Manila Airport Guide: NAIA Terminals, Transfers and Tips

This Manila airport guide covers what most visitors need before landing at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA, code MNL): which terminal you will use, how to move between buildings, how to reach the city, and what to do if you have a long connection. NAIA is the main gateway to the Philippines, and if you are planning the wider trip, our Manila travel guide shows where the airport fits in. One thing to accept up front: terminal assignments at NAIA have been reshuffled several times and may change again, so treat every airline-to-terminal statement below as a starting point and check your ticket.

Manila Airport Guide to the NAIA Terminals

NAIA has four terminals, and they are separate buildings, not one connected complex. The operator publishes an airport guide at mnlairport.ph, which is the best place to check current information.

• Terminal 1: mainly international flights. Most foreign carriers have operated here, and Philippine Airlines moved its international flights to Terminal 1 when Terminal 2 became domestic-only.
• Terminal 2: domestic only since the 2018 reorganisation, home to Philippine Airlines domestic services alongside other local carriers.
• Terminal 3: the newest and largest terminal, handling both international and domestic flights. It is the main base of Cebu Pacific, and carriers such as Cathay Pacific, ANA, Singapore Airlines and EVA Air have been reported there.
• Terminal 4: historically a small domestic terminal for turboprop airlines. It closed for renovation in late 2024 and its airlines were moved to Terminal 2, so check whether it is in use for your flight.

Why You Must Verify Your Terminal

Reports in recent years describe further planned changes, including Terminal 3 becoming an international terminal for full-service carriers and Terminal 2 being split between Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific domestic flights. Plans like these shift, and many third-party websites list outdated assignments. Your e-ticket, boarding pass or airline app is authoritative. If it does not name a terminal, look up the airline on the airport operator site or contact the airline before you leave for the airport.

Who Runs the Airport

The New NAIA Infra Corp (NNIC), a consortium that includes San Miguel Corporation and Incheon International Airport Corporation, took over management and operation of NAIA on 14 September 2024 under a long-term concession. The group has announced a large modernisation programme, with upgrades promised in phases. In practice, travellers may see construction, changing signage and occasional rerouting, so allow extra time and keep an eye on the official site for notices.

Moving Between Terminals

If you have a connecting flight, the airport operates a free inter-terminal shuttle between Terminals 1, 2 and 3. Reports say it runs around the clock, that you may be asked to show a ticket or boarding pass for a flight departing within the next 24 hours, and that the operator added more buses in 2025. Look for it at the arrival bays rather than flagging a taxi, which is slower and costs money.

The terminals are not walkable in the way a single terminal is, and traffic on the roads between them can be heavy. For a transfer, leave generous time, especially if you must clear immigration, collect baggage and check in again.

Getting from NAIA to the City

Distances are short on a map but traffic is the variable. A trip to Makati can be quick late at night and slow during the morning and evening rush, when it can take more than an hour. Pick your transport by time of day and luggage load, not only by price.

Grab

Grab operates pick-up points at the airport, with booths reported at each terminal arrival area. Using the app gives you a fare shown before you ride, which many first-time visitors find easier than negotiating. Follow the signs to the designated pick-up zone, as drivers cannot always stop at the curb. The price you see in the app may include airport surcharges, so check it before confirming. For the area you are heading to, see our comparison of the best hotels in Manila, which explains Makati, BGC and Ermita.

Airport Taxis

Regular white metered taxis and yellow airport taxis both serve the terminals, with pick-up points at the arrival curbs. Insist on the meter, or use the airport coupon taxi counters where available, which charge a fixed amount to your destination. Rates are set by the regulator and change, so check the current fare on the sign at the counter.

P2P Buses

Point-to-point buses connect the airport with business districts, and the UBE Express service is reported to board at Terminal 3. It is the cheapest option and reaches the Makati area, but you will probably need another ride to finish your journey, for example if your destination is Bonifacio Global City. Schedules and routes change, so confirm on the operator site or app before relying on a bus, especially for late arrivals.

Which Option for Which Destination

• Makati: Grab or taxi for door-to-door convenience; the P2P bus if you are travelling light and your hotel is near the stop.
• BGC (Taguig): Grab or taxi is simplest. Buses typically drop you in Makati, where you still need to connect onward.
• Ermita and Intramuros: these are closer to the airport than the business districts, so a Grab or taxi is usually the easiest.

For the city itself, see our guide to getting around Manila, which covers Grab, trains, jeepneys and what to avoid at peak hours.

Arrival Process: eTravel and Immigration

Foreign visitors should register with the government’s eTravel system at etravel.gov.ph before arrival. The official FAQ says registration is free and may be done within 72 hours of your scheduled arrival, and you will get a QR code to present on arrival. Use only the official site, as look-alike pages exist. Entry rules, length of stay and visa-free eligibility differ by nationality, so read our Philippines visa guide and verify with the Bureau of Immigration before you fly.

