Philippines Backpacking Routes & Itineraries
Five routes cover almost every first trip. Each one below is costed day by day against 2026 prices — published ferry and flight fares, eco fees, dorm rates — with sources, so you can see where the money goes before you book anything.
Last updated: September 2026
Instant Budget Estimate
Per person on the ground, at the same rates the trip cost calculator uses — no rounding to "$30 a day".
| Travel style | Bed / night | Food / day | Local transport / day | Everyday cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoestringfan dorm, carinderia, jeepneys | ₱350 | ₱350 | ₱120 | ₱820 / day |
| Backpackerair-con dorm, mixed food, scooter some days | ₱600 | ₱600 | ₱220 | ₱1,420 / day |
| Comfortableprivate room, restaurants, Grab | ₱1,400 | ₱1,300 | ₱450 | ₱3,150 / day |
On top of the everyday rate, budget ₱1,200–2,500 per island-hopping tour (most people average one every second or third day) and the inter-island legs themselves. Those are exactly what the route totals above include, which is why a 14-day backpacker trip lands near ₱36,400 (US$579) on the ground rather than ₱19,900.
Want your own numbers — different nights, one island instead of four, your actual flight price? Open the trip cost calculator or build the whole route with the trip planner. Rates checked 25 September 2026 (1 US$ = ₱62.81); every price traces back to the budget database.
Trip Route Generator
Tell us what you want from your Philippines trip — we'll build you a route from our on-the-ground data.
Which Route Is Right for You?
Route database: 7, 10, 14, 21 and 30 days, costed line by line
These are the five routes that cover almost every first trip to the Philippines. Each one below is costed day by day using our own 2026 price data — dorm beds, ferry fares, entrance fees and all — so you can see where the money actually goes before you book anything.
| Route | Days | Where | Shoestring total | ≈ USD | Per day | Pace |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quick Palawan Escape | 7 | El Nido (Palawan) | ₱16,380 | $261 | ₱2,340 | Fast |
| Cebu & Bohol Classic | 10 | Cebu + Bohol (Visayas) | ₱18,130 | $289 | ₱1,813 | Moderate |
| The Backpacker Loop | 14 | Palawan + Cebu + Bohol | ₱30,870 | $491 | ₱2,205 | Comfortable |
| The Full Send | 21 | Siargao + Cebu + Bohol + Palawan | ₱53,220 | $847 | ₱2,534 | Chill |
| The Long Way | 30 | Banaue + Palawan + Visayas + Siargao | ₱67,680 | $1,078 | ₱2,256 | Slow |
Exchange rate: ₱62.81 / US$1 (25 Sep 2026). Totals exclude your international flight and travel insurance. Download the whole route table as CSV (free, CC BY 4.0).
7 Days — Quick Palawan Escape
Don't stay. Take the 5pm van straight to El Nido ($10, 6h). You arrive late — check in, grab dinner, sleep.
Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon — the postcard stuff. $15-18 including lunch. Starts 9am, back by 4pm.
Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach, Helicopter Island. The less crowded, arguably better tour. $18-22.
Rent a motorbike ($6), ride 20 min north. 4km of empty white sand. No tours, no crowds, no schedule. Stay for sunset.
Kayak around town, get a massage ($5), explore the beach bars. Or do Tour B if you're energetic.
Morning van (6h). Afternoon: Underground River tour if you booked ahead ($20-30).
Morning flight. If you skipped the underground river, sleep in and grab breakfast at a carinderia.
7 days — the money, day by day
Where: El Nido (Palawan) · Pace: Fast · Per day: ₱2,340 ($37)
Who it's for: First-timers with one week who want the postcard lagoons and nothing else
Buffers: none. If a ferry or flight slips, you lose a night.
