Which Manila NAIA terminal does my client arrive at?

NAIA has four terminals: Terminal 1 (most international flights), Terminal 2 (Philippine Airlines domestic and some international), Terminal 3 (Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific international, ANA, Emirates), and Terminal 4 (domestic only - AirAsia, Cebu Pacific). The terminals are not connected post-immigration, so knowing the correct terminal is essential for smooth pickups. Always check the airline and flight number to determine the terminal.

Is private transfer better than SIC for Manila airport pickups?

About 85% of agents book private transfers for Manila due to notorious traffic congestion. Private transfers allow flexible timing, direct routing, and no waiting for other passengers. SIC shuttles save money but can add 45-60 minutes to the journey with hotel stops. For first-time visitors or premium clients, private is definitely worth it in Manila. SIC works better in Cebu and Boracay where traffic is lighter.

How do transfers work for Boracay (Caticlan Airport)?

Caticlan Airport (Godofredo P. Ramos) is the gateway to Boracay. Transfers include ground transport from the airport to Caticlan Jetty Port (5-10 mins), boat ride to Boracay Island (15-20 mins), and van transfer to your hotel (5-30 mins depending on location). The entire process takes 45-90 minutes total. Terminal fee, boat fee, and environmental fee are NOT included in transfer rates - these must be paid separately by passengers (approximately PHP 200-300 total).

Can I book transfers for domestic flights within the Philippines?

Yes, we handle transfers for both international and domestic flights. For domestic arrivals, waiting time is reduced to 30 minutes instead of 60. Manila domestic flights typically arrive at Terminal 4 or Terminal 2. Cebu domestic flights use the domestic terminal (separate from international Mactan Terminal 2). Always provide the flight number so we can track arrivals and position drivers correctly.

What's included in Philippines B2B transfer rates?

Rates include meet-and-greet at arrivals with name board, flight monitoring, vehicle and driver, fuel, driver meal allowance, parking fees, and standard waiting time (60 mins international, 30 mins domestic). For Manila, tollway fees are included. NOT included: passenger terminal fees, environmental fees (Boracay/Palawan), boat fees (for island destinations), and parking fees exceeding 2 hours. Rates shown are net B2B prices.

Philippines Airport Transfers | Manila NAIA, Cebu, Boracay

4 Major Airports

Manila, Cebu, Boracay, Palawan

30-60 Mins

NAIA to Makati

24/7

Service Available

PHP 1800+

From Rates

Airport transfers in the Philippines require local expertise that your clients will genuinely appreciate. Unlike Singapore or Dubai with their efficient infrastructure, Philippine airports present unique challenges - from NAIA's infamous traffic jams to Boracay's multi-leg boat transfers.

Here's what fifteen years of handling Philippine transfers has taught us: timing is everything in Manila (a 30-minute airport run can balloon to 90 minutes during rush hour), knowing which NAIA terminal matters more than you'd think (they're not connected and can be 15-20 minutes apart), and island destinations like Boracay involve more than just vehicles.

We work with local operators who navigate Manila's traffic patterns like chess players - they know the side routes when EDSA grinds to a halt, understand the Skyway extensions, and can predict when the Makati CBD becomes parking lot. Our Cebu partners handle both the efficient Mactan pickups and the trickier domestic terminal coordination. For Boracay, we coordinate the entire airport-jetty-boat-hotel chain so your clients aren't stranded figuring out boat schedules.

Honest Advice from the Trenches: Manila traffic is genuinely unpredictable. We always recommend private transfers for NAIA arrivals, especially if your clients are first-timers. That extra PHP 500-800 over SIC rates buys peace of mind and saves potentially hours of waiting. SIC shuttles work great in Cebu where traffic flows better, but Manila deserves the private treatment.

