World City Guide

Getting There By Air

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL)
Tel: (02) 877 1109.
Website: www.miaa.gov.ph

Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is the city’s ageing main airport, located in the district of Paranaque, 12km (seven miles) southeast of Manila. The NAIA Centennial Terminal II, just down the MIA Road from the old terminal, is now the international and domestic hub for the national carrier, Philippine Airlines, as well as for over 30 other major airlines and charter flights from Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and other regional centres.

Approximate flight times to Manila: From London is 15 hours 30 minutes; from New York is 17 hours 30 minutes; from Los Angeles is 12 hours 35 minutes; from Toronto is 17 hours 20 minutes and from Sydney is 7 hours 40 minutes.

Airport facilities: The airport has duty-free shopping, souvenir shops, a bank and several ATMs, foreign exchange facilities, a post office and a small tourist information office. There is also a restaurant, car hire from Avis and Hertz and hotel representative counters. Luggage porters are available and there is a left-luggage room. Free telephones in the baggage claim area allow visitors to phone ahead to confirm or arrange accommodation. There is also a business centre.

Transport to the city: The journey time into Manila varies enormously depending on the time of day. At peak times it can take up to two hours – at best it will take 30 minutes. Travellers are recommended to only take a taxi with a Department of Tourism (DOT) accreditation. Flagging a taxi on the road outside the airport is notoriously expensive and often dangerous.

Avis run a special car hire service into Manila. This can be booked from the USA before departure or coupons can be obtained from the Avis desk in the arrivals hall.

For transport into Makati, Cubao, Quezon City or any destinations along Manila’s ring road (EDSA), there are buses that can be picked up on the main road outside the NAIA. They are located beyond the car park and under the flyover to the right. They also stop outside the domestic terminal.

Jeepneys are another local speciality. They are all privately owned and run to and from Baclaran where there is a Metrorail terminal along Quirino Avenue to complete the journey to the city.