How to Go to Manila: Getting In and Out of the Metro

There are several ways to get to Manila either traveling by air, land or sea.


By Air
International
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) System hosts all the international flights going in and out of Metro Manila. It is the only international airport within Metro Manila.

NAIA has 3 terminals serving international flights. NAIA Terminal 1 serves all, except Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific, international inbound and outgoing flights. NAIA Terminal 2, also called the Centennial Terminal is exclusively being used by Philippine Airlines for its domestic and international flights. NAIA Terminal 3, is the newest and biggest terminal in the NAIA complex. NAIA Terminal 3 was built to move international flights from the original terminal and free up its capacity for upgrade and development. Currently, Terminal 3 hosts Cebu Pacific, PAL Express and Air Philippines domestic and international flights.

There is another international airport, 85km north of Metro Manila, the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, which is currently undergoing development to replace NAIA as the main international airport of the Philippines. DMIA is located in Clark Special Economic Zone, in Angeles City, Pampanga where the US Air Force used to stay (Clark Airbase). It currently serves low-cost carriers that avail lower landing fee compared to NAIA. From Clark, you can either travel by land or take another domestic flight to get to Manila.

Domestic
Domestic flights that serve travelers going to and from another part of the country uses the NAIA Terminals 2 or 3 and the Manila Domestic Airport. PAL local flights uses NAIA Terminal 2, while Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines, and PAL Express uses NAIA Terminal 3. The rest of local airline carriers: SEA Air, Zest Air, InterIsland Airlines uses Manila Domestic Airport.


By Sea
The Port of Manila, also known as the Manila International Cargo Terminal, is the main sea port of Manila. Located at Manila Bay, it is the main international shipping gateway of the Philippines. It is divided into 2 sections, the North Harbor near Tondo and South Harbor bounded by Intramuros and Ermita. From Manila, you take inter-island trips using the local ship carriers, Negros Navigation, Sulpicio Lines, and SuperFerry to get to the other parts of the country.


By Land
Bus
You may get to Manila by Bus, coming from almost anywhere in the country. Be familiar with the location of the bus terminal in Manila though, because there is no single terminal hub for provincial buses when you arrive at the city. Bus companies have their own private terminals scattered around Metro Manila.

Rail
There is an existing railway system that provides long distance passenger service. The Philippine National Railways, currently provides Tayuman-Legaspi and vice versa route. Manila station is located at Tayuman, which is part of Tondo, Legaspi on the other hand is part of Bicol Province south of Luzon.

Car/Private Vehicle
If you are using a car of private vehicle, the easiest way access to Manila is through the North Expressway in the north of Metro Manila and South Expressway in the south. These 2 major roads are the main highways connecting Metro Manila to the other provinces.


Via Nautical Highway
The Philippine government developed a nautical highway, Strong Republic Nautical Highway, linking major roads to vehicular ferry routes effectively forming a nationwide vehicle-accessible transport system. The system virtually links Metro Manila and Luzon to the rest of the Philippine islands as far as Mindanao. Travel time between Manila and anywhere across the island of Luzon through this system were supposedly reduced significantly.