Ways to Travel Cheaply Around the Philippines

Among the world’s most amazing low-cost vacation spots, the Philippines boasts picture-perfect white sand beaches, turquoise waters, breathtaking sunsets, welcoming natives, and a laid-back, tropical atmosphere.

In addition to majestic volcanoes and beautiful coral reefs, the nation is home to verdant jungles, subterranean rivers, enormous caverns, and breathtaking waterfalls. Camping in the jungle, snorkeling around WWII wrecks, and exploring limestone cave systems are all possible. More than that, though, the Philippines is incredibly inexpensive!

Delicious Filipino dishes like lumpias or pancit, or the dessert halo-halo can cost for less than a dollar, and rum is more affordable than most soft drinks. Many hostels offer hammocks for less than $5 per night, or you can set one up on the beach for free.

Travel Costs in the Philippines

If you’re a broke backpacker, you can travel around the Philippines for as little as $20 USD per day. You can travel for significantly less if you’re willing to put in the effort through hitchhiking and camping. Staying at opulent beachfront resorts, dining at fine restaurants, and taking pricey tours are surefire ways to make your vacation budget balloon. In a pinch, there is a tool called a salary loan that can come in handy when needed. But of course, it is up to you to decide how to manage your money.

In 2024, here are some average expenses for a backpacking trip through the Philippines:

Spend $6-15 USD per night on a dorm bed at a hostel.
The cost of taking a public ferry is $6-8 USD.
Shuttle fare: $0.20-0.50 USD
Communal fare: $1.50-4 USD
Eating out: $5-7 USD
Fare for long-distance bus: $8-10 USD
Flight within the country: $50-90 USD
Homebrewed beer: $2-3 USD
One and a half liters of water: $0.75 USD
$20–25 USD for island hopping
Salvage diving with whale sharks: $25–50 USD

What to Expect From Your Stay in the Philippines

Let’s go over the main points that are important for every traveler.

Accommodation

The Philippines is home to some posh backpacker hostels that charge up to $20 USD per night for a shared bed. Once you leave Manila, you’ll find plenty of affordable options for lodging; in Palawan, for instance, you can get a dorm bed for as low as $6 USD per night. The majority of hostels have air conditioning and spotty Wi-Fi. You can get beach huts for as little as $2 USD per night, and local guesthouses are even less expensive than hostels.

Food and drink

A plate of delicious mystery meat from a street vendor can cost as little as one dollar USD. You can expect to pay anywhere from $6 to $20 USD for a meal at restaurants that cater primarily to tourists.

You should try to “pregame” (have a few beers on the street) before hitting the town in Manila or any other posh part of the Philippines because food and drink can quickly add up, especially on a night out. For that unavoidable hangover, you can get a coconut for less than a dollar.

Transportation

If you are strapped for cash but have plenty of time on your hands, ferries are your best bet because flights can kill your budget. On larger islands like Luzon, you can take a reasonably inexpensive long-distance bus, but eventually you’ll have to take a ferry. For many of the islands, it is the sole means of transportation.

Activities

While scuba diving can cost as low as $30 USD in certain locations, the average cost is more like $50 USD, making the Philippines one of the most budget-friendly options for learning to dive. Snorkeling is even more affordable; you can rent the necessary equipment for about $3.5 USD at most beaches.

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Depending on your travel preferences and the specific destinations you visit, the cost of a trip to the Philippines can vary greatly. When compared to other regions of the Philippines, Boracay and Manila are much more expensive. However, once you leave the tourist traps, you can easily get by on $35–$40 USD per day.

If you’re traveling with a friend, you can get a decent shared room for $35 USD per day. If you’re traveling solo, you can get a comfortable dorm in a cool hostel for the same price. You will have more than enough money to eat at three good restaurants every day, use Uber to get around, and have a few beers in the evening.

Depending on your accommodation budget, alcohol consumption, and Western food consumption, you can go higher or lower than that.

How to Cut Costs in the Philippines

Even though the country is already incredibly inexpensive to visit, there are still ways to save money. Save without compromising on comfort or local experiences with these simple steps:

Consider staying with a local. Couchsurfing is a popular way to meet people and save money on accommodation costs. It’s especially popular in the Philippines. A locally run guesthouse is usually less expensive than a hostel if you’re not into Couchsurfing.
One of the most budget-friendly airlines serving the Philippines is AirAsia. So be on the lookout for sales when you can book all of your domestic flights with a discount.
Hitchhiking is a great way to see the world. Experience different cultures, and save money; it’s also quite common in the Philippines.
Stay away from the tourist trap restaurants that charge exorbitant prices and stick to what the locals eat. Stay away from these and just listen to the locals. They’ll lead you to the best places to eat and save you money!
Bring a tent if you’re traveling on a tight budget. You’ll find plenty of amazing spots to set up camp and no one will bat an eye. Camping on many beaches in the Philippines is completely free. If you’re looking for a place to pitch your tent, you’ll find that many hostels have gardens where you can do it for free as long as you buy drinks from the bar.
You should bring a water bottle with a filter in order to avoid drinking contaminated tap water. This will help you to save money too (buying water on a daily basis adds up).

Despite its reputation as one of Southeast Asia’s hidden gems, the Philippines is a destination that far too many travelers miss. Getting a Kalinga tattoo from a real-life legend, meeting amazing people, and trying scuba diving for the first time are all things that can happen during your time in the Philippines.