A Surprising Truth: Overseas Trips May Cost Less Than Local Travel
It might sound strange, but for many Filipinos, flying to another country like Thailand or Vietnam costs less—or at least feels lighter on the wallet—than exploring popular spots in our own backyard. Here’s why this happens.
Local Tourism: Friendly but Pricey
The Philippines has long been praised as a warm, welcoming country, especially to foreigners. Many foreign influencers say Filipinos are friendlier to tourists than to fellow Filipinos, which can be disheartening for local travelers.
Domestic flights to tourist hot spots like Boracay, Siargao, or Palawan can also surprise you with high ticket prices. According to Reddit discussions, many Filipinos complain that domestic airfares are sometimes as expensive as international flights. A number of locals also claim that spending a week in Siargao cost them more than a week in Thailand.
On top of airfare, entrance fees at attractions, pricey hotel rates, and expensive restaurants add up quickly. This is why some Pinoys now prefer exploring Vietnam or Thailand, where overall costs are lower.
How International Travel Stacks Up
Many Pinoys now find it cheaper to explore Southeast Asia than their own islands. One commenter on Reddit’s Philippines Expats forum bluntly said, “A long weekend in Thailand is cheaper than the same in Boracay.”
According to BudgetYourTrip, the average daily travel cost in the Philippines is about $76 (₱4,300) for a mid-range traveler, while budget travelers can manage at around $30–$40 per day (₱1,600–₱2,200). Another site, Salt & Charcoal Travel, estimates budget travel at $40–$50 per day and mid-range at $80–$150.
By comparison, travel cost websites like BudgetYourTrip and traveler blogs put Vietnam and Thailand at around $30 per day (₱1,700), covering food, lodging, and transportation. This makes regional neighbors more attractive to price-conscious Pinoys.
Rising Costs at NAIA
Another major factor is the airport fee hike. According to reports from GMA News and ABS-CBN, starting September 14, 2025, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will increase its terminal fees:
- International departing passengers: from ₱550 to ₱950
- Domestic departing passengers: from ₱200 to ₱390
This steep increase makes local flights less appealing and international travel, oddly enough, more competitive.
Quick Cost Comparison
| Trip Type | Typical Cost per Day (approx.) | Notes |
| Budget local travel | ₱2,000–₱2,500 | Based on Salt & Charcoal and BudgetYourTrip estimates |
| Mid-range local travel | ₱4,000–₱8,500 | From Salt & Charcoal estimates |
| One-week local (budget) | ₱14,000–₱17,500 | Calculated from daily budget costs |
| One-week local (mid-range) | ₱28,000–₱42,500 | Calculated from daily mid-range costs |
| International (SEA average) | around $30/day ≈ ₱1,700 | Based on BudgetYourTrip estimates for Vietnam and Thailand |
Why Filipinos Think Foreign Travel Feels Cheaper
Internal Transport Costs
According to BudgetYourTrip, traveling between Philippine islands is costly due to domestic airfares and transfers. In comparison, traveling in one country abroad is simpler and cheaper.
Better Value Abroad
Food, lodging, and sightseeing in Thailand or Vietnam can be far more affordable. For example, BudgetYourTrip’s Vietnam guide puts the daily cost at just $29 (₱1,650), less than half the cost of mid-range travel in the Philippines.
Rising Airport Charges
With NAIA’s fee hike confirmed by ABS-CBN and GMA News, even domestic travel feels heavier on the wallet.
Service Bias
Many Filipinos have shared online that accommodations and services tend to be more attentive to foreigners than to local tourists. This discourages domestic travel even more.
Clearer Pricing Abroad
Travel bloggers and forums note that international destinations like Thailand feel more transparent with pricing, compared to local resorts where entrance and “miscellaneous” fees quickly pile up.
What Tourism Authorities Should Do
The Department of Tourism and the Department of Transportation should carefully monitor costs at popular destinations. Entrance fees, hotel charges, and activity rates need review so that locals don’t feel priced out of their own country. Making tourism affordable and fair for Filipinos will also help boost domestic travel.
FAQs
- Is it really cheaper to travel abroad than around the Philippines?
According to BudgetYourTrip and multiple traveler accounts on Reddit, a week in Thailand or Vietnam can cost less than a week in Siargao or Palawan, once airfare, hotels, and local fees are considered. - How much will NAIA terminal fees increase?
Based on ABS-CBN and GMA News, international departure fees will rise from ₱550 to ₱950, while domestic fees will go up from ₱200 to ₱390 starting September 14, 2025. - What do foreigners say about travel costs here?
Many foreigners say Filipinos are very friendly, but they admit traveling in Thailand or Vietnam is easier on the budget. Some even reported that Boracay cost more than their entire trip to Bangkok. - How much do travelers usually spend per day in the Philippines?
According to BudgetYourTrip, budget travelers spend around ₱2,000–₱2,500 daily, while mid-range travelers spend ₱4,000–₱8,500. The average daily spending is roughly ₱4,300.
