Very strong Philippines price with 23 kg baggage included, but the long Delhi wait on the return reduces comfort.
A cheap Zurich to Manila fare, but better for patient travellers than comfort seekers
This is a strong-value fare from Zurich to Manila, with return flights available from around €418 on Air India. For the Philippines, that is a very attractive price, especially because the fare includes 23 kg checked baggage.
The outbound journey is quite reasonable for this kind of long-haul fare, with one stop in Delhi and a total travel time of around 19 hours. The connection on the way out is manageable, so the first half of the trip works fairly well.
The main weakness is the return. The journey back is around 26h 20m and includes a long 9h 05m wait in Delhi during early morning hours. That is not very comfortable, especially after an overnight departure from Manila, so this deal is mainly about price rather than smooth travel.
The long 9h 05m connection in Delhi on the return is the main trade-off. Travellers should check whether they are comfortable waiting in the airport during early morning hours and confirm any India transit rules for their passport before booking.
Best for: price-focused travellers, flexible travellers, longer Philippines trips and anyone happy to accept a less comfortable return journey for a lower fare.
Less ideal for: families with small children, travellers who dislike long airport waits, or anyone looking for the smoothest possible route to Manila.
Need help finding the best flight for your trip?
For €15, Dino can personally research flight options for your trip — including alternative routes, nearby airports, baggage rules, layovers, airline quality and possible hidden costs.
Where to stay in Manila: best as a short stop before exploring the Philippines
Manila can be a useful arrival point, but for most travellers it works best as a 1–2 night stop rather than the main focus of the trip. It is a good place to recover from the long flight, adjust to the time zone, visit a few city highlights and then continue by domestic flight, ferry or bus to one of the Philippines’ beach or island destinations.
On sample searches for 20/08 to 21/08, Manila showed a wide range of affordable hotels, apartments and serviced stays. Budget-friendly options can be found across the city, while better-rated hotels in practical locations are still often much cheaper than in many major Asian capitals. This makes Manila a good-value short stop before moving on to places such as Cebu, Palawan, Boracay, Bohol, Siargao or Banaue.
For a short Manila stay, location matters more than luxury. Areas such as Makati, Bonifacio Global City, Malate, Ermita or hotels near the airport can make sense depending on your plans. If you only have one night before an onward flight, staying close to the airport can save stress. If you want restaurants, cafés and a more comfortable city base, Makati or BGC are usually stronger choices.
Dino’s tip: do not plan the whole Philippines trip around Manila unless you specifically want city time. Use Manila as a smart entry point, spend one or two nights, then continue to the islands or countryside where the Philippines really shines. Always allow enough buffer time between international and domestic flights, especially if travelling on separate tickets.
Hotel prices and availability can change quickly. Always check the final dates, exact location, reviews, airport transfer time, traffic conditions, breakfast options, room type, cancellation policy and whether the hotel location fits your onward travel plans before booking.
Cheap Flight Guide
Recommended Read
Flight Guide
Live flight deals
Get alerts the moment the best travel deals go live.
Join TelegramTravel updates & inspiration
Follow us for travel tips, updates, flight deals and Dino travel content.
Follow PageDino’s Cheap Flights Club
Join our new travel community to share cheap flight finds, ask for tips and discover smarter ways to travel for less.
Join the Club
