Are you planning 2 weeks in Philippines and wondering how much it might cost? Look no further!
Here is a breakdown of the cost of our two-week trip to the Philippines, including our itinerary, travel expenses, accommodations, food and drink, transportation, excursions, and more. So whether you’re a backpacker on a budget or looking to splurge on a luxurious vacation, read on to find out the cost of two weeks in the Philippines.
We’ll cover how much we spent for 2 weeks in the Philippines, the Philippines itinerary of 14 days, the cost of two weeks in the Philippines, and more!
As a quick note, we are not backpackers, we rarely stay in hostels and are very cautious with street food. We like to save money where we can, be we certainly spend it on what is important to us, like accommodations or excursions.
This is not representative of what you will spend in the Philippines, even for the same period of time or season. This is merely an overview of what we spent and some of our tips and reasons for the amounts. Please use it as a guide to your future trip to the Philippines!
This post is all about our cost breakdown for how much for 2 weeks in the Philippines.
Cost of 2 Weeks in the Philippines:
Philippines Itinerary 14 Days
Dates: 05/08 – 05/22/2023; 15 nights
We only had a two-week window to travel through the Philippines and honestly think we would have done this same itinerary over a three-week period. It was a little fast for us, but we are so happy we made all the stops we did. The Philippines are GORGEOUS.
- Cebu – 4 nights
- Donsol – 3 nights
- Sabang – 2 nights
- El Nido – 3 nights
- Puerto Princesa – 1 night
- Manila – 2 nights
Cash vs. Credit Cards in the Philippines
It’s worth noting that while credit cards are accepted in some places in the Philippines, many locations only accept cash. Additionally, it can be difficult to find ATMs in smaller towns and rural areas, and even when you do find one, it’s not uncommon for it to be out of cash. To avoid being caught without enough money, it’s a good idea to withdraw as much cash as possible when you do come across a working ATM.
Cost of Travel in the Philippines:
Entry Fees
Total: $0
Luckily, for US citizens there are no entry fees or visas required to visit the Philippines for 2 weeks. This may change or may be different for your country of citizenship.
Accommodations
Total: $1,005
Average: $67 per night
For Southeast Asia, the Philippines are not cheap. Honestly of all the destinations in SE Asia, it’s only cheaper than Singapore. We booked hotels with well-known brands when we could and on Booking.com for everything else. I do have to say that you definitely get what you pay for in the Philippines and their cleanliness standards are not nearly those of some countries that we are used to. Manila was particularly bad so we HIGHLY recommend staying at one of the Hilton properties even though they are pricier. Trust me, you don’t want to have to kill 30+ cockroaches during your stay in an Airbnb…
Here’s a quick reference to the locations we stayed on our trip that I would recommend. Note, the hotel in Sabang is definitely a “unique experience” option and is more equivalent to glamping than staying in a hotel.
- Cebu – Holiday Inn Cebu City
- Donsol –
- Sabang –
- El Nido –
- Manila – Conrad by Hilton Manila
Food & Drink
Total: $692
Average: $46 per day
Average: $23 per person per day
We didn’t book a single apartment or home so we didn’t have access to a kitchen the entire trip. That meant we ate out (or ate ramen) every single day. For 3 meals a day, lots of coffee, and usually eating at the hotel, it really wasn’t too bad. And we had some GOOD food. You can definitely eat cheaper with street food but we often choose convenience over price after a long day exploring.
Are you covered for your next trip? Whether you’re planning a quick weekend getaway or a long-term adventure, SafetyWing has you covered. From medical emergencies to lost luggage, they’ll take care of it all. Plus, they even offer emergency response and natural disaster coverage – pretty cool, huh? So next time you’re packing up to head out on a trip, don’t forget to grab your SafetyWing insurance!
Transportation (+ Flights)
Total: $962
Flights Total: $622
Other Transportation Total: $340
Average: $64 per day
Since the Philippines is a country of 7,000+ islands, transportation can get a little tricky. Normally I separate out our flights from our transportation cost. However, with the Philippines, the flights were a huge part of our transportation from destination to destination.
We did fly from Thailand to first land in the Philippines and landed in Cebu. Most flights into the Philippines will land in Manila with some closer proximity countries landing in Cebu City. From there, we took a ferry to Bohol island ($70 USD for 2 roundtrip) and flights between every other island. We also had to pay for taxis or trikes (three wheeled sidecar like motorcycles) to and from our hotels. Another big cost was the 6 hour shuttle between Puerto Princesa and El Nido ($13 USD per person per way). We did also rent a motorbike on Bohol, Sabang, and in El Nido for a day each (around $10 USD per day).
Just know before you go, transportation is not always easy, convenient, or cheap. The roads are nice but other than that, it can get frustrating.
Excursions
Total: $400
We really wanted to see as much as we could of the Philippines and since we were filming YouTube videos, we opted for private tours as often as possible. This definitely cost us a bit more, but it was well worth the expenses. These were the largest private tours we did:
- Whale Sharks in Donsol:
- Underground River in Puerto Princesa:
- Tour A in El Nido:
Top Activities in El Nido:
SIM Cards
Total: $21
Since we were moving quickly through the Philippines and we landed late in Cebu, we opted to get our data situated before arriving. We ended up paying $21 for two weeks of data (13 GB) through Airalo. This service allows you to buy and set up your e-sim before landing in the country. That way once you are at the gate, you can turn on your data and already be connected to the internet to call a cab or find directions.
Personal
Total: $103
We always spend a little here and there on souvenirs, gifts for friends and family, or personal stuff that we run out of (like sunscreen). This trip, we had to get a few loads of laundry done at around $12 USD each. The rest was all fairly reasonable prices.
Total Spend in Philippines for 2 Weeks
Total: $3,184
Average: $212 per day
Average: $106 per person per day
In conclusion, the cost of two weeks in the Philippines can vary greatly depending on your travel style and preferences. Our itinerary, accommodations, transportation, and excursions cost us a total of $3,184 for 15 nights. It was certainly higher than we are used to for a two trip, especially in Southeast Asia. This was mostly due to the transportation costs between islands and the more expensive accommodation options.
Keep in mind that this is just our personal experience and spending habits, so your own costs may differ. However, we hope this breakdown gives you a better idea of what to expect when budgeting for a trip to the Philippines. With its stunning natural beauty and unique culture, the Philippines is definitely worth a visit!
want a free Notion itinerary template?
Plan the perfect trip all in one place with this free Notion Travel Itinerary Template. Just enter your info below to join our weekly newsletter and get it sent straight to your inbox!
