The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), also known as Manila International Airport (MIA), is the primary international airport serving the National Capital Region (NCR) and its surrounding provinces. Welcoming both international and domestic flights, NAIA has become the major jump-off point for foreign travelers to other popular tourist destinations in the country.
Although conveniently located in the highly urbanized metropolis, straddling the border of Pasay and Parañaque, it still poses some challenges to travelers, especially when it comes to getting into and out of its premises. To help you navigate and choose the best course to take when traveling to and from the airport, here’s a list of NAIA transportation options.
WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE?
By Ride-Hailing Service
NAIA is currently not yet directly connected to any railway networks, so passengers and commuters, especially those with luggage in tow, find it most convenient to book a ride via a ride-hailing service app.
But before you could use ride-hailing apps like Grab and Joyride, you’ll need an internet connection. There may be free wifi at the airport but for safety, security and reliability, it’s best to have your own private connection. If you are a foreign tourist exploring the Philippines, you can either purchase an eSIM or a local SIM card or rent a pocket WiFi unit. SIM cards and pocket WiFi devices are available at the airport.
Grab and JoyRide
A few ride-hailing services (also known as Transport Network Vehicles) are currently in operation in the Philippines, but the only ones we can recommend for transporting passengers at the airport at the moment are Grab and Joyride.
Booking a car via a ride-hailing app is probably the most direct and convenient way of getting anywhere in Metro Manila. Most of them can even serve the outskirts of the metropolis, while some can go as far as the suburbs.
However, it can also be the most expensive option, especially during peak or busy hours. The advantage, though, is that you can see upfront how much your travel will cost you before you confirm your booking.
- For Grab, you have four options: GrabTaxi, GrabCar 4-Seater, GrabCar 6-Seater, and GrabAirport (from NAIA). The last option is only available from 12PM to 12AM. It is a dedicated car service that allows a maximum of three passengers, plus three pieces of 23kg luggage. The fares for GrabAirport are fixed depending on the drop-off location; hence, no surge fees shall be applied.
- For Joyride, you have two options: 4-Seater or 6-Seater. Joyride also offers motorcycle taxi rides, but, as mentioned, we don’t recommend taking a motorcycle taxi if you’re bringing luggage with you. It is, however, a great option for when you’re roaming around the metro.
Pick-Up Locations
You may choose from several pick-up locations in NAIA from the app. Make sure that you select the correct terminal.
If you are booking via Grab, they have installed Grab Booths around some of the terminals. Do you have any inquiries about your ride, booking, or the app itself? You may ask the staff member at the booth. The attendant can even book a ride for you through their phone! Find the booths here:
- Terminal 1: Arrival Hall Exit
- Terminal 2: Arrival Hall Exit Bay 6
- Terminal 3: Arrival Hall Exit across Bay 4 (GrabCar) | Departure Area Ramp across Gate 6 (GrabTaxi)
- Terminal 4: Arrival/Departure Area Curbside
Motorcycle Taxi
If you have no big luggage or are traveling light, you can opt to take the motorcycle ride-hailing service instead. Angkas, JoyRide, and Move It can drop off and pick up passengers at the airport. It’s a great way to get to your destinations quickly while saving a pretty penny as motorcycle rides are sometimes twice as cheap as car rides. Just be mindful of the Philippines’ rainy season from May to October!
Pick-Up/Drop-Off Locations
Here are the pick-up and drop-off locations for motorcycle taxis at NAIA:
- Terminal 1: Departure Area Ramp
- Terminal 2: Departure Area Ramp Bay 25 to Bay 28
- Terminal 3: Departure Area Ramp (Secondary Road)
- Terminal 4: Curbside Area (Outer Lane)
By Taxi
Before the dawn of technological advancement in the transportation industry, taxis were the king of car hiring services when it comes to NAIA transportation. While ride-hailing taxis have carved quite the space for themselves, both fixed-rate taxis and metered taxis are still available at NAIA.
REMEMBER! Like in any other country, be on your guard against scams, especially against taxis pretending to be regular metered taxis. Some drivers will entice you under the guise of being a regular metered taxi but will eventually insist on an overpriced fixed rate when the trip starts. Always be vigilant.
Coupon Taxi
Coupon Taxis have fixed rates based on your destination. You may check first the LTFRB-prescribed rates posted at the designated coupon taxi lane at the airport before deciding to take one. A dispatch coupon/slip will be handed to you at the booth. It contains the following details: the taxi’s plate number, safety reminders, and important contact numbers. Don’t lose it!
Some drivers may ask for an additional fee or a tip, but it’s really up to you. Tipping the driver is not mandatory.