Philippines Transfer Options Explained

The realities of shared vs private in Philippine conditions

SIC Shared Shuttle

Best for: Budget-conscious FIT travelers in Cebu/Boracay, flexible schedules

Fixed departure schedules (less frequent than Singapore)
Multiple hotel drop-offs extend journey time significantly
Works well in Cebu Mactan (light traffic, compact hotel zones)
Economical rates from PHP 600-900 per person
Limited overnight availability (11 PM - 5 AM)

Real talk: SIC in Manila means your clients share the traffic pain with 6-8 others. What should be 40 minutes becomes 90+ with stops. Fine for budget backpackers, risky for premium clients.

Private Transfer

Best for: Manila transfers, families, groups, anyone valuing sanity

Direct routing - no hotel hopping with other passengers
Driver knows shortcuts when traffic explodes
24/7 availability including red-eye flights
Meet-and-greet with name board (essential in chaotic NAIA)
Vehicle options from sedan to Hiace vans

Agent favorite: 85% of our Philippine bookings are private transfers. Manila traffic alone justifies the upgrade. Your clients will thank you.

Manila Rush Hour Reality Check: Avoid NAIA arrivals between 5:30-9:30 AM or 4:30-8:30 PM if possible. A Terminal 1 to Makati run that takes 35 minutes at 2 PM can hit 90 minutes at 6 PM. We're not exaggerating - this is daily reality. Private transfers help because drivers reroute dynamically, but even they can't defy physics when EDSA becomes a parking lot.

Private Transfer Vehicle Options

Philippine vehicle types and realistic capacity planning

Vehicle Type	Max PAX	Luggage	Rate Range (Airport - City)	Best For
Standard Sedan Toyota Vios, Honda City	3 adults	2-3 medium bags	PHP 1,800 - 2,500	Couples, light packers
SUV / Innova Toyota Innova, Fortuner	5-6 adults	4-5 large bags	PHP 2,500 - 3,500	Families, small groups
Hi-Ace Van Toyota Hi-Ace Commuter	10 adults	8-10 large bags	PHP 4,500 - 6,000	Group tours, MICE
Grandia / GL300 Toyota Grandia, Hyundai Starex	8 adults	6-8 large bags	PHP 3,800 - 5,000	Medium groups, comfort priority
Coaster Bus 20-25 seater	20 adults	15-18 large bags	PHP 8,000 - 11,000	Large groups, incentives

Rate Notes: Prices shown are one-way rates for Metro Manila (NAIA to Makati/BGC/Manila proper). Destinations beyond Metro Manila (Tagaytay, Batangas Port, Clark) carry surcharges. Cebu Mactan to city hotels: PHP 1,200-2,200 depending on vehicle. Boracay full-service transfer (Caticlan Airport to hotel via boat): PHP 1,500-2,000 per person. Rates exclude terminal fees and boat fees where applicable.

Luggage Reality: Philippine vehicle trunk space is often smaller than Western equivalents. If your clients have 4 large bags + carry-ons, book an SUV even for 2 people. Innova is the sweet spot - spacious third row for bags. Don't try cramming 4 people with dive equipment into a sedan. Trust us on this.

Popular Transfer Routes & Real Journey Times

What to actually expect on the ground (traffic included)

Manila (NAIA Airport)

NAIA to Makati CBD

Distance: 7-10 km (depends on terminal)
Time (Best Case): 25-35 minutes
Time (Rush Hour): 50-90 minutes
Hotel Examples: Shangri-La Makati, Fairmont, Dusit Thani, City Garden

Terminal 3 is closest to Makati via Skyway. T1 and T2 add 10-15 mins. Morning rush (6-9 AM) is brutal - plan accordingly.

NAIA to BGC (Bonifacio Global City)

Distance: 8-12 km
Time (Best Case): 30-40 minutes
Time (Rush Hour): 60-100 minutes
Hotel Examples: Shangri-La at the Fort, Sofitel, Ascott BGC, Discovery Primea

Skyway connection helps but C5 bottleneck at Kalayaan can add 20 mins during peaks. Evening rush is worse than morning.

NAIA to Manila Bay / Ermita

Distance: 6-8 km
Time (Best Case): 20-30 minutes
Time (Rush Hour): 40-70 minutes
Hotel Examples: Manila Hotel, Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Conrad, Hyatt City of Dreams

Shorter distance but Roxas Boulevard traffic is unpredictable. Bay area resorts are actually easier than Makati sometimes.

