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2 Ways to Travel from Manila Airport to the city centre - by <Strong>Airport Shuttle</Strong> and <Strong>Taxi</Strong>

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Transport	Duration	Price	Best For	Popularity
Airport ShuttleFastestBudget	30m	($150)	--
Taxi	1h 30m	($280)	--

Airport Shuttle

FastestBudget

Duration

30m

Price

$150

Best For

Popularity

Taxi

Duration

1h 30m

Price

$280

Best For

Popularity

Airport Shuttle

30mFrom ~$150

Air21 offers a premium airport bus service called UBE Express, which operates between Manila Airport and various transport hubs in Metro Manila. These buses drop off passengers only at specific stops. So, knowing where your hotel is will help you decide if the shuttle bus is a convenient option.

From Manila Airport, the nearest routes are to Victory Liner – Pasay, Parañaque and Robinsons Manila. If you’re heading north towards Quezon City, you can take the Araneta City bus. If you’re going south of Metro Manila, you have a couple of options: the Vista Terminal Exchange bus to Alabang or the Laguna bus if you’re heading even further.

Travel time is usually 30 minutes to 1 hour, but it will still depend on road and traffic conditions.

You can buy your ticket from the UBE Express booth, which is available outside the arrival hall of every Manila Airport terminal.

Another option is to pay using a Beep Card — a reloadable travel card that some locals use. But if you're a foreign traveller spending just a few days in Metro Manila, a Beep Card might not be cost efficient. Pay by cash instead.

UBE Express ticket prices:

150 PHP – Pasay, Parañaque, and Manila routes

200 PHP – Araneta City and Alabang routes

300 PHP – Laguna

Departure and arrival stations

UBE Express buses offer P2P (Point-2-Point) pick-up only at NAIA Terminal 3, specifically at Bay 12, where you'll also find the ticket booth.

If your flight lands at Terminals 1, 2, or 4, you'll need to go to Terminal 3 to take the UBE Express bus to your next stop. To get to Terminal 3, you can hop on the UBE Express Parañaque bus, which covers transfers between terminals for only 50 PHP. Note that some of their trips get cancelled, which they announce on the UBE Express Facebook page.

There is a free shuttle bus operating between Manila Airport terminals, but this is only available for travellers with a connecting flight in a different terminal. You’ll need to show your boarding pass and flight ticket to get on.

See the schedule for different routes of UBE Express bus below:

Ready to book your airport shuttle?

From ~$150 · 30m

Bookaway

KEY LOCATIONS

Departure & Arrival Stations

ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION

Why Visit Manila?

Manila is the capital of the Philippines — an old city often disregarded by travellers who use it only as a gateway to the country's more visually appealing islands. But if you have an extra day in your itinerary, we think Manila's colourful history is a great way to kick off your trip.

Explore the walled city of Intramuros, Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church — all of which were first built in the late 1500s. Art and anthropology also attract many locals to Manila. You will find here the National Museum, a complex of three museum buildings that tell the story of the Filipinos.

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Taxi

1h 30mFrom ~$280

A taxi is the most convenient way to get to and from Manila Airport. Taxis are hard to miss, as they are usually parked outside of the arrivals hall.

There are three types of taxis you can book from the airport to Manila city centre. There is the coupon taxi, the metered airport taxi, and the metered regular taxi. We explain them all below. But first, we would like to highlight booking a taxi with Grab.

Grab (Asian Uber)

You can order a Grab straight from Manila Airport. There’s a Grab booth outside every airport terminal where you could ask for assistance in booking your ride. This is usually the cheapest private transfer you can get here.

Grab rates depend on your destination, but they typically start at if you’re heading to Makati.

Wi-Fi is pretty bad in the Philippines and a sim card can save you a lot of hassle and frustration. You can buy your sim card as soon as you arrive and already save part of the costs with the taxi ride to your hotel. We're sure you won’t regret getting one!

Private Transfer via Klook

You can also look for private transport on Klook. Rates start at 21 USD for a 4-seater car. It’s a good choice if you’re after comfort and convenience right after landing, because your ride will be ready and waiting as soon as you arrive.

Coupon Taxi

Coupon taxis are white with blue and yellow labels on each side of the car. The fares for coupon taxis are fixed, depending on which area your destination belongs to.

