Travelling to the Philippines from Australia. The Lowdown

With over 7,600 islands to explore, the Philippines is a Southeast Asian gem that is perfect for Aussies seeking adventure or relaxation.¹ It is also home to one of the world's longest coastlines, something beach-loving Australians will surely appreciate.

This article will breakdown the how and where you need to visit so you can book your trip to the Philippines with confidence.

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Table of contents

Philippines entry requirement for Australians and Australia residents Do Australians or Australia residents need a visa to visit the Philippines Currency in Philippines and accepted payment methods Customs in Philippines Passport requirements E-travel declaration Onward or return travel Cash declaration How to apply for Visas, e-visas or entry permits Costs for entry and required permits Vaccinations required to travel to Philippines from Australia Flying to Philippines from Australia English spoken Useful apps to have before travelling to Philippines Essentials For getting around Eating out or in Accommodation or tours Top tourist locations in Philippines Manila Cebu Boracay Hidden “non-touristy” locations to visit Local etiquette or customs to respect Safety in Philippines Getting around in Philippines Keep in mind before you leave Embassy addresses and contacts in Australia Travel with Wise

Philippines entry requirement for Australians and Australia residents

Depending on where you go, a visit to many countries around the globe can require some extra preparation to be able to step foot across the border. For an Australian to travel to the Philippines, the requirements are as follows.

Do Australians or Australia residents need a visa to visit the Philippines

Australian citizens do not need a visa to travel to the Philippines for up to 30 days for tourism or business purposes. Australian residents that hold a different nationality may be able to enter visa free depending on their nationality.² If you have another reason to visit the Philippines such as study, work or permanent relocation, a visa is a must have.

Currency in Philippines and accepted payment methods

The local currency used is the Philippine Peso (PHP). At the time of writing, based on the mid-market exchange rate used by Wise, AUD$1.00 is equivalent to PHP 38.41.

Cash is the most popular payment method that is preferred by locals.⁹ You will be able to use debit or credit cards at major retailers however don’t expect them to be accepted everywhere.

Customs in Philippines

Even though a visa for short trips is not required, before you arrive there are a few things you’ll need to organise to pass through customs.

Passport requirements

It is a requirement that all arriving passengers must have 6 months validity left on their passport.³

E-travel declaration

All arrivals and departures to the Philippines, whether a foreign national or Filipino, need to complete an online E-Travel declaration. This can be done up to 72 hours before arrival. It captures passenger data for customs, health status and economic purposes. It is free to complete.⁴

Onward or return travel

The Filipino authorities may request to see proof of any onward or return travel back to Australia that is booked within the 30 day visa free window.³

Cash declaration

It is a requirement to declare local currency of PHP50,000 (Philippine Pesos) or foreign currency that equals over $10,000 USD. This needs to be declared to the Bureau of Customs officers when arriving or leaving the Philippines.³

How to apply for Visas, e-visas or entry permits

If you fall in love with the Philippines and want to extend your trip a little longer after you arrive past the 30 days, you can request an extended stay at the Bureau of Immigration.⁵

For all other visit purposes, you will need to apply for the relevant visa type through the online visa portal. The initial process for all visas required you to provide⁶:

1. A photo that meets the Filipino visa processing requirements
2. A completed application form

Once a confirmation receipt is received by an applicant, then the embassy or consular will contact you to arrange the next steps based on visa type being applied for.

Costs for entry and required permits

There are no costs to entry to the Philippines for Australians just planning to visit for up to 30 days. Here is a breakdown of some of the fees for popular visa types that require longer stays. ⁷

Visa type	Stay length	Fees (AUD)
Temporary visa	Up to 59 days single entry Multiple entry - 6 month Multiple entry - 1 year	$54 $108 $162
Student	Applicant dependent	$450
Pre-arranged employment visa	Applicant dependent	$720
Investor resident Retiree resident	Applicant dependent	$720 $720

Fees applicable as of 20 October 2024

All other visa types and fees can be found on the relevant Philippine embassy website.

Vaccinations required to travel to Philippines from Australia

There are a few vaccinations that are recommended before travelling to the Philippines from Australia. These are⁸:

• Yellow Fever
• Measles
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Typhoid
• Influenza

You should organise to get a few vaccinations at least 8 weeks out from travelling.¹ It is not a requirement anymore to present proof of COVID-19 vaccination on entry.

Flying to Philippines from Australia

There are approximately 28 airlines that fly to the Philippines from Australia per week on a direct or one-stop basis.⁹ You can get direct flights from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth to the capital Manilla.

A direct flight takes around:

7.5 hours from Brisbane or Perth
or up to 9.5 hours from Melbourne or Sydney

If you plan to visit some of the more popular destinations such as Cebu, Boracay or other island destinations, you’ll likely need to transfer in Manilla or a surrounding country airport.

English spoken

There are over 150 recognised languages spoken in the Philippines with Filipino or Tagalog being the national language. English is widely spoken and is also an official language.¹ Australians should have minimal trouble getting around or communicating with the local population.

Useful apps to have before travelling to Philippines

Each country has a whole range of popular and useful apps to make their lives easier. Here are some apps that you can download before your trip.

Essentials

There are some apps that you just need to have to make your life easier in the Philippines.

• Google Maps (also offline downloads)
• Google translate
• Philippine Tourism Board App
• MAPS.ME

For getting around

If you don’t plan on walking absolutely everywhere, you’ll need some options to get around. There are apps for ride-sharing, and to navigate public transport. These include:

• Grab
• Sakay.ph
• Micab
• Angkas

Eating out or in

You’ll want to try all the delicacies you can find on your trip to the Philippines. You can do this by having a look through these apps:

• FoodPanda
• Grab
• Booky

Accommodation or tours

When it comes to places to stay or things to do, some local apps to book accommodation or tours include:

• Klook
• Traveloka
• RedDoorz

This list is not exhaustive and you may find some other great apps that are useful for your trip by doing your own research.