NAIA to Pasay / Mall of Asia

Distance: 3-5 km
Time: 15-25 minutes
Hotel Examples: Marriott Manila, Sheraton Manila Bay, Conrad, Solaire Resort

Closest hotels to NAIA. Good choice for late arrivals/early departures. Less traffic stress overall.

NAIA to Quezon City

Distance: 15-20 km
Time (Best Case): 45-60 minutes
Time (Rush Hour): 90-150 minutes
Hotel Examples: B Hotel, Novotel Araneta City, Seda Vertis North

Cross-metro journey through EDSA. Avoid if possible, or book midnight/early morning flights. This route is traffic purgatory.

NAIA to Intramuros / Old Manila

Distance: 7-9 km
Time: 25-35 minutes
Hotel Examples: The Bayleaf, Hotel H2O, boutique heritage hotels

Charming historic area but limited 5-star inventory. Transfer time is reasonable via coastal road.

Cebu (Mactan International Airport)

Mactan Airport to Mactan Island Resorts

Distance: 3-8 km
Time: 10-20 minutes
Resorts: Shangri-La Mactan, Crimson Resort, Plantation Bay, JPark Island Resort

Super easy transfers. Cebu traffic is infinitely better than Manila. Most resorts are 15 mins from the terminal.

Mactan Airport to Cebu City Hotels

Distance: 10-15 km
Time: 25-35 minutes
Hotels: Radisson Blu, Marco Polo, Waterfront Cebu, Quest Hotel

Bridge crossing from Mactan to mainland Cebu. Some traffic during peak but nothing like Manila. Very manageable.

Mactan Airport to Lapu-Lapu City

Distance: 5-7 km
Time: 15-20 minutes
Hotels: Budget hotels, dive resorts, Maribago area

Budget-friendly zone near the airport. Good for dive groups and transit stays.

Boracay (Caticlan Airport)

Caticlan Airport to Boracay Hotels

Total Journey: 45-90 minutes door-to-door
Components: Airport to jetty (5-10 mins) + boat crossing (15-20 mins) + island van to hotel (5-30 mins depending on location)

Stations: Station 1 (north, luxury resorts) 30-40 mins total | Station 2 (center, most hotels) 45-60 mins total | Station 3 (budget zone) 60-75 mins total

Important: Transfer rate includes ground transport + boat ride. Does NOT include terminal fee (PHP 100), environmental fee (PHP 75), boat terminal fee (PHP 100). Passengers pay these separately - total around PHP 275-300 in cash.

Boracay Transfer Process

Land at Caticlan (Godofredo P. Ramos Airport)
Meet driver outside arrivals with name board
Van transfer to Caticlan Jetty Port (5-10 mins)
Pay terminal/environmental fees (PHP 275 cash)
Board boat to Boracay (public or private depending on booking)
Arrive Cagban Jetty Port on Boracay Island
Transfer to resort van/tricycle for hotel drop-off

Pro tip: Have clients prepare PHP 500 in small bills for fees. ATMs on Boracay can run out during peak season. Our coordinators guide the entire process via WhatsApp.

Palawan (Puerto Princesa Airport)

Puerto Princesa Airport to City Hotels

Distance: 2-5 km
Time: 10-15 minutes
Hotels: Astoria Palawan, Hop Inn, Canvas Boutique

Puerto Princesa is a small city with minimal traffic. Airport is very close to downtown hotels. Easy transfers.

Puerto Princesa to El Nido (Onward)

Distance: 230 km
Time: 5-6 hours by van
Rate: PHP 8,000-12,000 (private van)

Long overland journey. Scenic but tiring. Most travelers now fly PPS-El Nido on small aircraft (40 mins). Ground transfers available but budget extra time.

Philippines Airport Terminal Guide

Manila NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport)

NAIA has four terminals spread across a large area. They're NOT connected post-immigration, and inter-terminal transfers can take 15-30 minutes by road. Getting the terminal right matters here.