If you prefer this kind of taxi, just approach the coupon taxi counter at Manila Airport. Tell them where you want to be dropped off, and the staff will hand you a slip with the quoted price. Another member of the staff will guide you to the taxi.

Make sure to keep your coupon for the entire journey and hand it to the driver only upon arrival at your destination.

Note that coupon taxis are only available from Manila Airport. Coupon taxis do not pick up passengers on the way back to the airport.

Destination	Fixed Costs
Manila	440 PHP - 670 PHP
Makati	330 PHP - 440 PHP
Taguig	330 PHP - 530 PHP
Pasay	150 PHP - 440 PHP
Parañaque	150 PHP - 440 PHP

Metered Airport Taxis

These are yellow taxis that are operated by the airport. They have a flag down rate of 70 PHP, which makes them more expensive than regular taxis. Yellow metered taxi fares to areas in Metro Manila start from 400 PHP, but it still depends on your destination and the traffic.

Yellow taxis heading back to the airport can be hailed from the streets.

Metered Regular Taxis

Regular metered taxis are the most affordable among all the taxis available at Manila Airport. The flag down rate is 50 PHP. Fares going to Metro Manila cities start from 300 PHP, depending on the traffic and your destination.

Regular metered taxis aren’t officially part of the airport service, so make sure the meter’s on to avoid paying more than you should.

Private Cars via BookAway

For trusted drivers and excellent customer service, you can also book your ride online through BookAway.

This can be a convenient option if you are travelling in large groups. Rates start from 3,350 PHP for a 5-seater private transfer.

Ready to book your taxi?

From ~$280 · 1h 30m

Bookaway

STAY

Where to Stay in Manila

Most travelers base themselves near the main beach for easy access to transport, restaurants, and activities.

Treat Yourself

Somerset Central Salcedo Makati

Area: Makati City centre — approx. 10-minute walk to shopping malls and business centre

As soon as you step into Somerset Central, you forget about the hustle and bustle going on outside the doors. Inside the hotel you’re met with luxury, relaxation and a chance to rejuvenate yourself in the gym or outdoor pool.

The grandeur of the hotel continues in the rooms, decorated in a stylish and modern design. The highlight of the room are the beds. They’re huge and super comfortable, guaranteeing you a great night's sleep.

Outdoor swimming pool

Gym

A la carte restaurant

Continental breakfast included

Double rooms start from $50 per night

View on Booking.com

Mid-Range

Hotel 101 Manila

Area: Along Mall of Asia complex — approx. 10-minute drive to shopping malls and airport

Hotel 101 Manila has everything you could ask for from a city hotel. It has a refreshing outdoor pool, a delicious on-site restaurant and it’s close to the airport — perfect if you’re flying in or out of Manila.

The rooms are large, comfortable and exceptionally clean. With their incredible hospitality, the staff make you feel like you’re staying in a 5-star hotel.

Outdoor swimming pool

On-site restaurant

Amazing staff

Great and convenient location

Double rooms cost $30-$50 per night

View on Booking.com

Budget

Hop Inn Hotel Makati Avenue

Area: Makati City centre — approx. 5-minute drive to nearest shopping mall

Only passing through Manila? Hop Inn Hotel is perfect for those spending just a few nights in the busy city. It’s clean, modern and has all of the basic amenities that you could possibly need.

Modern minimalism would be a good way to describe this place. Plus you won’t be spending too much time in your room as you’re located in Makati, one of the best neighbourhoods in Manila.

Clean and modern rooms

Great location

Air conditioning

Helpful staff

Double rooms cost $15-$30 per night

View on Booking.com

How to Get from to Manila

Related Routes in Philippines

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Airport Shuttle

Departure and arrival stations

Ready to book your airport shuttle?

Departure & Arrival Stations

Why Visit Manila?

How We Research

Taxi

Grab (Asian Uber)

Private Transfer via Klook

Coupon Taxi

Metered Airport Taxis

Metered Regular Taxis

Private Cars via BookAway

Ready to book your taxi?

Traveller Reviews

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Where to Stay in Manila

Somerset Central Salcedo Makati

Hotel 101 Manila

Hop Inn Hotel Makati Avenue