November 21, 2023

Expat’s Guide to Traveling to and from NAIA

Traveling to and from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) can be an exciting and adventurous experience, with a variety of transportation options to choose from! Whether you prefer the convenience and comfort of a private vehicle, the affordability and accessibility of public transportation, or the flexibility and convenience of ride-hailing services, there’s a way to get to the airport that suits your style and budget. From the bustling streets of Metro Manila to the modern airport terminals, the journey can be a fun and memorable part of your travel experience. So buckle up, relax, and enjoy the ride as we explore the different ways to navigate the airport!

From Metro Manila to NAIA

Taxi/Ride-hailing Apps

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Taxis and ride-hailing platforms such as Grab and Angkas are readily available in the Metro. Just book a ride through a mobile app or flag a taxi on the street, and tell the driver your destination. Make sure to choose a reputable taxi or ride-hailing service and ask for a metered fare before the ride.

Taxi Fare: Fixed Php 45 flag-down rate.

For Grab or Angkas, download their mobile app, create an account, and enter your pickup location and destination. For taxi, you can either hail a taxi on the street or use a taxi hailing app like GrabTaxi or Owto.

Inform the driver of your destination. Once you are in the vehicle, tell the driver your destination, which is NAIA. If you are using a ride-hailing app, the driver will already know the destination. Depending on your location and traffic conditions, the travel time may take around 30 minutes to 2 hours. You can relax, read a book, or use your mobile device during the ride.

Note: taxi operators, Grab, or Angkas may have different fares, procedures, and requirements, so it’s important to choose a reputable service and check their guidelines before booking a ride. Additionally, it’s recommended to plan your travel ahead and consider the time and traffic conditions in Metro Manila to ensure that you arrive at the airport on time.

Airport Shuttle

Several airport shuttle services operate in Metro Manila that can transport you directly to NAIA. Some popular shuttle services are the Airport Loop, UBE Express, and P2P Premium Bus Service. These shuttle services have designated pickup points in different parts of the capital. You can check their websites or mobile apps for schedules, routes, and fares. Some shuttle services also allow walk-in passengers, but it is recommended to book in advance to secure your seat.

The shuttle service will have designated pickup points in different parts of Metro Manila, such as malls, transport terminals, or hotels. Make sure to arrive at the pickup point at least 15-30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

When you board the shuttle, present your reservation or ticket to the driver or conductor. They will guide you to your seat and assist you with your luggage.

Public Transportation

You can take the train or bus to reach NAIA from different parts of Metro Manila. For example, if you are coming from the north, you can take the MRT-3 or LRT-1 train to EDSA-Taft station and then transfer to a jeepney or bus going to NAIA. If you are coming from the south, you can take the LRT-1 train to Baclaran station and then transfer to a jeepney or bus going to the airport.

Note: travel time and fare may vary depending on the distance, mode of transportation, and traffic conditions. It is recommended to plan your travel ahead, especially during rush hours and peak season, to avoid delays and ensure that you arrive at the airport on time. Additionally, it is important to keep your belongings secure and be vigilant against pickpockets or other security risks when using public transportation.

Private Car

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If you have a private car, you can drive to NAIA. The airport has several parking facilities that offer both short-term and long-term parking options. It is recommended to plan your travel ahead and consider the time and traffic conditions in the Metro to ensure that you arrive at the airport on time.

The roads you should take to get there via private car depend on your starting point. Here are some general directions from different parts of Metro Manila:

From Makati:

Take the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and exit at the Nichols Interchange.
Turn right onto Sales Road and continue straight until you reach NAIA Terminal 3.

From Taguig:

Take the C-5 Road and head southbound towards SLEX.
Turn right at the ramp to enter SLEX and stay on the rightmost lane.
Take the Nichols Interchange exit.
Turn right onto Sales Road and continue straight until you reach NAIA Terminal 3.

From Quezon City:

Take the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) and head southbound.
Turn right onto Roxas Boulevard and continue straight.
Turn left onto NAIA Road and follow the signs to your desired terminal.

From Manila city:

Take Taft Avenue and head southbound.
Turn right onto Airport Road and continue straight.
Turn left onto NAIA Road and follow the signs to your desired terminal.

Note: traffic in Metro Manila can be heavy, especially during rush hours. It is recommended to plan ahead and leave early to allow for any unexpected delays.

Also read: New NAIA Terminal Reassignments Starting April 2023

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From NAIA to Metro Manila

Taxi/Ride-hailing Apps

To use Grab to commute from NAIA to nearby cities, open the Grab app and enter your destination in Metro Manila. The app will show you the estimated fare and the different types of Grab services available such as GrabCar, GrabTaxi, or GrabShare. Then, choose the service that suits your needs and budget, and confirm your booking. Make sure to select the pick-up location that corresponds to your terminal and follow the app’s instructions on where to meet your driver. Wait for your driver to arrive at the designated pick-up point. Once your ride arrives, confirm with your driver that they are the one assigned to you by checking their name, vehicle type, and license plate number on the app. After you have reached your destination in Metro Manila, pay the fare through the Grab app using your credit card, debit card, or GrabPay wallet.

Most taxi operators, on the other hand, are familiar with the routes to popular destinations within Metro Manila. Just make sure to provide your exact destination to the driver.

Taxi Fare: Fixed Php 45 flag-down rate.

