How To Get To MANILA
Most arrivals to the Philippines arrive at Manilla International ( Ninoy Aquino International Airport). Once you have queued at immigration / passport control you wll then collect your bags from the carousel. Once that is done you proceed to the exit doors. Baggage tags from your luggage will be checked and removed then you can proceed out of the main doors onto the airport only roads. Taxis will be waiting here with men asking if you want a taxi.. Our advice is that if you need a taxi to use the Airport Taxi Service which is located across the first road on the left. You tell them where you are going ( Hotel) then they give you a recipt , tell you how much, and you proceed to the waiting taxi. Be wary of men picking up your bags to take to the taxi as they will expect paying. Refrain from talking too much to the drivers. Although most are good, a bad one will determine you are a new visitor and could cause you problems regarding the fare ,�tip etc. Best to just relax, keep quiet and arrive at your hotel. Pay the driver the agreed amount ( plus small tip 20 - 50 pesos if you want) then go inside your hotel.
If you should get other taxis from the airport , make sure they will turn on the meter before you get in If they refuse or say its broken tell them you will get another. If they say 'because of traffc ' they want to agree a fare in advance tell them no and that if no meter, you will get another taxi . Once you have been in the Philippines a while you will learn how to barter the price if you want. but generally you will end up paying a lot more for your journey .
If you are being met at the airport you will have to leave the building past the taxis across the road and walk down the ramps facing you , which will lead you to the pick up area. Your welcome will be waiting for you there with the taxi that they have arranged.
If you are leaving via Aquino International , make sure you allow about an hour to get from Check In to Departure lounge as you have to pay the airport tax , then queue to go through immigration. This can take nearly an hour on busy days. The departure lounge is a further 10 - 15 minutes from there with 2 more security checks on the way..
There is NO SMOKING in any airport in the Philippines , apart from Ninoy Aquino , which has a coffee shop just after immigration control , amongst the group of duty free shops. Once you leave the coffee shop you will not be allowed to smoke.
The Domestic airport is a short distance away from the International airport but in fact Domestic flights touch down on the Inertantional runway and taxi to the Domestic terminals. This can take a few minutes after landing. If you are catching an onward connecting flight , you will have to leave the airport and get a taxi outside or the shuttle service to take you . Although near by it could still take you 30 minutes if its rush hour in Manlla so allow planty of time.
The Domestic Airport is smaller and more manic than Ninoy, especially at check in. Be prepared to queue outside to get in and have your Passport and ticket ready for inspection at the door.After the usual scanning , x-ray and searches and then check in , you will have to pay the airport tax in cash before you get through to departure lounge. Arriving at Manilla Domestic Airport , after collecting your bags you will exit the main doors where the taxi queue is to the right. You queue and move down the line . On your turn for a taxi �a man will give you a reciept with the taxi number on it. and you get in.. If there is no taxi there , it wont be a long wait. MAKE SURE YOU ASK THE DRIVER TO TURN THE METER ON BEFORE LOADING YOUR BAGS. If someone is meeting you they will be waiting across the road from the exit doors facing you .�Some wait immediatley outside the exit doors but they might get moved on by police .
FERRIES
There are many ferries to take you to most places in the Philippines leaving from Manilla Port . You can contact us for more advice or information or check out our LINKS page for contact details of ferry companies etc.�
�
