ULTIMATE GUIDE to Manila's Airport (Ninoy Aquino International Airport - Gateway to the Philippines)
Summary
TLDRThis video offers an in-depth guide to navigating Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), addressing its outdated infrastructure and congestion. It covers the history of Manila's airports, details of NAIA's terminals, and tips for transferring between them. The video also provides advice on local transportation, currency exchange, and where to find affordable services and accommodations near the airport, aiming to make travelers' experiences more enjoyable.
Takeaways
- 😕 Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is outdated, congested, and confusing, with long lines and aging infrastructure.
- 🌐 NAIA has a history of several airports, with Terminal 1 being the first constructed in 1948, and Terminal 3 being the newest and largest.
- 📈 The airport is located just 7 kilometers south of Manila and is surrounded by a bustling metro area with limited space for expansion.
- 🚌 There are no direct trains or walkways connecting the terminals; free shuttle buses operate hourly for transfer between terminals.
- 🛍 Terminal 3 is the largest and busiest, offering a wide range of shops, restaurants, and services.
- 🏨 Terminal 1 has an airside lodging facility with affordable rates for passengers with long layovers.
- 📶 All terminals offer two hours of free WIFI per day, and there are various internet providers with additional options.
- 💵 It's recommended for foreign visitors to get some local currency upon arrival, as many small businesses do not accept credit or debit cards.
- 🚶♂️ Walking between terminals is not recommended due to congestion and construction, except for a safe walk between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
- 🚍 There are various transportation options available from the airport, including buses, taxis, and ride-sharing services like GRAB.
- 🏢 Terminal 3 connects to Newport City via a covered overpass, offering entertainment, shopping, lodging, and dining options.
Q & A
What are some of the issues faced by passengers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport?
-Some of the issues faced by passengers include long lines, aging infrastructure, and sudden power outages, as well as congestion due to the airport exceeding its designed capacity.
How many terminals does NAIA have?
-NAIA has four terminals.
What is the significance of Terminal 3 at NAIA?
-Terminal 3 is the newest, largest, and busiest terminal at NAIA. It serves all the airlines listed in the script and offers an expansive selection of shops, restaurants, cafes, lounges, and more.
What services are available for passengers with long layovers at NAIA?
-Passengers with long layovers can use the 'Day Rooms' at the airside lodging facility on the 4th floor of Terminal 1, or the Wings Transit Lounge on Level 4 of Terminal 3 which offers capsules and private rooms for short stays.
How can passengers transfer between terminals at NAIA?
-Passengers can transfer between terminals using free shuttle buses that connect all terminals, or by using the pay-to-ride UBE Express premium bus service. Walking between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 is also an option, but walking between other terminals is not recommended.
What is the Philippines Bureau of Immigration One-Stop-Shop and where is it located?
-The Philippines Bureau of Immigration One-Stop-Shop is an office located on Level 3 near the check-in area on the south side of Terminal 3, offering common immigration services including visa extensions.
What is Runway Manila and how does it benefit passengers at NAIA?
-Runway Manila is a covered overpass that connects Terminal 3 to Newport City, providing passengers with quick access to entertainment, shopping, lodging, and dining options without having to navigate through busy roads.
What is the advice for foreign visitors regarding currency exchange at NAIA?
-Foreign visitors are advised to get some cash upon arrival as many local businesses do not accept credit or debit card payments. They should avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion and complete transactions in local currency, Philippine pesos.
What are some of the amenities available at NAIA's Terminal 3?
-Terminal 3 offers a variety of amenities including duty-free shops, restaurants, a 7/11 convenience store, and the Wings Transit Lounge for rest and relaxation.
How far is the new international airport being constructed in Bulacan from NAIA?
-The script does not specify the exact distance, but it mentions that the new international airport is being constructed to the north in Bulacan.
What is the recommendation for transportation from NAIA to other parts of Manila?
-The script recommends using the affordable buses that connect the airport to various destinations, taxis, or ride-sharing options like GRAB, but advises to be prepared for traffic delays.
Outlines
✈️ Overview of Manila's NAIA Airport
This paragraph introduces Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), highlighting its issues such as congestion, outdated infrastructure, and frequent power outages. Despite these challenges, NAIA serves as a major hub for travelers entering the Philippines. The narrator, Nate, offers to guide viewers through NAIA, providing tips and information to make the airport experience smoother. The paragraph briefly touches on the history of Manila’s primary airports over the past century, leading to the current four terminals at NAIA, each with its own timeline of construction. The government is also working on initiatives to expand airport capacity by privatizing NAIA and constructing new airports in Bulacan and Cavite.
