Cheapest Time to Fly to the Philippines (and the Most Expensive)
The cheapest time to fly to the Philippines is usually late January–March and select fall weeks—while Christmas/New Year, Holy Week, and summer travel are often the priciest.
Cheapest months to fly to the Philippines from the US, the most expensive weeks to avoid, booking tips, and a seasonal flight demand chart.
Flights to the Philippines can swing a lot—mostly because it’s a long-haul route and the cheapest seats disappear fast around holiday travel weeks. If you’re flexible with dates (even by a few days), you can often save a noticeable amount.
Quick Take
- Cheapest time to fly to the Philippines: late January–March, May (some weeks), September, and November–early December
- Most expensive time to fly to the Philippines: late December–early January, March–April (Holy Week timing), and June–August
Cheapest Time to Fly to the Philippines
The best deals usually pop up when you’re outside the big holiday waves and the summer travel rush.
Late January to March (Post-holiday deal season)
After New Year travel wraps up, pricing often cools down. This is one of the more reliable stretches to find better fares—especially into Manila (MNL).
Money-saving tip: Midweek departures: Tuesday–Thursday flights often price better than weekend-heavy dates.
Note: Holy Week timing: if Holy Week lands in late March or early April, prices can start rising earlier than usual.
May (Deal-friendly weeks before peak summer)
May can be a sneaky good month for flight pricing—especially if you avoid holiday weekends and travel mid-month.
Money-saving tip: Avoid long weekends: price-check the second and third weeks of May.
Note: Heat and humidity: May can feel hot—great for airfare odds, not everyone’s favorite on the ground.
September (After summer demand drops)
Once summer travel fades, September often brings better pricing odds again. It’s also a month where shifting your dates by 1–2 days can pay off big.
Money-saving tip: Date-shift test: compare leaving a day earlier vs. later—prices can change fast on long-haul routes.
Note: Storm season: some travelers avoid this time, which can help prices—just keep your plans flexible.
November to Early December (Pre-holiday lull)
This is frequently one of the best value windows—right before year-end travel demand kicks in.
Money-saving tip: Return before the surge: coming home before mid-December usually protects your total price.
Note: Thanksgiving week: can run higher for US travelers than the weeks around it.
Most Expensive Time to Fly to the Philippines
Prices climb when the biggest travel weeks overlap—especially when families are traveling and the cheapest fare buckets get booked up early.
Late December to Early January (Holiday rush)
This is typically the most expensive stretch of the year. Late-December departures and early-January returns often price at a premium.
Peak within peak: The week before Christmas through the first week of January.
March to April (Holy Week travel)
Holy Week can push prices up fast—especially if your dates include the buildup into the holiday or the return rush afterward.
Peak within peak: The days right before Holy Week and the weekend right after.
June to August (Summer travel)
Summer tends to have a higher price floor. Even when you find “decent” fares, they’re usually not as low as the quieter months.
Peak within peak: Late June through early August is often the toughest stretch for deals.
Want Good Weather Without Peak Flight Prices?
If you want a nicer trip window without paying holiday or summer-level airfare, these stretches are usually your best bets:
- February to early March: strong deal odds with comfortable timing in many areas
- May (mid-month): often better pricing before summer ramps up
- Late November to early December: reliable value window before the holiday surge
Best Booking Windows Save
Because it’s a long-haul trip, good deals don’t always hang around—especially on the best routes.
- Low/shoulder seasons: start tracking 3–6 months ahead
- Peak seasons (late December, Holy Week, summer): start tracking prices 6–10+ months ahead
- If your dates are set, set up Google Flights price alerts so you’ll get notified if the flights you need drop in price.
Extra tip: Check multiple arrival airports: Manila (MNL) is usually the cheaper, but Cebu (CEB) can sometimes be a better move if you’re headed to Southern Philippines.
Seasonal Flight Demand for the Philippines
Use this chart as a quick guide to the cheapest vs. priciest months to fly.
| Month | Demand Level | Price Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | High → Medium | High → Medium | Drops after early January travel |
| Feb | Low → Medium | Low → Medium | One of the better deal months |
| Mar | Medium → High | Medium → High | Can rise if Holy Week lands here |
| Apr | Medium → High | Medium → High | Holy Week timing can spike pricing |
| May | Medium | Medium | Often decent outside holiday weekends |
| Jun | High | High | Summer demand builds |
| Jul | High | High | Peak summer pricing |
| Aug | High → Medium | High → Medium | Can ease late month |
| Sep | Medium → Low | Medium → Low | Post-summer deal window |
| Oct | Medium | Medium | Steady pricing in many weeks |
| Nov | Low → Medium | Low → Medium | Strong deal month (avoid Thanksgiving week) |
| Dec | Medium → Very High | Medium → Very High | Early deals, then holiday surge |
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