Terminal 1 (NAIA T1)

Airlines: Most international carriers - Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, China Airlines, ANA, JAL, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Vietnam Airlines
Transfer pickup: Arrival area near Bay 8-10 (drivers will message exact bay)
Condition: Oldest terminal, undergoing renovation. Can be crowded during peak hours.
To Makati: 40-60 mins via Skyway (35-90 mins rush hour)

Terminal 2 (NAIA T2)

Airlines: Philippine Airlines (PAL) - both domestic and some international flights
Transfer pickup: Arrival curb, drivers coordinate via mobile
Condition: Dedicated PAL terminal, moderate condition
To Makati: 45-65 mins via Skyway

Terminal 3 (NAIA T3)

Airlines: Cebu Pacific (international), AirAsia (international), Delta, KLM, Qatar Airways, and various international carriers
Transfer pickup: Arrival level curb area (largest terminal, multiple bays)
Condition: Newest and best-maintained terminal
To Makati: 30-50 mins via Skyway (closest terminal to Makati)

Terminal 4 (NAIA T4) - Domestic Only

Airlines: Budget domestic flights - Cebu Pacific, AirAsia Philippines domestic routes
Transfer pickup: Small arrival area, easy coordination
Condition: Basic domestic terminal
Note: If connecting international to domestic, allow 90+ minutes for inter-terminal transfer during peak hours

Critical Manila Airport Warning: NAIA has a notorious "3-hour rule" - you cannot enter the terminal more than 3 hours before departure. If your clients arrive at the airport 4-5 hours early (common for international flights), they'll be waiting outside. Many hotels offer late check-out or day-use rooms for this exact scenario. Plan accordingly or your clients will be very unhappy camping outside the terminal.

Cebu Mactan International Airport

Much simpler than Manila - Cebu has two terminals and they're adjacent.

Terminal 1 (Domestic)

Airlines: Cebu Pacific domestic, Philippine Airlines domestic, AirAsia domestic
Transfer pickup: Arrival curb, straightforward coordination

Terminal 2 (International)

Airlines: All international flights - Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, AirAsia international, Cebu Pacific international
Transfer pickup: Modern terminal with clear arrival areas
Condition: New terminal opened 2018, excellent facilities

Cebu airport is dramatically more efficient than Manila. Immigration is faster, pickup coordination is easier, and the drive to hotels is straightforward. This is how airports should work.

Caticlan Airport (Godofredo P. Ramos)

Airlines: Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, AirAsia
Type: Single small terminal serving Boracay Island
Transfer process: Driver meets you outside arrivals, arranges vehicle to jetty, coordinates boat crossing, and organizes island-side transport to your hotel. It's a multi-leg process but standard procedure.
Condition: Small airport, basic but functional. Can get crowded during peak season (Dec-April).

Boracay Alternative: Some clients fly into Kalibo Airport instead (larger airport, 90 mins from Caticlan jetty). Only book Kalibo if Caticlan flights are full - it adds significant transfer time and cost. Caticlan is always the preferred option when available.

Puerto Princesa International Airport

Airlines: Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, AirAsia
Type: Single terminal, international designation but mostly domestic traffic
Transfer pickup: Small arrival area, very easy coordination
Condition: Well-maintained for a provincial airport. Palawan tourism investment shows.

How to Book Philippines Transfers (B2B Process)

1

Register Free Agent Account

Quick signup with IATA/business verification. Access Philippines wholesale rates immediately upon approval.

2

Search Transfers by Destination

Select Manila/Cebu/Boracay/Palawan, enter date, PAX count, route. System shows available vehicles and real-time pricing.

3

Provide Flight & Hotel Details

Flight number (for tracking), arrival time, NAIA terminal (critical!), hotel name with address, passenger names, mobile number.

4

Receive Confirmation & Voucher

Instant voucher via email with driver contact number, WhatsApp coordination details, meeting point instructions, emergency hotline.