🛫 NAIA Terminals Overview
This paragraph provides a detailed overview of NAIA’s four terminals, highlighting their unique features and services. Terminal 1 has shopping and dining options and a dedicated Day Rooms facility for long layovers. Terminal 2 has an easy-to-understand layout with shops and restaurants, including a cafeteria serving Filipino dishes. Terminal 4 is the smallest, with a compact layout that can get crowded. Terminal 3 is the largest and busiest, offering a wide selection of shops, restaurants, lounges, and more. It also mentions the free WiFi, available charging stations, ATMs, currency exchange offices, and advice for foreign visitors to withdraw cash upon arrival to avoid high transaction fees.
🚍 Transferring Between NAIA Terminals
This paragraph discusses the options for transferring between NAIA terminals. The airport offers free shuttle buses that operate 24/7, connecting all four terminals, but the service can be crowded and subject to delays due to traffic. Passengers can also use the UBE Express premium bus service, though its reliability varies. Other options include taxis and ride-sharing services like GRAB, but these can be expensive and affected by traffic. Walking between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 is possible, but not recommended between other terminals due to safety concerns. The paragraph also touches on general transportation options at NAIA, such as buses that connect Terminal 3 to various parts of Manila and beyond.
🛍️ Amenities at NAIA Terminal 3 and Nearby Areas
This paragraph focuses on Terminal 3, NAIA’s largest terminal, and highlights its amenities, such as restaurants, shops, a 7/11 convenience store, and the Philippines Bureau of Immigration One-Stop-Shop for visa extensions. The Wings Transit Lounge offers affordable lodging options for short stays, providing facilities like showers, massages, and a business center. Runway Manila, an overpass connecting Terminal 3 to Newport City, is also described as a convenient way to access entertainment, shopping, lodging, and dining options. Newport City and nearby areas offer affordable accommodations, services, and dining, making them ideal for travelers with long layovers or short stays.
🌏 Conclusion and Final Tips
The final paragraph concludes by acknowledging NAIA’s challenges but emphasizes ways to navigate the airport effectively. The narrator praises the warmth and hospitality of Filipinos, both at the airport and throughout the country. The video ends with an invitation to viewers to share their tips and experiences in the comments, along with wishes for happy future travels.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)
💡Capacity
💡Terminals
💡Congestion
💡Infrastructure
💡Transfers
💡AMEX (Affordable Mass Evacuation Express)
💡Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)
💡Wings Transit Lounge
💡Newport City
💡Salem Complex
Highlights
Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport is outdated, congested, and confusing.
NAIA exceeded its designed capacity years ago.
NAIA is located in one of Asia’s most populated cities.
The airport has a history of several primary airports over the last 100 years.
Terminal 1 is the furthest south and has a relatively easy navigation.
Terminal 2 has a beautiful, easy-to-understand layout.
Terminal 4 is the smallest and easiest to navigate.
Terminal 3 is the largest, newest, and busiest terminal.
All terminals offer two hours of free WIFI per day.
Electrical outlets and charging stations are sporadically placed.
NAIA does not have trains or underground walkways linking terminals; free shuttle buses are available.
Arriving passengers with connecting flights are the only ones permitted to use the free transfer buses.
Walking between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 is possible and safe.
UBE Express premium bus service offers a pay-to-ride transfer option.
Taxis and ride-sharing options are available but can be subject to traffic and scams.
Terminal 3 serves as a hub for buses connecting the airport to various destinations.
Terminal 3 features a wide selection of shops, restaurants, and cafes.
The Philippines Bureau of Immigration One-Stop-Shop offers visa extensions at Terminal 3.
Wings Transit Lounge on Level 4 offers affordable rest and relaxation options.
Runway Manila connects Terminal 3 to Newport City, offering entertainment and lodging options.
Manlunas Street offers affordable shopping, dining, and services near the airport.
Salem Complex near Terminal 4 provides budget accommodation options.
Despite its drawbacks, NAIA has positive qualities and is located in a warm and welcoming country.
Transcripts
Ok, it’s no secret that Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport,
the longtime primary gateway to the Philippines, is a bit of an outdated,
congested, and confusing aviation hub, to put it mildly. Long lines,
aging infrastructure, and sudden power outages have been some of the most widely publicized
issues, among others. NAIA, as the airport is referred to locally,
exceeded its designed capacity years ago in one of Asia’s most populated cities. Nowadays,
getting through and around NAIA's numerous terminals and facilities can be very overwhelming,
unless you know how to navigate the airport like a pro
and take full advantage of its location and offerings.
