Getting to and from NAIA
Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport, or NAIA, is the main gateway to Metro Manila and much of the Philippines. Unlike many major airports, NAIA is not directly connected to a train station, so travelers need to rely on road-based transport to get to and from the terminals.
Jump to
- Ridesharing apps: Convenient door-to-door service, available 24 hours a day. Serves Metro Manila and nearby provinces only.
- UBE Express airport bus: Point-to-point bus service to major transit hubs. Limited schedules and prior booking recommended.
- Airport taxis: Wider service area than ridesharing apps but beware of scams.
- LRT or MRT from NAIA: For budget-conscious or adventurous travelers. No direct link from the airport to train stations.
- Motorcycle taxis: For solo travelers with only a backpack or small bag. Faster than cars during heavy traffic and way cheaper.
- NAIA-Clark P2P bus: For passengers connecting between NAIA and Clark International Airport. Genesis Transport operates this route 24/7, with schedules still worth checking before you travel.
- NAIA parking: Live slot availability, rates, and which lot to pick if someone is driving you or picking you up.
Top pick: Grab and Supertaxi
For most travelers, Grab or Supertaxi is the best balance of convenience, safety, and price.
Download links:
- Grab: iOS and Android
- Supertaxi: iOS and Android
- Green GSM: iOS and Android
Warning: they will not be allowed to enter the transport hub at Terminal 3. You can cross to nearby Newport City to use it.
Grab works similarly to Uber and is widely used across Southeast Asia. You enter your destination in the app, see the estimated fare upfront, and get matched with a driver. Prices can go up during peak hours, rain, holidays, or late-night arrivals, but Grab is still one of the most reliable ways to avoid taxi scams or unclear pricing.
This is usually the best option if:
- You are arriving in Manila for the first time
- You have luggage
- You are traveling as a couple, family, or group
- You are going somewhere not directly served by airport buses
- You want a door-to-door ride
- You are arriving late at night
Pickup locations:
- Terminal 1 and 2 — multiple Grab pickup bays line the curb as you exit the Arrivals Level. Look for the conspicuous bay-number signs and head to the one shown in your app.
- Terminal 3 — after exiting baggage reclaim, walk right until you reach the end of the terminal. The transport hub is there, with the Grab pickup bays inside it.
Typical Grab fares from NAIA
These are rough estimates and can change depending on traffic and demand.
| Destination | Typical fare |
|---|---|
| Mall of Asia / MOA | ₱250–₱350 |
| Bonifacio Global City / BGC | ₱280–₱380 |
| PITX | ₱220–₱320 |
| SM Megamall / Ortigas | ₱270–₱370 |
| One Ayala / Makati | ₱200–₱300 |
| Trinoma / North EDSA | ₱440–₱540 |
| UP Diliman | ₱500–₱600 |
Grab is not always the cheapest, but it is often the least stressful. During heavy surge pricing, compare it with the UBE Express bus or a yellow-metered taxi.
UBE Express airport bus
UBE Express is a point-to-point airport bus service. It is a good option if your destination is near one of its terminals or bus stops, and if your schedule lines up with the departure times.
Buy your tickets online at ubeexpress.transport-ticket.com.
UBE Express is around 50% cheaper than Grab, but it is less flexible. It is best for solo travelers, budget-conscious passengers, and people who do not mind having to wait for the next bus.
Most UBE Express trips from NAIA depart from Terminal 3, Arrivals Area Bay 12 and a minority at NAIA Terminal 2 Arrivals Bay 17. There is a UBE Express NAIA Loop Route that transfers passengers from other terminals for onward connections at Terminal 3.
Main UBE Express routes
As of early 2026, published routes include PITX, Victory Liner Pasay, Araneta City Cubao and Robinsons Santa Rosa.
NAIA to Victory Liner Pasay and vice versa
This is one of the simplest UBE Express options if you need to connect to provincial buses or the Pasay/EDSA area.
- Fare: ₱150
- Operating hours: around 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Buses leave every 30 minutes to one (1) hour depending on time of day
- Best for: those with bus connections to southern provinces
NAIA to Araneta City Cubao and vice versa
This is useful for passengers going to Quezon City or connecting to provincial buses in Cubao. From Cubao, you can also connect to two Metro Manila rail lines: LRT-2 and MRT-3.
- Fare: ₱200
- NAIA Terminal 3 to Araneta City: multiple trips from around 5:30 AM to 8:30 PM
- Araneta City to NAIA: multiple trips from around 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Pickup/drop-off in Cubao: Araneta City Bus Port, Manhattan Heights area
NAIA to Robinsons Santa Rosa and vice versa
The Robinsons Santa Rosa route is helpful for passengers going to Laguna or nearby south Luzon areas.
