First Day Abroad

Manila

City · PH · PHP · Asia/Manila

Capital of the Philippines and the main tourist arrival city.

SIM & eSIM

Buy a SIM at the arrivals hall

Important

Globe, Smart and DITO kiosks sit just past immigration.

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Where

Operator kiosks are directly after imm

Links: Philippine SIM registration

Last verified: 2026-07-01

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SIM & eSIM

Tourist SIM cards at the airport

Editorially verified

Prepaid tourist SIMs (Globe, Smart, DITO) are sold at kiosks in the arrivals hall. SIM registration is mandatory — bring your passport.

Last verified: 2026-07-01 · Source: DICT — SIM Registration

ATMs

Avoid dynamic currency conversion at ATMs

Editorially verified

When an ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, decline it and choose to be charged in pesos (PHP) to avoid a poor conversion rate.

Last verified: 2026-07-01 · Source: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

Transport

Getting from NAIA to the city

Editorially verified

Use the airport taxi coupon desks or the Grab app rather than unmetered offers. Check current fares before you ride.

Last verified: 2026-07-01 · Source: NAIA passenger information

Emergency numbers

Emergency numbers

Official source
  • National emergency hotline: 911
  • Philippine National Police: 117

Last verified: 2026-07-01 · Source: Philippine National Emergency Hotline (911)

Experiences

External experience

A traveler describes buying and registering a tourist SIM at the NAIA arrivals hall.

500 PHP

By u/example_traveler on Reddit · 2026-05-10 · Open original

External experience

A blog post on which ATMs in Manila charge high withdrawal fees and how to avoid DCC.

By — on example.com · Open original

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