| Days | Where & what you do | Getting there (₱) | Bed + food + local | Tours & fees | Row total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Puerto Princesa → El NidoLand at PPS, skip the city, take the last afternoon shared van to El Nido (5–6h). Check in, eat, sleep. | Shared van ₱600–880₱740 | ₱1,150 | — | ₱1,890$30Van: Lexxus published rate / Klook transfers (published) |
| Day 2 | El NidoIsland Tour A — Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon. Plus the ETDF (₱400) and the Big Lagoon premium (₱200), both mandatory. | — | ₱1,200 | ₱2,200 | ₱3,400$54Tours ₱1,200–2,000 (market); ETDF ₱400 + lagoon ₱200 (published) |
| Day 3 | El NidoIsland Tour C — Secret Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Helicopter Island. Fewer boats, better snorkeling. | — | ₱1,200 | ₱1,600 | ₱2,800$45Tour ₱1,200–2,000 (market) |
| Day 4 | Nacpan BeachRent a scooter and ride 20 minutes north. 4km of sand, no tours, sunset. Fuel included in the daily rate. | — | ₱1,450 | — | ₱1,450$23Scooter ₱350–500/day + fuel (market / DOE) |
| Day 5 | El NidoFree day: kayak the bay, a ₱400–700 massage, Marimegmeg sunset. Or add Tour B if you have energy left. | — | ₱1,200 | ₱900 | ₱2,100$33Massage ₱400–700 (market) |
| Day 6 | El Nido → Puerto PrincesaMorning van back (5–6h). Afternoon Underground River tour if you booked ahead — it sells out days in advance. | Shared van ₱600–880₱740 | ₱1,100 | ₱1,800 | ₱3,640$58Underground River tour ₱1,800–2,500 (market) |
| Day 7 | Puerto PrincesaFly out. Breakfast at a carinderia (₱100) instead of the airport. | — | ₱1,100 | — | ₱1,100$18 |
10 Days — Cebu & Bohol Classic
3h Ceres bus from the airport area ($4). Check into hostel on Panagsama Beach. Evening: walk the beach strip, book canyoneering for Day 3.
Walk into the water at Panagsama Beach — sardines are right there. Free. Spend the day snorkeling, looking for turtles. Evening: sunset drinks.
Full day. $20-25 including lunch and guide. Cliff jumps, waterslides, turquoise canyons. Leaves 8am, back by 4pm. You'll be exhausted.
Early bus (5am) to Oslob. Whale sharks 6am-12pm ($15). Then bus to Liloan port → 30min ferry → Dumaguete → 2h ferry to Tagbilaran, Bohol. Long day but it works.
Rent motorbike ($6). Ride to Carmen (Chocolate Hills viewpoint, $1), then Corella (Tarsier Sanctuary, $2).
Loboc River cruise or SUP ($5-10). Afternoon: head to Alona Beach on Panglao Island. Sunset at the beach bars.
Dolphin watching + Balicasag Island snorkeling + Virgin Island sandbar. $20-25 including lunch. Leaves 6am.
Morning ferry to Cebu City (2h, $8). Explore Cebu: Magellan's Cross, Carbon Market, lechon (roast pig) for lunch.
Honestly, just eat. Cebu lechon is the best in the Philippines. Go to CnT Lechon or Rico's. Try puso (hanging rice).
Morning flight from Cebu (CEB).
10 days — the money, day by day
Where: Cebu + Bohol (Visayas) · Pace: Moderate · Per day: ₱1,813 ($29)
Who it's for: Best value per peso — sardines, canyoneering, whale sharks and Chocolate Hills without a single island flight
Buffers: one, built into Day 9.