What's Included: Meet-and-greet with name board, flight monitoring, vehicle and driver, fuel, driver meal allowance, tollway fees (Manila), parking fees (up to 2 hours), standard waiting time (60 mins international, 30 mins domestic). For Boracay: includes boat ride coordination and multi-leg transfer management.

NOT Included: Passenger terminal fees, environmental fees (Boracay/Palawan), boat terminal fees (island destinations), excess parking beyond 2 hours, highway tolls for out-of-metro destinations (Tagaytay, Subic, etc.), food/drinks for passengers, hotel parking fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

The journey from Manila NAIA Airport to Makati typically takes 30-60 minutes depending on traffic conditions and which terminal you're arriving at. Terminal 3 is closest to Makati (30-40 mins in light traffic), while Terminals 1 and 2 can take 45-60 minutes during rush hour. Early morning and late night transfers are much faster, often completing in just 25-30 minutes. The Skyway extension has helped, but EDSA congestion remains unpredictable. This is exactly why 85% of our agents book private transfers for Manila - drivers can adapt routes in real-time when traffic explodes.

NAIA has four terminals that are NOT connected after immigration. Terminal 1 handles most international flights (Emirates, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, etc.). Terminal 2 is Philippine Airlines only (domestic and some international). Terminal 3 serves Cebu Pacific international, AirAsia international, plus carriers like Delta and Qatar Airways. Terminal 4 is domestic only - budget airlines like Cebu Pacific and AirAsia domestic routes. Always confirm with the airline because the terminals are 10-20 minutes apart by road, and getting it wrong means your driver is at the wrong building. Provide the flight number when booking and we'll verify the terminal.

Absolutely, and here's why from real operational experience: Manila traffic is genuinely chaotic. SIC shuttles making 4-6 hotel stops can turn a 40-minute journey into 90+ minutes. Private transfers cost PHP 500-800 more but get direct routing and drivers who know shortcuts when EDSA becomes a parking lot. About 85% of our Manila bookings are private for this reason. Your clients - especially first-timers or those on tight schedules - will genuinely thank you for the upgrade. SIC works fine in Cebu where traffic is manageable, but Manila deserves private treatment. The stress reduction alone justifies the extra cost.

Boracay transfers are multi-leg because it's an island. The process: (1) Land at Caticlan Airport, driver meets you with name board. (2) Van transfer to Caticlan Jetty Port (5-10 minutes). (3) You pay terminal fee + environmental fee + boat terminal fee in cash (around PHP 275-300 total - NOT included in transfer rate). (4) Boat crossing to Boracay Island (15-20 minutes). (5) Island-side van/tricycle to your hotel (5-30 minutes depending on whether you're Station 1, 2, or 3). Total journey is 45-90 minutes door-to-door. Our coordinators guide clients through WhatsApp at each step, and drivers handle the logistics. It seems complex but it's standard procedure - we do this hundreds of times weekly. Just make sure clients have PHP 500 in small bills for the fees.

Yes, we handle both international and domestic flight transfers. For domestic arrivals, waiting time is 30 minutes instead of 60 (domestic flights have faster immigration). In Manila, domestic flights typically arrive at Terminal 4 (Cebu Pacific, AirAsia) or Terminal 2 (PAL). Cebu domestic flights use the domestic terminal which is adjacent to the international terminal. The rate structure is the same, but always provide the flight number so we can track arrivals and position drivers at the correct terminal. Domestic flight delays are common in the Philippines, so flight tracking is especially valuable.

Our wholesale rates include: meet-and-greet at arrivals with passenger name board, flight monitoring and arrival tracking, vehicle and driver, fuel, driver meal allowance, tollway fees (for Metro Manila routes), parking fees up to 2 hours, and standard waiting time (60 mins for international flights, 30 mins for domestic). For Boracay, the boat ride is included. NOT included: passenger terminal fees (varies by airport), environmental fees (Boracay/Palawan), boat terminal fees, parking fees exceeding 2 hours, tolls for out-of-metro destinations like Tagaytay or Subic, and any passenger meals or drinks. Rates shown are net B2B prices - no hidden markups or surprise surcharges. What you see is what you pay.

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