Cheap Flights in the Philippines: Seat Sales and Booking Tips
Seat sales, fare alerts, baggage tricks and travel tax rules: a practical guide to cheaper domestic and international flights from Cebu, Davao and Manila.
In this article
The best way to find cheap flights in the Philippines is to book directly during airline seat sales, travel light and stay flexible on dates. Agencies like ASAP Tickets can be useful for long-haul trips to the Philippines, but for flights within the country you will usually save the most by booking directly during airline seat sales and adding only the baggage you need. Here is how to find cheap flights, whether you are flying Cebu to Davao or abroad.
Cheap flights in the Philippines: agencies vs booking direct
ASAP Tickets is a US-based travel agency known for selling long-haul international fares, including many routes to Manila and Cebu. Agencies of this type sometimes have access to negotiated or combined fares that do not appear on airline websites, and their agents can build complex itineraries by phone.
For most travellers the choice looks like this:
| Booking method | Best for | Things to check |
|---|---|---|
| Travel agency (such as ASAP Tickets) | Long-haul trips from North America, multi-city routes, help over the phone | Total price with fees, change and refund rules, which airline actually operates each flight |
| Airline website or app | Domestic flights, seat sales, simple round trips | Fare type, baggage allowance, add-on fees |
| Online travel agencies and metasearch | Comparing many airlines at once | Hidden fees, customer service when plans change |
The main airlines for cheap flights in the Philippines
Cebu Pacific
Cebu Pacific is the country's largest low-cost airline and is famous for its seat sales, including the well-known "Piso Fare" promotions where the base fare is very low and you mainly pay taxes and fees. It has hubs in Manila, Cebu and other cities and flies an extensive domestic network, including Cebu-Davao.
Philippine Airlines (PAL)
The national flag carrier offers full-service flights, with domestic routes also operated by its regional arm. Its cheapest economy fares are often competitive with low-cost carriers once you add baggage, and it runs its own promos. Read the history of Philippine Airlines for background.
AirAsia Philippines
Part of the AirAsia group, it flies domestic and regional routes from Manila, Cebu and other airports, and regularly runs sales, sometimes with very low promotional fares.
When to book for the lowest fares
There is no magic day, but these patterns help:
- Seat sales: airlines announce big sales several times a year, often for travel months later. Follow the airlines' official social media pages and sign up for newsletters.
- Book early for peak dates: Christmas, New Year, Holy Week (Semana Santa), long weekends and big festivals like Sinulog (January) and Kadayawan (August) sell out fast.
- Fly off-peak: early morning and late evening flights, and mid-week dates, are often cheaper.
- Be flexible: use calendar views on airline sites to compare dates across a month.
- Set fare alerts: metasearch tools and airline apps can notify you when a route drops in price.
Use our festival calendar to avoid, or plan around, the busiest dates.
Baggage add-on strategy
Low base fares often include only a carry-on bag, typically around 7 kg on low-cost carriers. Checked baggage is extra, and it is almost always cheaper to add it when booking online than at the airport.
- Weigh your bag at home and buy only the allowance you need.
- If you are flying with family, check whether one larger allowance is cheaper than several smaller ones.
- Wear your heaviest shoes and jacket on the plane.
- Remember pasalubong boxes count as baggage on the way home.
Check our guide to what you can bring on flights before you pack.
Cebu to Davao flights
The Cebu-Davao route is one of the busiest domestic links in the south. Flights from Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao take a little over an hour in the air.
| Detail | Approximate guide |
|---|---|
| Airlines | Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines (schedules vary) |
| Flight time | About 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes |
| One-way fare during sales | Roughly ₱1,000-₱2,500 including taxes |
| One-way fare at regular times | Roughly ₱2,000-₱5,000+ depending on season and how early you book |
These ranges are approximate and change constantly; always confirm on the airline website. Prefer to stay on the ground? See our guide to Davao to Cebu by land and sea.
Philippine travel tax: what to know
Filipino citizens, and some foreign residents who have stayed in the Philippines more than a year, generally must pay a travel tax when leaving the country. The amount for economy class has for years been around ₱1,620 and higher for first class, but always confirm with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (tieza.gov.ph), which collects it.
- Some tickets include the travel tax; many do not, especially when bought abroad or through agencies.
- Exemptions and reduced rates exist for overseas Filipino workers, certain students and others with the right documents.
- Airport terminal fees for international departures are generally included in the ticket price.
Before any international trip, also complete the eTravel registration required for arrivals and departures.
Quick checklist for cheaper flights
- Compare the agency price with the airline's own website.
- Sign up for airline newsletters and follow official pages for seat sales.
- Book peak-season trips early.
- Add baggage online, not at the airport.
- Check whether travel tax is included.
- Read the change and refund rules before paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ASAP Tickets good for flights to the Philippines?
ASAP Tickets is a travel agency that many travellers use for long-haul fares to the Philippines, especially from North America. Compare its total price and change rules with booking directly with the airline before you pay.
When is the cheapest time to book flights in the Philippines?
The cheapest fares usually appear during airline seat sales, often months before the travel date. Off-peak travel days and early or late flights are also cheaper.
How much is a flight from Cebu to Davao?
Fares change constantly, but one-way tickets often fall roughly between ₱1,000 and ₱5,000 depending on season, sales and how early you book. Check the airline websites for current prices.
Do I need to pay travel tax for domestic flights?
No. The Philippine travel tax applies to international departures by Filipino citizens and certain residents, not to domestic flights.
