Philippines Backpacking Budget 2026
How much does it actually cost to travel the Philippines? Full daily budget breakdown covering Palawan, Siargao, Cebu and island-hopping across 7,641 islands.
- Currency
- Philippine Peso (PHP)
- Rate
- £1 = 71 PHP / $1 = 57 PHP
- Visa
- 30 days visa-free
Daily Budget Tiers
Budget
£15-25 / day
1,065-1,775 PHP
Fan-room guesthouses, local eateries, public boats and jeepneys
Mid-Range
£30-55 / day
2,130-3,905 PHP
Air-con guesthouses, sit-down restaurants, organised tours
Comfort
£65-120 / day
4,615-8,520 PHP
Boutique resorts, fine dining, private boat charters, domestic flights
Philippines Price Guide 2026
| Item | PHP | GBP approx. |
|---|---|---|
| Dorm bed (El Nido/Siargao) | PHP 250-400 | £3.50-5.60 |
| Fan private room (guesthouse) | PHP 400-700 | £5.60-10 |
| Air-con room (guesthouse) | PHP 700-1,500 | £10-21 |
| Turo-turo canteen meal | PHP 60-100 | £0.85-1.40 |
| Restaurant meal (local) | PHP 150-300 | £2.10-4.20 |
| San Miguel beer (store) | PHP 45-60 | £0.63-0.85 |
| San Miguel beer (bar) | PHP 70-120 | £1-1.70 |
| Fresh buko (coconut) | PHP 30-50 | £0.42-0.70 |
| Jeepney ride (city) | PHP 15-25 | £0.21-0.35 |
| Tricycle (short ride) | PHP 20-50 | £0.28-0.70 |
| Fast boat: El Nido to Coron | PHP 1,200-2,500 | £17-35 |
| Domestic flight: Manila to Cebu | PHP 800-2,500 | £11-35 |
| Group island hopping tour | PHP 500-1,500 | £7-21 |
| Whale shark swimming (Oslob) | PHP 1,000-1,500 | £14-21 |
| Tourist SIM (30 days) | PHP 300-500 | £4.20-7 |
| Scooter hire (per day) | PHP 400-600 | £5.60-8.45 |
Cost Breakdown by Category
Budget Traveller
- Accommodation:
- Fan private room: PHP 400-700 (£5.60-10). Dorms from PHP 250-400. Air-con adds PHP 200-400 extra.
- Food:
- Turo-turo (point-point) canteens: PHP 50-100 (£0.70-1.40). Adobo rice meals PHP 80. Sari-sari convenience store snacks.
- Transport:
- Jeepney across the city: PHP 15-25. Tricycle: PHP 20-50. Fast boat El Nido to Coron: PHP 1,200-2,500.
- Activities:
- Island hopping group tours: PHP 500-1,500. Many beaches free. National park entrance under PHP 200.
Mid-Range Traveller
- Accommodation:
- Air-con guesthouse or budget hotel: PHP 800-1,800 (£11-25). Siargao and El Nido have excellent mid-range options.
- Food:
- Restaurant meals PHP 200-400. Fresh seafood barbecue on the beach from PHP 300.
- Transport:
- Private van transfers, occasional domestic flights on Cebu Pacific from PHP 800.
- Activities:
- Private island hopping PHP 2,500-4,000. Whale shark swimming in Oslob PHP 1,000. Diving day trips.
Comfort Traveller
- Accommodation:
- Boutique resort: PHP 3,000-7,000 (£42-99). Palawan luxury eco-resorts.
- Food:
- Beachfront restaurants, seafood platters, cocktails at sunset.
- Transport:
- Private boat hire, domestic flights between islands, private transfers.
- Activities:
- Private diving guides, PADI certification, helicopter island tours.
Visa
30 days visa-free on arrival for most Western passport holders. Extendable to 59 days (and beyond) at Bureau of Immigration offices for around PHP 3,120.
SIM Card
Globe or Smart tourist SIM, around PHP 300-500 (£4-7) for 30 days data. Available at airports and convenience stores (7-Eleven, Alfamart).
Top Destinations
Palawan (El Nido, Coron) · Siargao · Cebu · Boracay · Manila · Bohol · Dumaguete · Camiguin
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to backpack the Philippines for a month?
A budget backpacker can travel the Philippines for around £500-750 per month (35,500-53,000 PHP). Island hopping, boat transfers and domestic flights are the main costs that push budgets up compared to mainland Southeast Asia. Accommodation and food are very cheap but inter-island transport is unavoidable. Mid-range travellers should budget £900-1,500 per month.
Do I need a visa to visit the Philippines?
Most Western passport holders (UK, EU, US, Australia, Canada) receive 30 days visa-free on arrival in the Philippines. You can extend this to 59 days at any Bureau of Immigration office for around PHP 3,120 (£44). Further extensions are possible for longer stays.
Which islands in the Philippines are the cheapest to visit?
Siquijor, Camiguin, Samar and the Visayas in general are cheaper than the popular Palawan and Siargao. El Nido in Palawan has become pricier in recent years but remains value-for-money for the scenery. Cebu City is a cheap base with excellent transport connections to other islands.
Is the Philippines expensive for backpackers?
The Philippines can feel more expensive than Thailand or Vietnam mainly because inter-island transport costs add up. Accommodation and food are cheap: a fan room costs £5-10, a canteen meal £1-2. But a single fast boat transfer can cost £20-35, and domestic flights are common on longer trips. Budget accordingly for island hopping.
What is the best app for tracking a Philippines travel budget?
BudgetBro lets you track expenses in Philippine Pesos and your home currency, set a daily budget and ask the AI companion how you are tracking. It works offline between island stops where signal is patchy. Free on iOS and Android.
Track Your Philippines Budget with BudgetBro
Log expenses in Philippine Pesos, set a daily limit, and ask your AI companion how you are tracking across the islands. Free on iOS and Android.