Complete Philippines Travel Guide 2025 for Indians | Visa, Budget & Itinerary

Chocolate Hills, Bohol Island Philippines

🇵🇭 Introduction

Dreaming of a tropical escape that’s beautiful, budget-friendly, and easy to explore? The Philippines is calling!
From crystal-clear lagoons in Palawan to ancient Banaue Rice Terraces and buzzing Manila city life, this Southeast Asian paradise has it all — beaches, mountains, history, and warm hospitality.

This guide is specially written for Indian travelers planning to visit the Philippines in 2025, covering everything from visa-free entry to family-friendly itineraries, cheap transport, and budget stays.

🛂 Visa-Free Entry for Indian Citizens (Updated 2025)

Starting June 8, 2025, Indian citizens can enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 14 days.
This applies at all major airports, seaports, and cruise terminals.

✈️ Required Documents:

• Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay

• Return or onward ticket

• Confirmed hotel booking

• Proof of sufficient funds

• e-Arrival card (to be filled online before travel)

💡 Travel insurance isn’t mandatory but highly recommended. Expect ₹500–₹800/day for full coverage.

A 10-day Philippines trip for a family of 3 can be done under in budget — including stays, food, transport, and activities.

Category	Average Daily Cost (INR)
Accommodation	₹2,000–₹3,500
Food	₹300–₹600 per person
Local transport	₹100–₹300
Flights (domestic)	₹3,000–₹5,500 per leg
Activities	₹500–₹1,000 per day

✈️ Getting There & Around

Flights from India to the Philippines

• Direct flights: Air India from Delhi (DEL) → Manila (MNL) five times a week.

• Budget options: AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, or Scoot with layovers in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.

• Average fares: ₹38,000–₹42,000 (round-trip). One-way tickets can go as low as ₹8,000–₹10,000 in off-season.

Domestic Flights

• Manila → Cebu: ₹3,500–₹5,500

• Cebu → Palawan: ₹4,000–₹11,000

Tip: Use Skyscanner or Google Flights to compare prices and set alerts.

Buses & Local Transport

• Manila → Banaue: ₹900–₹1,600 (overnight bus via Ohayami Trans)

• Banaue → Baguio: ₹700–₹900 (Coda Lines)

• Local rides: Jeepneys and tricycles cost just ₹50–₹100 per trip.

• Grab app works well in Manila, Cebu, and Palawan for taxis.

🍽️ Food & Eating Tips

Eating in the Philippines is an adventure in itself — and affordable too!

• Street food: ₹100–₹250/person (BBQ skewers, rice meals, snacks)

• Local restaurants (Carinderias): ₹200–₹300/person

• Indian restaurants (Manila, Cebu, Palawan): ₹800–₹1,500/person

💡 Try Adobo, Sinigang, Halo-halo, and local seafood — they’re must-haves!

📅 Best Time to Visit

The dry season (November–April) is the best time to explore the Philippines.
It’s perfect for island-hopping, snorkeling, and sightseeing.

Avoid July–October, as that’s the rainy season in most regions.

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 📱 Essential Apps for Travelers

🚖 Transport:

• Grab: For rides and food delivery

• inDrive: Negotiate fares directly with drivers

• Angkas / JoyRide: Motorcycle taxis to beat city traffic

🌐 SIM Cards:

• GlobeOne and GOMO: Best for data that doesn’t expire

• Smart GigaLife: Reliable for nationwide coverage

• DITO: Budget-friendly packages

🍴 Food Delivery:

• GrabFood, Foodpanda, and GrabMart

💳 Finance & Payments:

• UPI not supported in the Philippines.

• Use Visa/MasterCard, forex cards, or cash (Philippine pesos).

• Popular e-wallets (GCash, Maya) require a local number and ACR card

Day	Destination	Highlights
1–2	Manila	Rizal Park, Intramuros, National Museum
3	Banaue	UNESCO Rice Terraces, Batad Village
4	Baguio	Burnham Park, Mines View, Strawberry Farm
5–6	Cebu	Sardine Run in Moalboal, Magellan’s Cross
7–8	Palawan	Underground River, Honda Bay, Firefly Tour
9	Manila	Quiapo Church, Divisoria Market
10	Departure	Last-minute shopping

☂️ Travel Insurance & Emergency Numbers

Always travel with insurance.  SafetyWing Nomad Insurance is ideal for Indians — it covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and delays.

Tourist Assistance Hotline:

• Call: 151-TOUR (151-8687) (Smart/PLDT users)

• Mobile: +63954-253-3215

• Email: touristassistance@tourism.gov.ph

🎒 Final Tips Before You Go

• Book flights 4–6 weeks in advance.

• Keep small denominations of pesos for local transport.

• Always carry sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and refillable bottles.

• Respect local customs — Filipinos are friendly and polite!

✨ Pro Tip: Download offline maps for remote islands — signal can be weak in mountain areas like Banaue and Batad.

🌅 Conclusion

From ancient terraces to glowing lagoons, the Philippines is one of Asia’s most underrated travel gems — and now, Indian travelers can explore it visa-free!

If you’re planning your next international getaway in 2025, this guide is your one-stop plan — from budget tips and flights to a day-by-day itinerary.

Which destination would you visit first — Palawan, Banaue, or Cebu?
Share your thoughts in the comments below! Watch Here

Resources

1. Book Flights & Hotels, 2. Klook for tour packages , 3. Book Hotels with Expedia 
4. Safetywing Nomad Travel Insurance

Other resources you may need: 

1. Ferry bookings
2. Book your bus trips through Coda Lines
3. Book your bus ride through Ohayami
4. Motor taxi app: Angkas
5. Indrive Taxi booking app
6. Grab (Transport, food, Grocery) 
7. Philippines E-Arrival Card 
8. Visit:https://www.travelmantoday.com/