Travel
By Air
Airports
Until 1981 the international terminal used to be what is today the domestic terminal, with both domestic and international flights sharing the same building. Very much to the chagrin of the authorities and the exasperation of passengers, the new Manila International Airport (now renamed Ninoy Aquino International Airport in honor of the Marcos' opposition leader, who was assassinated when he stepped down the gangway after years of exile) turned out to be too small almost the moment it was inaugurated. Since then traffic has swollen at the NAIA and persistent problems are the air-conditioning system and over-crowding.
One improvement, however, was the introduction by Avis of its exclusive G & S coupon taxi service for arriving passengers. Trying to grab a cab was one of the worst annoyances for the arriving visitor, and once he finally got one, he still had to go through a hassle with the generally abusive cabbie over the fare. Since the transport situation in Manila has become worse in 1989, G & S taxis are a red carpet treatment for the newly arrived visitor.
At the NAIA, the G & S taxi counters are located by the escalator at the arrival area and near the taxi stand right outside Gate 1; they are open between 5:00 and midnight or even later in case of late flights. The fixed point-to-point rates, good for up to four passengers, can be paid in pesos or US$; all major credit cards or Avis cards are accepted. The brand new luxury cars are all equipped with air-conditioning, two-way radios and roof racks for additional baggage. The G & S taxis may be a little more expensive than the regular taxis (provided you can get one for the regular fare), but are definitely good value, considering the safety and comfort they offer.
Fares including taxes to Pasay, Manila, Makati and Paranaque are between $8.25 and $12.35, to San Juan and Tondo $16.50, to Caloocan, Pasig and Quezon City $19, and $22.70 to $25.75 for destination s like Fairview, Marikina, Novaliches, Tagaytay, Antipolo or Muntinlupa.
Those who are familiar with Manila and its taxis have the option after arrival to walk up to the departure area and grab a cab dropping off passengers but this is advisable only for those who really know their way around and don't have much baggage. The correct fare for a regular taxi to the tourist belt or Makati should be around 50 pesos but it is certainly hard to get a cab for that price at the airport. Going to the airport, it is easier to find a taxi at that rate. Between 14:00 and 19:00, however, there is a shortage of cabs in the whole metropolis.
For the budget minded Manila visitor, there are also several bus lines connecting the airport to other parts of the city. DMTC buses park to the right of the airport at the foot of the driveway and run down Taft Ave. MMTC buses go to Cubao without touching the tourist belt. The air-conditioned Love Buses pass the tourist belt on their way to Quiapo, but it's a circuitous route which goes through Makati.
Domestic and international flights share the same runways, but not the same terminals, which are about 3km (2mi) apart. The rather modest domestic terminal building. with its inadequate facilities has a hard time handling the huge passenger turnover. The efficient PAL staff, however, manages to overcome the difficulties and get everyone on board and deplaned without major hassle. PAL also uses an extension terminal for Airbus flights to Cebu and Davao. G & S Coupon taxis are also available here. Public transportation connections are essentially the same as from and to the NAIA. However, the budget minded also has the option of taking a taxi just to Baclaran (about 1km) and there to board a LRT train for the tourist belt, downtown or Caloocan. But this is not advisable with much baggage.
Departure fees are 220 pesos for the international terminal, 7 pesos fo the domestic terminal in Manila, and 0.75 to 1.5 pesos for provincial airports.
Domestic Flights
There is only one full-service airline in the Philippines, Philippine Air Lines' (PAL); a number of small companies provide limited services at fairly high rates. While the smaller companies concentrate mostly on private charters, operating generally with small single or twin engine Chessnas, Pipers etc, even helicopters, PAL (Asia's longest existing airline) has flights scheduled to all principal destinations in the archipelago, serving 42 domestic airports with modern jets such as an A-300 Airbus, three B 737 and ten BAC 1-11, or the latest turbo-prop models like Fokker-50s or SD-360s Sunrisers.
Domestic air fares are an incredible bargain by international standards; a passenger kilometer comes to roughly 1.50 peso by air. Additional round-trip discounts (10%-15%) are also available for students, Philippine and US armed forces personnel, and the elderly. This makes air travel affordable for practically anyone. A drawback to the low rates is that flights are often full, particularly during holiday seasons (Christmas, Easter, All Saints' Day). At any time, it is a good idea to book well in advance, otherwise one may be wait listed.
PAL has established a well functioning wait listing system for all domestic flights. Passengers who want to be wait listed for a given destination have to obtain a number at the wait list counter inside the Domestic Terminal, both of which open at 2:00, regardless of departure times. The allocations are made on a strict first come, first serve basis. 15 minutes before departure, the check-in clerk will announce the numbers of the passengers who can still board. If there are more flights to the same destination that day, the remaining passengers are moved up to the wait list for the next flight provided they are physically present when the list is being updated. Wait lists are not carried over to the next day. At smaller airports throughout The Country wait listing starts with the opening of check-in counters. Refunds or cancellations of confirmed PAL tickets are processed at the ticket office where the ticket was issued originally.
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PAL Ticket Offices
Tourist Belt
S & L Bldg - Roxas Blvd, Ermita
Mon-Fri 8:30-17:00, Sat 8:00-12:00
Taft Ave, Malate
Mon-Sat 8:30-17:00
Manila Hotel - Rizal Park, Ermita
Mon-Sat 8:30-17:00
Central Bank - Mabini St, Malate
Mon-Fri 8:30-16:30
Escolta - Binondo, Manila
Tel 49-30-03
Makati
Pal Bldg - Legaspi St, opp Greenbelt Sq
Tel 817-15-09, 817-14-40
Mon-Sat 8:30-17:00
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Airports
International Airport
Tel 831-06-22, daily 8:00-21:00
Domestic Airport
Tel 832-09-91, daily 2:00-20:00
Reservations
Tel 816-66-91 (24-hr service)
First Class, Mabuhay Class &
Mabuhay Club Members' Reservations
Tel 818-76-15 (Mon-Fri 8:00-17:00)
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