Home › Leaving the Philippines › How Much Does It Cost?
Two small fees surprise many travelers at the airport: the Travel Tax and the Terminal Fee. The good news for most tourists: you probably pay neither. The rules depend on how long you stayed and what visa you hold.
💡 The Short Answer: Tourists who stayed less than 1 year are exempt from the Travel Tax. The Terminal Fee is already included in most airline tickets at major airports like Manila (NAIA), Cebu (Mactan), and Clark. Long-term residents usually pay the Travel Tax.
The Two Fees, Explained Simply
🧾 The Travel Tax
A government tax on passengers flying out of the Philippines. It is collected by TIEZA (Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority).
₱1,620 (economy) · ₱2,700 (first class)
Who pays it? Filipino citizens, and foreign residents (holders of long-term visas like SRRV, 13A, or 9G). Also, foreigners who stayed in the Philippines for more than 1 year.
🛫 The Terminal Fee (Passenger Service Charge)
A fee for using the airport. At Manila, Cebu, Clark, and Davao airports, it is already included in your airline ticket price. You pay nothing at the airport.
₱100 – ₱750 (only at smaller airports)
Who pays it? Everyone — but usually inside the ticket. A few smaller regional airports still collect it in cash at a separate counter. Check your ticket for the words “Passenger Service Charge”.
Who Is Exempt from the Travel Tax?
🟢 You do NOT pay the Travel Tax if you are:
- A foreign tourist who stayed less than 1 year.
- A Balikbayan (former Filipino or eligible family member) who stayed less than 1 year.
- An Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW).
- A child under 2 years old.
- A passenger in transit (staying under 24 hours in the airport).
How is the exemption applied? Usually automatically. The airline checks your passport and visa status at check-in. If the system flags you as exempt, the tax simply does not appear on your ticket.
What If You Do Owe the Travel Tax?
- Pay online through the TIEZA travel tax portal before your flight (easiest option), or
- Pay at the airport at the TIEZA desk before check-in. Arrive early — the desk can have a line.
- Keep the receipt with your passport until you board.
🗣️ The Reality: What Long-Term Expats Wish They Knew
- “I have an SRRV, so I’m exempt” — not true. Retirement, marriage, and work visa holders are treated as residents. You pay the Travel Tax on every international flight, even short trips home.
- The 1-year rule counts total stay. If you extended your tourist visa past 365 days, you lose the exemption. The airline system may charge you at check-in.
- Check your ticket before the airport. Search your e-ticket for “Travel Tax” and “Passenger Service Charge”. Knowing what is included saves you from surprise payments at the counter.
- Balikbayans: bring proof of stay length. If the airline system wrongly charges you, showing your BB entry stamp (less than 1 year) at the TIEZA desk usually fixes it.
Did your airline include the fees in your ticket?
Look at your last e-ticket. Did you see “Travel Tax” or “Passenger Service Charge” listed? Your answer helps other travelers budget correctly.