After immigration, collect checked baggage and pass customs. Keep your passport, onward ticket details and hotel address handy, since officers may ask for them.

SIM Cards, ATMs and Currency Exchange on Arrival

Globe and Smart both run SIM kiosks in the arrivals areas after customs. You will need your passport to register a prepaid SIM. ATMs and money-exchange counters are generally available at arrivals, and at least a telco booth and some ATMs tend to stay open late, although not every exchange counter will be open at 3 am. A self-service currency exchange machine has been installed at Terminal 3 arrivals.

Airport exchange rates are typically weaker than in the city, so change only what you need for the ride and your first night, then use ATMs or city money changers. Our Philippines money guide explains cash, ATM fees and typical costs.

Layover and Transit Tips

• Single ticket vs separate tickets: with one ticket, baggage may be checked through, but domestic-to-international connections in Manila can still involve collecting bags and clearing immigration. Philippine Airlines publishes a transfer guide describing these steps.
• Separate tickets: you will normally have to enter the country, collect bags and check in again. Check your visa eligibility, and remember the airline is not obliged to rebook if you miss the second flight.
• Terminal changes: if your two flights use different terminals, allow extra time for the free shuttle and re-screening.
• Short layovers: do not plan to leave the airport for sightseeing unless you have many hours and the right entry permission. Traffic is unpredictable.
• Plan the night: an overnight connection is easier if you book a nearby room instead of sleeping in the terminal.

Airport Hotels

Several hotels are close to Terminal 3 in the Pasay and Newport City area. The Belmont Hotel Manila is reported to be linked to Terminal 3 by a covered footbridge, within about a five-minute walk, and the Resorts World Manila complex also contains properties such as Manila Marriott Hotel and Remington Hotel. Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport City is also described as close. Check current rates and the walking route on your booking site, and note that for Terminals 1 and 2 you will usually need a short taxi or Grab ride. If you are staying longer in the capital, the Makati, BGC and Ermita options in our Manila hotel guide are a better base.

Domestic Connections: Palawan, Boracay and Beyond

Many visitors use Manila as a hub for island flights. If you are heading to Palawan, our guide to Manila to Palawan flights and ferries explains the options. For beach connections, see how to get from Manila to Boracay, which has its own airport and boat steps. The key airport lesson for either route: a domestic flight may leave from a different terminal from your international arrival, so build in time for the shuttle, a fresh check-in and security.

As a rule of thumb, leave several hours between an international arrival and a domestic departure on a separate ticket. That margin protects you against immigration queues, baggage delays and rush-hour traffic between terminals.

Practical Tips

• Arrive early for departures; queues for check-in and security can be long and traffic to the airport is unpredictable.
• Confirm your terminal the day before and again on the morning of travel.
• Use official taxi queues, the airport booths or the Grab app, and ignore touts offering rides in the arrival hall.
• Keep valuables in your hand luggage and watch bags in busy curbside areas.
• Carry some small pesos for tips, snacks and the first ride.
• Travel lightly where possible, as moving between terminals with large bags is tiring.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many terminals does NAIA have?

Four: Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4. They are separate buildings, and Terminal 4 has been closed for renovation, so check which one your airline uses.

Which terminal does Cebu Pacific use?

Cebu Pacific has its main base at Terminal 3. Its smaller regional flights were moved to Terminal 2 during the Terminal 4 renovation. Always check your boarding pass.

Is there a free shuttle between terminals?

Yes. A free inter-terminal shuttle links Terminals 1, 2 and 3 for passengers with a connecting flight. Be ready to show your ticket or boarding pass.

What is the cheapest way from the airport to Makati?

The P2P bus is typically the cheapest option, though it is reported to board at Terminal 3 and may not drop you at your door. Grab or a metered taxi is easier with heavy bags.

Do I need to register for eTravel?

Foreign visitors are required to register on the official eTravel site before arrival, and the official FAQ says registration is free. See the visa guide and verify current rules.

Can I buy a SIM card at the airport?

Yes. Globe and Smart kiosks are in the arrivals areas, and you need your passport to register.

Should I exchange money at the airport?

Change only a small amount for immediate needs, since airport rates are typically less favourable than in the city.

Bottom Line

NAIA is manageable if you plan ahead: confirm your terminal, register for eTravel on the official site, choose Grab, a taxi or the P2P bus based on your hotel and the time of day, and leave generous buffers for any connection. Because the airport is under new management and terminal assignments keep evolving, the official operator site and your airline are the final word.