Cheap flights to the Philippines

When to fly to the Philippines?

Peak season:

The best time to visit the Philippines and the northern and central islands is during the dry season when the days are clear and bright and rainfall is minimal.

The south (Davao) has no distinct wet or dry seasons. Weather is constant year-round and temperatures are about 23-32 degrees. There is no bad time to visit this part of the Philippines.

Reasons to fly to the Philippines:

With more than 7,000 islands making up the Philippines, the hardest decision will be which ones to visit. Manila is the capital and the main island groups are Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The country’s people are warm, hospitable and family-minded; its cuisine is a delicious blend of Chinese, Spanish, Mexican, Japanese, Indonesian and Indian.

The islands have several international gateways. Ninoy Aquino is the airport at which many flights to the Philippines (and its capital Manila) land. Mactan in Cebu handles flights from Japan, Singapore, and Australia, Davao – regular flights from Indonesia and Singapore.

Manila, on Luzon, boasts one of the best preserved medieval cities in the world. Intramuros, the walled city, covering almost 160 acres, was built by the Spanish in 1571. Damaged during the Second World War, restoration work was started by Imelda Marcos, of shoe fame. Manila Cathedral is at the centre and Fort Santiago at the northwestern tip. Its colourful Chinatown is north of the Pasig river.

The islands have some of the best diving. Internationally recognised spots include Tubbataha Reef; Malapascua Island (Cebu); Balicasag Island (Bohol); Anilao, Batangas; and Puerto Galera (Mindoro).

How long is the flight to the Philippines from Australia?

There are numerous flights that go from Australia to the Philippines so flights can range in duration. Travellers planning to visit Manila from Sydney will find quick flights that reach the destination in 8h 05m, as well as flights that are longer at up to 28h 25m. Flights are also available to the Philippines from Melbourne which can range from 8h 20m in length to 16h 30m for longer flights. Other cities that offer Philippines flight deals include Perth, Brisbane, Darwin, and the Gold Coast.

Which cities offer direct flights to the Philippines?

Several nonstop, direct flights are available from Australia to Manila in the Philippines. Direct flights from Sydney are provided by airlines like Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, and others. Flights out of Melbourne into Manila are offered by Philippine Airlines, AirAsia X, and Cathay Pacific. Travellers starting their trip in Brisbane can choose flights from Philippine Airlines, Philippines AirAsia, and Air Niugini.

What is the best way to travel around the Philippines?

Flying is a popular way to travel in the Philippines with domestic flights by Seair, Philippine Airlines, and Cebu Pacific. Flying is an affordable and efficient way to reach various places in the Philippines like North Luzon, South Luzon, Palawan, and Davao. Some places can only be reached by air travel. Many cities and towns offer taxis and there are many private bus companies to use while in the country. Transport in most cities is offered by pedicabs, jeepneys, and tricycles. Philippine National Railways is the only train operator in the country with services across Southern Luzon to Legaspi.

What are some things to do in the Philippines?

There are many fiestas throughout the year in the Philippines with food and costumed parades. The top options are Dinagyang in Iliono, Sinulog in Cebu City, and Ati-Atihan in Kalibo. Lovers of the outdoors can take a hike up Mount Apo to see the forest, mountain lakes, and waterfalls or enjoy one of the longest ziplines in Asia. Travellers who prefer to stay in Manila can visit Old Manila to get an idea of the history of the country. The Calamian Islands are also a popular destination located north of Palawan. There are numerous shipwrecks there from World War II. Visiting Cebu, the second-largest city, is also popular as the city is known for festivals, guitars, and diving.

Do I need a passport or visa to fly to the Philippines?

When travelling into the Philippines from Australia, a passport is required but it only needs to be valid for the extent of the stay. Those coming in from Australia do not need a visa for business or tourist stays of up to 30 days. Those staying longer will need to have a single-entry visa available. Typically these stays can last up to 59 days but this can vary. In addition to a passport, travellers to this destination will need to have a return ticket ready.

What is the climate like in Philippines?

The Philippines have a tropical climate, which varies by region. The dry season runs from November to April, and the wet season from May to October. Northern islands such as Baguio and Luzon, as well as the centre, have temperatures between 16 and 32 degrees during the wet season. The temperature range drops a bit in the dry season, ranging between 13 and 23 degrees. Typhoon season lasts from June to December.

What is the best way to travel around Philippines?

Domestic flights are a good way to get around the Philippines. Charter (helicopter and small-to-medium sized airplanes) flights are also available.

Ferry services connect the islands while cruise liners dock at the port of Manila.

The Metrotren stretches south to Carmona and Cavite and north to Meycauayan, Bulacan. In Metro Manila, the Light Railway Transit runs from Caloocan to Baclaran.

Other ways of getting around the country include taxis, buses, trikes and the jeepney. The jeepney is a classic, inspired by the American World War II army jeeps. When the American soldiers left the Philippines, surplus jeeps were sold or given to local people. The stripped-down jeeps were fitted with seats, decorated with ornaments and painted in bright colours.

The calesa is a rather touristy way of getting around. It is a traditional horse-drawn carriage brightly decorated that was introduced during the years that Spain was ruler.

Philippines insider information

• Great spots for surfers include Cloud 9 and Tuason Point on Siargao Island, Majestics in Catanduanes and Cemento in Baler, Aurora. El Nido on Palawan Island is said to be the best diving spot in the Philippines. Also on Palawan is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, on the Unesco World Heritage list, featuring a limestone karst landscape with an underground river.
• A super spot for diving is Subic Bay, on the west coast of Luzon, which has a fantastic combination of wrecks such as San Quintin, a 19th-century Spanish gunboat; Oryoku Maru, a Japanese luxury liner; and New York, the ex-USS.
• The rice terraces of the Cordilleras in Northern Luzonare more than 2,000 years old and are still in use by the Ifugao people. The terraces are fed by an irrigation system from rainforests above the terraces. A World Heritage Site, they are noted for their altitude (up to 1,500 metres) and very steep slopes (up to 70 degrees). The World Heritage Site is composed of four sites at: Banaue (Batad and Bangaan), Mayoyao (Mayoyao Central), Klangan (Nagacadan) and Hungduan.
• Manila is the capital and within it is Intramuros, a walled city built by the Spanish in the 16th century. It was mostly destroyed during World War II, but restored in the 1980s and now has the best remnants of the Spanish era. Manila also has several museums including the National Museum and the Museum of Arts and Sciences. The American Military Cemetery and Memorial has the largest number of WWII graves; more than 17,000 soldiers lie here. Marikina City Footwear Museum is in the shoemaking district of greater Manila. The museum has about 200 pairs of shoes that used to belong to former First Lady Imelda Marcos.
• Cebu is where Ferdinand Magellan, the explorer, first planted the flag – and a large Christian cross – for Spain in 1521. The cross hangs in a small chapel beside the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino on Magallanes Street.

How popular are flights to Philippines this year?

There has been a 448% increase in demand for Philippines flights over the last year.