Philippines is an abundant country filled with natural beauties of the lands and seas, cultures, and history. There is so much more to discover and enjoy when you go to this amazing country in Asia. However, you need to take into account important factors when you plan your travel in the country. One of these is how much to fly to the Philippines. Basically, you need to plan your budget for your travel so that expenses would not be a hindrance for your trip.
In this blog post, we will share to you the average expenses of past travellers. This will help you to plan your budget ahead of time. Moreover, we will give you some ideas about the country and the things that you must do when you arrive here.
The Philippines Geography
Generally, the Philippines has three major islands – Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. It is important that you have an idea about these islands for you to be familiar with your chosen destinations.
Initially, these islands will be a primary factor that dictates how much to fly to Philippines. Moreover, this is due to the fact that transportation and the travel schedule will be dependent on the distances of your travel destinations.
You may also see: Tourist spots in the Philippines by Region
Luzon
Basically, if you are a foreign visitor, you would land on Manila once you arrive here in the Philippines. It is the country’s capital and would initially be your first destination. Further, Manila is the island of Luzon and it connects flight to other destinations inside the country.
Moreover, it is also in Luzon where other big and attracting islands can be found. These are the Batanes, Baguio, Palawan, and Vigan to name a few. Additionally, the activities that you may enjoy doing on this major island are beach adventures, island hopping, and sightseeing.
Visayas
The centermost part of the Philippines is the Visayas. Generally, in order to go to other parts of the island, you have to land on Cebu, its main gateway. Furthermore, it is also in the Visayas where you can find other tourists destinations. Included here are Bohol, Iloilo, Boracay, Leyte, Negros, and Siguijor.
Like in Luzon, you can also do island hopping here. Aside from that, food tripping and outdoor adventures are the other activities that you can do in Visayas.
Mindanao
The southernmost part of the Philippines belongs to Mindanao. In this major island, the main gateway is Davao City. Generally, you must have to land here first so that you can travel to other Mindanao destinations. Additionally, you can find Camiguin, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro and Siargao here in Mindanao. Moreover, you can enjoy Mindanao by doing beach escapades, island hopping, and outdoor adventures.
What to do upon arriving at Manila International Airport?
Arriving at Manila may seem confusing especially for first-time travellers. Unfortunately, the international airport in Manila or the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) does not have any subway system connected to it. Even though it has four terminals, it has nothing to do to connect the airport to other countries destinations.
Further, good thing that Point-to-Point (P2P) buses are now available for airport transfer. Additionally, another option for airport transfer is booking a taxi or Grab car through an app. Moreover, check these four terminals in NAIA which will be very helpful especially if you have connecting flights to other destinations.
NAIA Terminal 1
This caters to all international flights coming from and going into Manila. However, the exemptions for this are those flights operated under Terminal 2 and 3.
NAIA Terminal 2
Generally, this is where both the domestics and international flights carried by the Philippine Airlines and PAL Express operate. Moreover, Terminal 2 or the Centennial Terminal is used in honour of the 100 years declaration of the country’s independence.
NAIA Terminal 3
Other international flights by other airlines not mentioned above land here. Moreover, it also caters all domestic flights handled by Cebu Pacific Air. An airport hotel and massage centre is present in this Terminal.
NAIA Terminal 4
Generally, this is the hub for other domestics flights not mentioned above.
Airport Outside Manila – The Clark International Airport
Basically, from Manila, going to Clark needs around two to three hours of travelling. Here are some options that you may consider in going to Clark.
- Premium P2P Bus Service
Generally, this option has two stations; one is at the Terminal 3 of NAIA which cost around $7 (Php 350) on a one-way ride. Moreover, the other station is at North EDSA MRT Station or Trinoma Mall in Quezon City. Further, the one-way fare in this station is usually around $4-$5 (Php 200 – 250).
- Car Rental Service
Typically, this is a private transportation option. However, this may affect the cost of how much to fly to Philippines.
Best time to go to the Philippines that can determine how much to fly here?
Generally, wet and dry seasons are the two major seasons of the country. This will help you to identify the cost of how much to fly to the Philippines. Basically, the dry season includes the month of November to June. Moreover, this season is usually the best time to go to the Philippines and explore most of its tourist destinations.
November to December
Starting November, aside from the beginning of the dry season, it also marks the start of Christmas celebration of the country. Furthermore, these months are the best to go to the Philippines to witness colourful lanterns of the country, Christmas bazaars, and night markets.
January to March
Ideally, this is the best time to travel here in the Philippines. Basically, the country’s temperature within these months is generally cooler. Moreover, most of the grandest festivals are celebrated during these months. Here are examples of those festivals:
- Ati-atihan Festival in Boracay
- Sinulog Festival in Cebu
- Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo
- Panagbenga Festival in Baguio
April to June
These months are the peak months within the country. Generally, it is in these months where the summer season falls. However, the temperature of the country rises during these times. Moreover, most beach resorts in almost all of the country’s islands have full of guests.
