Tipping in the Philippines
Tipping of 10% is standard in restaurants without service charge. Hotel porters expect 20-50 PHP per bag; tricycle and jeepney drivers don't expect tips but appreciate rounding up.
Philippines price guide
Prices in the Philippines in 2026: fair price vs tourist trap
Short answer: very cheap, if you pay what locals pay. Fair prices sit 53% below the 60-country median, while tourist prices are about 3.2× the fair price.
29 prices checked Apr – Aug 2026 18 verified and 11 estimates How I check
Fair prices at a glance
- Street food meal ₱50 – ₱150 ≈ $0.80 – $2.40
- City taxi 1 km ₱14 – ₱20 ≈ $0.22 – $0.32
- Local beer ₱80 – ₱150 ≈ $1.30 – $2.40
- Massage (1 hour) ₱300 – ₱600 ≈ $4.80 – $9.60
All 29 prices are also in the free app for iPhone and Android, and they work offline. Get it
One day in the Philippines: ₱995 or ₱2,675
About $16 or $43 a day.
The first number is what locals pay, the second what tourist spots charge for exactly the same day.
Same day, same things: the tourist version costs 2.7× as much.
Restaurant meal alone: ₱1,150, or 43% of the tourist-trap day.
+₱1,680 (about $27) for the same day
| Item | Fair (₱) | Trap (₱) |
|---|---|---|
| Street food meal | 100 | 300 |
| Restaurant meal | 550 | 1,150 |
| Coffee (espresso) | 135 | 275 |
| Water 1.5 L | 30 | 80 |
| Local beer | 115 | 350 |
| Public transit ticket 2 rides | 48 | 120 |
| Short taxi ride about 1 km | 17 | 400 |
| Total | 995 | 2,675 |
- Sightseeing comes on top: a ticket to a top museum or attraction is up to ₱450 (about $7.20).
- Accommodation is left out on purpose: it swings too much with the season and the night of the week for one honest number.
Where tourists overpay most in the Philippines
Tourist-trap price compared with the fair price, using the middle of each range.
Check a price you were quoted
Pick what you are buying, type the price, and see where it lands.
about $8
Tourist-trap price
Fair ₱14 – ₱20 Trap ₱200 – ₱600
₱500 is 29.4× the middle of the fair range (₱14 – ₱20).
Tourists often get charged ₱200 – ₱600. From ₱200 you are paying the tourist-trap price.
In the app, every expense you log on a trip gets the same check, offline.
Fair vs tourist prices in the Philippines, item by item
What 29 everyday things should cost, and what tourists often pay instead. Typical for Manila, Cebu City, Boracay, and Palawan.
Show prices in
- Fair price
- Tourist-trap price
- Verified
- Estimate
Bars run from zero to each item's top tourist-trap price.
Food & drinks
Restaurant meal: fair is ₱300 – ₱800. Above ₱800 you are on the tourist menu.
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Water 0.5 L
Bottled, convenience store
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 2.9× the fair priceFair ₱15 – ₱30 ≈ $0.24 – $0.48Trap ₱45 – ₱85 ≈ $0.72 – $1.40 -
Coffee (espresso)
Cafe or street vendor
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 2.0× the fair priceFair ₱90 – ₱180 ≈ $1.40 – $2.90Trap ₱200 – ₱350 ≈ $3.20 – $5.60 -
Local beer
Draft, at bar or restaurant
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 3.0× the fair priceFair ₱80 – ₱150 ≈ $1.30 – $2.40Trap ₱250 – ₱450 ≈ $4 – $7.20 -
Restaurant meal
Tourist area, main course
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 2.1× the fair priceFair ₱300 – ₱800 ≈ $5 – $13Trap ₱800 – ₱1,500 ≈ $13 – $24 -
Street food meal
Local market or stand
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 3.0× the fair priceFair ₱50 – ₱150 ≈ $0.80 – $2.40Trap ₱200 – ₱400 ≈ $3.20 – $6.40 -
Cocktail at bar
Mixed drink, bar
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 2.8× the fair priceFair ₱250 – ₱500 ≈ $4 – $8Trap ₱600 – ₱1,500 ≈ $10 – $24 -
Bottle of wine (restaurant)
House wine, restaurant
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 2.9× the fair priceFair ₱800 – ₱1,800 ≈ $13 – $29Trap ₱2,500 – ₱5,000 ≈ $40 – $80 -
Fresh juice
Cafe or street stall
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 3.6× the fair priceFair ₱40 – ₱100 ≈ $0.64 – $1.60Trap ₱150 – ₱350 ≈ $2.40 – $5.60
Transport
Airport taxi to the center: fair is ₱250 – ₱600. At ₱900 or more, walk away.