| Days | Where & what you do | Getting there (₱) | Bed + food + local | Tours & fees | Row total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Cebu City → MoalboalAirport to the south bus terminal, 3h Ceres bus to Moalboal. Book canyoneering for Day 3 tonight. | Ceres bus ₱250–350₱300 | ₱1,100 | — | ₱1,400$22Bus fare is regional and changes with fuel prices (market — confirm at the terminal) |
| Day 2 | MoalboalThe sardine run is a 20m swim from Panagsama Beach. Rent a mask (₱150) and stay in the water all morning. | — | ₱1,100 | ₱150 | ₱1,250$20Snorkel gear rental ₱100–200 (market) |
| Day 3 | Kawasan FallsFull-day canyoneering from Badian or Alegria: 7–9 jumps, waterslides, lunch included. Zipline start +₱500. | Transfer included in tour | ₱1,100 | ₱1,800 | ₱2,900$46Operator published from-rate ₱1,800 (published) |
| Day 4 | Moalboal → Oslob → BoholThe long transit day: 5am bus to Oslob for the whale sharks (₱1,000 watching / ₱1,500 swimming + ₱100 fee), then ferry to Dumaguete and OceanJet to Tagbilaran. | Bus ₱200 + ferry ₱100 + OceanJet ₱900₱1,200 | ₱1,100 | ₱1,100 | ₱3,400$54OceanJet Dumaguete–Tagbilaran ₱900 (published); whale shark fee (published municipal rate) |
| Day 5 | Bohol countrysideScooter to Carmen for the Chocolate Hills, then Corella for the tarsier sanctuary. Country roads, light traffic. | — | ₱1,350 | ₱300 | ₱1,650$26Site fees ₱100–200 each (market) |
| Day 6 | Loboc → PanglaoLoboc River (cruise or SUP), then across to Alona Beach for the sunset and the beach bars. | — | ₱1,100 | ₱500 | ₱1,600$25Loboc activities ₱300–700 (market) |
| Day 7 | PanglaoIsland hopping: dolphin watching, Balicasag reef, Virgin Island sandbar. 6am start, lunch included. | — | ₱1,100 | ₱1,800 | ₱2,900$46Panglao island hopping ₱1,500–2,200 + sanctuary fees (market) |
| Day 8 | Panglao → Cebu CityOceanJet back to Cebu (2h), then the city: Magellan's Cross, Carbon Market, and Cebu lechon for lunch. | OceanJet ₱800 + ₱30 terminal₱830 | ₱1,100 | — | ₱1,930$31OceanJet Cebu–Tagbilaran ₱800 tourist class + ₱30 terminal (published) |
| Day 9 | Cebu CityBuffer day. Eat: CnT or Rico's lechon, puso rice, dried mango. If nothing broke yet, day-trip to Mactan. | — | ₱1,100 | — | ₱1,100$18 |
| Day 10 | Cebu CityFly out of CEB. Domestic flight fares from ₱1,450 one way if booked 3+ weeks ahead. | — | ₱0 | — | ₱0$0Final day: no bed, no local transport |
14 Days — The Backpacker Loop
Follow Days 1-3 of the 7-day itinerary above. Island tours A + C, Nacpan Beach.
Van to Puerto Princesa (6h), fly to Cebu ($30-50). Or take the direct AirSwift flight El Nido→Cebu ($60-80) if budget allows. Arrive Cebu, bus to Moalboal (3h).
Sardine run, canyoneering, chill. Follow Cebu days from the 10-day itinerary.
Same transit day: whale sharks in Oslob, then ferry to Bohol (via Dumaguete).
Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, Loboc River, Panglao island hopping, Alona Beach sunsets.
Ferry back. Last day in Cebu: eat lechon, explore the city.
Stuff goes wrong in the Philippines. Flights get delayed, ferries get canceled. This buffer day saves your trip.
Or Manila if you booked a connecting flight.
14 days — the money, day by day
Where: Palawan + Cebu + Bohol · Pace: Comfortable · Per day: ₱2,205 ($35)
Who it's for: The classic first big trip — three islands, one short domestic flight, no rush
Buffers: Day 13 is a full buffer day. Keep it.
