Transiting between Manila’s Airport Terminals ✈️🛬🛫
Moving between Manila airport terminals 2 and 3 is a travel experience that feels less like a simple transfer and more like a quirky side quest.
Despite the short distance separating them, options range from shuttle buses operating on their own mysterious schedule to Philippine taxis that provide an unexpected lesson in fare negotiation.
Here’s what you need to know to make a successful transfer at Ninoy Aquino International Airport without turning it into a full-blown endurance challenge.
Highlights
- Skipping Manila on Arrival
- Transit from Terminal 3
- Terminal 2 Impressions
- Trikes Taxis & Other Options
- Colorful Filipino Currency
- All Hotel Deals in Manila
- Travel Essentials for the Jungle
- A Complete Philippines Itinerary
Skipping Manila on Arrival
After an overnight stay in Rome, the first stop on our 20-day trip to the Philippines was Manila.
In order to keep our city-stays to a minimum we had decided to skip Manila completely on our way in. Our plan instead was to arrive at Manila airport, clear customs, then take the first flight out to Cebu.
To do this we would need to negotiate ourselves around Manila’s airport terminals.
Following a long-haul flight from Europe, we understood that we would be spending 6 hours at Manila airport (Terminal 3) but this would save us time and costs in the long run.
We would have to depart from Manila anyway at the end of the trip, so we had reserved our last 2 days in the Philippines to stay at the Oasis Hotel close to the centre of the city.
I admit to not looking forward to our transit through Manila. I had read a lot of negative reports about Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The place has a terrible reputation for chaos, noise, lack of services, and massive check-in queues.
If we’d chosen a short stay in Manila before heading off for the islands, we’d have to experience the airport twice during our trip (including the return).
We concluded it may just be better to wait in the airport for a connecting flight, and head off again as soon as possible.
We had booked an early flight from Manila online with Philippine Airlines. Leaving at 5 am (about 6 hours after our arrival), and arriving in Cebu city an hour later.
Transit from Terminal 3
As it turned out, our worries were unfounded. It was a pleasant surprise to arrive in Terminal 3 to find a clean, modern, and organised place.
Manila airport terminals – Snack bar
Several decent eating places were open at 1 am, plus an information desk and free shuttle services to the other terminals.
We had 6 hours to kill before our onward domestic flight to Cebu, so we loaded up on snacks and took the shuttle bus to Terminal 2 (its much further than we thought – a good 20-minute trip).
The shuttle service runs every 40 minutes or so.
Terminal 2 Impressions
Terminal 2 also seems to be a decent and functional place (contrary to reports), though we didn’t find any shops or eateries.
Did I speak too soon? The whole terminal just blacked out with a power cut while I was using their free laptop station to charge my phone. It came back on again after a few minutes, so fingers crossed.
There’s also free WIFI in Terminal 2, which we didn’t even find in Dubai airport.
We had another short power cut before boarding the plane. I understand this is just something you generally have to get used to in the Philippines.
More importantly, there were a couple of snack bars open opposite the boarding gates after check-in, and another free WIFI and charging area. The short flight to Cebu with Philippine Airlines was comfortable, with snacks, and it arrived on time.
Dawn over Cebu City
All in all, our 6-hour layover at Manila airport turned out to be pretty relaxed by any standards.
We would be arriving in Cebu very early in the morning, so we would have plenty of time to kill before checking into our hotel.
This would be a good opportunity to try our first meal in the Philippines – albeit breakfast!
If you’re interested in Manila Airport Terminals, check out Central Philippines – Cebu & Bohol. You may also like:
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2 Comments
Tim
September 4, 2023at 9:48 pmWe had a horrible transfer experience and despite a long enough layover we barely made our connecting flight. Delays, massive lines, poor signage, staff shortages or just bad scheduling made it anail biting experience I have no desire to repeat.
Team Manila Airport – please improve, still a long way to go to catch up with Singapore, Thailand, etc.
Kenneth Kuykendall
January 8, 2020at 2:03 pmDepends on what time of day you arrive.
We arrived late and was told no shuttle was available, and eventually had to get a cab to the 2nd terminal, but we weren’t sure which terminal we were leaving from and had left from the third terminal in the past.
So, to make a long story short, Genesis P2P bus dropped us just short of Terminal One, we had to carry all our stuff to Terminal One, realized we were at the wrong terminal, got a taxi to terminal three, found out we were at the wrong terminal, then back tracked to terminal two. It took us like 30 minutes and 500 pesos ($10 U.S.), so yeah, it was a nightmare, but do-able.
Hope my ramblings helped.