Manila, the vibrant capital of the Philippines, has long been a top destination for travelers from all corners of the world. Known for its rich history, colorful culture, bustling markets, and modern cityscapes, it offers visitors a mix of old-world charm and contemporary urban living. Whether you’re traveling for leisure, business, or family reunions, getting to Manila doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, with the right planning, you can discover a variety of affordable global flight offers that make this dream destination more accessible than ever.
In this blog, we’ll explore how you can find and take advantage of budget-friendly flight deals to Manila from major cities around the world, while also providing tips to save money and make your journey smooth and hassle-free.
Why Manila?
Manila is the gateway to the Philippines, an archipelago made up of more than 7,000 islands. Whether you want to explore the historic Intramuros, a walled city from the Spanish colonial era, enjoy the lively nightlife in Makati, or experience the beautiful islands of Boracay or Palawan, flying into Manila is often the first step. The city also offers a fusion of influences from both its indigenous roots and colonization by Spain, the U.S., and Japan, resulting in a unique culinary, cultural, and architectural mix.
Given its strategic location in Southeast Asia, Manila serves as a major transport hub, with connections to nearby destinations like Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and beyond. Additionally, the cost of living and travel within the Philippines is relatively affordable, making it an attractive destination for budget-conscious travelers.
Finding Affordable Flights to Manila
When it comes to finding cheap flights to Manila, timing, airlines, and booking strategies play a crucial role. Here’s how you can unlock the best deals:
1. Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates
One of the biggest factors affecting flight prices is when you travel. If you can be flexible with your departure and return dates, you have a better chance of finding lower fares. Avoid peak travel seasons such as Christmas, New Year, and Holy Week (Easter), when flights to Manila are typically more expensive due to increased demand from both locals and tourists.
Instead, look for flights during the off-season, which usually falls between June and September, though you may need to keep an eye on the weather as this is also the rainy season in the Philippines. Additionally, mid-week flights (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) tend to be cheaper than weekend flights, so consider booking accordingly.
2. Use Flight Comparison Tools
Several online tools can help you compare flight prices from different airlines. Websites and apps like Skyscanner, Google Flights, Kayak, and Momondo allow you to search for the cheapest flights across a wide range of dates and airlines. Many of these platforms also offer price alerts, so you’ll be notified when fares drop to Manila.
- Google Flights: Offers an easy interface for searching and comparing flights. You can view a calendar of dates to see which days have the lowest fares.
- Skyscanner: This tool offers a great “Everywhere” search feature that shows the cheapest destinations from your current location, and Manila often appears as a top pick for Southeast Asia.
- Momondo: A metasearch engine that aggregates flight options from many different sources, including budget carriers and lesser-known online travel agencies (OTAs).
3. Book in Advance or Last-Minute
Booking well in advance—around 2-3 months before your intended travel date—usually secures you the best fares to Manila. However, if you’re willing to be flexible and take a risk, last-minute deals can sometimes yield substantial savings, especially if airlines are trying to fill empty seats close to the departure date.
4. Consider Budget Airlines
Several budget airlines operate flights to Manila, offering no-frills service at a fraction of the cost of major carriers. While you may need to pay extra for things like checked luggage, seat selection, and meals, these costs can still be lower than a standard flight on a full-service airline.
- AirAsia: One of the largest low-cost carriers in Asia, AirAsia offers budget-friendly flights from many cities across Southeast Asia and beyond.
- Cebu Pacific: This Philippines-based budget airline is known for its affordable flights to Manila from various Asian cities like Singapore, Hong Kong, and Bangkok, as well as long-haul flights from Dubai, Sydney, and Melbourne.
- Jetstar: Another low-cost carrier that services routes from Australia, Japan, and Southeast Asia to Manila.
- Scoot: A Singapore-based budget airline offering affordable flights to Manila from major cities in Asia and Australia.
These budget carriers frequently run promotional sales, particularly during the holiday season or their anniversary dates. Keep an eye out for “Piso Fare” promos (offering flights for as low as 1 Philippine peso) from airlines like Cebu Pacific and AirAsia.
