Many trips to the Philippines start at Manila airport. It has plenty of international flights at good prices, so most travelers pass through at some point. On arrival, you’ll likely be a bit tired and have some jet lag, so it won’t be unusual to want to get to the center as soon as possible without falling for any weird scam or overpaying. Don’t worry, here we explain how to get from Manila airport to the city center (or wherever you’ve decided to stay) in the safest way.
Even so, we’ll tell you in advance that you don’t need to arrive in the Philippines predisposed to think something bad will happen. You may have heard horror stories about Manila’s traffic or taxi drivers and, while many are true, there are ways to avoid a nasty shock and reach your hotel calmly. After living in Manila for a good while and going through 1001 adventures, believe us, we’re going to detail how to get from Manila airport to the center: prices, times, and tips to avoid overpaying.
Where is Manila airport
Manila is a colossal city. In reality, Manila is just one city within what’s known as Metro Manila, made up of 16 cities. That’s why talking about a “center” is a bit complicated. In our opinion, the center or most desirable area to stay if you plan to spend a few days in the city is Makati. It’s a comfortable, safe, and pleasant area to spend the night with easy access to Manila’s sights. You can find accommodation recommendations in Best hotels & areas to stay in Manila.
If you’re short on time, you might prefer to stay near the historic district which, although not very welcoming at night, has recommendable hotels. You can read much more in our article about Intramuros.
In any case, Ninoy Aquino International Airport is located between the cities of Pasay and Parañaque. Chaotic and a bit outdated, it has 4 terminals linked by a free shuttle and another paid one (20 pesos). The buildings are quite far apart and traffic, depending on the time of day, is usually quite congested, so depending on the terminal you arrive at, it’ll take you more or less time to get from the airport to your hotel in Manila.
If you’re coming on an international flight, you’ll usually arrive at T1 or T3. If you’re coming on a domestic flight, you’ll probably arrive at T4, although you might also arrive at T3.
️ Of course, there are also hotels near Manila airport. Depending on their location, you may be able to walk or you’ll need to opt for a taxi or, as we’ll explain below, a Grab car. The directions we’re going to give you also apply here.
The best way to get from Manila airport to the city center: GRAB
When GRAB (and Uber at the time) came into our lives, it was a real lifesaver. After hundreds of arguments with Manila’s taxis, being able to request your vehicle via a mobile app and not having to argue with them made life much more zen.
GRAB is Southeast Asia’s Uber. In fact, the former bought the latter in 2018, taking over the Asian market, and it’s now an option you can consider in countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. In the Philippines it’s available in Manila, Cebu, and Davao.
If you’ve used Uber or Cabify before, you already have a good idea of how it works. You simply download the app (here for iOS and here for Android), sign up, enter where you are and where you’re going, and wait for pickup. The cars are regular sedans with few identifying marks and are usually in good condition, since you can later rate both the vehicle and the driver.
The fare shown at the time of booking is what you’ll be charged, no more and no less. It’s calculated from the distance to be covered and the time of day—or rather, the demand for cars at that moment. That’s why the chances of being scammed when going from Manila airport to your hotel are almost nil.
You can download the app before arriving in the Philippines (which we recommend) or at the airport itself, where you have Wi‑Fi. As we explain in Internet in the Philippines, you can also pick up a SIM card right there to stay connected during your trip. This is the best option, as you won’t have to worry about whether the terminal’s Wi‑Fi reaches the waiting area.
To avoid confusion at pickup, in the Arrivals area of the airport you’ll see lots of huge concrete columns or pillars. At the top of each one there’s a number with the word “bay”. When you request your car, you’ll see the option to do so at the corresponding “bay”. Otherwise, you can also send a message to the driver within the app, which has a kind of chat.
Regarding the duration from Manila airport to the center: a trip from the airport to Makati can take 20 minutes or 1 hour, depending on traffic. If you’re heading to Malate/Intramuros, estimate roughly the same. The busiest hours are roughly from 8:00 to 10:00 and from 16:00 to 21:00.
How much is a GRAB car from Manila airport? How do you pay?
A GRAB car from Manila airport to Makati is around 250–400 pesos. This variation, besides your exact destination, depends a lot on traffic, which usually translates into higher demand for cars and, therefore, a price increase in the app. This increase is also indicated on the platform.
On the other hand, with GRAB you can choose the type of car you want. The standard—and the one we recommend—is GRABCar. If there are more of you, you can choose larger (and more expensive) vehicles. If you want to go all‑out luxury, there are also high‑end cars.
There’s also the alternative of requesting a GRABTaxi. This is a taxi that uses a meter. GRAB charges you a booking fee, so you’ll pay what the meter shows + the booking commission.
Payment can be made in cash or by card. The latter is particularly interesting because, as we point out in Money in the Philippines, withdrawing money from 99% of ATMs in the country carries a fee, so you save a bit. Also, try to use a card that doesn’t charge for payments in foreign currency. In Best travel debit cards for the Philippines: No international fees we tell you which ones we use after so many years of travel.