- Fare: around ₱300
- NAIA to Santa Rosa: as early as 3:30 AM to as late as 8:30 PM
- Santa Rosa to NAIA: as early as 5:00 AM to as late as 10:00 PM
- Buses leave every 1 to 1.5 hours depending on time of day
- Best for: Santa Rosa, Laguna, Nuvali area, nearby south Luzon destinations
- Pickup/drop-off at Sta. Rosa: Robinsons Sta. Rosa Mall Main Entrance Driveway
NAIA to PITX and vice versa
PITX, or Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, is useful for onward trips to Cavite, Batangas, and other southern destinations.
- Fare: ₱150
- Best for: Cavite, Batangas, PITX bus transfers, budget travelers
- Pickup point at PITX: Gate 5, Bus Bay 32
UBE Express published schedules list several NAIA-PITX trips throughout the day.
NAIA to The District Imus
Buses to The District Imus have been discontinued as of March 2026.
Airport taxis
NAIA has several taxi options. The two main airport taxi types are coupon taxis and yellow-metered taxis. NAIA's official transport guidance also notes that passengers using coupon taxis, yellow taxis, or regular metered taxis should receive a dispatch slip from airport personnel.
Coupon taxi
Coupon taxis charge a fixed fare based on your destination. You pay according to a zone or destination table, not by the meter. The prescribed rates can be seen in the New NAIA website.
Coupon taxis are usually more expensive than Grab, but only by a bit. The chances of getting scammed are higher, though, so Grab is still preferable. The main upside of coupon taxis is that they offer door-to-door service to provinces within mainland Luzon.
Yellow-metered taxi
Yellow airport taxis are metered taxis licensed for airport service. They are usually more expensive than regular white taxis in Metro Manila, but they are generally easier and more orderly to take from the airport.
Before riding, make sure you are at the official taxi queue and that you receive a dispatch slip. Avoid accepting rides from random people approaching you inside or outside the terminal.
Taking the LRT or MRT from NAIA
NAIA is not directly connected to the LRT or MRT, but it is still possible to combine a short road ride with the train.
This option is best for light travelers, backpackers, and people who already know Metro Manila. It is not recommended if you have large suitcases, small children, or are arriving during rush hour.
The most useful rail connections near NAIA are:
Taft Avenue Station
Taft Avenue has access to both:
- MRT-3 Taft, which runs along EDSA from Pasay, Makati, Mandaluyong/Pasig, and Quezon City
- LRT-1 EDSA Station, which connects toward Manila, Pasay, and parts of the north and south LRT-1 corridor
From NAIA, you can take Grab, a taxi, or a motorcycle taxi to Taft Avenue.
Magallanes Station
Magallanes is another MRT-3 station that can be useful if you are heading north along EDSA.
This is usually less convenient than a direct Grab ride, but it can save money if traffic is bad and you are traveling light.
Motorcycle taxis
Motorcycle taxi apps can be useful for solo travelers with only a backpack or small bag. They are often faster than cars during heavy traffic, especially for short trips to train stations, Makati, BGC, or Pasay.
They are not allowed to enter the arrivals pickup areas of NAIA. You will have to walk outside the airport complex to use them.
Private transfers and hotel cars
If you are staying at a hotel, check whether they offer an airport transfer. This is usually more expensive than Grab, but it can be worth it for late-night arrivals, business travelers, families, or first-time visitors who want the least hassle.
Private transfers are also useful if you are heading straight to areas outside Metro Manila, such as Tagaytay, Subic, Batangas, or Laguna.
Driving yourself or getting picked up
If a friend or family member is dropping you off or picking you up, the curbside lanes get crowded quickly during peak hours. For longer waits or overnight stays, check live slot counts and rates on our NAIA parking guide before driving over.
Traveling between NAIA and Clark Airport
If you are connecting between NAIA and Clark International Airport, the most practical option is the Genesis Transport Premium Point-to-Point bus service. Starting late March 2026, they offer a free shuttle service for verified passengers.
Check the latest timetable on the Genesis Transport website before you go. The service runs around the clock, but departures are still scheduled, and Genesis notes that schedules may change without prior notice.
To avail of the free shuttle, you need to present your:
- Boarding pass or flight itinerary
- Valid government-issued ID
Allow a generous buffer. The trip between NAIA and Clark can take several hours depending on traffic, weather, and expressway conditions. If you are transferring between airports, avoid tight connections and confirm whether your bus stops directly at Clark Airport or at another Clark-area stop first.