Field guide
Moving Between Manila's NAIA Terminals
NAIA's terminals are not connected to each other by walkways, trains, or airside corridors. In practice, each terminal acts like a separate airport building. If you need to move from one terminal to another, you usually have to go outside the terminal and use ground transport.
There are two main bus options for moving between NAIA terminals: the free NAIA Inter-Terminal Shuttle Bus for passengers with onward flights, and the UBE Express NAIA Loop for both passengers and non-passengers.
Jump to
- Free NAIA Inter-Terminal Shuttle Bus: Free for passengers with an onward boarding pass or ticket. Hourly departures from the Arrivals level.
- UBE Express NAIA Loop: Open to non-passengers too. Operates 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
- Outside UBE Express operating hours: Taxis, ride-hailing, and other ground transport when the Loop is not running.
- For Philippine Airlines passengers: PAL's dedicated transfer buses for domestic–international connections.
- Which option should you use?: A quick decision guide.
Option 1: Free NAIA Inter-Terminal Shuttle Bus
- Ticket needed
- Yes
- Best for
- Passengers with a connecting or onward flight
- Operator
- New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation
- Cost
- Free
The NAIA Inter-Terminal Shuttle Bus is a free service provided by the New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation for passengers transferring between terminals.
To ride, you need to show proof of your next flight, such as an onward boarding pass or ticket. The shuttle is intended for passengers transferring to another terminal for a flight, not for general public use.
Pickup points are clearly marked at the Arrivals level of all terminals. Follow signs for terminal transfer, transfer bus, or shuttle bus.
The shuttle departs every hour, so allow extra time. If you miss one, you may need to wait a while for the next departure. Also remember that this shuttle operates landside, meaning it uses public roads outside the terminals and can be affected by traffic around the airport.
If you are arriving from an international flight
You must complete the normal arrival process before riding the shuttle:
- Clear immigration
- Claim your baggage, if needed
- Clear customs
- Exit to the Arrivals level
- Proceed to the marked shuttle pickup point
Because the shuttle is landside, you can only access it after immigration and customs.
Option 2: UBE Express NAIA Loop
- Ticket needed
- No
- Best for
- Non-passengers, visitors, or anyone without an onward boarding pass
- Operating hours
- 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM
The UBE Express NAIA Loop is another option for moving between terminals. Unlike the free inter-terminal shuttle, this service is available even to non-passengers, so it can be used by people meeting passengers, airport visitors, or anyone who needs to transfer between NAIA terminals. UBE Express runs a NAIA Loop connecting the terminals, and several current transport guides list its operating hours as 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
This is useful if you do not have an onward boarding pass or if you are simply moving between terminals for another reason.
The NAIA Loop also uses public roads, so travel time can vary depending on traffic conditions around the airport.
Outside UBE Express operating hours
The UBE Express NAIA Loop operates only from 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Outside these hours, use other airport transport options instead, such as taxis, ride-hailing, or other available ground transportation.
See our full guide to getting to and from NAIA for taxi, Grab, and bus options.
For Philippine Airlines passengers
- Ticket needed
- Yes, must be connecting on an onward Philippine Airlines flight
- Best for
- PAL passengers connecting between domestic and international flights
Philippine Airlines passengers connecting between domestic and international flights may have access to PAL's dedicated transfer buses.
This is especially relevant for:
- Domestic to international connections
- International to domestic connections
Upon arrival, approach Philippine Airlines ground crew or the transfer desk. They can direct you to the correct bus or transfer process.
Which option should you use?
Use the free NAIA Inter-Terminal Shuttle Bus if you are a passenger with an onward flight and you have a boarding pass or ticket.
Use the UBE Express NAIA Loop if you need to move between terminals but do not have an onward boarding pass, or if you are not a passenger.
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