Currency in the Philippines
A Travel Money Guide to the Philippines
Relax on the pristine beaches of Boracay Islands, swim with gentle whale sharks of Cebu, trek through the mud-walled rice terraces in Banuae or take in the sights of Manilla are all enticing reasons to visit the Philippines. But it isn’t a budget destination and to get the most out of your trip, it’s a good idea to learn everything you can about the local currency and payment options before you go.
Learn more about the Philippine currency and how to get your hands on it for the best value:
What Currency is Used in the Philippines?
The official currency in the Philippines is the Philippine Peso, which is represented with symbol ₱ and the international code PHP.
The Philippines currency has 6 banknotes have 7 denominations: ₱5, ₱10 ₱20, ₱50, ₱100, ₱200, ₱500 and ₱1000.
Philippine peso can be divided into 100 centavos and has 4 coin denominations: 1¢ 5¢, 10¢ and 25¢.
Using Your Bank Card in the Philippines
Most Filipino businesses are well set up to receive card payments. Some of the best travel money cards include debit, credit and prepaid cards. But before you use your bank card willy-nilly, it’s worth reading up on the fees and charges you might incur.
Debit Cards
You’ll probably want a debit card if you plan to withdraw money from an ATM. While you may also be able to pay with a debit card in some businesses in the major destinations, you might discover some hefty fees on your account summary.
Depending on your bank, you could be hit with fees for foreign ATM withdrawals or currency conversions. But some banks are better than others; we recommend checking out Wise, ING and Revolut, all of which have travel-friendly debit cards that waive these charges.
Credit Cards
Credit cards can come with some enticing perks, including added security, loyalty programs, and even free travel insurance.
But are they worth it?
Major local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, airline offices, and department stores, accept credit cards. But you might have to pay a surcharge.
Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted. You may also be able to use your American Express card, though local ATMs won’t accept them.
Just be aware of additional charges you may incur for foreign transactions. These could include:
- International transaction fees
- High exchange rate margins
- ATM fees
- Potential ‘cash advance fees’ if you use an ATM
If you still prefer credit cards over any other payment, consider going with a company that offers cards that waive certain travel fees. Bankwest Platinum and 28 Degrees both have travel-friendly cards.
Prepaid Travel Cards
The biggest advantages of prepaid travel cards are that you can lock in a favourable exchange rate. You also get a handy back-up card.
Just remember that while they are convenient, you could end up paying a long list of hidden fees. Many travel cards still impose:
- Currency conversion fees
- Uncompetitive exchange rates
- International ATM withdrawal fees
- Initial load fees
- Reload fees
- Inactivity fees
How to Buy Philippine Peso Before You Go
There’s a certain reassurance that comes with stepping off the plane (or cruise ship) already cashed up with Philippine Peso.
Buying Philippine Peso before you leave Australian shores isn’t just convenient. It can also save you money. But it all depends on where you get your Philippine currency in Australia. There are three main options:
- Buy PHP online and have it delivered or collect it in-store
- Swap Philippines pesos for Australian dollars from a money changer
- Buy your Philippines currency at your home airport
Try S Money or a similar online currency exchange store to get rates that reflect the comparisons you see on XE or Google.
If you choose online delivery or in-store pickup, check the processing time. Some exchange companies with online options suggest you allow between two and five days to process currency.
Prefer in-store currency exchange? Head to the CBD of your nearest city for the most competitive exchange rates; suburban bureau de change outlets tend to have poorer rates and fees.
Currency exchange counters in Australia’s airports are infamous for their atrocious exchange rates. Avoid them if you can.
AUD to PHP
The Average Cost to Travel Around the Philippines
To get the most out of your time in the Philippines, you’ll want to create a budget and make sure your savings stretch as far as possible.
To give you an idea of a reasonable budget, we’ve listed the average prices of some common items and experiences you’ll have while in the Philippines.
The average daily travel budget in the Philippines is about $160. Some of the expenses you might be looking at include:
$100
A room in a guesthouse
$15
Two-course meal at a nice restaurant
$3
A local beer
$0.50
Car rental
$42
Entertainment
How to Exchange Currency in the Philippines
Places like Manila, and Cebu City receive great numbers of tourists, so there are facilities to cater to money exchanges. Beyond these major destinations, it’s best to get cash before you venture into remote territory.
ATMs
Outside the big cities finding an ATM can be difficult. You need to take cash to the islands as there might only be one internationally networked ATM in popular islands like Palawan or Panglao.
Card skimming is an issue in the Philippines, so cover your hand when entering in your 4 digit pin. Bank of Philippines ad Banco de Oro are normally safe bets for tourists.
Depending on your bank, you may have to pay for overseas ATM withdrawals and currency conversions. To reduce the amount you’ll pay in fees, try to withdraw just the right amount of money you’ll need for the duration of your trip.
Don’t forget: Let your bank know you’re travelling! If they detect a foreign transaction but aren’t aware you’re overseas, they could end up freezing your card.
Currency Exchange in the Philippines
There are money changers in the Philippines and the safest are in major malls like SM (super malls), Robinsons (one of the largest shopping malls in the Philippines), SM Hypermarket and Savemore. However they don’t exchange from peso to dollar, its only dollar to peso.
Other money changers are located in the big cities and not part of a chain ad tend to offer marginally better rates than banks as many banks charge flat fees per transaction. Most of them will have a board showing the exchange rates at the front of the shop.
Travellers Cheques
Not worth the bother! Travellers cheques are so outdated, very few banks even accept them any more.
They can’t be used as direct payment, so the only way to use them once you’re in the country is to swap them for currency at a bank or bureau de change office. Even then, very few banks will accept travellers cheques if you don’t have an account with them. And exchange services apply exorbitant fees and rates to them.
Track the best time to buy Philippine Peso
We match the currency exchange rate with the rate shown on Google or Xe. In real time.
This means you never pay over-inflated rates and can be 100% positive you are getting the most competitive rate for currency exchange.
- Check out the daily rates:
