Manila Airport (MNL) to the city
Grab shows its fare in the app, while the coupon taxi charges a fixed LTFRB rate of PHP 330 to 670 to Makati, BGC or Ortigas, and the four terminals need a real transfer between them.
- NAIA has four terminals and they are not walking distance apart. Allow real time and a shuttle or a car if your connection changes terminal.
- The coupon taxi charges fixed LTFRB rates: PHP 330 to 440 to Makati, PHP 440 to BGC and PHP 530 to 670 to the Ortigas area. Grab does not publish airport fares; the app shows the price.
- Grab collects from marked spots on the arrivals kerb at each terminal, though Grab Taxi at Terminal 3 uses the departures kerb.
- The coupon taxi stand is on the arrivals kerb and sells a flat rate by destination, fixed and simple.
- Traffic is the dominant variable. Manila's congestion can double any journey time on this page; leave far more margin for a departure than seems reasonable.
The four terminals
NAIA's terminals are separate facilities on a large site. Terminal 1, 2, 3 and 4 are not connected by a walkway and moving between them means a road journey through airport traffic.
- Check which terminal your flight uses before you plan anything.
- A connection that changes terminal needs hours, not minutes.
- Shuttles run between terminals, and so do taxis.
Grab versus the coupon taxi
| Typical fare to Makati / BGC / Ortigas | |
|---|---|
| Grab | shown in the app, not published |
| Coupon taxi | PHP 330 to 670 (fixed LTFRB rates) |
- Grab shows the price in the app before you book, and its Airport to Anywhere cars keep that fare fixed however long the trip takes; Grab Taxi runs on the meter plus a booking fee.
- Grab picks up from marked spots on the arrivals kerb at each terminal; follow the signs.
- The coupon taxi stand is on the arrivals kerb and issues a flat rate to your destination. It requires nothing of you, which on a first arrival has its own value.
- Metered white taxis also operate. Insist on the meter if you take one.
UV Express and buses
- UV Express shared vans run fixed routes across Metro Manila, but the airport does not list them and no fare from NAIA is published.
- They are cheap, crowded and slow, and not designed for anyone with luggage.
- Airport buses connect the terminals with points in the city and are a reasonable middle option.
Traffic
Manila's congestion is the single biggest factor in any journey here.
- A trip that looks like 30 minutes on a map can take two hours.
- Leave far more time for a departure than the distance suggests - this is the most common way people miss flights at NAIA.
- Check the hour. Late evening and early morning are dramatically faster than the afternoon peak.
Comments
No comments yet. Share the first one.
Share a tip
Sign in to continue.