Transit & logisticsBy Clever Tourists · Published
From NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport), the cheapest comfortable route is the point-to-point (P2P) bus from Terminal 3 to Makati or BGC at roughly 150 to 200 pesos, and the easiest is a Grab or official coupon taxi at roughly 300 to 800 pesos. The real variable is traffic: Makati is only about 7 km away, but the ride can take 30 minutes or more than two hours at the weekday peaks of 07:00 to 10:00 and 16:00 to 20:00. We spent 2 days in Manila in November 2022 before moving on to Palawan, and the airport leg is the part of Manila worth planning. Figures here come from July and September 2026 airport guides and are approximate; fares were adjusted in 2026, so check the operator before you travel.
NAIA has four terminals that are not within walking distance of each other. Terminal 1 handles many international airlines, Terminal 2 is Philippine Airlines, Terminal 3 is the largest and handles Cebu Pacific, AirAsia and several international carriers, and Terminal 4 is a small domestic terminal. Check your ticket, because the transfer options depend on it.
The P2P buses board only at Terminal 3. From any other terminal, use the free or low-cost inter-terminal shuttle, called the NAIA Loop, or a short taxi or Grab to T3 first. Allow 2 to 3 hours for a transfer between terminals, since road traffic can hold up the shuttle. Before you fly, complete the Philippines eTravel registration.
P2P (point-to-point) buses such as UBE Express run from T3 to Makati (Ayala area), BGC and Cubao. Fares in 2026 guides range from about 150 to 200 pesos, with some routes up to 300, and the trip takes about 45 minutes to two hours. Buy tickets at the operator booth near the bay or online; the buses are air-conditioned and have luggage space.
Frequency drops at night, and the first and last departures vary by route, so check the operator before relying on it for a late flight. The LTFRB announced fare adjustments for P2P services and airport taxis in March 2026, so older blog fares may be low.
Each terminal has an official coupon taxi counter in arrivals where you pay a fixed fare based on destination. Guides in 2026 quote about 300 to 600 pesos to Makati or Pasay at the counter; one July 2026 guide lists 450 to 800 pesos, so the range is wide and the counter's board is the final word. Take the receipt to the marshalled taxi.
Yellow metered airport taxis charge a flag-down of around 70 pesos and 150 to 400 pesos to Makati, but drivers have a record of refusing the meter or asking for a fixed fare. If the driver says the meter is broken, take another cab. Regular white taxis in the queue are not covered by the coupon system and can be cheaper but riskier. Our Philippines tourist scams page lists the common tricks.
Grab works at NAIA and shows the fare before you confirm. 2026 guides quote roughly 300 to 500 pesos to Makati and 300 to 600 pesos to BGC or Ortigas, rising at peak times. Pickup is at a designated Grab zone for each terminal; the driver may ask to meet you at the departures level because of airport rules, so follow the in-app messages.
Surge pricing in rain and at peak hours can double the quote. Compare it with the coupon taxi price and take whichever is lower on the day.
The LRT and MRT lines do not connect directly to NAIA. You would need a taxi or bus to a station first, which is not worth the effort with luggage. The practical options are the four above.
If you are staying in Makati or BGC, the P2P is the straightforward public option. Staying in Ermita or Malate (the old tourist district) is a taxi or Grab ride of similar length. Quezon City is the farthest, typically 45 to 90 minutes or more.
Arrive outside the weekday rush if you can, since a 30-minute ride at 11:00 becomes more than two hours at 17:30. If your flight lands in the evening peak, consider a short stay in the airport area or take the P2P, which can use expressway lanes.
Light bags, daytime, staying in Makati or BGC: P2P from Terminal 3. Heavy bags, evening, or staying elsewhere: coupon taxi or Grab. Check is the Philippines safe to visit and the best time to visit the Philippines; our 4-week Philippines route shows where to go next, and tipping in the Philippines covers taxi rounding.
Roughly 150 to 200 pesos per person to Makati or BGC in 2026 guides, with some routes up to 300. It boards only at Terminal 3 and takes 45 minutes to two hours.
A coupon taxi is roughly 300 to 600 pesos in most guides (one July 2026 guide lists up to 800). Yellow metered taxis start at about 70 pesos flag-down and run 150 to 400 pesos if the driver uses the meter.
Makati is about 7 km from NAIA. It takes 30 to 60 minutes off-peak and can exceed two hours during the 07:00 to 10:00 and 16:00 to 20:00 weekday peaks.
No. The LRT and MRT lines do not connect directly to NAIA, so use a P2P bus, taxi or Grab.
Not on foot. The terminals are separate, and the NAIA Loop shuttle bus links them. Allow 2 to 3 hours for a transfer between terminals.
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