Ever tried booking a trip during a Philippine holiday? You know the struggle – sky-high flight fares, fully booked hotels, and endless crowds. But don’t worry! With the right strategies, you can enjoy your public holidays in the Philippines without paying too much or feeling anxious.
This guide gives you the complete holiday list! Plus, get smart hacks on when to travel, where to go, and how to save!
Public Holidays Philippines 2026 at a Glance
Here’s the full list of official types of holidays: regular holiday or public holiday. Mark your calendar now and watch for long weekends you can turn into mini getaways!
Regular National Holidays
- New Year’s Day – January 1 (Thursday)
- Maundy Thursday – April 2
- Good Friday – April 3
- Easter Sunday – April 5
- Araw ng Kagitingan – April 9 (Thursday)
- Labor Day – May 1 (Friday)
- Independence Day – June 12, Friday
- Constitution Day – June 18, Thursday
- National Heroes Day – August 31 (Monday)
- Bonifacio Day – November 30 (Monday)
- Christmas Day – December 25 (Friday)
- Rizal Day – December 30 (Tuesday)
Special Non-Working Days
- Chinese New Year – February 17 (Tuesday)
- EDSA Revolution Anniversary – February 25 (Wednesday)
- Black Saturday – April 4
- Islamic New Year (Muslim Filipinos) – March 19 (Thursday) (tentative, subject to lunar calendar and Islamic calendar)
- Ninoy Aquino Day – August 21 (Friday)
- All Saints’ Day – November 1 (Sunday)
- All Souls’ Day (Special Holiday for Students and Workers) – November 2 (Monday)
- Immaculate Conception Day – December 8 (Tuesday)
- Christmas Eve – December 24 (Thursday)
- New Year’s Eve – December 31 (Thursday)
Special National Events and Bank Holidays
- Election Day – May 11 (Monday)
- Bank Holidays
- Office Holidays
Why Travel Costs Spike During Public Holidays
It comes down to one word: demand. When everyone’s traveling at once, prices naturally climb.
Flights
Airlines use dynamic pricing — the fewer seats left, the higher the price climbs. During Holy Week, Christmas, and long weekends, even budget airlines like Cebu Pacific and AirAsia increase fares. Demand is guaranteed, after all.
- Domestic hotspots like Boracay, Cebu, Palawan, and Davao often double or triple in price.
- International getaways like Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan also see steep jumps as Filipinos take advantage of short holidays abroad.
Example: A Manila to Cebu ticket that costs ₱2,500 off-peak may rise to ₱7,000+ when booked just before Holy Week.
Land and Sea Transport
It’s not just flights. Buses, vans, and ferries fill up quickly, too. Provincial routes to Baguio, Bicol, or Mindanao often sell out days in advance.
Book bus, ferry, or train tickets early via 12Go. You can compare routes and departure times easily across the Philippines.
Hotels and Resorts
Accommodation is one of the hardest-hit sectors during public holidays. Hotels know they’ll reach full capacity, so they:
- Increase nightly rates as rooms get booked.
- Add minimum-stay rules (ex: “must book 2–3 nights”).
- Implement stricter cancellation policies.
- Bundle in “holiday extras” like mandatory buffets or gala dinners — whether you want them or not.
To secure better rates, use Tripadvisor or Hotels weeks in advance. You can even find flexible options with free cancellation to stay adaptable if plans change.
Example: A beachfront hotel in Boracay charges ₱3,500 per night off-season. But it can climb to ₱8,000–₱10,000 per night during peak holidays.
Best Times to Travel Around Public Holidays
Beating the holiday rush in the Philippines isn’t impossible. It’s all about timing! Knowing when to book and when to fly can save you money, stress, and hours stuck in long lines.
- Travel a few days before or after the holiday itself.
- Choose mid-week departures – fewer crowds and better deals.
- Use fare trackers and seat sale alerts to snag lower prices before they spike.
1. Travel a Few Days Before or After
Instead of flying out on the holiday itself (when prices and crowds peak), leave 2–3 days earlier or a day or two later.