5. Join Frequent Flyer Programs and Loyalty Schemes
If you travel frequently, signing up for airline loyalty programs can provide long-term savings. Airlines like Philippine Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Singapore Airlines offer frequent flyer programs where you can earn miles or points that can be redeemed for future flights, upgrades, or discounts.
Additionally, credit cards that are partnered with airlines often offer points for each purchase you make, which can be redeemed for flight discounts or free flights. Programs such as Miles & More (Lufthansa), KrisFlyer (Singapore Airlines), or Flying Blue (Air France-KLM) have been known to offer good deals for flights to Southeast Asia, including Manila.
Top Airlines Offering Global Flight Deals to Manila
Many major airlines fly to Manila, offering a wide range of price options based on cabin class, booking time, and stopovers. Below are some of the best airlines known for offering great deals on flights to Manila:
1. Philippine Airlines (PAL)
Philippine Airlines is the country’s flag carrier and offers a mix of affordable and premium services for travelers flying to Manila. PAL has direct flights from North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, often providing special promotions on both economy and business class tickets.
2. Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific offers excellent connections to Manila via its hub in Hong Kong. The airline frequently has promotions for flights from Europe, North America, and Australia, with competitive prices and quality service.
3. Qatar Airways
Voted one of the world’s best airlines, Qatar Airways operates flights to Manila from its base in Doha, connecting passengers from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Qatar Airways is known for offering affordable premium services, so look out for business class deals, which often provide significant value for money.
4. Emirates
Emirates connects travelers from major cities across Europe, North America, and the Middle East to Manila via Dubai. Known for its luxurious in-flight experience, Emirates frequently offers promotions that make flying to Manila more affordable.
5. Singapore Airlines
Ranked among the top airlines in the world, Singapore Airlines offers smooth connections to Manila via its hub in Singapore. The airline provides excellent service in both economy and premium cabins, with frequent promotions on flights to the Philippines.
Regional and Long-Haul Flight Deals to Manila
Depending on where you’re flying from, the cost of your flight to Manila can vary greatly. Below are some examples of flight deals you can expect based on global regions.
1. From the United States
Flights from the U.S. to Manila are often the most expensive due to the distance, but deals can still be found with the right planning. Look for offers from airlines like Philippine Airlines, United Airlines, and EVA Air, which frequently have round-trip fares from major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York starting from around $600-$800.
2. From Europe
Europe to Manila flights can range from budget-friendly to premium, with major airlines such as Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Turkish Airlines offering deals from around €450-€600 for round-trip tickets from cities like London, Paris, and Frankfurt.
3. From Asia
Asia-based travelers will often find the most affordable flights to Manila, with fares from Singapore, Bangkok, or Hong Kong starting as low as $100 during sales periods on budget airlines like AirAsia and Cebu Pacific. Full-service airlines such as Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines also offer competitive fares starting from around $200.
4. From Australia
Flights from Australia to Manila, especially from Sydney and Melbourne, can be found for as low as AUD 350-$400 on budget airlines like Cebu Pacific and Jetstar, with full-service options on Qantas and Philippine Airlines available for AUD 600-$700.
Final Tips for Finding the Best Flight Deals to Manila
- Book in the Right Season: Traveling during the off-season (June-September) will yield the best prices.
- Sign Up for Airline Newsletters: Airlines often announce flash sales and promotions to their subscribers first.
- Set Price Alerts: Use flight comparison tools to set price alerts, ensuring you catch the best deal.
- Be Flexible with Stopovers: Sometimes, flights with a stopover (rather than direct) offer significant savings. Consider layovers in cities like Hong Kong, Dubai, or Singapore to reduce costs.
In conclusion, flying to Manila on a budget is entirely possible, regardless of where you’re coming from. By being flexible with your travel dates, using flight comparison tools, and staying on the lookout for airline promotions, you can secure affordable flights that make your dream trip to Manila a reality. Enjoy your journey and prepare to be captivated by the beauty and culture of the Philippines!