⚠️ One thing to keep in mind when paying is that it doesn’t include tolls. If you’re going from Manila airport to the center, the Skyway is particularly important. This is a highway that connects the airport with many parts of the city, especially Makati. The driver will usually ask if you want to take it, and we strongly recommend that you do because it will save you a lot of traffic. In that case, you’ll have to pay in cash when you pass through the toll gate. It’s 30 pesos.
All in all, if there are 2 passengers or more, we believe the value for money for getting from Manila airport to the center is the best.
By the way, with the GRAB app you can also order food delivery. Another well‑known one for this is Food Panda.
Going from Manila airport by taxi
If, for whatever reason, you don’t want to take a GRAB car, the next alternative to get from Manila airport to the center or your hotel is a taxi. Careful—this has its nuances, and we’re going to explain everything here.
IMPORTANT: please ignore anyone who approaches you in the Arrivals area offering to take you. They usually charge truly astronomical prices. We’ve even heard stories of travelers being charged 5,000 pesos (over $90!) for a ride that cost less than 300.
White taxis
As you’ll have seen throughout this website, the passion of our life is the Philippines, but if there’s one thing that drives us crazy in this country it’s Manila’s white taxis. Honestly, we hate them. We’ve had to argue with them so many times, get out in the middle of nowhere, and frantically look for another ride that we can’t recommend them in any way.
Unfortunately, we don’t consider the taxi option at Manila airport—and almost never for any route within the city. Some of the common problems/scams:
- You get in and, despite having waited in line, they don’t want to turn on the meter. They’ll try to quote you a fixed price, usually much higher than it should be. In this case, we always get out and take another one.
- They turn on the meter but want to add an “extra”. This could be 50, 100, 500 pesos…
- They turn on the meter and it’s rigged. This is almost impossible to know unless you’ve already taken taxis in the Philippines and have a rough idea of what a ride costs. You can report them by calling 1342 or sending an SMS to 0917-550-1342 or 0998-550-1342 with the license plate number.
- They take a much longer route. To avoid this, use GPS and make sure they’re taking the shortest, fastest way.
- They steal your luggage. This is unusual, but we know of cases close to us. Therefore, we always advise you to note the license plate or permit number and, if you’re traveling alone, keep your luggage with you. If there are more of you, it’s best for one person to stay inside the taxi while the other collects the luggage.
Why does this happen? We believe it’s largely because the fare system is very poor and prices are very low—especially if there’s a lot of traffic and they spend a long time stopped. Even so, there’s no justification for scamming you like this. Therefore, if they’ve provided good service and haven’t tried anything, we always thank them for it and tip.
How much is a taxi from Manila airport and how do you get one?
The white taxi fare (though some are yellow and black) starts at 40 pesos and increases by 3.50 pesos every 300 meters and 2 pesos per minute of waiting. For a trip to Makati with light traffic, you’ll usually pay under 200 pesos. Keep in mind you’ll also need to include the highway toll if you decide to take it.
Payment in Manila taxis is cash. We haven’t seen any that accept card payments.
To get one, follow the taxi signs in the Arrivals terminal. You’ll see a long line of white taxis, and there’s usually another long line of passengers waiting. There’s often a person there who gives you a slip with the license plate number so you have it handy if you have any issues.
Since the line to take these taxis is usually long, the old trick used to be to go up to the Departures area and take one that’s dropping passengers off. This isn’t allowed and security guards are usually watching. Even if they let you take them, keep in mind the drivers will try to negotiate with you and not use the meter.
Yellow taxis
These are the airport’s official taxis and use a meter. They’re regulated and quite safe. We haven’t had problems, but we don’t usually choose them for two reasons: 1) the lines to get one can be long, and 2) they’re more expensive than Grab and, of course, than white taxis.
The fare starts at 70 pesos and increases by 4 pesos every 300 meters or every 2 minutes of waiting. For Makati, it usually costs about 300–500 pesos, depending on traffic. You also pay in cash.
To get them, head to the sign that says “Yellow Metered Taxi Entrance”.
The coupon taxis
This is another alternative we used once but, in our opinion, it’s more expensive. We only recommend it if you don’t want to use GRAB and don’t want any hassle with metered taxis.
As the name suggests, you buy a coupon—that is, you pay a fixed price depending on the area of Manila you’re going to and the size of the vehicle. There aren’t just car‑type vehicles like regular taxis; there are also vans if you’re traveling as a group. The cars are white and have a yellow‑and‑white identification on each side.
You buy the coupon inside the terminal, where you’ll pay and receive a receipt. You don’t have to pay anything outside. A staff member will accompany you to your taxi.
