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How to travel from and to Manila Airport
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), also commonly known as Manila International Airport, serves Manila and the surrounding areas.
If you want to travel from the centre to Manila Airport, always carefully check which terminal you need to be at! There are in total 4 terminals with a max distance of 5 km from each other. During peak hours, it can easily take more than 30 minutes to travel from one terminal to another.
To get to and from Manila Airport, you can either hail a taxi or make use of the (premium) airport bus service. Taxis offer door-to-door service, while the airport bus service provides city access to specific areas in Metro Manila.
COVID-19 Travel Advisory: As of May 2023, Manila is open to all tourists — both foreign and local, whether you’re vaccinated or not. For the latest info, you can visit the Manila Tourism Office Facebook page.
Are you taking a flight to the Philippines? International travellers must register on the eTravel website within 72 hours before arrival in the country.
Fully-vaccinated tourists aged 15 and older can enter the Philippines without COVID testing. If you’re not fully vaccinated, you will need to submit a negative laboratory-based antigen test. Unvaccinated children aged 14 and under will need to be tested if they are travelling with unvaccinated adults or on their own.
2 ways to get from and to Manila Airport
There are at least three kinds of taxis you will find at Manila Airport. Depending on your budget and preference, you can get a regular taxi, a coupon taxi, or an airport taxi. If you have a sim card and data connection though, it’s best and cheaper to book a Grab. Taxi rates start from 180 PHP ($3.10).
If you’re on a budget and travelling alone, it would be cheaper to take an airport shuttle bus to or from Manila Airport. There are plenty of routes available between the airport and various cities in Metro Manila, but note that pick-up is available only at Terminal 3. Ticket prices start from 150 PHP ($2.60).
Ninoy Aquino Airport by Taxi
A taxi is the most convenient way to get to and from Manila Airport. Taxis are hard to miss, as they are usually parked outside of the arrivals hall.
There are three types of taxis you can book from the airport to Manila city centre. There is the coupon taxi, the metered airport taxi, and the metered regular taxi. We explain them all below, but first, we would like to highlight booking a taxi with Grab.
Grab (Asian Uber)
If you have a mobile sim card, you can order a Grab straight from Manila Airport. This is the cheapest and most convenient private transfer you can get here. If you don’t have a sim card, we recommend considering getting one.
Wifi is pretty bad in the Philippines and a sim card can save you a lot of hassle and frustration. You can buy your sim card as soon as you arrive and already save part of the costs with the taxi ride to your hotel. I’m sure you won’t regret getting one!
There’s a Grab booth located outside the airport terminal where you could ask for assistance in booking your ride. Grab rates depend on your destination, but they typically start at 245 PHP ($4.30) if you’re heading to Makati.
Coupon Taxi
Coupon taxis are white with a blue and yellow labels on each side of the car. The fares for coupon taxis are fixed, depending on which area your destination belongs to.
If you prefer this kind of taxi, just approach the coupon taxi counter at Manila Airport. Tell them where you want to be dropped off, and the staff will hand you a slip with the quoted price. Another member of the staff will guide you to the taxi.
Make sure to keep your coupon for the entire journey and hand it only to the driver upon arrival at your destination.
Note that coupon taxis are only available from Manila Airport. Coupon taxis do not pick up passengers on the way back to the airport.
| Destination | Fixed Costs |
|---|---|
| Area 1 | 400 PHP ($7.00) |
| Area 2 | 530 PHP ($9.00) |
| Area 3 | 600 PHP ($10.50) |
| Area 4 | 720 PHP ($12.50) |
Metered Airport Taxis
These are yellow taxis that are operated by the airport. They have a flag down rate of 70 PHP ($1.20), which makes them more expensive than regular taxis. Yellow metered taxi fares to areas in Metro Manila start from 300 PHP ($5.00), but it still depends on your destination and the traffic.
Yellow taxis heading back to the airport can be hailed from the streets.
Metered Regular Taxis
Regular metered taxis are the cheapest among all the taxis available at Manila Airport. The flag down rate is 45 PHP ($0.70). Fares going to Metro Manila cities start from 180 PHP ($3.10), depending on the traffic and your destination.
Keep in mind that regular metered taxis are usually parked outside of the departure area, not the arrival area. They are not affiliated with airport services, so always exercise caution and ask for a metre reading.
TIP: Always ask for a metered taxi so you end up paying the right price!
Manila Airport Terminals
Manila Airport has 4 terminals, each with its own separate building. It’s important to be aware of which terminal you will land in or depart from, as the roads around the airport tend to be very busy. If you go to the wrong terminal, you’ll end up losing some time.
Terminal 1: This terminal services international flights from different airlines such as Thai Airways, Qatar Airways, Emirates and others.
Terminal 2: This terminal is the main hub for the country’s official flag carrier – Philippine Airlines or PAL. The North Wing is used for international flights, while the South Wing is used for domestic flights. However, PAL also has flights that park at or depart from Terminal 3.
Terminal 3: Terminal 3 houses international flights not served at Terminal 1. Aside from this, there are also a few domestic flights. Cebu Pacific, Tiger Air, and Silk Air use this terminal.
Terminal 4: PAL and Cebu Pacific flights that use propeller planes for domestic routes use this small and old terminal. There are also other airlines that utilize Terminal 4 for domestic flights.
Ninoy Aquino Airport by Airport Shuttle
Air21 operates a premium airport bus service called UBE Express. These buses drop off passengers only at specific stops. Thus, knowing where your hotel is will help you decide if the shuttle bus is a convenient option.
