✈️ Book now, pay later — secure your holiday with a low deposit and pay the balance before you travel— low deposit, balance before travel
How it works →T&Cs apply. A deposit secures your booking and the remaining balance is paid in scheduled instalments before you travel. Deposits are non-refundable in line with our cancellation policy.
Philippines
ATOL Protected · IATA Accredited
Get a fast fare quote to Philippines — speak to our UK flight experts for the best fares.
ATOL Protected · IATA Accredited · UK travel experts
Flights and flight-inclusive holidays are financially protected via our licensed ATOL supplier partners.
Low Deposit
Secure your Philippines trip with a low deposit and pay the balance before you travel — a simple payment schedule arranged directly with our UK team, with no third party and nothing to apply for.
T&Cs apply. A deposit secures your booking and the remaining balance is paid in scheduled instalments before you travel. Deposits are non-refundable in line with our cancellation policy.
Philippines
Limestone karst lagoons, hidden caves, and turquoise bays in El Nido; WWII Japanese shipwreck diving in crystal-clear Coron — the Philippines' most extraordinary double act.
Four kilometres of powder-white sand with calm, reef-sheltered turquoise shallows, legendary sunsets, and excellent dining — Southeast Asia's most celebrated beach.
More than 1,268 perfect conical hills that turn chocolate-brown in the dry season, plus the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary — one of the world's smallest and most endearing primates.
Two-thousand-year-old Ifugao terraces carved by hand from the Cordillera mountains — a UNESCO Cultural Landscape still actively farmed today.
Fort Santiago, cobblestone colonial streets, and the San Agustin Church (1607) — the oldest stone church in the Philippines and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, within the sixteenth-century Spanish walled city.
The Philippines' surf capital: Cloud 9's barrelling reef break for surfers; Magpupungko rock pools, Sugba Lagoon, and island hopping for everyone else.
UNESCO Tubbataha Reef liveaboards (Mar–Jun); thresher sharks at Malapascua; whale sharks in the wild at Donsol (regulated, no feeding); sea turtles at Apo Island marine sanctuary.
Explore
Limestone karst lagoons, hidden caves, and turquoise bays in El Nido; WWII Japanese shipwreck diving in crystal-clear Coron — the Philippines' most extraordinary double act.
Four kilometres of powder-white sand with calm, reef-sheltered turquoise shallows, legendary sunsets, and excellent dining — Southeast Asia's most celebrated beach.
More than 1,268 perfect conical hills that turn chocolate-brown in the dry season, plus the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary — one of the world's smallest and most endearing primates.
Two-thousand-year-old Ifugao terraces carved by hand from the Cordillera mountains — a UNESCO Cultural Landscape still actively farmed today.
Fort Santiago, cobblestone colonial streets, and the San Agustin Church (1607) — the oldest stone church in the Philippines and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, within the sixteenth-century Spanish walled city.
The Philippines' surf capital: Cloud 9's barrelling reef break for surfers; Magpupungko rock pools, Sugba Lagoon, and island hopping for everyone else.
UNESCO Tubbataha Reef liveaboards (Mar–Jun); thresher sharks at Malapascua; whale sharks in the wild at Donsol (regulated, no feeding); sea turtles at Apo Island marine sanctuary.
Travel Essentials
Visa & Entry
UK passport holders enter the Philippines visa-free for stays up to 30 days. However, all arrivals must register a mandatory free eTravel QR code at etravel.gov.ph within 72 hours of arrival — this is checked at immigration. Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your departure date. Proof of onward or return travel is required. Always verify current requirements at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/philippines before travel.
Money & Currency
The Philippine Peso (PHP) is the currency. The Philippines is largely a cash economy — credit cards work in major hotels and malls but most local restaurants, boat operators, and island guesthouses are cash-only. ATMs are plentiful in Manila and Cebu City but scarce on smaller islands; carry a cash buffer when island-hopping. USD is recognised at tourist hubs but PHP is the practical currency for day-to-day spending.
Language
English is an official language of the Philippines alongside Filipino (Tagalog), taught from primary school and used in government, business, and tourism. Communication is straightforward throughout the tourist trail — menus, signage, and directions are routinely available in English. Filipino hospitality is genuinely among Asia's warmest and most welcoming.
Best Time to Visit
November to April is the dry season — the recommended travel window. December to February is coolest (25–28°C) and most comfortable. March to May brings hotter temperatures but excellent diving visibility. June to October is typhoon and wet season: lower fares but storm risk and reduced visibility. Check PAGASA forecasts for current conditions during the wet season.
