Lois Larson
Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) has a reputation for disorganized chaos, with reports of unfriendly staff, poor facilities, and long waits. For those with long layovers, leaving the airport and staying at a hotel is preferable to sleeping in the airport. However, some travellers report that they have been unable to leave the airport during long layovers, with one traveller reporting that their son was taken to a holding room, had his passport taken away, and was not allowed to leave the room for 16 hours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Leaving Manila airport during a layover | International transit passengers are not allowed to leave the terminal if there is no stopover indicated in the ticket. |
| Exceptions | If you meet the entry requirements for the passport you hold, you may be allowed to leave the airport. |
| Airport facilities | Manila airport has four terminals, with Terminal 3 being the newest and most comfortable. There are sleep capsules and showers available in Terminal 3. |
| Transportation | Manila airport runs a free 24-hour shuttle bus service between Terminals 1, 2, and 3. Metered cabs, hotel drivers, and chauffeur services are also available. |
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What You'll Learn
- International transit passengers are not allowed to leave the terminal if there is no stopover indicated in the ticket
- Manila airport has four terminals, with Terminal 3 being the newest and most comfortable
- Manila airport offers free 24-hour shuttle buses between Terminals 1, 2 and 3
- Manila airport has a reputation for disorganisation, with long waits and poor facilities
- Travellers report that Manila airport is not a good place to sleep, with uncomfortable seating and extreme temperatures
International transit passengers are not allowed to leave the terminal if there is no stopover indicated in the ticket
If you are an international transit passenger at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport, you are not allowed to leave the terminal if there is no stopover indicated on your ticket. This means that if you have a long layover, you will have to spend all that time inside the airport.
Manila Airport has a reputation for being disorganized and chaotic, with reports of unfriendly staff and a poor experience for those transferring from domestic to international flights. There are also reports of travellers being taken to a holding room and having their passports taken away, with no food provided. The airport also has a confusing entry system, with some travellers reporting that they were not allowed to enter the terminal until three hours before departure, although the airport has denied this.
If you are an international transit passenger and you do not have a stopover indicated on your ticket, you will need to comply with arrival protocols and entry requirements for the Philippines if you want to leave the terminal. This includes getting a Philippines One Health Pass: BOQ Health Declaration Registration.
If you are able to leave the terminal during your layover, there are a number of hotels near the airport that you can stay at. The airport is close to Manila's main commercial business districts, so metered cabs, hotel shuttles, and chauffeur services are available. However, be sure to only take official, metered, or pre-booked taxis. The airport also runs a free 24-hour shuttle bus service between Terminals 1, 2, and 3, although travellers report that it is unreliable with long wait times.
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Manila airport has four terminals, with Terminal 3 being the newest and most comfortable
Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is the main international airport serving Metro Manila in the Philippines. It is located between the cities of Pasay and Parañaque, about 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) south of Manila proper and southwest of Makati. It is the main gateway for travellers to the Philippines and serves as a hub for PAL Express and
Terminal 1 is the oldest terminal at the airport and primarily serves international flights, accommodating an average of six million passengers each year. Terminal 2 once exclusively served Philippine Airlines (PAL) but has since shifted to a domestic-only terminal under the Schedule and Terminal Assignment Rationalization (STAR) program. Terminal 3 is the newest and most comfortable terminal, serving as a hub for international flights. It has the most extensive amenities, including lounges, restaurants, currency exchange, free Wi-Fi, and duty-free shops. Terminal 4 is currently closed for rehabilitation.
In terms of leaving Manila airport while in transit, there are conflicting reports. Some sources indicate that international transit passengers are not allowed to leave the terminal if there is no stopover indicated on the ticket. However, others suggest that as long as one meets the entry requirements and has a valid One Pass, it is possible to enter the Philippines during a layover. It is recommended to comply with arrival protocols and go through immigration as a typical arriving passenger.
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Manila airport offers free 24-hour shuttle buses between Terminals 1, 2 and 3
Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) offers a free shuttle bus service between all four terminals. The shuttle buses run 24 hours a day, but only once an hour, and their schedule can be unpredictable. They are air-conditioned and have ample space for luggage. To avail of the free shuttle, simply show your ticket or boarding pass for a flight departing within the next 24 hours. The shuttle bus stop at Terminal 1 is at the arrival curbside, with a huge "AIRPORT SHUTTLE / TRANSFER SERVICE" sign. At Terminal 2, the shuttle stop is at the arrival curbside next to pick-up bay 19. At Terminal 3, follow the signs for "For passengers with connecting flights to Terminal 1, 2 and 4" or "Terminal Transfer Bus".
In addition to the free shuttle, passengers can also walk between Terminals 1 and 2 via the International Cargo Terminal. This walk takes about 15 minutes.
