Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines currently sells discounted tickets for flights from Base-Mulhouse to both Manila and Cebu City in the Philippines. Tickets sell as low as €515 (~CHF 504) including a checked bag up to 30 kg. All flights require a change of planes in Istanbul. From there, your outbound find will first land in Manila, then continue to Cebu. Flying back from Cebu requires the same two stops.
Our availability calendar highlights all possible flight dates at the lowest price for trips up to 28 days. It will forward you to Turkish Airlines with your selected flight dates. You can also check what OTAs have to offer, as they sell these tickets up to €30 cheaper.
A Turkish Airlines Boeing 737 or Airbus A320 family plane takes you from the Swiss-German-French border to Istanbul. They feature the usual 3-3 seating, but most of them offer a little extra like personal in-flight-entertainment screens and warm meals. An Airbus A350-900 operates the long flight from Istanbul to Manila. If you book a ticket to Cebu, you will continue your journey on the same plane after the brief stop in the capital.
Search & Book
The fare rules don’t give away a sales period. You need to stay at least three days or one night from Saturday to Sunday in the Philippines to get the cheapest tickets.This fare shows up for departures between September 2024 and February 2025. Prices are higher for December departures.
A stopover in Istanbul is possible in both directions and should be free of charge. We only found examples that were €20 more expensive.
Google Flights helps you find additional flight dates. We recommend buying tickets directly from the airline, even if online travel agencies on Skyscanner offer them with a discount.
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Mileage
Turkish Airlines issues all segments in booking class P. Star Alliance frequent flyers can earn the following miles and points for a trip to Manila:
- 3,412 Miles on Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
Destination
Information & Tips for Philippines
The Philippines is a Southeast Asian country in the Western Pacific and comprises more than 7,000 islands. In the capital, Manila, there is a famous waterfront promenade and a centuries-old Chinatown called Binondo.
Best Time to Visit
The Philippines are most popular during the dry season, between November and April. At this time the country is fully accessible, including its many beautiful islands and more remote areas. Temperatures are high during March and April, so it’s best to travel during the cooler months of December to February.
Entry & Visa
Since 2013, if you are from a EU country you don’t need a visa if your planned stay in the Philippines is 30 days or less. Citizens from 157 countries can now enter the Philippines visa-free.
→ All Dealz for Philippines
Information & Tips for Manila
Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is a densely populated city. It is located on a bay on the island of Luzon. Here Spanish colonial architecture blends with modern skyscrapers.
Best Time to Visit
Best time to visit Manila is from November to March. The summer months which are from April to June are quite hot and humid and are not preferable to roam in the city.
→ All Dealz for Manila
Cover Picture: © fazon - stock.adobe.com