Today, I will be your guide and show you how to make your experience at Manila’s
massive airport as enjoyable, worthwhile, and seamless as possible.
It’s taken me years to figure out this sprawling aviation complex,
but I’ve learned a lot that has helped me both better prepare for the
challenges and appreciate the useful and positive aspects of Ninoy Aquino International Airport. My
name is Nate, and stay tuned for plenty of tips and key
information that will make your future travels to or through this Philippine gateway that much
easier. Alright, let’s get started!
First, let’s very briefly look at the history and get a general
overview of Manila’s airport, just so we have some better context. Manila has actually had
several primary airports in the last 100 years: Grace Park Airfield (the capital’s first
commercial airport that opened in 1935), Nielson Airport (which
operated from 1937 to 1948 in present-day Makati), and Nichols Field (originally a United States
military airfield that was converted to accommodate
commercial flights and referred to as Manila International Airport from 1948 to 1987,
after which it became Ninoy Aquino International Airport in
honor of a prominent Filipino politician who was assassinated at the airport in 1983).
Manila’s airport has grown dramatically ever since the end of World War II, and so too, the city
has rapidly grown around it. The various styles and architectural
features of passenger facilities on several sides of the airfield reflect
this expansion over time. Present-day Terminal 4, the smallest out
of NAIA’s four terminals, was the first to be constructed
in 1948. Terminal 1, also known as Ninoy Aquino Terminal, opened in 1981 with twice the
capacity of Terminal 4. The distinctive V-shaped Terminal 2, or the Centennial Terminal,
was completed in 1998 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Philippine Declaration
of Independence from Spain. Finally, the newest and largest
addition, Terminal 3, faced years of delays before becoming fully operational in 2014.
Today, NAIA’s four terminals and two runways sit nestled in the bustling metro area just 7
kilometers south of Manila proper. There’s clearly limited space for any new terminals or expansion
projects, which largely explains the increasing levels of congestion in and
directly around the airport; nonetheless, the government
is looking to privatize NAIA so that the airport can be rehabilitated and
expanded within the existing airport property. Furthermore, a new international airport is being
constructed to the north in Bulacan, and there are plans for another international airport to be
constructed in Cavite. These initiatives would certainly provide
much needed relief for NAIA, as well as additional capacity for air travel to
and from the capital; however, both projects are years
away from completion.
Now, let’s take a look at NAIA’s terminals and the options available for transferring between
them. Terminal 1 is the furthest south and currently serves the
following airlines. It’s relatively easy to navigate, and there are a handful of shopping
and dining options scattered around the building. There’s also a dedicated airside lodging facility
on the 4th floor with affordable rates for “Day Rooms,” which can be booked by ticketed passengers
with long layovers. Arriving passengers walk down ramps to this meet-and-greet pick-up
zone adjacent to the parking lot in front of the terminal.
Not far to the northeast is Terminal 2, and here is a list of the airlines
it currently serves. Note that terminal assignments are subject
to change, and up-to-date airline information and locations can be
found on the official website for NAIA, which I’ll include in the description below. Terminal 2 has a
beautiful, easy-to-understand layout with restaurants,
shops, and exchange offices located both outside and within the building. There’s
even a large cafeteria serving classic Filipino dishes on the
ground floor, and it’s open to the public. Terminal 4 sits near the northernmost
section of the airport, and it serves these airlines. Due to its
small size, it’s one of the easiest and quickest to navigate,
though it can get busy at times with long lines zigzagging around the petite check-in
area. Nearby, there are a few vendors selling food, drinks,
and gifts. The drop-off and pick-up zone is conveniently located directly outside
the single-story building.
Terminal 3 is the airport’s largest, newest, and busiest,
and it serves all the airlines listed here. It has an expansive selection of shops, restaurants,
cafes, lounges, and more, so I’ll come back and discuss Terminal 3 in much more detail shortly.
It’s important to mention that all terminals at NAIA offer two hours of free WIFI per day, and
there are other internet providers with free and pay-to-use internet
options. Electrical outlets and charging stations are available, but from
my observations, they are sporadically placed and sometimes challenging to find. Additionally, all terminals
have prayer rooms, medical facilities, ATMs, and currency exchange
offices. If you’re a foreigner visiting the Philippines, I do
recommend getting some cash once you arrive. Many transportation services and businesses here,
especially small businesses, do not accept credit or debit card payments.