| Days | Where & what you do | Getting there (₱) | Bed + food + local | Tours & fees | Row total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | El NidoArrive via Puerto Princesa, then tours A and C plus the ETDF and lagoon fees. The 7-day itinerary's Days 1–3, unchanged. | Shared van ₱600–880₱740 | ₱1,200 × 3d | ₱3,800 | ₱8,140$130Tours ₱1,200–2,000 each (market); ETDF ₱400 (published) |
| Day 4 | El Nido → MoalboalVan back to Puerto Princesa, fly to Cebu (₱1,800–2,500 booked ahead), then the 3h bus south to Moalboal. | Van ₱600–880 + flight ₱1,800–2,500 + bus ₱300₱3,300 | ₱1,100 | — | ₱4,400$70Domestic flight (market — fares move week to week) |
| Days 5–7 | MoalboalSardine run, Kawasan canyoneering, and one scooter day to Basdaku or Turtle Bay. Budget for two dives if you dive. | — | ₱1,250 × 3d | ₱1,800 | ₱5,550$88Canyoneering ₱1,800 (published) |
| Day 8 | Moalboal → Oslob → BoholWhale sharks at dawn, then the ferry chain to Bohol. Long day, worth it. | Bus ₱200 + ferry ₱100 + OceanJet ₱900₱1,200 | ₱1,100 | ₱1,100 | ₱3,400$54Whale shark ₱1,000–1,500 + ₱100 (published) |
| Days 9–11 | BoholCountryside loop, Loboc River, Panglao island hopping, Alona sunsets. | — | ₱1,250 × 3d | ₱2,600 | ₱6,350$101Site fees and tours (market) |
| Day 12 | Bohol → Cebu CityFerry back, then Cebu city: lechon, Carbon Market, and one last seaside beer. | OceanJet ₱800 + ₱30 terminal₱830 | ₱1,100 | — | ₱1,930$31OceanJet (published) |
| Day 13 | Cebu CityBuffer day. Ferries cancel and flights slip; this day is why the route still works when it happens. | — | ₱1,100 | — | ₱1,100$18 |
| Day 14 | Cebu CityFly out. | — | ₱0 | — | ₱0$0 |
21 Days — The Full Send
Surf lessons, Cloud 9 sunsets, Magpupungko rock pools, Sugba Lagoon, tri-island hopping, motorbike the island loop. Full details in our Siargao guide.
Flight from IAO to CEB ($25-50 on Cebu Pacific). Bus to Moalboal (3h).
Sardine run, canyoneering, whale sharks, Chocolate Hills, tarsiers. Follow the 10-day Cebu/Bohol plan compressed into 6 days.
Fly CEB→PPS ($30-50). Van to El Nido (6h).
Island tours in El Nido (3 days). Then ferry to Coron (4h, $25) for 2 days of wreck snorkeling and Kayangan Lake.
Fly Coron (USU) → Manila ($30-50). One night in Manila if needed — stay near the airport, not in the city.
International flight from Manila (MNL).
21 days — the money, day by day
Where: Siargao + Cebu + Bohol + Palawan · Pace: Chill · Per day: ₱2,534 ($40)
Who it's for: Surf, dive, wrecks and lagoons in one trip — four islands, four domestic flights
Buffers: Day 13 and Day 20 both absorb a delay. You need at least one working.
| Days | Where & what you do | Getting there (₱) | Bed + food + local | Tours & fees | Row total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–6 | SiargaoScooter the island loop, two surf lessons, tri-island hopping, Magpupungko at low tide, Sugba Lagoon. Surf season peaks September–November. | — | ₱1,425 × 6d | ₱2,600 | ₱11,150$178Tri-island tour ₱900–1,200; surf lesson ₱600–900; Sugba ₱500 (market) |
| Day 7 | Siargao → MoalboalFly IAO → CEB (₱1,500–2,500 booked ahead), then the bus south. | Flight ₱1,500–2,500 + bus ₱300₱2,200 | ₱1,100 | — | ₱3,300$53Domestic flight (market) |
| Days 8–13 | Cebu + BoholSardine run, Kawasan canyoneering, whale sharks at Oslob, Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, Panglao. The 10-day route squeezed into six. | Oslob→Bohol ferry chain ₱1,200 + Bohol→Cebu ₱830₱2,030 | ₱1,175 × 6d | ₱4,800 | ₱13,880$221Canyoneering ₱1,800; whale shark ₱1,000–1,500; Bohol tours (market/published) |
| Day 14 | Cebu → El NidoFly CEB → Puerto Princesa (₱1,800–2,500), then the 5–6h van to El Nido. | Flight ₱1,800–2,500 + van ₱600–880₱2,900 | ₱1,200 | — | ₱4,100$65Domestic flight (market) |
