Arrival & Transport
Flights to the Philippines
There are no direct flights from Germany to the Philippines. The journey involves a stopover — typical transfer options are Doha, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, or Dubai. The total travel time is 13–17 hours depending on the layover time.
International Airports
- Manila Ninoy Aquino International (MNL): The main airport of the Philippines. Coordinates: [14.5086, 121.0194]. Four terminals — notorious for chaos, long queues, and traffic jams. Nevertheless, the most important hub for international and domestic flights.
- Cebu Mactan International (CEB): Coordinates: [10.3075, 123.9794]. Modern Terminal 2 (opened in 2018). Direct flights from Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo. Often a better choice than Manila — no traffic chaos.
- Clark International (CRK): Coordinates: [15.1859, 120.5603]. North of Manila, a growing low-cost carrier hub.
Cheap Transfer Connections from Germany
| Airline | Stopover | Flight Time | Price from (R/T) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qatar Airways | Doha | 14–16h | €450 |
| Emirates | Dubai | 15–17h | €480 |
| Singapore Airlines | Singapore | 15–17h | €550 |
| Cathay Pacific | Hong Kong | 14–16h | €500 |
| Korean Air / Asiana | Seoul-Incheon | 15–17h | €480 |
| Philippine Airlines | Various | 14–18h | €550 |
| Turkish Airlines | Istanbul | 16–18h | €420 |
Tipp
Book international flights 8–12 weeks in advance. Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines often offer the best prices. If you want to go directly to Cebu or Palawan, check flights via Singapore or Hong Kong with a connection to Cebu — this saves you the Manila transit.
Achtung
Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport (NAIA) has four separate terminals with no good connection between them. The transfer between terminals takes 30–60 minutes by shuttle. Plan at least 3 hours for connecting flights — better 4.
Domestic Flights
With 7,641 islands, domestic flights are often the only sensible option to cover large distances. The Philippines has a well-developed domestic flight network with affordable prices.
The Most Important Airlines
| Airline | Type | Baggage | Prices from | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cebu Pacific | Low-cost carrier | 7 kg hand luggage, checked baggage extra | 800 PHP (€13) | Largest domestic airline, cheapest prices |
| AirAsia Philippines | Low-cost carrier | 7 kg hand luggage | 900 PHP (€15) | Growing route network |
| Philippine Airlines (PAL) | Full-service | 20–23 kg included | 2,000 PHP (€33) | Premium, punctual, lounges |
Important Domestic Routes
| Route | Duration | Price from | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manila → Cebu | 1h 20 | 800 PHP (€13) | 20+ daily |
| Manila → Puerto Princesa | 1h 15 | 1,200 PHP (€20) | 8–10 daily |
| Manila → El Nido (Lio) | 1h 20 | 3,000 PHP (€49) | 2–4 daily |
| Manila → Siargao | 2h 30 | 1,500 PHP (€25) | 4–6 daily |
| Manila → Coron (Busuanga) | 1h | 1,500 PHP (€25) | 4–6 daily |
| Cebu → Siargao | 1h 30 | 1,200 PHP (€20) | 2–4 daily |
| Cebu → Coron (Busuanga) | 1h 30 | 1,500 PHP (€25) | 2–3 daily |
Tipp
Cebu Pacific regularly has flash sales with flights for 1 PHP (plus taxes and fees, totaling ~500 PHP). Follow them on social media and book quickly — the offers sell out in minutes. Always book baggage online — it's twice as expensive at the airport.
Ferries & Boats
Ferries are the backbone of the Philippine transport system. From huge passenger ferries with sleeping cabins to small Bangka outrigger boats — on the water, you can reach most islands.
Types of Ferries
- 2GO Travel: The largest ferry company. Large passenger ferries with cabins on long routes (Manila → Cebu, Manila → Coron). Crossings take 12–22 hours but are an experience. Economy from 800 PHP (€13), cabin from 2,500 PHP (€41).
- FastCraft / OceanJet: Fast ferries between the Visayas islands. Air-conditioned, fixed seats, 1–4 hours travel time. Cebu → Bohol (2h, from 500 PHP), Cebu → Dumaguete (4h, from 700 PHP).
- Bangka Boats: Traditional wooden outrigger boats. Used for island hopping, short crossings, and local ferry connections. Charming, wobbly, authentic. Price: negotiable.
Important Ferry Connections
| Route | Type | Duration | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cebu → Tagbilaran (Bohol) | FastCraft | 2h | 500 PHP (€8) |
| Cebu → Dumaguete | FastCraft | 4h | 700 PHP (€11) |
| Manila → Coron | 2GO | 12h | 800 PHP (€13) |
| El Nido → Coron | FastCraft | 3.5h | 1,800 PHP (€29) |
| Dumaguete → Siquijor | FastCraft | 45 Min. | 200 PHP (€3) |
| Cebu → Malapascua | Bus + Bangka | 5h total | 400 PHP (€7) |
Tipp
Book ferries online via 12go.asia or directly with 2GO Travel. In the high season (December–April), popular routes sell out quickly. FastCraft ferries are significantly more comfortable than the old large ferries, but also more expensive.
Achtung
The safety standards of Philippine ferries are not comparable to European ones. Pay attention to life jackets, avoid obviously overloaded boats, and avoid night ferries in bad weather. Ports are closed during typhoon warnings — respect that!
Jeepneys, Tricycles & Co.
Local transport in the Philippines is an experience in itself — colorful, cheap, and sometimes nerve-wracking.
Jeepneys
The most iconic means of transport in the Philippines: Colorfully painted, converted US military jeeps from the post-war era, which operate as minibuses on fixed routes. They are now being replaced by more modern "E-Jeepneys," but the classic models can still be found everywhere. Minimum fare: 13 PHP (€0.21) — the cheapest means of transport in the world. Money is passed from passenger to passenger to the driver.
Tricycles
Motorcycles with sidecars — the Philippine equivalent of the tuk-tuk. The main mode of transport for short distances on the islands. 20–50 PHP (€0.33–€0.80) for short distances. Negotiate the price beforehand! In rural areas, there are also motorized tricycles (Pedicabs).
Habal-Habal
Motorcycle taxis, especially common on the islands and in rural areas. You sit on the back of the motorcycle — sometimes three or four people. Cheap (20–100 PHP), but not entirely safe. Helmets are rarely available.
Grab
Grab operates in Manila, Cebu, and some larger cities. Air-conditioned, fixed price, GPS tracking. Almost indispensable in Manila — the traffic is notoriously bad, and Grab is significantly less stressful than a taxi that has "forgotten" its meter.
Buses
Air-conditioned long-distance buses connect the cities on Luzon. The routes Manila → Baguio (5–6h, from 500 PHP) and Manila → Vigan (8–10h, from 700 PHP) are the most important. Providers: Victory Liner, Philippine Rabbit, JoyBus (Premium). JoyBus offers reclining seats and WiFi — almost as good as flying.
Tipp
In Manila: Take Grab or the MRT/LRT, forget taxis. On the islands: Renting a scooter (300–500 PHP/day) is the best way to explore the surroundings. Always negotiate the tricycle price beforehand — tourists otherwise pay five times the amount.
War dieses Kapitel hilfreich?