Getting Around
Domestic flights on Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and AirAsia Philippines connect Manila to all major islands in 45–90 minutes. Fast-craft ferries link Cebu to Bohol and surrounding islands. Bangka (outrigger) boats handle island-hopping in Palawan and the Visayas. Grab (ride-hailing) works in Manila and Cebu. Travel Orbit pre-arranges all inter-island logistics as part of Philippines itinerary design.
Health, Safety & Connectivity
No mandatory vaccinations for UK travellers from the UK; consult your GP before travel (hepatitis A, typhoid, and tetanus generally recommended). Dengue fever is present — use repellent and wear long sleeves at dawn/dusk. Drink bottled or filtered water. FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago — check gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/philippines. Globe and Smart SIM cards (and eSIMs) provide 4G coverage across main tourist areas.
Airlines
Why Travel Orbit
Travel Orbit is a UK travel agency arranging bespoke flights, holiday packages and Umrah for the diaspora community and beyond. You get wholesale fares, a real expert who plans around your family and your budget, and the reassurance of ATOL financial protection on flight-inclusive trips.
From visiting family in Africa to once-in-a-lifetime journeys, every trip is built by hand and backed by real people — not a booking engine.
Every flight-inclusive trip is financially protected under our ATOL cover, arranged through our licensed supplier partners — so your money and your holiday are safe.
Why Book With Travel Orbit
The difference feels obvious when the trip matters.
UK expert
Dedicated specialist
Self-serve booking
Fare access
Tailored wholesale sourcing
Public shelf prices
Protection
ATOL via licensed partners
Provider-dependent
Pay later
Available on selected trips
Not usually offered
Flights, holiday packages and Umrah built around your dates, budget and travel style by a real UK travel expert — never a one-size-fits-all algorithm.
We know visiting-family and diaspora travel to Africa and beyond — multi-city routings, generous baggage and the dates that matter to your family.
Real people on WhatsApp and the phone — before you book, while you travel and after you land. No call centres, no chatbots.
Every flight-inclusive trip is financially protected under our ATOL cover, arranged through our licensed supplier partners — so your money and your holiday are safe.
Flights, holiday packages and Umrah built around your dates, budget and travel style by a real UK travel expert — never a one-size-fits-all algorithm.
We know visiting-family and diaspora travel to Africa and beyond — multi-city routings, generous baggage and the dates that matter to your family.
Real people on WhatsApp and the phone — before you book, while you travel and after you land. No call centres, no chatbots.
Airports
| Code | Airport | City | Airlines Served |
|---|---|---|---|
| MNL | Ninoy Aquino International Airport | Manila | Qatar Airways, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, Philippine Airlines, Turkish Airlines |
| CEB | Mactan–Cebu International Airport | Cebu | Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific |
| CRK | Clark International Airport | Angeles City | Philippine Airlines |
Best Time to Visit
Dec–Feb
Peak Dry Season
Peak seasonCoolest and most comfortable (25–28°C); festive atmosphere; best beach conditions
Mar–May
Hot & Dry
Shoulder seasonExcellent diving visibility; hot mid-30s; quieter beaches outside Philippine holidays
Jun–Sep
Wet / Typhoon
Low seasonLowest fares; storm risk; reduced diving visibility; some routes/islands close
Oct–Nov
Shoulder
Shoulder seasonRains easing; good value; dry season approaching; increasingly good conditions
Routes
| From | Type | To | Airline | Est. Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London Heathrow (LHR) | 1 Stop | Manila (MNL) | Qatar Airways via Doha (DOH) | 17h 00m |
| London Heathrow (LHR) | 1 Stop | Manila (MNL) | Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong (HKG) | 16h 30m |
| London Heathrow (LHR) | 1 Stop | Manila (MNL) | Emirates via Dubai (DXB) | 18h 00m |
| London Heathrow (LHR) | 1 Stop | Manila (MNL) | Singapore Airlines via Singapore (SIN) | 18h 30m |
| London Heathrow (LHR) | 1 Stop | Manila (MNL) | Etihad Airways via Abu Dhabi (AUH) | 18h 00m |
Philippines at a Glance
| Flight time from UK | ~16–18h via one stop (no UK nonstop service) |
|---|---|
| Best time to visit | Nov–Apr (dry season); avoid Jun–Oct typhoon/wet season |
| Visa requirements | Visa-free up to 30 days; mandatory eTravel QR (register within 72h of arrival) |
| Currency | Philippine Peso (PHP) |
| Language | Filipino (Tagalog) & English |
| Time zone | PHT (UTC+8); no daylight saving |
| Plug type | Types A/B/C, 220V/60Hz |
No. UK passport holders enter the Philippines visa-free for stays of up to 30 days. However, all travellers must register a mandatory free eTravel QR code before arrival via etravel.gov.ph — this is checked at immigration. Register within 72 hours of your scheduled arrival date. For stays beyond 30 days, extensions are available from the Bureau of Immigration in-country. Always verify current entry requirements before travel via the official UK government foreign travel advice for the Philippines at gov.uk.