Below are the famous summer destinations in the Philippines:
- Underground River of Palawan
- White beaches of Boracay
- Surfing paradise of La Union
- Serene waters of Siargao
- Diving spots in Batangas
On the contrary, the wet season is on the month of July to October. Basically, around nine typhoons hit the country on this season. Flooding and landslides in many areas may affect your travel within the country.
July to October
These are the rainy months of the country. From July to August, the rainfall generally increases. Additionally, these are the wettest months over the whole year in the country.
How much to fly to Philippines?
There are lots of foreign visitors travelling to the Philippines. Generally, many of them can travel into the country for a period of 21 days even without their visa. However, foreigners must have a valid passport. The validity of such a document should be at least six months with their onwards tickets.
Furthermore, there are numbers of international airlines that cater to flights to the Philippines. The centre for most airlines coming from international countries is the Ninoy Aquino International Airport or the NAIA Terminal 1. Basically, here in the country, we have two major airlines – Philippine Airlines and the Cebu Pacific.
Philippine Airlines is the one providing flights coming from other countries in Asia and the US. This is the flagship airline of the Philippines. Meanwhile, the Cebu Pacific is the country’s number one budget airline. This means that the cost on how much to fly to Philippines must basically cheaper.
Additionally, Cebu Pacific caters flights from most major airports within and around Asia’s continent. Aside from these two airlines, other airlines that operate within the country are SEAIR, Zest Air, and PAL Express. These airlines focus on domestic flights which are applicable for intra-country travels.
How much money will you need to fly to Philippines?
Ideally, going to other countries, like the Philippines, needs a planned budgeting strategy. You need to plan the money that you need to bring based on how much to fly to Philippines. Basically, referring to the previous expenditures of other visitors, you would spend an average price per day of around $53 (Php 2,644).
Moreover, the average money spent by past travellers per day sums up to $28 (Php 1,396) which accounts for their meals and local transportation. The meals for a single day would typically amount to $12 (Php 605) and transportation is about $16 (Php 791).
Aside from this, how much to fly to Philippines would also be based on the average price of the hotel. Usually, the hotel rate of $38 (Php 1,904) is already good for two. Basically, based on these statistics, how much to fly to Philippines would cost and average of $743 (Php 37,009). This is good for two persons and for a period of one week.
Note: The data above comes from previous visitors of the country to guide you on your travel budgeting strategy.
Additionally, how much to fly to Philippines would become cheaper in case you plan to travel as a family with three to four persons. This is because the price may usually decrease due to the kid’s tickets that are generally cheaper. Moreover, the rooms in the hotel can be shared so the cost on how much to fly to Philippines may reduce.
Furthermore, another factor that may affect the cost on how much to fly to Philippines is the length of stay. Definitely, the daily budget will reduce if you plan to travel for a couple of more days. A one month stay in the country for two is typically cheaper compared to travelling for just a week.
How much to fly to Philippines – Flights Fare
Basically, as of the moment, the flight cost of how much to fly to Philippines starts from $295. This flight cost is generally a one-way trip to the Philippines. However, the prices of the flight are subject to change.
Flights going to Manila:
The cost of a one-way flight to Manila starts from $295. Meanwhile, an international roundtrip ticket to Manila starts from $451. Additionally, below is the list of the estimated cost of flights to Cebu from the US.
One way
- $295 – Dubai UAE to Manila
- $331 – $425 – San Francisco USA to Manila
- $339 – $359 – Los Angeles USA to Manila
Roundtrip
- $451 – Kuwait to Manila
- $455 – Dubai UAE to Manila
- $529 – $578 – San Francisco USA to Manila
- $483 – Los Angeles USA to Manila
Flights going to Cebu:
The cost of a one-way flight from Manila to Cebu starts from $76 to $108. Meanwhile, Manila to Cebu roundtrip ticket costs $155 to $182. Additionally, below is the list of the estimated cost of flights to Cebu from the US.
One way
- $365 – San Francisco USA to Cebu
Roundtrip
- $572 – $582 – San Francisco USA to Cebu
- $540 – Los Angeles USA to Cebu
Flights going to Davao City:
The cost of a one-way flight from Manila to Davao starts from $108 to $197. Meanwhile, Manila to Davao roundtrip ticket costs $216 to $233. Below is the list of the estimated cost of flights to Davao City from the US.
One Way
- $562 – San Francisco USA to Davao City
- $433 – Los Angeles USA to Davao City
Roundtrip
- $563 – San Francisco USA to Davao City
Final Thoughts
How much to fly to Philippines may generally depend on several factors. The season of the year of your travel, your travel destinations, and your length of stay in the country may affect the cost of going here in the country. Additional to that, the transportation, food, hotels and accommodations may also give an impact to your travel budget. So, with all these, it is better to plan your budget along with your itinerary. This will help you enjoy your trip regardless of how much it cost to fly in the country.
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