As a side note, don’t accept the offer to complete ATM transactions in your home currency;
this service is called Dynamic Currency Conversion, and with its
wildly high mark-ups, it’s a massive waste of money. Complete credit
and debit card transactions and withdrawals in the local currency,
Philippine pesos. Your credit card payment processor,
like Visa or Mastercard, will do the currency conversion for you automatically at a much better
rate. Also, be prepared to pay the standard 250- peso ATM withdrawal fee per transaction
at almost all ATMs here in the Philippines. On top of this, I
strongly encourage all foreign visitors to consult your bank’s list of fees for any and all foreign
transactions. If you’re not aware, these fees can add up really fast!
Now, let’s address
terminal transfers, as this can be very tricky and time consuming without prior guidance.
Ninoy Aquino International Airport does not have trains, trams, or underground walkways linking all
the terminals; instead, the airport offers free shuttle
buses that connect Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4, and this service is offered 24 hours a day on
an hourly basis. Only arriving passengers with connecting flights are permitted to use NAIA's
free transfer buses. Fair warning: these buses can become cramped with bags piled high, and a good
chunk of the route is on public roads; this means that traffic can cause significant delays,
especially if you’re transferring between Terminals 1 and 3.
The official pick-up locations for the free transfer bus are
listed here for each terminal. When in doubt, look for posted signs or ask
airport employees in the Arrivals Hall for assistance. If you’re
feeling adventurous, you can walk between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 as they are only about a
kilometer apart. A wide sidewalk does connect the two terminals, and it’s a relatively safe route
traversed by many airport employees. I would not recommend walking between any other terminals.
On this route between Terminals 3 and 4, it's congested, noisy,
dusty, and honestly, somewhat trecherous. Access to sidewalks is sporadic,
and multiple construction zones make getting around... like this right here
... make getting around as a pedestrian very challenging.
I can only imagine having to take several pieces of luggage with me, and this is bad enough...
frustrating and unsafe.
So again, do not attempt to walk between Terminals 2, 3, and 4.
Another transfer option is the pay-to-ride UBE Express premium bus service. These buses
travel between Terminal 3 and NAIA’s other terminals,
and vice versa, roughly every hour between 5:00AM and 8:00PM. According to UBE, bus pickup
points at each terminal are located here, and the current cost to ride is 50 PHP. In my experience,
UBE’s terminal transfer service has been inconsistent and unreliable,
especially at Terminals 1, 2, and 4. If you’ve got a connecting flight, I’d
highly recommend taking the official free shuttle bus. Aside from buses,
taxis and ride-sharing options like GRAB are also available,
though traffic delays and much higher prices should be expected. Also,
be cautious when taking taxis in Manila as scams and fare-hiking practices are not too uncommon.
Whatever option you choose to get to another terminal, plan ahead and expect
transfers to take one to two hours.
TRANSPORTATION While we’re on the
topic of transportation, I should mention that Terminal 3 serves as a hub for affordable and convenient
buses that connect the airport to destinations
throughout the National Capital Region and beyond. I won’t list all the companies and routes here,
but I’ll include links to detailed information down in the description below. Notably,
UBE Express provides service to and from major shopping malls and transportation centers
throughout the city. Other companies, such as HM Transport, offer regular service to the nearby
EDSA LRT train station and MRT metro station. For passengers heading north to Angeles City and
Clark in the province of Pampanga, Genesis Transport
offers numerous point-to-point bus trips every day from Terminal 3. Again, whenever you’re on
the roads here in Metro Manila, be ready to face major traffic jams.
As frustrating as it may be, it’s a normal part of daily life in this
megacity! Alright, let’s now step back inside NAIA’s largest terminal for a closer look.
Terminal 3 can often be a busy,
bustling place that can appear overcrowded and daunting when you first
enter the building on Level 1 or Level 3. However, it does have some great qualities
and features that I want to point out. Many spaces are open to the public, which means that even if
you don’t have a ticket, you can still enter the terminal and visit many of the banks, currency
exchange offices, shops, cafes, and restaurants below, above, and around the main check-in area
and security screening zone on Level 3. There are loads of local
and international restaurants (mostly on Levels 1 and 4) offering fair prices
that are not much higher than what you would find outside of
the airport. Take a look at some of the dining venues and their menus!