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Airport taxi to center
Standard route
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 2.8× the fair priceFair ₱250 – ₱600 ≈ $4 – $9.60Trap ₱900 – ₱1,500 ≈ $14 – $24 -
City taxi 1 km
Metered or typical fare
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 23.5× the fair priceFair ₱14 – ₱20 ≈ $0.22 – $0.32Trap ₱200 – ₱600 ≈ $3.20 – $9.60 -
Public transit ticket
Single ride
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 2.5× the fair priceFair ₱13 – ₱35 ≈ $0.21 – $0.56Trap ₱40 – ₱80 ≈ $0.64 – $1.30 -
Private transfer (app)
Grab / Bolt / Uber
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 2.4× the fair priceFair ₱250 – ₱500 ≈ $4 – $8Trap ₱600 – ₱1,200 ≈ $10 – $19
Souvenirs
Fridge magnet: fair is ₱50 – ₱120. From ₱150 you are paying the souvenir-stall markup.
-
Fridge magnet
Tourist shop
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 2.4× the fair priceFair ₱50 – ₱120 ≈ $0.80 – $1.90Trap ₱150 – ₱250 ≈ $2.40 – $4 -
Printed T-shirt
Tourist shop
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 2.5× the fair priceFair ₱80 – ₱300 ≈ $1.30 – $4.80Trap ₱350 – ₱600 ≈ $5.60 – $9.60 -
Local handcraft
Ceramics, textiles, etc.
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 5.0× the fair priceFair ₱200 – ₱600 ≈ $3.20 – $9.60Trap ₱1,000 – ₱3,000 ≈ $16 – $48
Daily essentials
Tourist SIM: fair is ₱100 – ₱500. From ₱1,500 it is the tourist-kiosk price.
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Tourist SIM card
Data package
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 8.3× the fair priceFair ₱100 – ₱500 ≈ $1.60 – $8Trap ₱1,500 – ₱3,500 ≈ $24 – $56 -
Sunscreen SPF50
Pharmacy or shop
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 2.7× the fair priceFair ₱200 – ₱400 ≈ $3.20 – $6.40Trap ₱600 – ₱1,000 ≈ $10 – $16 -
Water 1.5 L
Supermarket
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 2.7× the fair priceFair ₱20 – ₱40 ≈ $0.32 – $0.64Trap ₱60 – ₱100 ≈ $0.96 – $1.60 -
Cigarettes
Pack of 20
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 1.5× the fair priceFair ₱120 – ₱170 ≈ $1.90 – $2.70Trap ₱180 – ₱250 ≈ $2.90 – $4 -
Painkillers (paracetamol)
Pack of 20 tablets
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 3.0× the fair priceFair ₱20 – ₱60 ≈ $0.32 – $0.96Trap ₱90 – ₱150 ≈ $1.40 – $2.40 -
Mosquito repellent
Spray or lotion
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 2.9× the fair priceFair ₱80 – ₱180 ≈ $1.30 – $2.90Trap ₱250 – ₱500 ≈ $4 – $8
Services
One-hour massage: fair is ₱300 – ₱600. From ₱1,000 you are paying for the address.
-
Men's haircut
Local barbershop
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 2.8× the fair priceFair ₱70 – ₱250 ≈ $1.10 – $4Trap ₱300 – ₱600 ≈ $4.80 – $9.60 -
Laundry (per kg)
Laundry service
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 3.7× the fair priceFair ₱45 – ₱90 ≈ $0.72 – $1.40Trap ₱150 – ₱350 ≈ $2.40 – $5.60 -
Massage (1 hour)
Standard full-body massage
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 3.9× the fair priceFair ₱300 – ₱600 ≈ $4.80 – $9.60Trap ₱1,000 – ₱2,500 ≈ $16 – $40 -
Women's haircut
Basic cut, salon
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 3.7× the fair priceFair ₱200 – ₱500 ≈ $3.20 – $8Trap ₱800 – ₱1,800 ≈ $13 – $29
Attractions
Top museum or attraction: fair is up to ₱450. From ₱500, check that you are not buying through a reseller.
