NAIA airport, visa-free entry, getting into the city, and what to watch out for — updated 2026.
Landing in Manila for the first time can feel overwhelming — four different airport terminals, a range of transport options, and no shortage of scams aimed at tired travelers. Here's the practical rundown for your first few hours in the Philippines.
NAIA Terminals
Terminal 1: International flights on legacy carriers (Emirates, Qatar, KLM, Singapore Airlines, etc.). Exits lead to metered taxis and a Grab pickup bay on the ground floor.
Terminal 2: Philippine Airlines domestic and international. Connected to Terminal 3 by a free shuttle every 10 minutes.
Terminal 3: Cebu Pacific, AirAsia, and some international carriers. The largest terminal, with the most SIM card kiosks.
Terminal 4: Budget domestic carriers. Small — no Grab pickup bay, use the metered taxi queue.
Visa-Free Entry
Most nationalities (USA, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and others) get a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival — no paperwork needed in advance beyond a valid passport and, for most travelers, a completed eTravel registration. China generally requires a visa arranged in advance via a Philippine embassy; India has visa-on-arrival available with DFA portal pre-registration recommended.
Need to stay longer? You can extend once for another 29 days (total 59 days) at any Bureau of Immigration office — bring your passport, the completed extension form, and the current fee. Queues start early (6–7am), so go first thing if you can.
Getting From NAIA Into the City
Grab (recommended): Book in the app before you clear customs if you have signal — fixed price upfront, no haggling. NAIA to Makati/BGC typically runs ₱200–500.
Metered taxi (official yellow): Designated bays outside arrivals. Insist on the meter.
Airport taxi (coupon): Pre-paid at official counters inside the terminal — fixed price, a bit more expensive, but convenient.
UV Express / FX (shared van): Budget option, more stops, ₱50–100 per person.
Airport Scams to Know Before You Go
Taxi touts inside the arrivals hall — only use the official yellow taxi bays or Grab.
Money changers outside the official booths — poor rates and possible counterfeit notes. Use SM Mall money changers instead.
"Airport helpers" who grab your luggage and then demand a large tip — wave them off firmly.
Unofficial SIM sellers — only buy from branded Globe, Smart, or DITO kiosks. See the SIM card guide for exact pricing.
Emergency Numbers
PNP Emergency: 911
DOT Tourist Assistance: +63 2 8459 5200
PNP Tourist Police: +63 2 8524 2613
Have a specific question about your arrival? Ask MUA is a free chat assistant built into Manila Upon Arrival that answers questions about NAIA, transport, visas, safety, and more — with a GPS-aware paid tier (Streetwise) for real-time, location-specific guidance.