Philippines 2 Week Itinerary for Indian Backpackers: Day-by-Day Route with Budget Breakdown
📍 Distance: \~1,800 km (Manila → Siargao, with island hops)
⏱️ Fastest option: 14 days, 5 island stops
💰 Cheapest option: PHP 28,000 (\~₹42,000 / \~$435) excluding flights
✅ Best option: Manila → Cebu → Moalboal → Siquijor → Dumaguete → Siargao → ManilaThe budget is the real one: dorms under PHP 600, ferry crossings that skip the airport tax on the connecting flights, and the kind of day-to-day spending a solo Indian backpacker on a tight budget does.
Two weeks is the right length for the Philippines. One week forces you to pick two islands and rush. Three weeks lets you add Bohol or Coron comfortably. Fourteen days means you see five distinct places without burning out on ferries. The route below runs south-to-north from Manila down through the Visayas, ending in Siargao before flying back to Manila, which is the cheapest ordering because the long domestic flights (Clark or Cebu to Siargao) run cheaper out of Cebu than Manila.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Is 2 weeks enough for the Philippines? | Yes, covers 5 islands if you skip Bohol | — |
| Is Philippines good for Indian tourists? | Yes, visa-free 30 days, large Indian food scene in Manila/Cebu | — |
| Cheapest route? | Manila → Cebu bus+ferry → Moalboal → Siquijor → Siargao → Manila | — |
| Daily budget on the ground? | PHP 1,800 (~₹2,700 / ~$28) for backpacker level | — |
| Total trip cost from India for 14 days? | ₹90,000-₹110,000 (~$934.29-$1,141.92) including flights from India | — |
The trip cost includes round-trip flights from India (Mumbai/Delhi to Manila via a Gulf hub typically runs ₹25,000-₹40,000 (~$259.53-$415.24) round trip in economy), the on-the-ground daily budget for 14 days, plus the exit travel tax that catches most first-timers off guard.
Option 1. Cheapest (Ferries + Buses, No Domestic Flights)
The absolute cheapest version of this route uses ferries between every island pair and buses on land. Total in-country transport comes to around PHP 4,500 (~₹6,750 / ~$70) for 14 days.
Manila to Cebu runs by overnight ferry (2Go Travel, 22 hours) for PHP 1,200-1,800 (~₹1,800-2,700 / ~$19-28), or by bus via the Nautical Highway for PHP 900-1,400 (~₹1,350-2,100 / ~$14-22) if you can stomach 26 hours on a tourist bus. The ferry sleeps you overnight and saves a night’s hostel. The bus is cheaper but eats a full day.
Cebu to Moalboal is a 3-hour Ceres bus for PHP 150 (~₹225). Moalboal to Siquijor is the tricky leg: there is no direct ferry. You go back through Dumaguete (1.5 hours by bus, PHP 100) and then catch the slow ferry to Siquijor for PHP 80-150 (~₹120-225). Some travellers do Moalboal → Oslob → Siquijor with a side trip to whale sharks in between, but that adds a full day and PHP 1,500 (~₹2,250) for the whale-shark fee.
Siquijor to Dumaguete is the easy reverse ferry, PHP 80-150 (~₹120-225), 1 hour.
Dumaguete to Siargao is the hardest leg. No ferry goes direct. You fly. Cebu Pacific runs Dumaguete-Siyao via Manila with a layover for PHP 3,500-5,500 (~₹5,250-8,250). Book on 12go to compare all ferry + flight combinations in one screen.
Siargao back to Manila is one flight, PHP 2,500-4,000 (~₹3,750-6,000) on Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: The “all-ferry” route from Manila to Siargao doesn’t exist below PHP 12,000. Everyone flies the Dumaguete-Siargao leg. Save your time on the Manila-Cebu ferry instead (it doubles as your first night’s accommodation) and skip the rest.