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Top museum / attraction
Entrance ticket
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 3.1× the fair priceFair Up to ₱450 ≈ $7.20Trap ₱500 – ₱900 ≈ $8 – $14 -
Half-day group tour
Organized excursion
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 3.6× the fair priceFair ₱600 – ₱1,500 ≈ $10 – $24Trap ₱2,500 – ₱5,000 ≈ $40 – $80 -
Full-day group tour
Organized excursion 6-8h
Verified ·Tourist prices are about 3.2× the fair priceFair ₱1,200 – ₱2,500 ≈ $19 – $40Trap ₱4,000 – ₱8,000 ≈ $64 – $130 -
Cooking class
Local cuisine cooking class
Estimate, reviewedTourist prices are about 1.9× the fair priceFair ₱2,000 – ₱4,500 ≈ $32 – $72Trap ₱4,500 – ₱8,000 ≈ $72 – $130
Converted at 1 USD = 62.61 PHP, the rate on October 3, 2026. Approximate.
Money and tipping in the Philippines
Currency
Philippine peso (PHP)
- 1 USD = 62.61 PHP
Quick converter, PHP to USD
When a card terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, choose PHP. The rate it offers is almost always worse.
Bargaining in the Philippines
Bargaining is common in markets like Divisoria and Quiapo, expect to negotiate 15-25% off initial prices. Malls have fixed prices; always compare prices between stalls before buying.
Fuel prices per liter
- Gasoline ₱91.40 / liter ≈ $1.50
- Diesel ₱94.50 / liter ≈ $1.50
- LPG (autogas) ₱43.73 / liter ≈ $0.70
Scams and safety in the Philippines
What tourists actually run into, from overcharging tricks to local laws. Open any item for the details.
Scam or crime NAIA airport taxi and 'Laglag-Bala' bullet plant
At Manila NAIA airport, unauthorised taxi touts triple the metered rate (1,500 PHP peso vs 500). Worse: some security staff have planted live bullets in departing tourists' luggage to extort 10,000–50,000 pesos, the 'laglag-bala' scam resurfaces periodically. Use Grab app from the MRT-level pickup, pack luggage in visible wrap stickers, and photograph bags before the X-ray in Philippine pesos payment zone.
Scam or crime Boracay and Palawan Island-tour shakedown
In Boracay, El Nido and Coron, beach touts sell island-hopping tours at 1,500 PHP peso that turn out to lack life vests, park fees (1,000 peso Coron), or lunch included. Some boats hide engine failures and demand 3,000–5,000 peso 'rescue fees'. Use operators with a DOT accreditation sticker, insist on seeing jackets and the permit card, and confirm all inclusions in writing before paying in Philippine peso.
Law Severe drug penalties
Possession of even small amounts of illegal drugs carries mandatory severe sentences that can include life imprisonment. Do not carry or use any prohibited substances.
Health Dengue, leptospirosis and typhoid
Dengue is year-round in Manila, Cebu and Davao, the Philippine DOH reported 400,000+ cases in 2024. After typhoons, leptospirosis from flood water paralyses dozens. Typhoid risk from street ice and 'isaw' (grilled intestines). Use 30%+ DEET repellent, avoid wading after floods, drink only sealed water, and pre-vaccinate against typhoid and hep A. Insurance premiums in Philippine peso should include medical evac.
Nature Typhoons, volcanoes and Mindanao no-go zones
The Philippines average 20 typhoons per year. Yolanda 2013 killed 6,300; Rai 2021 killed 400+. Mayon and Taal volcanoes have periodic evacuations. Central/western Mindanao (Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi) and Marawi are insurgent/kidnap zones, gov.uk advises against travel. Plan buffer days around Oct–Dec trips, avoid Mindanao unless essential, and budget in Philippine peso for unexpected domestic flight cancellations.
Emergency numbers in the Philippines
Not sure who you need? Call this one. 911 Emergency number Covers police, ambulance, and fire brigade
The Philippines uses 911 as its single national emergency hotline. One number covers police, fire and medical help, so dial 911 for any emergency. There are no separate national numbers to remember.
Medical costs
- Doctor visit Private clinic, general consultation without insurance $8 – $30 ≈ ₱500 – ₱1,880
- Hospital night One night in a general ward without insurance $100 – $300 ≈ ₱6,260 – ₱18,800
- Ambulance Emergency transport to hospital $40 – $150 ≈ ₱2,500 – ₱9,390
- Dentist Check-up or basic treatment at a private practice $20 – $100 ≈ ₱1,250 – ₱6,260
Good to know before you go
Gestures and etiquette
Beckoning & elder respect
Never beckon someone with a crooked finger, that gesture is reserved for calling dogs and is deeply offensive. When addressing elders, use "po" and "opo" to show respect. Pointing with lips is normal here, but pointing with your finger is considered rude.