- Example: Flying out on Monday or Thursday can cost 40% more than flying out the Tuesday before.
- Coming home the Monday after Holy Week may mean long queues and high fares, but waiting until Tuesday can save you thousands.
2. Choose Mid-Week Departures
Tuesdays and Wednesdays consistently have the lowest demand for both domestic and international routes. Travelers prefer weekends and Fridays, so mid-week flights and bus tickets tend to stay cheaper.
3. Book Early (Way Earlier Than You Think)
- Domestic flights: The sweet spot is 6–8 weeks before a holiday.
- International flights: Lock them in 3–5 months in advance.
- Use Booking.com to compare hotel pricing: Book as soon as you see a good deal. Dynamic pricing means waiting even a week can double the price.
4. Use Tech to Your Advantage
- Set up fare alerts on Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Hopper.
- Sign up for seat sale notifications from Cebu Pacific, PAL, and AirAsia. Seat sales often drop months before holidays, and those who book quickly enjoy the deepest discounts.
- Compare multiple airports: Sometimes flying into Clark instead of Manila or Iloilo instead of Boracay (Caticlan) can cut costs dramatically.
5. Red-Eye and Overnight Options
Traveling at off-peak hours (like midnight or early dawn) can mean cheaper fares and shorter lines. Overnight buses and ferries also double as accommodation, saving you one night’s hotel bill.
6. Leverage Long Weekends Wisely
Instead of joining the mass exodus to Boracay or Palawan, use long weekends to explore closer, underrated destinations. You’ll avoid the crush while still making the most of your break.
Places to Avoid During Public Holidays
Some destinations are worth visiting, but not always during peak holidays:
- Boracay, Baguio, Palawan, and Tagaytay.
- Pilgrimage sites during Holy Week.
These spots tend to be packed, pricey, and not exactly relaxing when the crowds roll in.
Smart Alternatives
If you’d rather skip the chaos, here are stress-free options:
- Discover hidden gems — explore Camiguin, Siquijor, or Samar. These islands are just as beautiful but far quieter.
- Take quick escapes — visit Zambales, Rizal, or Batangas. Drive or rent a car for flexible day-trips close to Manila.
- Enjoy a city staycation — book a hotel with a pool or spa for deals that include late check-outs and wellness packages.
- Recharge with comfort — access airport or hotel lounges for a stress-free start or end to your holiday.
Pro Tips for Budget-Friendly Holiday Travel
Travel smarter with Kach’s tried-and-tested recommendations:
- Book early – grab good rates before they rise.
- Stay Connected – Use an Eskimo eSIM for stable mobile data across China. It’s a favorite among digital nomads and frequent travelers who need quick setup and reliable coverage.
- Book smart — purchase your tickets mid-week (Tuesday to Thursday) for the best fares..
- Stay Protected – As Kach always advises, secure your Ekta Traveling health insurance before departure. It ensures peace of mind in case of flight delays, lost luggage, or unexpected medical needs.
- Stay flexible — consider red-eye flights or alternate airports
- Learn the Basics – Kach recommends Rosetta Stone, which now offers a $169 Lifetime Subscription for travelers serious about learning local languages.
Making the Most of Philippine Holidays
Public holidays in the Philippines aren’t just days off. They shape how Filipinos travel, celebrate, and recharge. These breaks create peak seasons that drive up demand. That’s why planning around them is so important.
Avoid the stress of crowded airports and overpriced hotels, while still making the most of your time. Think of them as built-in opportunities to explore, reconnect, and rest.
As long as you plan wisely, every holiday can become a rewarding experience!
FAQs
More people are traveling, so flights, buses, and hotels sell out quickly. The high demand pushes prices higher, especially on busy routes like Manila–Cebu and Manila–Boracay.
The major ones include New Year’s Day, Holy Week (Maundy Thursday and Good Friday), Labor Day, Independence Day, National Heroes Day, Bonifacio Day, Christmas Day, and Rizal Day.
Travel a few days before or after the holiday, book early, and look for underrated destinations or even staycations. Keep track of airline sales for the best deals.