UBE Express offers various routes in Metro Manila. The nearer routes are Makati and Manila. If you’re heading north towards Quezon City, you can take the Araneta City bus. The South Park bus goes south in Alabang.
You can buy your ticket from the UBE Express booth or pay using a beep card (reloadable card). Tickets start from 150 PHP ($2.60) for the Makati and Manila routes and 200 PHP ($3.50) for the Araneta City and Alabang routes.
Travel time is usually 30 minutes to 1 hour, but it will still depend on road and traffic conditions.
Departure and arrival station
UBE Express buses offer pick-up only at NAIA Terminal 3. If your flight lands at Terminals 1, 2, or 4, you still need to go to Terminal 3 to take the airport shuttle.
The buses are parked in Bays 11 and 12 at Terminal 3, and the booth where you can buy your tickets is in Bay 10. You can look around for their signboard or ask the airport staff to direct you.
If you’re taking the shuttle to the airport for your flight, the bus can drop you off at any NAIA terminal. Note that some of their trips get cancelled, which they announce on the UBE Express Facebook page.
See the schedule for different routes below:
Airport shuttle schedule: NAIA-One Ayala Makati
Airport shuttle schedule: NAIA-Robinsons Manila
Airport shuttle schedule: NAIA-Araneta City
Airport shuttle schedule: NAIA-South Park Alabang
Our favourite places to stay in Manila
Manila is a bustling metropolitan city that can be slightly overwhelming at first. Not just because of the busy streets and towering skyscrapers, but also because of the number of hotels to pick from. There are a lot!
No matter your price range, we’ve found some great places to stay in the best locations so you don’t have to do that research.
Before you start reading about our favourite stays, it’s good to know a bit about the best areas to stay in Manila. That way, you’re picking the best accommodation in the area that’s right for you.
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- Makati is our favourite area to stay in Manila, and where most of our favourite stays are. It’s one of the most upscale areas in Manila and is known for its shopping malls, restaurants, and nightlife.
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- Bonifacio Global City (BGC) is a newer development in Manila and is known for its modern architecture, restaurants and shopping centres.
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- Malate is a lively area known for its bars, nightclubs and restaurants. It’s also close to several tourist attractions, such as Rizal Park and Intramuros.
Somerset Central Salcedo Makati - Treating Yourself
Area: Makati City centre — approx. 10-minute walk to shopping malls and business centre
As soon as you step into Somerset Central, you forget about the hustle and bustle going on outside the doors. Inside the hotel you’re met with luxury, relaxation and a chance to rejuvenate yourself in the gym or outdoor pool.
The grandeur of the hotel continues in the rooms, decorated in a stylish and modern design. The highlight of the room are the beds. They’re huge and super comfortable, guaranteeing you a great night’s sleep.
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Gym
- A la carte restaurant
- Continental breakfast included
Double rooms start from $50 per night
Hotel 101 Manila - Mid Range
Area: Along Mall of Asia complex — approx. 10-minute drive to shopping malls and airport
Hotel 101 Manila has everything you could ask for from a city hotel. It has a refreshing outdoor pool, a delicious on-site restaurant and it’s close to the airport — perfect if you’re flying in or out of Manila.
The rooms are large, comfortable and exceptionally clean. With their incredible hospitality, the staff make you feel like you’re staying in a 5-star hotel.
- Outdoor swimming pool
- On-site restaurant
- Amazing staff
- Great and convenient location
Double rooms cost $30-$50 per night
Hop Inn Hotel Makati Avenue - Budget Friendly
Area: Makati City centre — approx. 5-minute drive to nearest shopping mall
Only passing through Manila? Hop Inn Hotel is perfect for those spending just a few nights in the busy city. It’s clean, modern and has all of the basic amenities that you could possibly need.
Modern minimalism would be a good way to describe this place. Plus you won’t be spending too much time in your room as you’re located in Makati, one of the best neighbourhoods in Manila.
- Clean and modern rooms
- Great location
- Air conditioning
- Helpful staff
Double rooms cost $15-$30 per night
Routes from Manila
Most popular routes in Philippines
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
Aleksandra is a writer and editor who recently moved from Hong Kong to London. She’s worked and studied in four countries (and counting) and picked up a new hobby in each of them. She’s a big fan of long train journeys so you can count on her to take the scenic route, finding a few hidden gems along the way.
The article states “hese are yellow taxis that are operated by the airport. They have a flag down rate of 60 PHP ($1.05), which makes them more expensive than regular taxis. Yellow metered taxi fares start from 300 PHP”.
1. Flag down rate is PHP 70
2. There is no minimum of PHP 300. It just depends on distance
As a beside – these days it seems like all yellow cabs I take from airport have their meters running very fast. Nowadays I take the approach to not even mention it during the ride but just bring up at my destination that “there must be something wrong with your meter as it says 30km whereas this distance is less than 15km so let me pay what I usually pay for this ride” – and they never argue as they know they are wrong.
Thanks for sharing your experience, we’ll update the article accordingly with the info that you’ve provided. Taxi scams are unfortunately common at Manila Airport. Some drivers don’t turn on the meter and then overcharge passengers, or their meters are not accurate at all. The cheaper option nowadays is to book your ride with Grab if you have a sim card. You can also take the airport shuttle at Terminal 3 if the schedule matches your flight arrival time. We hope you still enjoyed your stay in the Philippines!