Comfort is mixed. Manila-Cebu ferries have proper bunks and air-conditioning. Cebu-Moalboal buses are standard Ceres air-con. Moalboal-Siquijor ferries are open-deck, choppy, and slow. If you get seasick easily, bring Bonamine from Manila (PHP 50 (~₹75) at any Mercury Drug).
Option 2. Best Experience (The Three-Flight Route)
The best version of this itinerary uses three short domestic flights and skips the Manila-Cebu ferry entirely. It costs more, but you save two full days of transit and arrive fresh on every island.
Manila to Cebu: Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines direct, 1.5 hours, PHP 1,500-2,500 (~₹2,250-3,750).
Cebu to Siargao via Manila: Most travellers fly Cebu-Manila-Siyao. Total PHP 3,500-5,500 (~₹5,250-8,250), 5 hours including layover. The “layover” is a plane change in Manila’s NAIA Terminal 1 or 3, which is exhausting but unavoidable for this connection.
Siargao back to Manila: Direct, 2 hours, PHP 2,500-4,000 (~₹3,750-6,000).
For the actual island-to-island hops in the Visayas (Cebu → Moalboal → Siquijor → Dumaguete), ferries and buses are still better. The flights only earn their premium on the long jumps: Manila-Cebu and Dumaguete/Manila-Siyao.
Book on 12go to check combination fares; sometimes a Cebu-Pacific-Manila-Cebu-Pacific-Siyao bundle is PHP 1,000 (~₹1,500) cheaper than booking separately, especially on Tuesdays.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Book Manila-Cebu and Siargao-Manila as one round-trip ticket on Cebu Pacific. The “multi-city” fare is often PHP 800-1,500 (~₹1,200-2,250) cheaper than two separate one-ways, and it keeps your bags checked through.
Option 3. Fastest (The Compressed Version)
If you only have 12 days instead of 14, drop either Moalboal or Siquijor. Both are similar in vibe (small beach town, snorkelling, waterfalls) and skipping one saves a full day of ferries and a transfer.
The compressed version: Manila (Day 1) → Cebu (Day 2-3) → Siargao (Day 4-9) → Manila (Day 10-12). You miss the Visayas diving entirely but you get six full days on Siargao for surfing. Trade-off: you skip Moalboal’s sardine run and the cheapest backpacking scene in the country.
This is the option only for surfers or absolute first-timers who want one well-known base island.
The Day-by-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2: Manila Arrive at NAIA, take a Grab to your hostel (PHP 100-300 (~₹150-450) depending on terminal and traffic). Stay in Malate or Ermita for the first night so jet lag doesn’t kill you. Spend day 2 at Intramuros (the old Spanish walled city), eat at the Indian restaurants along Mabini Street, and grab your SIM before flying out.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Don’t try to “see Manila” beyond Intramuros. The city’s reputation is deserved for traffic and noise. Treat it as a transit point.
Days 3-4: Cebu City Fly Manila-Cebu (1.5 hours, PHP 1,500-2,500). Stay near Colon Street or Fuente Osmena. Day 3 is the city tour: Basilica del Santo Nino, Magellan’s Cross, Fort San Pedro. Day 4 is logistics day-prep for Moalboal.
Safety Alert: Cebu’s Colon Street area has been flagged in recent traveller reports for late-night petty theft and aggressive solicitation. Stay with phone away in your front pocket after 9 PM in Colon.
Days 5-7: Moalboal Bus from Cebu South Bus Terminal (Ceres Lines, 3 hours, PHP 150 (~₹225)). Stay in Panagsama Beach. Day 5 is the sardine run at Panagsama Reef (free, just snorkel offshore). Day 6 is Kasaias Falls (PHP 50 (~₹75) entrance, 20-min tricycle). Day 7 is canyoneering at Kawasan Falls (PHP 1,500 (~₹2,250) for the full tour including jump-off at Kanlaob River).
