Philippines Transport Costs 2026: Exact Prices for Every Route

Philippines Transport Costs 2026: What Everything Actually Costs

Getting around the Philippines requires understanding a transport ecosystem that includes flights, ferries, buses, jeepneys, tricycles, habal-habal motorbike taxis, and everything in between. This guide gives exact 2026 prices for every major route and transport type.

Domestic Flights: The Key Prices

• Manila (NAIA) to Cebu: PHP 1200-4500 depending on advance booking (Cebu Pacific, AirAsia, PAL)
• Manila to Puerto Princesa (Palawan): PHP 1500-5000
• Manila to El Nido via AirSWIFT: PHP 3500-7000 (premium small aircraft)
• Manila to Siargao: PHP 1800-5500
• Manila to Davao: PHP 1500-4500
• Manila to Iloilo: PHP 1000-3500
• Manila to Batanes via Cebu Pacific: PHP 3000-8000 (limited flights, book months ahead)
• Cebu to Davao: PHP 1000-3000

Rule: book 6-10 weeks ahead for lowest prices. All prices above are one-way, no checked baggage on budget carriers.

Ferries: The Backbone of Island Transport

• Manila to Coron (Busuanga) by 2GO ferry: PHP 1200-2500 depending on class, approximately 14-16 hours
• Manila to Puerto Galera by Montenegro Lines: PHP 650-850, about 3 hours
• Batangas to Puerto Galera by Starlite Ferries: PHP 250-350, 1-1.5 hours
• Cebu to Tagbilaran (Bohol) by OceanJet: PHP 350-500, 2 hours
• Cebu to Ormoc (Leyte) by various operators: PHP 350-550, 2.5 hours
• Cebu to Calbayog (Samar): PHP 600-900, 6 hours
• Puerto Princesa to Coron by boat: seasonal, roughly PHP 800-1500, 8-9 hours

Buses: Affordable Long-Distance

• Manila to Baguio (Victory Liner): PHP 450-650, 6-8 hours
• Manila to Batangas (JAM Transit): PHP 150-200, 2-3 hours
• Manila to Legazpi Bicol (DLTB, RSL, Isarog): PHP 350-550, 8-10 hours
• Puerto Princesa to El Nido by van/bus: PHP 250-400, 5-6 hours
• Cebu City to Oslob (whale sharks): PHP 150-200, 3-4 hours by bus

Jeepney and UV Express

• Jeepney: PHP 10-25 for short urban routes. Iconic but being phased out under the PUV modernisation program.
• UV Express van (fixed route): PHP 30-80 depending on distance. Air-conditioned, faster than jeepney.
• EDSA carousel bus (Manila): PHP 15 flat rate, air-conditioned, has its own lane

Local Transport on Islands

• Tricycle (motorcycle with sidecar): PHP 50-150 for short trips, negotiate first for longer distances
• Habal-habal (motorcycle taxi): PHP 30-100 per trip in rural areas. No meter, negotiate before riding.
• E-trike (electric tricycle): common in El Nido town, PHP 60-100 per trip
• Rented motorbike: PHP 300-500 per day in most destinations (no license required in practice)
• Grab (ride-hailing app): available in Manila, Cebu City, Davao, Iloilo. Fixed prices, no negotiation.

Bangka Boats: Island Hopping

• El Nido island hopping shared tour: PHP 1200-1600 per person per tour (lunch included)
• El Nido private boat charter: PHP 4000-7000 per boat per day (6-8 people maximum)
• Coron island hopping shared tour: PHP 1200-1800 per person
• Siargao island hopping (Naked Island, Daku, Guyam): PHP 700-1000 per person shared

See our island-hopping tours for all-inclusive transport and activity packages.