| Days 15–17 | El NidoTours A and C, the ETDF, one beach day at Nacpan. The best-value three days on this route. | — | ₱1,350 × 3d | ₱4,200 | ₱8,250$131Tours ₱1,200–2,000 each (market); ETDF ₱400 (published) |
| Day 18 | El Nido → CoronThe 4-hour crossing. Rough in the wet season — take the pills and don't book a dive for tomorrow. | Ferry ₱2,600–3,080₱2,840 | ₱1,200 | — | ₱4,040$64Atienza ₱2,600 / Montenegro ≈₱3,080 (published) |
| Days 18–19 | CoronUltimate island tour (Kayangan, Twin Lagoon, Barracuda Lake, Skeleton Wreck) plus the municipal fee and the Kayangan site fee. Add a wreck dive if you're certified. | — | ₱1,200 × 2d | ₱2,500 | ₱4,900$78Tour ₱1,500–2,500; municipal ₱200; Kayangan ₱300 (published/market) |
| Day 20 | Coron → ManilaFly Busuanga (USU) → Manila. Stay near the airport, not downtown — you fly out tomorrow. | Flight ₱2,000–3,000₱2,500 | ₱1,100 | — | ₱3,600$57Domestic flight (market) |
| Day 21 | ManilaInternational flight home. Travel tax ₱1,620 is normally already inside the ticket. | — | ₱0 | — | ₱0$0Travel tax ₱1,620 (published, usually in airfare) |
30 Days — The Long Way (Manila → Banaue → Palawan → Visayas → Siargao)
One month, no backtracking: rice terraces in the mountains, then the Palawan lagoons, then the Visayas islands, then surf on Siargao. This is the route for people who have the time and would rather go deep than fast.
30 days — the money, day by day
Where: Banaue + Palawan + Visayas + Siargao · Pace: Slow · Per day: ₱2,256 ($36)
Who it's for: One month, no backtracking: mountains, lagoons, wrecks and surf in a single loop
Buffers: Day 30 doubles as one. Add a second if you are booking onward flights.
| Days | Where & what you do | Getting there (₱) | Bed + food + local | Tours & fees | Row total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–2 | ManilaLand, adjust, eat. Two nights near the airport or in Makati — Manila is a transit city, not a destination. | — | ₱1,350 × 2d | — | ₱2,700$43Manila dorm ₱600–900 (market) |
| Days 3–5 | Banaue / BatadOvernight bus north, then Batad: the amphitheater terraces, Tappiya Falls, one night in an Ifugao hut. A guide is ₱600–900/day and worth it for the first trek. | Night bus ₱600–900₱750 | ₱950 × 3d | ₱1,600 | ₱5,200$83Banaue is the cheapest region in the country (market ranges) |
| Day 6 | Banaue → ManilaNight bus back south. Sleeping on the bus saves a night's accommodation — that's the whole trick of this leg. | Night bus ₱600–900₱750 | ₱1,100 | — | ₱1,850$29 |
| Day 7 | Manila → El NidoFly to Puerto Princesa (₱1,800–2,500), shared van north. You are back on the islands. | Flight ₱1,800–2,500 + van ₱600–880₱2,900 | ₱1,200 | — | ₱4,100$65Flight (market); van (published) |
| Days 8–11 | El NidoTours A and C, ETDF and lagoon fees, Nacpan on a scooter, one day of nothing at all. | — | ₱1,310 × 4d | ₱4,000 | ₱9,240$147Tours and fees (market/published) |
| Day 12 | El Nido → CoronThe long ferry. This single leg is now ₱2,600–3,080 — more than four dorm nights. | Ferry ₱2,600–3,080₱2,840 | ₱1,200 | — | ₱4,040$64Atienza / Montenegro (published) |
| Days 13–14 | CoronUltimate island tour, Maquinit hot springs, and a wreck dive if you're certified. | — | ₱1,200 × 2d | ₱2,300 | ₱4,700$75Tour ₱1,500–2,500; municipal ₱200; hot springs (published/market) |
| Day 15 | Coron → MoalboalFly Coron → Cebu (₱1,800–2,500), 3h bus south to Moalboal. | Flight ₱1,800–2,500 + bus ₱300₱2,400 | ₱1,100 | — | ₱3,500$56Flight (market) |
| Days 16–18 | MoalboalSardine run every morning, canyoneering at Kawasan, and one night of watching the sunset from a ₱100 beach bar. | — | ₱1,250 × 3d | ₱1,800 | ₱5,550$88Canyoneering ₱1,800 (published) |