Days 8-10: Siquijor From Moalboal, take a bus back to Dumaguete first (PHP 100 (~₹150)), then the fast ferry to Siquijor (1 hour, PHP 80-150 (~₹120-225)). Stay in San Juan or Siquijor town. Day 8 is Cambugahay Falls (PHP 50 (~₹75)). Day 9 is the famous Siquijor healers’ loop (visit one of the mananambal for a PHP 200-500 (~₹300-750) blessing; prices are not fixed). Day 10 is the Paliton Beach sunset and Hill-Top Cuisine for dinner, a rustic spot with panoramic views.
Day 11: Dumaguete Fast ferry Siquijor-Dumaguete (1 hour, PHP 80-150 (~₹120-225)). Stroll Rizal Boulevard, visit the Silliman University anthropology museum (PHP 100 (~₹150)). This is also your main Indian-food stop: Seven Mannah Indian Fusion Food in Siquijor serves chicken biryani for PHP 300-500 (~₹450-750) per person.
Days 12-13: Siargao Fly Dumaguete-Manila-Siyao (5 hours with layover, PHP 3,500-5,500 (~₹5,250-8,250)). Stay in General Luna. Day 12 is Cloud 9 surf lesson (PHP 1,000-1,500 (~₹1,500-2,250) including board). Day 13 is the Sugba Lagoon day tour (PHP 2,500-3,500 (~₹3,750-5,250) with boat, lunch, and kayak).
Day 14: Siargao → Manila → Home Morning flight Siargao-Manila (2 hours, PHP 2,500-4,000 (~₹3,750-6,000)). Connect to your international flight home. Budget 5 hours between the two flights because NAIA Terminal 1 and 3 don’t connect airside.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Daily | 14-day total |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel dorm | 400 PHP | 5,600 PHP |
| Three meals (mix of local + Indian) | 600 PHP | 8,400 PHP |
| In-country transport (ferries + buses + flights) | - | 12,000 PHP |
| Activities (whale sharks optional, surf, falls, lagoon) | - | 8,000 PHP |
| SIM card | - | 500 PHP |
| Travel insurance | - | 2,500 PHP |
| Misc (laundry, water, tricycle hops) | 200 PHP | 2,800 PHP |
| Philippine travel tax (at airport exit) | - | 1,620 PHP |
| On-the-ground total | 41,420 PHP (~₹62,000) |
Add round-trip flights from India: ₹25,000-₹40,000 (~$259.53-$415.24). Grand total for the trip from India: ₹87,000-₹102,000 (~$903.15-$1,058.87).
Yes, ₹1 lakh is enough. With careful hostel choices and skipping the Moalboal canyoneering tour, you can come in at ₹85,000 (~$882.39). With Cebu Pacific seat sales on the India-Manila route (often ₹22,000 (~$228.38) round trip out of Mumbai in low season), ₹95,000 (~$986.20) is a realistic comfortably-budgeted trip.
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-17
Visa for Indian Passport Holders
Indians get visa-free entry for 30 days, no application needed. The 30-day clock starts when you land at NAIA. Stamp is issued at immigration before baggage claim.
Extendable at any Bureau of Immigration office for PHP 3,030/month (~₹4,545). The Manila main office (Magallanes Drive, Intramuros) processes extensions same-day if you arrive before 11 AM. Cebu and Siargao have BI satellite offices but they close for lunch and on weekends.
Safety Alert: There’s also a separate PHP 550-850 (~₹825-1,275) terminal fee charged by Manila International Airport Authority on international departures. This is not the same as the travel tax below.
For full visa + SIM steps, see the dedicated Philippines visa + SIM guide.
Indian Passport Specifics (Airport Exit Tax)
The Philippines charges all departing international passengers a travel tax at the airport. Fee: PHP 1,620 (~₹2,430) for economy class. This is collected at a dedicated counter after immigration, before security. You can’t skip it.
Some Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines tickets include it; check your fare breakdown. If it’s not included, pay in PHP cash at the counter (cards sometimes work but the queue is longer).