If you are connecting through Manila, be aware that you may be required to go through security and passport checks again, even if you have already done so at your previous airport. This may include screening and another passport check two hours before your flight.
According to some travellers, Manila Airport can be chaotic and disorganised, with long waiting times. If you have a long layover, you may want to leave the airport to get a hotel room. However, some airlines, such as Philippine Airlines, state that "International transit passengers are not allowed to go out of the terminal if there is no stopover indicated in the ticket." This means that if you have a long layover but your ticket does not indicate a stopover, you may not be able to leave the airport. To leave the airport during a layover, you will need to comply with arrival protocols, including immigration and entry requirements for the Philippines.
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Manila airport has a reputation for disorganisation, with long waits and poor facilities
Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has long been notorious for its poor facilities and lengthy waiting times. The airport, which opened in 1948, has been operating beyond its designed capacity of 35 million passengers for years, resulting in clogged air traffic and delayed flights. In 2024, NAIA was ranked as the worst airport in a study of 61 major airports by Australian price monitoring firm Compare the Market. Travellers have reported issues with the airport's free WiFi, cash-only shops and restaurants, and an unreliable shuttle bus service. The airport has also been criticised for its disorganisation, with passengers reporting a lack of communication from staff regarding screening and passport checks.
In recent years, there have been some improvements at NAIA. A private consortium, the New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation (NNIC), took over management and operations in September 2024, with the aim of overhauling the airport's ageing facilities. The NNIC consortium, led by Filipino tycoon Ramon Ang's San Miguel Corporation, won a 15-year concession deal worth 170.6 billion pesos (S$4 billion) from the Philippine government. Under the deal, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), which previously operated NAIA, now serves as the airport regulator.
The consortium plans to improve the airport's capacity and air traffic movements, with the goal of doubling the number of passengers the airport can accommodate annually. There are also plans to improve the airport's connectivity by linking it to the Manila Subway, an underground rapid transit line expected to be completed by 2027. Other improvements in the pipeline include more escalators and toilets, better air-conditioning and Wi-Fi connection, and enhanced passenger services.
Despite these planned improvements, some have criticised the NNIC for raising prices before making significant progress on airport renovations. Filipino consumer group AirportWatch has called the higher fees a "cash grab", arguing that passengers should not be burdened with additional costs when improvements have been minimal. Local carriers have also expressed concern that the increased terminal fees will discourage Filipinos from travelling.
In terms of leaving the airport during a layover, it appears that international transit passengers are generally not allowed to leave the terminal unless a stopover is indicated in their ticket. However, some travellers have reported leaving the airport during layovers in the past, and advise not mentioning any connecting flights to immigration if you plan to do so. If you do leave the airport, you will need to comply with arrival protocols, which include going through immigration and meeting any entry requirements for a typical arriving passenger.
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Travellers report that Manila airport is not a good place to sleep, with uncomfortable seating and extreme temperatures
Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) is a busy airport that stays open 24 hours a day. However, travellers report that it is not a good place to sleep. While there are a number of chairs without armrests, most of the seating is made of uncomfortable metal. Terminal temperatures also seem to fluctuate between extremes, making it difficult to know what to wear.
If you must sleep at the airport, Terminal 3 is reportedly the most comfortable, with sleep capsules available. Terminal 2 has the worst reputation, with few amenities, crowded seats, and no way to access other terminals. Some travellers report signs prohibiting sleeping in certain areas, with fines for doing so. If you are travelling alone, it is recommended to stay near other travellers or close to security to deter potential thieves.
If you have a long layover, you may want to consider leaving the airport to stay at a hotel. However, some airlines, such as Philippine Airlines, have policies stating that "international transit passengers are not allowed to go out of the terminal if there is no stopover indicated in the ticket." In such cases, you may need to get a Philippines One Health Pass or comply with arrival protocols and entry requirements for the Philippines.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the Philippine Airlines website, "International transit passengers are not allowed to go out of the terminal if there is no stopover indicated in the ticket." However, some travellers have reported leaving the airport during layovers pre-COVID-19. If you wish to leave the airport, you will have to comply with arrival protocols, which means going through immigration and meeting entry requirements.
You will need to get the Philippines One Health Pass: BOQ Health Declaration Registration.
Manila Airport has a reputation for disorganized chaos, with reports of unfriendly staff, unreliable Wi-Fi, and difficulty using a credit card. The airport shuttle service is also unreliable, with long waits and journey times. Terminal 2 has the worst reputation, with few amenities, crowded seats, and no way to access other terminals. Terminal 3 is the newest and most comfortable for sleeping and amenities.
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas, or rest zones. However, there are informal relaxation areas with comfortable seating. Terminal 3 offers sleep capsules and showers available in the PAGSS Premium Lounge (T1) and Plaza Premium Lounge (T3).
Yes, there are hotels near the airport that can be reached by taxi or chauffeur services.