Here are some of the prices for the most popular routes from Manila airport:
| Area | Price |
| Makati Area 1 (Dasmariñas Village, Magallanes, Legaspi Village, Greenbelt Park, Forbes Park (South), Glorietta) | 330 pesos |
| Makati Area 2 (Guadalupe, Makati City Hall, Carmona Race Track, Olympia, Rockwell, Bell Air, Urdaneta Village, South Cemetery, San Antonio Village, Forbes Park (North), JP Rizal, Primetown Century Tower, Sunrise Tower) | 440 pesos |
| Manila Area 2 (Ermita, Intramuros, Pandacan, Malacañang, San Miguel, Paco, Lawton, Manila City Hall, Manila Hotel, Pier South) | 530 pesos |
| Manila Area 3 (Binondo, Quiapo, Santa Cruz, Santa Mesa, Tutuban Divisoria, San Nicholas Fort, North Harbor, Customs, Pier South from Pier 12) | 610 pesos |
| Taguig Area 1 (Signal Village, Upper Bicutan, Fort Bonifacio Lawton Area, Western Bicutan) | 330 pesos |
| Taguig Area 2 (Fort Bonifacio Market Market area, Tuktukan, Santa Ana, Bambang, Hagonoy, Lower Bicutan) | 440 pesos |
Transfer services from Manila airport to the city center
To avoid hassles and have someone waiting for you with a little sign with your name when you arrive in Manila, another option is to book a transfer with an agency. The two most popular ones in the Philippines are KLOOK and Civitatis:
Transfer from Manila airport to your hotel with Civitatis
Transfer from the airport to your hotel with KLOOK
The good thing about these options, besides being met on arrival and having a fixed price, is that you can read reviews from other travelers.
How to get from Manila airport to the city center by public transport
The first thing you need to know about getting from Manila airport to the center is that there’s no train or metro service linking the airfield to the city. Unlike other Asian cities like Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur, using public transport here is a more complicated option.
The Airport Bus
There are buses to get from Manila airport to the center. If you’re traveling solo, it’s an option to consider; but keep in mind you’ll then have to walk to your hotel with your luggage, and distances in Manila are large.
The most reliable company is UBE Express. You’ll find the stop in the Arrivals area, next to the line for yellow taxis. Buses depart roughly every 30 minutes to places like the Greenbelt mall in Makati, Robinson in Malate… You can find the four detailed routes here. If you’re unsure, don’t worry—there are attendants at the stop who can guide you. They operate 24 hours a day from T3 and from 8:00 to 22:00 from T1 and T2.
Tickets cost between 70 and 110 pesos (depending on the route) and are purchased inside the terminal at counters. Look for signs saying “Premium Airport Bus”.
Bear in mind that the buses use roads where heavy traffic is common. Therefore, allow between 25 minutes and 2 hours to reach your destination.
Jeepneys
As we explain in How to get around the Philippines, there are also jeepneys in the cities. However, they can’t enter the airport. If you want to save as much as possible, you’ll have to walk outside the airport and ask around.
There isn’t a map of jeepney routes in Manila, so it’s best to be guided. Still, keep an open mind that you may have to link 2 or 3 of them, depending on your final destination. The fare for this transport depends on the section, but estimate around 24 pesos if you have to take 2.
Combine bus + train
Depending on where you’re going—if it’s particularly far—this may interest you, as it’s the most economical method. Still, consider that it’ll take time and, if you have a lot of luggage, it can be very uncomfortable since the stations are usually packed.
To do this, if you’ve arrived at T3, leave the terminal and take the route 2 bus to EDSA LRT / Taft MRT Station (20 pesos every 15 minutes). This part of Manila is also known as Pasay Rotonda. Once there, take the train you need. If you’re going to Makati or Ortigas, you’ll need the MRT (20–30 pesos, depending on the stop). Of course, you can also opt for a jeepney or a taxi.
As a curiosity, this bus is the same one that links the airport terminals.
Here is a map of Manila’s MRT/LRT system. It only has three lines, so it’s quite easy to understand.
How to get from downtown Manila to the airport
If you’re in the opposite situation—that is, you’re at your hotel and want to go to Manila airport—our advice is, again, to use the GRAB app.
You’ve surely already experienced Manila’s traffic first‑hand, so we recommend leaving plenty of time to avoid missing your flight. If you’re in Makati, don’t plan on less than 1 hour of travel—or more if you’re in the 16:00–21:00 time window. Therefore, we recommend leaving your hotel 3 hours before the scheduled departure of your flight.
Also, double‑check which terminal your flight departs from. The buildings are quite far apart, so if you make a mistake you could waste a lot of time switching from one to another.
We hope we’ve helped you figure out how to get from Manila airport to the city center. We know what it’s like to arrive in a country and feel totally lost, so first impressions matter. If you haven’t yet planned how to get to the capital, be sure to read our article How to get to Manila, part of a very extensive Manila Guide.
If you have any questions, we’ll be happy to answer them in the comments.