Passengers can also purchase taxi coupons at designated booths located inside the airport terminal. The coupon indicates the destination and the fare, which is fixed and based on the distance traveled. The taxi drivers affiliated with the service are required to follow the designated route and adhere to the coupon fare. Here are their common fixed rates:

Caloocan: Php 740-990
Las Pinas: Php 330-610
Makati: Php 330-440
Malabon: Php 740-850
Mandaluyong: Php 530-610
Manila: Php 440-670
Marikina: Php 670-850
Muntinlupa: Php 440-740
Navotas: Php 740-850
Parañaque: Php 150-440
Pasay: Php 150-440
Pasig: Php 530-740
Pateros: PHP 440
Quezon city: Php 610-900
San Juan: Php 610
Taguig: Php 330-530
Valenzuela: Php 790-940

Public Transportation

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Here are specific directions on how to travel to Quezon City, Manila City, Pasay City, Makati City, and Taguig City from NAIA via public transportation:

Quezon City via MRT/LRT and Jeepney:

From NAIA Terminal 3, take the Airport Loop shuttle to the MRT Taft Avenue Station.
Take the MRT northbound and get off at the Quezon Avenue Station.
Walk towards the jeepney terminal located along EDSA, near the Quezon Avenue Station.
Take a jeepney that goes to your specific destination in Quezon City.

Manila City via LRT and Jeepney:

From NAIA Terminal 3, take the Airport Loop shuttle to the LRT EDSA Station.
Ride the LRT northbound and get off at the Doroteo Jose Station.
Walk towards the jeepney terminal located near the station and take a jeepney that goes to your specific destination in Manila City.

Pasay City via Jeepney:

From NAIA Terminal 3, take the Airport Loop shuttle to the NAIA Terminal 3 Jeepney Terminal.
Take a jeepney that goes to Baclaran and get off at the intersection of Taft Avenue and Gil Puyat Avenue.
Transfer to another jeepney that goes to your specific destination in Pasay City.

Makati City via MRT/LRT and Jeepney:

From NAIA Terminal 3, take the Airport Loop shuttle to the MRT Taft Avenue Station.
Take the MRT northbound and get off at the Ayala Station.
Walk towards the jeepney terminal located along EDSA, near the Ayala Station.
Take a jeepney that goes to your specific destination in Makati City.

Taguig City via Bus and Jeepney:

From NAIA Terminal 3, take the Airport Loop shuttle to the MRT Taft Avenue Station.
Take a bus that goes to Market Market or Fort Bonifacio and get off at your specific destination in Taguig City.
From NAIA Terminal 3, take the Airport Loop shuttle to the NAIA Terminal 3 Jeepney Terminal.
Take a jeepney that goes to Nichols or FTI.
Get off at the intersection of EDSA and Ayala Avenue and transfer to another jeepney that goes to your specific destination in Taguig City.

Private Car

The roads you will need to take from NAIA to nearby cities will depend on your starting location and destination. Here are some of the major roads that you might need to take to reach some of the most popular destinations in the Metro:

To Quezon City: From NAIA, you can take the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) northbound to reach Quezon City. Alternatively, you can take the Metro Manila Skyway and exit at the Balintawak Interchange, which connects to several roads that lead to Quezon City.

To Manila City: From NAIA, you can take Roxas Boulevard, which leads to Manila City. Another option is to take the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and exit at Buendia Avenue, which connects to several roads that lead to Manila City.

To Pasay City: Pasay City is adjacent to NAIA, so you can easily access it by taking the airport road or the Metro Manila Skyway.

To Makati City: From NAIA, you can take the Metro Manila Skyway and exit at the Makati Interchange, which connects to several roads that lead to Makati City. Another option is to take SLEX and exit at Buendia Avenue, which is also connected to several roads that lead to Makati City.

To Taguig City: From NAIA, you can take the Metro Manila Skyway and exit at the Bicutan Interchange, which connects to several roads that lead to Taguig City. You can also take the C5 Road, which passes through Taguig City.

Note: Keep in mind that traffic in Metro Manila can be heavy, especially during rush hours, so it’s important to plan your route accordingly and allow extra time for your journey. The roads you will take to get to these cities from NAIA will depend on the mode of transportation you choose.

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Using the Airport Shuttle

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The NAIA Loop Shuttle is a FREE shuttle bus service that operates within the NAIA complex in Manila, Philippines. Passengers can use the shuttle to transfer between terminals, or to connect to other airport facilities such as parking areas, hotels, or other transport services. The shuttle is air-conditioned, and each bus is equipped with luggage racks to accommodate passengers’ baggage. It provides convenient transportation for passengers traveling between the four terminals of the airport – NAIA Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and Terminal 4. Here’s how it works:

Location and Schedule: The shuttle buses are located outside each terminal building and operate 24/7 with buses departing from each terminal approximately every 15 minutes.
Boarding: Passengers can board the shuttle at designated stops located outside each terminal building. The shuttle buses are air-conditioned and have luggage racks for passenger convenience.
Route: The shuttle operates on a circular route, serving all four terminals of the NAIA complex. The shuttle follows a set path, stopping at each terminal in order.
Disembarking: When the shuttle arrives at the passenger’s desired terminal, passengers can disembark and proceed to their next destination within the airport.

It’s important to note that the NAIA Loop Shuttle is exclusively available for passengers WITHIN the NAIA complex. It’s a convenient and efficient way to transfer between terminals or connect to other airport facilities such as hotels or parking areas. If you do not have enough time to board the shuttle, it is safer to take a cab ride instead to avoid any inconvenience.

Please refer to the following URLs for the latest information on flights to and from NAIA.