Top tourist locations in Philippines

The Philippines is a paradise for travellers, offering a mix of vibrant cities, cultural landmarks, and breathtaking beaches. Here are some of the top tourist spots to visit in Manila, Cebu, and Boracay.

Manila

As the capital of the Philippines, Manila is a bustling metropolis rich in history and modern attractions. The top spots include:

1. Intramuros walled area
2. Rizal Park
3. National Museum of the Philippines
4. Binondo (Chinatown)
5. Quinta markets

Cebu

Cebu is a province known for its rich culture, historical landmarks, and stunning beaches. Top attractions include:

1. Magellan’s Cross
2. Basílica del Santo Niño
3. Kawasan Falls
4. Osmeña Peak

Boracay

Boracay is a small island that is famous for its powdery white sand beaches and vibrant nightlife. Key spots include:

1. White Beach, known as the the crown jewel of Boracay
2. Puka Beach
3. Bulabog Beach
4. Mount Luho for those that want to reach the highest point on Boracay

The options mentioned above are just a snippet of the amazing things you can do across these 3 hot spots. There are so many other fantastic things to see and do, but it really depends on your interests.

Hidden “non-touristy” locations to visit

For those that enjoy some quieter, off-the-beaten-path experiences, here are some non-touristy places to check out, including the associated region.

1. Siargao Island (Surigao del Norte)
2. Calle Crisologo (Vigan)
3. Siquijor Island
4. Batanes (Northern Luzon)
5. Lake Sebu (South Cotabato)
6. Sagada (Mountain Province)
7. Kalanggaman Island (Leyte)
8. Bohol’s Anda
9. Tawi-Tawi (Bangsamoro)

Each island has their own quirks and activity options to suit all types of travellers. This extends to the larger cities, where you can get lost in the local culture when you explore away from the main tourist spots.

Local etiquette or customs to respect

There are some local customs that should be respected. In Filipino culture, personal questions are often asked as a sign of interest or friendliness, and it's perfectly fine to reciprocate by asking similar questions.

However, prolonged direct eye contact and staring are considered rude. Filipinos also place great importance on dignity and pride, so public displays of anger, or disrespect, particularly towards someone's rank or status, may cause a "loss of face.”¹⁰

Safety in Philippines

According to the Australian Government Smart Traveller website, the Philippines is generally safe for tourists. However travellers should exercise caution, especially in some areas. The government advises against travel to the Mindanao region, including the Sulu Archipelago, due to risks of terrorism, kidnapping, and civil unrest.

Pickpocketing and petty crime is common in crowded areas. It’s important to stay updated on local travel advisories, and follow the guidance of local authorities to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.³

Getting around in Philippines

As mentioned, there are quite a few airlines that can take you to the Philippines from Australia. The most popular ones are:

• Philippine Airlines
• Qantas
• China Southern
• Cathay Pacific
• Cebu Pacific

To get around internally, particularly if you are looking to visit one of the many beautiful islands, a domestic airline is a good option to better known island destinations such as Cebu or Boracay. Smaller airlines include:

• PAL Express,
• Philippines AirAsia
• Airswift
• SkyJet

To get around Manilla, there are plenty of public transport options including buses, trains and taxis. This system is also complemented by ride sharing services, especially with motorbikes that can be ordered to beat the frantic traffic that can occur around the capital. On and around the islands, there are trikes and boats as well that can help you get around.

Keep in mind before you leave

You can’t always predict what's going to happen when you’re abroad, but there are a few things you can do before you leave.

1. Check the Australian Government Smart Traveller website and other government advisories for up-to-date information on any evolving situations.
2. Make sure your passport has at least 6 months left on it and any pre-arrival forms are filled out.
3. Let your bank know your travel plans, including timing and destinations.
4. Organise multiple payment methods for the “just in case situations”
5. Purchase travel insurance that covers all your trip needs
6. Get to know the local customs so you know what's appropriate and not appropriate
7. Organise a travel sim or have a roaming plan for how people can communicate with you abroad

The best thing you can do is plan where you can. It will make your life easier if something does go belly up on your holiday.

Embassy addresses and contacts in Australia

You may need to make contact with the Philippines Embassy or consulate about your trip. This is especially true if you need to apply for a visa. Here are the contact points in Australia.

Embassy/Consulate	Address	Phone
Embassy of Philippines	1 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600, Australia	+61 (02) 62732535
Consular General of the Philippines NSW	Level 1, Philippine Center 27-33 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney, NSW 2000	+61 (02) 9262 7377
Consular General of the Philippines VIC	Level 10, 257 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000	+61 (03) 8375 9646
Consular General of the Philippines NT	22 Mirrakma Crescent , Lyons, NT 0810	+61 (08) 8927 3926
Consulate of Philippines QLD	Level 11, 269 Wickham Street , Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006	+61 480 489 679
Consulate of Philippines SA	Level 1 43 Franklin Street, Adelaide, SA 5000	+61 421 416 637
Consulate of Philippines TAS	Ground Floor , 146 Campbell Street , Hobart, TAS 7000	+61 419 608 124
Consulate of Philippines WA	Unit 1, 160 Burswood Road , Burswood, WA 6100	+61 425 186 131

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Sources:

1. National Geographic Philippines
2. Philippines DFA Visa-free
3. Smart Traveller Philippines
4. Philippines e-travel
5. Philippines embassy info
6. Philippines visa process
7. Philippines Visa fees
8. Travel Vax Philippines
9. Flights Philippines
10. Philippines etiquette

Sources checked on: 20 October 2024