There is currently no UK nonstop service to Manila. Total journey time from London is approximately 16 to 18 hours via one stop. Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong is among the faster routings (around 16h 30m); Qatar Airways via Doha, Emirates via Dubai, Singapore Airlines via Singapore, and Etihad via Abu Dhabi are all around 17 to 18.5 hours. Travel Orbit compares all routings for the best combination of price, layover comfort, and baggage allowance for your dates.
November to April is the dry season across most of the archipelago and the most comfortable time to travel. December to February is the coolest (25–28°C), with festive atmosphere and excellent beach conditions. March to May is hotter but has outstanding diving visibility and quieter beaches outside Philippine school holidays. June to October is typhoon and wet season — lower fares but storm risk. Always check PAGASA typhoon forecasts if travelling in the wet season.
A classic first-timer combination is Manila (one or two nights for Intramuros and city orientation) + Palawan (El Nido island-hopping, three to five nights) + Boracay (White Beach relaxation, two to three nights). If your interest is diving, add Cebu as a base for Malapascua (thresher sharks) or Moalboal (sardine run). For culture and landscapes, Bohol (Chocolate Hills + tarsiers + Panglao beaches) is a superb one-week focus. Travel Orbit tailors the island combination to your travel style and schedule.
Yes, on both counts. For honeymooners, Palawan (El Nido resorts + Coron) offers some of the most romantic tropical scenery in Asia — private lagoon tours, overwater and cliff-edge cottages, and outstanding dining for a tropical island. Boracay's White Beach is excellent for couples who want beautiful sand, watersports, and lively sunsets. For families, Boracay's calm shallows are ideal for young swimmers; Bohol's Chocolate Hills and tarsier sanctuary are huge hits with children; and Manila provides easy airport logistics with family-friendly malls and the Intramuros history circuit.
Ten to fourteen days is the recommended minimum for a meaningful multi-island trip — the long-haul flight (16–18h) rewards a longer stay. A typical ten-day itinerary covers Manila (2 nights), El Nido/Palawan (4 nights), and Boracay (3 nights) with domestic flights bridging the islands. Fourteen days allows the addition of Bohol or Siargao. Experienced travellers and divers sometimes spend three to four weeks across multiple islands; the Philippines rewards extended exploration.
There are no UK nonstop services to Manila — all routings involve one stop, which means total journey times of 16 to 18 hours. Fares vary significantly by carrier, season, and booking lead time. Qatar Airways (via Doha), Emirates (via Dubai), Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong), and Singapore Airlines (via Singapore) are the most popular options from the UK. Contact Travel Orbit for a personalised fare quote — we compare all routings for the best combination of price, layover comfort, and baggage allowance.
The typhoon and wet season (June to October) typically offers lower fares as demand drops, though storm risk and reduced diving visibility are drawbacks. January to April is the dry season peak — outstanding weather but higher demand and fares, especially over UK school holidays. Booking eight or more weeks ahead and avoiding the Philippine peak periods (Holy Week in April and the Christmas window) gives the best chance of competitive fares for a long-haul trip.
No UK airline currently operates nonstop to Manila. The main connecting options are Qatar Airways (via Doha), Emirates (via Dubai), Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong — one of the faster routings at around 16h 30m), Singapore Airlines (via Singapore), Etihad (via Abu Dhabi), and Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul). Travel Orbit compares all options for the best combination of fare, layover comfort, and baggage allowance for your dates.
ATOL Protected · IATA Accredited · financial protection on flight-inclusive bookings
Flights and flight-inclusive holidays are financially protected via our licensed ATOL supplier partners.
