Manila Airport Shopping: Best Buys Before Your Flight

what to buy at manila airport

Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) is the primary gateway to the Philippines, serving millions of passengers each year. The airport offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and other facilities to accommodate travellers. One of the key highlights of the airport is its Duty-Free Shopping, which offers a diverse range of high-quality, tax-free products, including perfumes, alcoholic beverages, and local delicacies. Additionally, the airport provides essential services such as banks, ATMs, and currency exchange. For travellers looking to stay connected, Manila Airport also offers the convenience of purchasing tourist SIM cards from providers such as Smart and Globe. With a range of options available, travellers can make the most of their waiting time and enhance their overall travel experience at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Characteristics Values
Name Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)
Airport Code MNL
Location Manila, Philippines
Shops and Outlets 31 shops, 9 cafes, and 9 restaurants
Duty-Free Shopping Perfumes, colognes, cosmetics, cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, confectionery, souvenirs, and local delicacies
SIM Card Availability Yes, from providers such as Smart and Globe
eSIM Options Available online before arrival
ATM and Banking Services BDO Branch and ATM, Banco de Oro BDO Branch
Currency Exchange Available

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Duty-free shopping

The duty-free store regularly updates its product selection and offers special promotions, ensuring that passengers have access to the latest trends at attractive prices. Fragrances, perfumes, colognes, cigarettes, and alcoholic beverages are some of the highlighted products available. In addition, the store offers a range of food items, confectionery, and souvenirs from the Philippines, making it a convenient place to purchase gifts and treats for yourself and loved ones.

The airport also has a pre-ordering service for duty-free products, allowing travellers to plan their purchases in advance and receive email reminders. It's important to note that goods in the duty-free shop are sold only for personal non-commercial use, and there may be limits on the number of similar items you can buy per boarding pass.

While duty-free shopping is a convenient option at Manila Airport, the airport also offers a range of other shops, restaurants, and facilities. There are 31 shops, 9 cafes, and 9 restaurants to explore, providing a variety of options for travellers. Terminal 3 is noted for having the most variety in dining options, including Filipino cuisine, Chinese, Japanese, noodle outlets, and Western chains like Wendy's, Subway, and Starbucks.

Additionally, if you're looking to stay connected during your travels, Manila Airport offers SIM card shops where you can purchase tourist SIM cards or eSIMs for the Philippines. These shops are easy to find and are open 24 hours, accepting international credit cards and cash.

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SIM cards

Manila International Airport, also known as Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), offers a range of SIM card options for travellers looking to stay connected during their visit to the Philippines. The airport has kiosks or booths from major telcos or mobile networks, including Smart, Globe, and DITO, located within the departure halls of Terminals 1, 2, and 3. These providers offer SIM packages or "starter kits" with data and airtime, typically activated on the spot.

Smart and Globe booths offer free tourist SIM cards with some initial credit for calls and data. These SIM cards do not require identification or documentation, but staff may ask for your passport to verify your foreign status. For a regular SIM, you will need to show your passport for registration. The SIM cards from these providers come pre-activated, and you can top up or buy additional data packages online or in convenience stores once in the city.

The cost of a tourist SIM card at Manila Airport is typically around $34 USD for unlimited GB data. However, eSIMs for the Philippines can be a more cost-effective option, starting from just $1 USD. eSIMs can be ordered online in advance, providing convenience and potential savings.

When purchasing a SIM card at Manila Airport, it is recommended to have your passport for registration and identification purposes. Additionally, ensure that your mobile device is unlocked and compatible with the network frequencies used in the Philippines. While the airport kiosks accept international credit cards and cash, it is advisable to have Philippine pesos as some kiosks may not accept foreign credit cards.

Overall, buying a SIM card at Manila Airport is a straightforward process that allows travellers to stay connected during their visit to the Philippines. With multiple options and locations available, visitors can choose the plan that suits their needs and budget.

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Food and drinks

Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) has a wide variety of food and drink options for travellers. The airport houses 9 cafes and 9 restaurants, with most eateries located in Terminal 3, offering a casual dining experience with to-go food. The fare is mostly Filipino, but you can also find Chinese and Japanese cuisine, noodle outlets, and Western chains like Wendy's, Subway, and Starbucks.

If you are looking for a more relaxed dining experience with added comforts, the airport lounges offer food and drinks, WiFi, and news for a single fee. The A Lounge and Wings Transit Lounge in Terminal 3, and the Marhaba Lounge in Terminal 1, also offer shower facilities for a fee.

For those looking to purchase food and drinks to consume during their flight, the Duty-Free store at Manila Airport offers a range of tax-free alcoholic beverages and food items, including local delicacies. The Duty-Free store also provides special promotions and the latest products at attractive prices, making it a convenient and cost-effective option for travellers.

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Airport lounges

Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) has several lounges that offer a range of services and amenities to travellers. While specific details about each lounge are scarce, here is a compilation of information about the lounges based on traveller reviews:

Skyview Lounge: This lounge offers table service, which is uncommon in airport lounges. The food selection is limited, consisting mostly of Filipino snacks that are not individually packaged. However, drinks are readily available, and the staff are accommodating. The lounge also provides travellers with a quiet place to rest, with showers and toilets available.

Another lounge at MNL, used by a Tripadvisor reviewer, offered plentiful food and alcoholic drinks. While the food variety did not change between breakfast and lunch, fresh fruits were available. This lounge also provided shower facilities, towels, and toothbrushes. However, the reviewer noted that the shower area required cleaning and lacked hot water.

In addition to these, the Marhaba Lounge, A Lounge, and PAGSS Premium Lounge are also mentioned as options at MNL.

To make the most of your time at Manila Airport and to access lounges, you can download the Priority Pass app, which helps travellers find and access lounges, navigate airports, and manage their accounts.

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Sleep pods and hotels

If you're looking for a place to rest during a layover at Manila Airport, there are sleep pods and hotels available. Manila Airport is open 24 hours a day, but sleeping is prohibited in certain areas, so it's important to be careful about where you settle.

There are sleep rooms and capsules available in Terminals 1 and 3. At Terminal 3, you can book sleep pods from 4 pm to midnight, midnight to 8 am, and 8 am to 4 pm. The Wings Transit Lounge in Terminal 3 offers capsules, twin rooms, and family rooms with showers. Three hours in a day room costs ₱1,500, which is around $27 USD.

There are also several hotels located near the airport. In front of Terminal 3, you can find the Manila Marriott Hotel at Newport World Resorts, Holiday Inn Express Manila Newport City, and Maxims Hotel. Next to Terminal 1 is the Manila Airport Hotel. There is also a Park Bed & Breakfast Hotel and a Townhouse with air conditioning available nearby.

If you don't mind staying in the public area of the airport, there are free resting zones and lounges. However, sleeping in the public area is not recommended, and it's important to keep an eye on your belongings at all times.

Frequently asked questions

The airport has 31 shops, 9 cafes, and 9 restaurants. You can buy perfumes, alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, food items, confectionery, souvenirs, and children's toys. There are also airport lounges, sleep pods, and nearby hotels.

Yes, you can buy a tourist SIM card at Manila Airport. There are two SIM card desks in one booth in the Arrival Hall—one from Smart and one from Globe, the main mobile internet providers in the Philippines. You can also buy an eSIM online before your trip.

Yes, pre-ordering is available at Manila Airport. You can select the date of your planned trip and receive an email reminder to pre-order Duty-Free products.

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