If you want to see the complete and more detailed lists of the LTFRB-prescribed rates for coupon taxis, we created separate articles for both Metro Manila and Provincial destinations. You can check them here:
Coupon Taxi Lane Locations
Here are the coupon taxi lane locations at NAIA:
- Terminal 1: Arrival Hall Exit & Arrival Hall Exit Extension
- Terminal 2: Arrival Hall Exit near Bay 11
- Terminal 3: Arrival Hall Exit across Bay 6
- Terminal 4: Arrival Hall Exit
Yellow Metered Taxi
The Yellow Metered Taxis are generally more expensive than regular metered taxis, but lines are usually shorter and units are better maintained. You will be handed a dispatch slip with the taxi details, safety reminders, and numbers to call if you have concerns about your trip.
Flag-down Rate: P75 (initial 500 meters traveled)
Succeeding Rate: P4 (for every 300 meters) + P4 (for every 2 mins waiting time)
Yellow Metered Taxi Lane Locations
Here are the yellow metered taxi lane locations at NAIA:
- Terminal 1: Arrival Hall Exit & Arrival Hall Exit Extension
- Terminal 2: Arrival Hall Exit near Bay 14
- Terminal 3: Arrival Hall Exit across Bay 8
- Terminal 4: Arrival Hall Exit
Regular Metered Taxi
Regular Metered Taxis, mostly white sedans, are cheaper compared to coupon taxis and yellow metered taxis. But here’s the catch: they receive the most complaints about taxi scams. These regular white metered taxis, at least the ones in NAIA area, are quite notorious for not turning the meter on and asking for an outrageous fixed amount once the trip starts, tampering with the meter, and taking longer routes to jack up passengers’ fare, among others.
If, for some reason, you have no choice but to take this mode of transport, make sure the taxi meter is turned on when your trip starts. You will also receive a passenger copy of the dispatch slip with the taxi. DO NOT hand it over to the driver. Keep it and get the necessary taxi info such as the plate number, the franchise number, the taxi company’s contact number, and the taxi driver’s name.
Flag-down Rate: P45
Succeeding Rate: P13.50 (for every kilometer) + P2 (for every minute of travel time)
Regular Metered Taxi Lane Locations
Here are the regular metered taxi lane locations at NAIA:
- Terminal 1: Arrival Hall Exit
- Terminal 2: Arrival Hall Exit near Bay 23
- Terminal 3: Arrival Hall Exit across Bay 13
- Terminal 4: Departure Area Curbside
By Bus
You’ll find different types of buses serving NAIA: Point-to-Point (P2P) buses, inter-terminal buses, and airport shuttle buses.
UBE Express P2P Bus
The UBE Express is a premium point-to-point airport bus transport with daily trips to and from NAIA. Its airport service covers the following locations: PITX, Victory Liner Pasay, One Ayala Makati (temporarily suspended), Robinsons Place Manila, Araneta City Cubao, Robinsons Galleria, Ayala South Park, Robinsons Sta. Rosa.
For more details about UBE Express routes, trip schedules, and fares, you can check our UBE Express P2P Bus Guide article.
The only pick-up location for UBE Express P2P buses in NAIA is at Terminal 3, across Bay 12. If you are coming from NAIA 1, 2, or 4, you can take UBE’s NAIA Loop bus that runs throughout the four terminals picking up and dropping off passengers from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily. The fare is P50.
However, this service has no exact pick up time, so if you are in a hurry, it’s best to take other options to get to Terminal 3 or your intended airport terminal.
The main mode of payment at the designated UBE Express booth is cash, but you can also get your P2P premium airport ticket from the link below!
Airport Loop Bus
The Airport Loop shuttle bus plies the NAIA-Pasay MRT route. From NAIA, it takes passengers to MRT 3 Taft Station/Pasay Rotonda via Baclaran. Sometimes, they stop at PITX also. For those going to NAIA Terminal 3, you can board the airport loop bus near the MRT 3 Taft Station.
Fare: P40 (NAIA-Pasay Rotonda) | P50 (NAIA-PITX)
Airport Loop Bus Stop Locations
Here are the Airport Loop bus stop locations at NAIA:
- Terminal 3: Arrival Hall Exit across Bay 10
- Terminal 4: Departure Area Curbside
REMINDER! BOTH NAIA-Pasay Rotonda and NAIA-PITX routes use the same waiting area, so make sure to ask the conductor which bus you’re boarding to avoid any confusion. The difference between the fares may be a mere P 10 (about 18 cents in USD), but here in the Philippines, that 10 pesos already represents a few kilometers of distance.
MIAA Inter-Terminal Shuttle
The MIAA Inter-Terminal Bus shuttles airport passengers to other NAIA terminals for FREE. It operates 24/7 and departs every hour. As of the moment, these buses only accommodate those with connecting flights between NAIA terminals. Passengers who want to avail of this service only need to present their plane tickets.
