Soon is your last day in the Philippines or you are leaving for a short break back to motherland somewhere in Europe, US, South America and so on flying with almost any International career. If so, in 9 out of 10 cases you will have to go to Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Terminal 1, which operates most of international flights.

Here are some tips for making trip back home more pleasurable.

View of golf field from Bellagio Tower 1

Tip 1: Get moving to the airport at least 4 hours before your flight. At any time of the day or night you will end up in a traffic jam on the way to the airport. Of course, everything is a bit easier if you fly at night, but even then you will end up in a long line outside the airport.

I had a chance to fly from Ninoy Aquino Terminal 1 many times; one of those times in the rush-hour, moving the airport at 5 PM and another time very late at night. During the day-time it took me 2 hours to get to the place due to the traffic. In Manila people do not really care about lines or rules; everyone wants to be first, especially taxi-drivers and bus-drivers.

During the night same distance took 1 hour to get to the place. You still end up in small traffic on certain streets and before the Terminal itself due to security check and line of cars waiting to get in.

Tip 2: You will most probably see a long line of people waiting to get into the Terminal and standing outside of both entrances. First, take a look at which entrance there are less people, for some reason entrance on the left side has shorter lines.

Continue reading “Departing from Manila International Airport” »

Manila International Airport consists of 3 terminals and in order to get from one terminal to another you will have to take a cab or special shuttle bus that connects all terminals as they are located away from each other. In most cases if you just have a connection flight in Manila you will end up in Terminal 1, oldest of the terminals, which was built in 1981.

My post will be interesting for those who arrive to Manila Terminal 1 (most of international airlines from US and Europe as well as China operate from 1^st) as a last stop and need to get to Metro Manila. This post has some tips that I’ve learned myself living in Manila for almost 6 months. If you are not sure which terminal you’re plain lands check with the official website or WIKI.

Getting around Terminal 1 is very easy, the part behind the check-in is actually quite small, mainly consists of long corridors that have gates on left and right and all of them end up in the hall with shops, bars, toilets. This is more interesting for those who departure from Terminal one.

I assume this is your first time in Manila Airport; after landing do the best thing to find your luggage – follow the crowd. It will lead you through long corridor which will have quite a few security guards also using temperature cameras to track those who have high fewer and are sick (I’m not sure if they really follow screens) to passport control. Find your line; they are divided to 3 lines, for residents, those who have visa and all the rest. This short article has more info on visa question.

Continue reading “Manila; Guide to Ninoy Aquino International Airport” »