Buying souvenirs
Dried mango & South Sea pearls
Philippine dried mango (especially from Cebu) is widely considered the world's best, sweet, tangy, and the perfect packable snack. South Sea pearls from Palawan are lustrous and far cheaper than international markets. Philippine rum (Don Papa, Tanduay) has won international awards. Woven abaca bags and baskets, calamansi products, and ube (purple yam) treats are other popular, authentic picks.
Did you know?
- The Philippines earned the title 'texting capital of the world' in the 2000s, sending over 1 billion SMS daily, more than the US and Europe combined. The texting culture persists today.
- Jeepneys, colorful converted military jeeps, are the most popular form of public transport. Each one is uniquely decorated by its owner.
- Bohol island has over 1,200 cone-shaped "Chocolate Hills" that turn brown in the dry season, looking like giant chocolate drops.
- The Philippine archipelago consists of 7,641 islands, of which only about 2,000 are inhabited.
Cities these prices cover
The prices on this page are typical for these cities and the tourist areas around them.
- Manila Maynila
- Cebu City Sugbo
- Boracay
- Palawan
How the Philippines compares
The TruePrice Index for the Philippines, next to the countries people weigh it against and its nearest neighbors, all on one scale. 100 is the median of the 60 countries I track.
-
Laos 36 Prices about 23% lower than in the Philippines - Philippines 47 This page
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Vietnam 47 About the same as in the Philippines -
Indonesia 53 Prices about 13% higher than in the Philippines -
Cambodia 61 Prices about 30% higher than in the Philippines -
Thailand 70 Prices about 49% higher than in the Philippines -
Singapore 149 Prices about 3.2× as high as in the Philippines
Common questions about prices in the Philippines
Is the Philippines expensive to visit?
Short answer: very cheap, if you pay what locals pay. Fair prices sit 53% below the 60-country median, while tourist prices are about 3.2× the fair price. On the TruePrice Index, the Philippines scores 47, the 7th cheapest of the 60 countries I track.
How much does a day in the Philippines cost, without flights and hotel?
Roughly ₱995 (about $16) a day at fair prices, or ₱2,675 (about $43) at tourist prices. That covers two meals, a coffee, a bottle of water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride. Sightseeing comes on top (up to ₱450 for a top museum or attraction), and accommodation is not included.
Do you tip in the Philippines, and how much?
Tipping of 10% is standard in restaurants without service charge. Hotel porters expect 20-50 PHP per bag; tricycle and jeepney drivers don't expect tips but appreciate rounding up.
What currency does the Philippines use?
The Philippine peso (PHP). On October 3, 2026, 1 USD was worth 62.61 PHP. Card terminals and ATMs that offer to charge you in your home currency usually give a worse rate, so pay in PHP.
How much is a meal and a beer in the Philippines?
A restaurant main course is ₱300 – ₱800 (about $5 – $13) at fair prices, while tourist menus charge ₱800 – ₱1,500. A street food meal runs ₱50 – ₱150. A local beer is ₱80 – ₱150 (about $1.30 – $2.40), or ₱250 – ₱450 in tourist bars.
How much money should I bring to the Philippines?
Budget roughly ₱995 (about $16) a day for food, drinks and getting around at local prices, or about ₱2,675 (about $43) at tourist prices. Add up to ₱450 for each major sight, plus your accommodation.
What is the emergency number in the Philippines?
Call 911, the general emergency number. Use it for police, ambulance, and fire brigade.
Sources and method
Where these numbers come from, and how sure I am about each one.
- Prices
- 29 items: 18 verified and 11 estimates
- Checked
- to
- Exchange rate
- 1 USD = 62.61 PHP,
- Fuel prices
- Cities
- Manila, Cebu City, Boracay, and Palawan
- Page updated
What the labels mean
- Verified
- Checked against recent local sources.
- Estimate
- Based on related prices and not yet confirmed.
- Rough estimate
- Thin data. Treat it as a ballpark.
- Fair price
- What locals typically pay.
- Tourist-trap price
- What tourists are commonly charged in tourist areas.
- Markup
- The middle of the tourist-trap range divided by the middle of the fair range. 3.0× means three times the fair price.
- TruePrice Index
- Fair prices for all 29 items compared with the median of the 60 countries I track. 100 is the median, 50 means half the median price and 200 twice it.
How to cite
TruePrice Index, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/trueprice-index/
Spotted a price that looks off? Email me at [email protected] and I will check it.
This page, in your pocket. Even offline.
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- Fair vs tourist prices for 60 countries, offline
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