Select Airport
MNL Ninoy Aquino International
60 min to city

Manila

Manila works as a layover only if you have 6 or more hours. Ninoy Aquino International Airport sits 7 km…

How much time do you have?
Our recommendations take into account your actual arrival and departure times, airport processing, and transit friction.
From MNL
🏢
Under 3h
Stay airside
🚕
3–6 hours
Quick city stop
🗽
6–10 hours
Full exploration
🌃
10+ hours
Multi-neighborhood
IMMIGRATION55m
TRANSIT60m
EXPLORE40m
RETURN60m
BUFFER55m
Recommended Itinerary

Your layover plan

Arrive & Immigration
~55 min · MNL
  • Follow signs to passport control immediately on landing
  • Have onward boarding pass and hotel/address ready for questions
  • Queues at NAIA are routinely 30–60 min at peak arrival banks. Automated eGates are in service for returning Filipino citizens; most foreign visitors still go through manual counters.
Transit into the city
60 min

UBE Express P2P airport bus (₱150–200, 40–70 min) connects all four NAIA terminals to Makati, Ortigas, and Manila city centre every 30–45 min from 6am to 10pm. Grab and metered white taxis are faster in light traffic, 30–45 min. No metro line to the airport as of 2026.

Explore Manila
~40m of free time
Stay airside. Road traffic between NAIA and Manila runs 45 to 90 minutes each way even outside rush hour, leaving almost no usable city time for a 3 to 6 hour layover after clearing immigration. The airport has multiple terminals, each with food and lounge options. Terminal 3 has the best retail and dining selection if you need to wait.
Return to MNL
60 min back to airport
  • Leave enough buffer - trains run to a schedule and can be delayed
  • Buy your return ticket in advance if possible
  • Set an alarm 115 min before your departure gate closes
Back through security
~55 min buffer before gate
  • Re-entry security at MNL typically takes 10-20 min
  • Check your gate - it may have changed while you were out
  • Liquids bought in the city cannot pass security - finish or bin them
Where to Eat

Best eats for a layover

What to See

Top sights for your time window

Practical Info

What you need to know

Currency
Philippine peso (₱). Cards accepted at malls, hotels, and chain restaurants. Carry cash for jeepneys, tricycles, and small vendors.
Language
Filipino and English. English is an official language and widely used at the airport, hotels, and restaurants.
Visa
Visa-free for 30 days for most Western passports under EO 408 (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia). Passport must be valid 6+ months with proof of onward travel, and eTravel registration at etravel.gov.ph is required within 72 hours before arrival. Verify before travel — visa rules change.
Transit
Grab (ride-hail) from NAIA to Makati runs ₱300–700 and 30–60 min depending on traffic. UBE Express P2P airport bus is ₱150–200, 40–70 min, every 30–45 min from 6am to 10pm. Metered white taxis are cheapest at around ₱300.
Weather
Tropical — hot and humid year-round. Dry season runs November through April (best for layovers); May through October is rainy with typhoon risk.
Tipping
Not strictly expected. A 10 percent service charge is usually already on the restaurant bill; if not, rounding up or leaving ₱50–100 is common.
Emergency
911 (Philippines universal — police, fire, ambulance).
Time Zone
PHT (UTC+8). No daylight saving time.
Stay connected with an eSIM
Data from arrival, no roaming fees. Instant activation via Airalo.
Get eSIM ↗
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