| Day 19 | Oslob → SiquijorWhale sharks at dawn, then the ferry chain south: bus to Liloan, crossing to Dumaguete, OceanJet to Siquijor. | Bus ₱200 + ferry ₱100 + OceanJet ₱350₱650 | ₱1,100 | ₱1,100 | ₱2,850$45Siquijor–Dumaguete ₱350 (published); whale shark (published) |
| Days 20–22 | SiquijorThe best-value island in the country: ₱400-a-day scooters, waterfall swimming holes, empty beaches, and the famous healing folklore if you go looking. | — | ₱1,250 × 3d | ₱300 | ₱4,050$64Scooter ₱350–500; falls fees ₱50–100 (market) |
| Day 23 | Siquijor → BoholOceanJet north to Tagbilaran. Afternoon at Alona Beach. | OceanJet ₱800₱800 | ₱1,100 | — | ₱1,900$30OceanJet (published) |
| Days 24–25 | BoholChocolate Hills, tarsiers, Loboc River, Panglao island hopping. | — | ₱1,325 × 2d | ₱1,900 | ₱4,550$72Tours and site fees (market) |
| Day 26 | Bohol → SiargaoFerry back to Cebu, then fly to Sayak. Two transport modes in one day — leave early. | OceanJet ₱830 + flight ₱1,500–2,500₱2,900 | ₱1,200 | — | ₱4,100$65Ferry (published); flight (market) |
| Days 27–29 | SiargaoSurf lesson, tri-island hopping, the north loop to Pacifico, Magpupungko at low tide. | — | ₱1,350 × 3d | ₱1,700 | ₱5,750$92Tours ₱900–1,200; surf lesson ₱600–900 (market) |
| Day 30 | Siargao → ManilaFly back to Manila (₱2,000–3,000) and out, or use this day as the buffer the trip will eventually need. | Flight ₱2,000–3,000₱2,500 | ₱1,100 | — | ₱3,600$57Flight (market) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Philippines itinerary for 7 days?
A Palawan-only week: fly into Puerto Princesa, take the shared van straight to El Nido that afternoon, do island tours A and C, spend a day on a scooter at Nacpan Beach, keep one free day, then take the van back and fly out. It costs about ₱16,400 (US$262) excluding your international flight — the day-by-day table is above.
What is the best Philippines itinerary for 2 weeks?
The Backpacker Loop on this page: three days in El Nido, a short flight to Cebu, three days in Moalboal, whale sharks at Oslob, three days in Bohol, a day in Cebu City and a spare buffer day. Around ₱30,900 (US$493). The buffer day is not optional — ferries get cancelled in rough weather.
How much should I budget for a Philippines trip?
₱1,100–1,800 (US$18–29) a day on a shoestring: dorm bed ₱400–800, carinderia and market food ₱350–550, local transport about ₱200. The routes on this page average ₱1,800–2,500 a day because they include paid island tours and inter-island legs — those are the two things that actually move a budget.
Can you island hop between El Nido, Coron and Siargao?
El Nido ↔ Coron is a 4-hour ferry and now costs ₱2,600–3,080 — the most expensive short hop in the country. There is no direct link between Coron and Siargao: you fly via Manila or Cebu and lose most of a day. Most travellers do Siargao as a separate loop instead.
How much does a 30-day Philippines trip cost?
About ₱67,700 (US$1,081) for the 30-day route on this page — Banaue, Palawan, the Visayas and Siargao with no backtracking, including the domestic flights and both long ferries. That is ₱2,256 a day, which is only slightly more than the 14-day loop per day.
Are these routes tested on the ground?
No, and we are not going to pretend otherwise. They are built from the fares, fees and schedules that operators and government offices actually publish, plus 2026 market rates for the things nobody publishes (dorm beds, meals, tricycles). Every figure is sourced and dated in our Backpacker Budget Database, and the day-by-day costs on this page are computed from it.
Related Guides
Start with the Budget Database for real 2026 prices, then the Philippines Backpacking Guide for the big picture, then budget your trip.