MIAA Inter-Terminal Bus Locations
Here are the MIAA inter-terminal bus stop locations at NAIA:
- Terminal 1: Arrival Hall Exit
- Terminal 2: Arrival Hall Exit Bay 19
- Terminal 3: Terminal Transfer Arrival Level (Pick Up) | Departure Area Ramp Gate 1 (Drop Off)
- Terminal 4: Outer Lane Curbside
NAIA-Clark Airport Bus
The Genesis P2P Bus have daily trips between NAIA and Clark Airport. These point-to-point buses depart and terminate at NAIA Terminal 3. They also make a stop at SM Clark before heading to either Clark Airport or NAIA. The fare is P400 – P430.
If you are looking for the complete timetable of Genesis P2P NAIA-Clark Airport bus link and more information about Clark Airport bus routes and schedules, you can check our Clark International Airport Bus Guide article.
Genesis P2P Bus Locations
Here are the Genesis P2P bus stop locations at NAIA:
- Terminal 1: Departure Area Ramp
- Terminal 2: Arrival Hall Exit Bay 2 & 3 | MIAA Admin Bldg Gate 2
- Terminal 3: Arrival Hall Exit across Bay 14
By Jeepney
This is the cheapest option but also the least recommended. Traditional and modern jeepneys alike are not allowed inside the airport grounds, so you have to walk all the way down to the national road if you want to ride one from NAIA.
Reminders
Just a few notes before even thinking of taking this option, especially for first-time travelers to the Philippines:
- It’s really a challenge commuting by jeepney in Metro Manila, especially if you are carrying lots of stuff with you.
- Specific stops for jeepneys are rare to nonexistent, so you might miss your stop and get lost.
- It can get cramped inside, especially during rush hour.
- Most of the time, the mode of payment, particularly for traditional jeepneys, is cash.
Fares and Stops
Minimum Fare
- Traditional Jeep: P12
- Modern Jeep: P14
NAIA Jeepney Stops
- Terminal 1: ICT Service Road (near T1 Pass Control Office)
- Terminal 2: Near MIAA Admin Building Gate 2
- Terminal 3: Andrews Avenue
- Terminal 4: Domestic Road
By Other Private Transfers
- Hire/Rent-A-Car. Renting a car or hiring one is also an option. Booths from car rental companies are stationed near Grab’s booth between Bay 4 & 5. Most of them run 24/7 and have fixed rates based on your drop-off point or specific destination. Cash is king when it comes to payment. Don’t forget to get all the necessary details: the car’s plate number, the company’s contact number, driver’s name (and if possible, license details), etc.
Planning to rent a car and drive it yourself? If you are not familiar with the roads and the traffic situation in Manila, this is not really recommended. Should you decide to take this option, make sure to check and compare the rates first before settling for a certain car rental company.
- Hotel Airport Transfer. Another private transfer alternative is by arranging a private transfer with your hotel. Check if your chosen accommodation offers airport transfer services.
- Klook Airport Transfer. You can also book your private airport transfer service to and from NAIA via Klook. Whether you are booking an airport pick-up or drop-off service, you need to supply the following details: date and time, number of passengers, and the pick-up and drop-off locations.
Important Contact Information
To report a problem or if you have any concerns, you may contact these numbers:
- MIAA (Manila International Airport Authority) Hotline: 8877-1111
- TEXT NAIA (SMS): +63 917-839-6242
- LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board): (02) 8529-7111
- LTO (Land Transportation Office): (02) 8928-9440
Where to Stay Near Manila Airport (NAIA)
If you are looking for a place to stay for a night near the airport, here are some of the hotels to consider:
- HOTEL OKURA MANILA
✅ Booking.com | Agoda | Hotels.com - SAVOY HOTEL MANILA
✅ Booking.com | Agoda | Hotels.com - BELMONT HOTEL MANILA
✅ Booking.com | Agoda | Hotels.com - HYATT REGENCY MANILA
✅ Booking.com | Agoda | Hotels.com - MANILA MARRIOTT HOTEL
✅ Booking.com | Agoda | Hotels.com - SHERATON MANILA HOTEL
✅ Booking.com | Agoda | Hotels.com - NICHOLS AIRPORT HOTEL
✅ Booking.com | Agoda | Hotels.com
If you want more suggestions with more details about each hotel, you can also check our Top 10 Hotels Near NAIA (Manila Airport) article.
Find more Manila Hotels!
Updates Log
2024.01.20 – Updated Other Private Transfers section
2024.01.06 – Added Important Contact Information section
2024.01.03 – Updated to reflect UBE Express One Ayala route temporary suspension, added Robinsons Galleria route availability, and changed Regular Metered Taxi Terminal 3 location from Arrival Exit Bay 12 to Bay 13
2023.11.03 – Added related article links: NAIA Coupon Taxi Rates for Metro Manila and Provincial Destinations, UBE Express Guide, and Clark International Airport Bus Guide
2023.08.09 – Added NAIA Loop service and fare (P50 per person)
2023.08.05 – Added Where to Stay Near NAIA section
2023.07.27 – First uploaded
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