Airport Transfers in Manila
Part of the Manila travel guide — see every topic in All Manila Guides.
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) sits between Pasay and Parañaque, only 7–12 km from Makati and BGC. The distance is short but traffic is heavy: plan about 20 minutes late at night and 60–90 minutes at rush hour. Since September 2024 the airport has been run by New NAIA Infra Corp (NNIC).
Which terminal
NAIA has four terminals, and several airlines moved in March and April 2026. Terminal 1 handles Philippine Airlines international flights, AirAsia's international flights and many foreign airlines. Terminal 2 is mainly for Philippine Airlines domestic flights. Terminal 3 is Cebu Pacific's main terminal and also serves many foreign airlines, including Japan Airlines since 1 April 2026. Small propeller-plane flights, such as those to El Nido, moved to Clark in 2026. Always check the terminal on your booking.
Grab and taxis
Grab is the easiest choice: book in the app and walk to the signed Grab pick-up bay. Typical fares are about ₱250–500 to Makati or Manila Bay, ₱300–600 to BGC and ₱450–900 to Ortigas or Quezon City, more at peak times. Yellow airport taxis use the meter but cost more than white city taxis; coupon taxis with fixed prices cost the most. Never accept rides from people inside the hall.
P2P buses
UBE Express premium P2P buses leave from Terminal 3 for places such as PITX, Pasay, Robinsons Place Manila and Cubao, for about ₱150–200. From the other terminals, ride the NAIA loop shuttle (about ₱50) to Terminal 3 first. Routes change often, so check UBE Express's page before you fly. If you must change terminals on separate tickets, allow at least 3 hours.
Arrival and departure tips
Fill in the free eTravel form online within 72 hours before you land. Buy a Globe or Smart SIM or eSIM in arrivals so Grab works. For international departures, leave 3–4 hours ahead on weekday evenings and Fridays. If your flight is from Clark (CRK), allow 2–3 hours by road from Manila.
Airport Transfers at a glance
| Distance | 7–12 km to Makati or BGC; 20–90 min by road |
|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | PAL international, AirAsia international, many foreign airlines |
| Terminal 2 | PAL domestic |
| Terminal 3 | Cebu Pacific; many foreign airlines incl. JAL |
| Grab | About ₱250–600 to Makati, Manila Bay or BGC |
| P2P bus | UBE Express from Terminal 3, about ₱150–200 |
| Before you land | Free eTravel form within 72 hours |
| Rush hours | About 7:00–10:00 and 17:00–20:00 on weekdays |