The Indian embassy in Manila is at 2190 Paraiso Street, Dasmarinas Village, Makati, with an emergency hotline +63-917-844-9341.
When NOT to Take This Route
Typhoon season (June-November): Eastern Visayas and Siargao get direct hits. The route above runs through Siargao, which sits in the typhoon belt. Skip this entire route in July-October if you have non-refundable bookings. Travellers report ferry cancellations for several days during big storms.
For exact typhoon-window guidance, see the best-time-to-visit Philippines typhoon season guide.
Holy Week (Easter week, March-April): Ferries and hostels book out completely. Prices double. Avoid this window unless you book 2 months ahead.
Chinese New Year (late January-February, varies): Smaller impact on the Philippines, but Cebu and Manila domestic flights get more crowded. Not a deal-breaker.
Getting Connected
Globe and Smart both have decent 4G on the islands. Siargao has the worst coverage-outside General Luna proper, signal is patchy. Buy a Globe SIM at NAIA on arrival (PHP 500 (~₹750) for 30 days, 8GB data, comes with free Facebook and Viber). Activation takes 24 hours, so set it up before you need Maps.
If you’d rather skip the kiosk queue, Get Nomad eSIM before departure; data activates the moment you land.
Where to Stay (Hostels Only)
| Hostel | Location | Dorm Price | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backpacker dorm (Malate) | Manila | 400-700 PHP | Check prices |
| Backpacker dorm (Cebu City) | Cebu City | 400-800 PHP | Check prices |
| Backpacker dorm (Panagsama Beach) | Moalboal | 600-1,400 PHP | Check prices |
| Backpacker dorm (San Juan) | Siquijor | 500-1,200 PHP | Check prices |
| Backpacker dorm (General Luna) | Siargao | 600-1,400 PHP | Check prices |
Prices verified 2026-07-17. For booking, search the dorm name and location on Hostelworld or Agoda.
FAQ
Can I extend my 30-day visa while on the islands? Yes, but only at BI main offices. Cebu and Siargao have smaller satellite offices that often turn walk-ins away. Plan an extra Manila day if you need an extension, or do it on Day 14 before your international flight.
Is it safe for solo female Indian travellers? Generally yes. The Visayas (Cebu, Moalboal, Siquijor) is the safest region. Siargao has a traveller-friendly backpacker scene with strong solo female presence. Manila and Cebu City at night require standard urban caution.
Do I need cash or can I use cards everywhere? Cash. Philippine islands are heavily cash-based outside Manila and Cebu. ATMs charge PHP 250 (~₹375) per withdrawal on foreign cards. Withdraw PHP 10,000-15,000 (~₹15,000-22,500) at a time to minimize fees. GCash is the local QR-payment app and a foreign-passport GCash account is doable but takes an hour of setup; details in the GCash Philippines for foreigners guide.
Is the Moalboal sardine run worth it? Yes. Walk off Panagsama Beach 50 metres, swim out, and a million sardines form a tornado around you. Free. No boat needed. Better than Coron or Tubbataha for casual snorkelers.
Should I skip Siquijor and stay longer in Siargao? Skip Siargao if you’re not a surfer. Skip Siquijor if you have fewer than 14 days. Siquijor’s healers-and-waterfalls combo is genuinely one-of-a-kind in Southeast Asia; Siargao’s appeal is 90% the surf.
Can I do this route without a domestic flight? The Dumaguete-Siyao connection makes that effectively impossible. The Manila-Cebu ferry is doable but slow. Budget extra time if you’re flying zero domestic legs.
Subodh’s Take
Two weeks is enough for the Philippines if you accept the constraint: pick either surf or diving as the headline activity and build the route around that. Travellers who try to do everything (surf, dive, sardines, whale sharks, healers, lagoons) blow their budget and end up exhausted. The itinerary above is the “spread bets” version that lets you say you’ve done it all once, but it’s not the depth version. The depth version is one island, two weeks.
, Subodh