Level 4 features its own mall of sorts with plenty
of duty-free shops and retailers selling everything from name brand clothing and travel
accessories to chocolates, gadgets, and collections of Filipino gifts and
souvenirs. There is also a 7/11 convenience
store with snacks, drinks, and more.
Now here’s a very important area that I need to highlight
for foreign visitors. Located on Level 3 near the check-in area on the south side of the building,
the Philippines Bureau of Immigration One-Stop-Shop
is open 24 hours a day and offers a number of common immigration services including visa
extensions. That’s right, for many foreign tourists wishing to stay in
the Philippines for a longer period of time, you can conveniently visit
this official office immediately after arriving in the country, fill out a
simple form, pay several thousand pesos, and walk away in a matter of minutes with a one-month
visa extension. Be sure to check all specific information on the
Bureau of Immigration’s website, which I’ll include in the description below.
If you’re looking for a spot to properly rest and relax, the Wings Transit Lounge on Level 4 offers
affordable capsules and private rooms for short stays. It’s a modern, clean,
and comfortable space with all the essentials,
and it’s perfect for getting some shuteye before or in-between flights. For me,
the beds, amenities, and lounge facilities are all very good and reasonably priced. Visitors can grab
snacks and drinks, freshen up with a shower, unwind with a massage, work on computers in the
Business Cener, and securely store their luggage. Apart from the Wings Lounge, luggage storage is
available for all passengers on Level 1, and the rates are not bad.
Ok, without dismissing NAIA’s numerous
shortcomings in terms of overall convenience and accessibility, this one feature is a gamechanger
that dramatically raises the bar for this terminal and
the airport as a whole. Located on Level 4, Runway Manila is a covered overpass, free of charge, that
connects Terminal 3 to Newport City, a 25-hectare privately-owned township featuring upscale hotels,
restaurants, residential complexes, convenience stores,
shopping malls, a casino, movie theater, and a performing arts venue. In minutes, travelers
can pass over busy roads and a huge expressway, soak up great views of the airport and surrounding
area, and access tons of entertainment, shopping, lodging, and dining options within
Newport’s integrated resort. Hotels, guesthouses, AirBnbs, and private
apartments are available on a wide spectrum of price points, and there are certainly
affordable options not far from the entrance to Newport’s Runway Manila.
If you’ve got a long layover in Manila, or if you just want to stay
an extra day before or after a flight, this is an ideal,
modern, organized, and stress-free area to find fairly priced accommodation,
drop off laundry for cleaning, chill in a spacious coffee shop, get a massage,
catch one or several of the latest movies,
browse a wide selection of shops, and sample local and international cuisines.
Newport has become a go-to city within the city for me, and I’ll repeat that it’s
directly across from Terminal 3.
Ok, here's a quick insider tip: If you're looking for more affordable options
for shopping, dining, and other services, you can come here to Manlunas Street
at the northwestern edge of Newport City, still minutes away from Terminal 3,
and find a room for 1,500 PHP, grab a bite to eat for 200 to 300 PHP, get a massage for 500 PHP,
get a haircut for 150 PHP, and even do your laundry for 135 PHP.
Finally, I’ll mention Salem Complex next to Terminal 4 as
another terrific option for affordable accommodation options, restaurants,
and coffee and tea shops. This budget hotel is where I normally stay for
about 1,000 PHP per night. It’s basic, clean, and highly rated. The cheapest offerings include a
private room and shared bathrooms and showers. The best part is that Terminal 4 is about a 5-minute
walk away, and I can easily catch a GRAB to any of the other terminals.
As a bonus tip, Urban Connect Hotel in front of Terminal 1 provides decent rates for rooms, and
within the hotel complex, you’ll find restaurants, car rental offices, and a spa. The entrance to
Terminal 1 is an easy five-minute walk away.
In conclusion, Ninoy Aquino International Airport has no shortage of drawbacks that are widely
reported online and in the media, but as I’ve discussed today,
there are ways to navigate this airport like a pro and maximize the positive
qualities, offerings, and location of this historic gateway to the
Philippines. I'd also like to add here that, time and again, I find that Filipinos,
by a large majority, are incredibly kind, hospitable, and welcoming, and here at the airport
and across the entire country, that speaks volumes about the warm heart of this nation.
I hope you enjoyed this video and found it to be very helpful. Please be sure to
share your comments, questions, or any additional tips and recommendations that you have
from passing through NAIA down in the comments section below! I'd love to hear from you.
Wherever your future global adventures lead, I wish you and
your loved ones many happy trails ahead. Thank you so much for watching, and I’ll see you again soon!
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