They cover places that buses cannot cover, and the fare is cheap, so they are very popular. When getting on, check the destination, hold up your index finger, and extend your hand forward to indicate your intention to board.
Pickpockets sometimes occur on jeepneys, so please be careful with your belongings.

◆ Install the convenient ride-sharing app "Grab"

It's convenient to have the Grab app installed when traveling in the Philippines. Some regular taxis can be exorbitant, but with this app you can use ride sharing while checking the driver's reputation.

However, it may be difficult to catch a Grab taxi during rush hour in Cebu, so a regular taxi may be more convenient at that time.

Compare the food and costs for your trip to the Philippines in Manila and Cebu!

You may be wondering what the food scene is like in Manila and Cebu.
In both cities, there are a wide variety of restaurants, from Filipino food stalls frequented by locals to stylish eateries. And because the Philippines was once a Spanish colony, there are also restaurants where you can enjoy authentic Spanish cuisine!

We will explain in detail below.

◆Where can I easily enjoy Filipino food?

"Abe" is a Filipino restaurant that serves a wide variety of Filipino cuisine, from home-style dishes to traditional cuisine, at reasonable prices. Popular dishes include "Bamboo Rice" (425 PHP), Filipino-style fried rice served in a bamboo bowl, and "Crispy Pata" (875 PHP), fried pork trotters.

◆ Taste "Lechon", a whole roasted pig in Cebu

A traditional dish in Cebu is the roasted suckling pig "Lechon". It may seem a little cruel, but it's delicious! At House of Lechon, you can enjoy lechon at a reasonable price, and it is crowded with many customers every day.

◆Jollibee is great value for money!

It has over 1,400 stores in the Philippines! Even McDonald's can't reach this number. Their hamburgers, fried chicken, and desserts are strongly seasoned to Filipino tastes, and are often featured at the merienda mentioned above. They have captured the hearts of Filipinos! It can be said that this is the most beloved fast food among Filipinos. The cost is so cheap that some heavy users go there once every two days.

Check it out ♪ How much do activities cost when traveling to the Philippines?

The Philippines has beautiful seas and mountains!
From here on, we will introduce the activities and costs that you can enjoy mainly around Manila and Cebu Island.

◆World Heritage Site! See the beautiful Baroque Museum in Manila

Of course, it's free to stroll around the old town of Manila, where buildings built during the Spanish era remain, but some places require admission fees!
Admission to the Manila Cathedral and the World Heritage San Agustin Church in Intramuros (the fortress) shown in the photo is free, but the museum attached to the San Agustin Church requires an admission fee of 100 PHP.

◆ Activities near Manila: Pinto Museum in Antipolo

In the suburbs of Manila, we recommend the Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo, which is reminiscent of Greece in the Mediterranean. The harmony between the contemporary art created by Filipino artists and the beautiful gardens is a highlight, so if you want to enjoy art in the Philippines, be sure to visit.

◆Activities and costs you can enjoy in Cebu

The activities you should enjoy in Cebu are of course sea-related activities. There are many activities to enjoy, especially "island hopping" and "paragliding" that take you around islands such as Pandanon Island by boat!

Island hopping and barbecue tours and diving tours where you can swim with whale sharks are also available on skyticket overseas tours.

If you've read this far and are thinking that arranging hotels, flights, and calculating the costs seems like a pain... then skyticket's overseas tours include flights and hotels in a package, starting from 30,000 PHP per person (departing from Manila) and 34,000 PHP per person (departing from Cebu) for two people! This is a great deal for those who want to make a quick decision.
All of the hotels are ones that skyticket can confidently recommend!

◆What other activities are there in Cebu?

In addition, we have picked out three companies that specialize in local activities! Please refer to them together with the skyticket overseas tours and skyticket tourist guide.

Shopping in Manila and Cebu! What are the recommended Philippine souvenirs?

Manila and Cebu are now lined with shopping malls, so much so that it is no exaggeration to say they are shopping paradise. There are plenty of souvenirs that can only be found in Manila and Cebu!
Be sure to find your favorite souvenirs that are unique to this perpetual summer country.

◆Discover Pinoy souvenirs at a shopping mall in Manila!

Filipinos call themselves "Pinoys" (females are called "Pinay"), and if you go around shopping malls in Manila, you can find cute Pinoy goods!

There are several Ayala shopping malls in and around Manila, and one in Cebu as well.

One of these, Ayala Center, is the largest in Manila, and within its five blocks, there are the popular shops "SM Makati," the high-end "Rustan's" and "Greenbelt," and each block has its own unique character.

◆We recommend Kultura's made-in-the-Philippines goods!

Recommended souvenirs from Manila and Cebu are dried fruit such as dried mangoes and banana chips. Please note that you cannot take fresh fruit home due to quarantine regulations.

If you are looking for souvenirs in Manila or Cebu, we recommend a store called "Kultura".

This souvenir store has branches in various shopping malls, department stores, and airports, including the aforementioned "SM Makati" in the Ayala Center! They have a wide selection of souvenirs such as miscellaneous goods and chocolates that are made in the Philippines.

◎Enjoy a trip to the everlasting summer country of the Philippines at a low cost♪

The Philippines is a country with such diverse cultures that some people never get bored of visiting, with regions with different atmospheres such as Manila, which is experiencing rapid economic development, and Cebu, which is rich in nature.

For your first trip to the Philippines, we recommend skyticket overseas tours ! You can save money and effort, so you can enjoy a variety of activities in the Philippines, such as carefully choosing Pinoy (Pinay) souvenirs and enriching activities with the money you save.

In this article, we focused on Manila and Cebu, but once you get used to the country, visiting other regional cities is also one of the pleasures of traveling.
Make sure to use Skyticket to make your trip to the deep Philippines more exciting!