How to Go to NAIA Terminals So You Never Miss Your Flight

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is Metro Manila’s hub for international and domestic flights. It’s one of the busiest airports in Southeast Asia, servicing more than 10 million passengers during 2023’s first quarter.^[1] And now that tourism is back in full swing, the airport has gone back to its pre-pandemic busyness.

Is it your first time flying from NAIA? Or maybe you’ve been assigned to a new, unfamiliar station? Either way, it’s important that you know how to go to NAIA terminals to avoid being late for your flight.

Thankfully, you have a few options to get to this airport. Read on to learn more.

How to Go to NAIA Terminals: NAIA at a Glance

Photo: Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Facebook)

Located between Parañaque and Pasay, NAIA serves Metro Manila and surrounding provinces, such as Laguna, Batangas, Cavite, and Rizal, among others. Currently, it’s composed of four passenger terminals that house specific air carriers.

NAIA is managed by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), which is part of the Department of Transportation (DOTr). The airport serves millions of travelers every year. In 2019 alone, the four terminals collectively accommodated around 47 million passengers.^[2]

NAIA Terminal 1

Photo: Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Facebook)

Which NAIA terminal is for international arrivals? Built in 1981, NAIA Terminal 1 serves international air carriers operating in Manila. Starting June 16, 2023, all international flights of the Philippine Airlines will operate at this terminal.

As of now, Terminal 1 houses the following air carriers:

Air China
Air Niugini
Asiana Airlines
China Airlines
China Eastern Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines (will move to NAIA Terminal 3 on June 1)
EVA Air
Gulf Air
Hong Kong Airlines
Japan Airlines
Jeju Air (will move to NAIA Terminal 3 on June 1)
Korean Air
Kuwait Airways
Malaysia Airlines
Oman Air
Royal Air
Royal Brunei Airlines
Saudi Arabian Airlines
Thai Airways
Xiamen Airlines

How to Go to NAIA Terminal 1 from the North

Here are the different ways to reach NAIA Terminal 1 if you live in the northern part of the metro:

👉 Via Public Transportation

Ride the MRT and alight at Taft Station, which is the system’s southern terminus. Near the MRT station, you’ll find a terminal with shuttles that take passengers to Terminal 1. Alternatively, you can ride a taxi or book a TNVS service (e.g. Grab or JoyRide Car) at Taft Station.

If you want an uninterrupted trip, you can board the UBE Express, which has daily trips to NAIA Terminal 1. Those who live in Quezon City, especially in Cubao or nearby areas, can take the UBE Express bus at Araneta City. Fare costs ₱200.

If you’re living in the City of Manila or nearby areas, you can ride the UBE Express bus at Robinsons Manila. Fare costs ₱150.

👉 Via Car

Go south on EDSA to Pasay, then turn left at the interchange between EDSA and Aurora Boulevard.
From Aurora Boulevard, turn right to Andrews Avenue until you reach the rotunda.
Turn left to Domestic Road.
At the end of the Domestic Road, turn left to NAIA Road. Follow the signs leading to NAIA Terminal 1 and Parañaque.

How to Go to NAIA Terminal 1 from the South

If you live in the Southern part of the metro, here are some ways to reach NAIA Terminal 1:

👉 Via Public Transportation

Ride the bus going to Manila via SLEX. Alight at the Magallanes Interchange. From there, book a TNVS shuttle or ride a taxi going to Terminal 1.

If you live in Laguna (particularly in Biñan, Santa Rosa, and Cabuyao), ride the UBE Express bus at Robinsons Santa Rosa. Fare costs ₱300.

If you live in Muntinlupa, particularly in Alabang or nearby areas, you can board the UBE Express at Ayala Malls South Park. Fare costs ₱200.

👉 Via Car

Take the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) or Skyway northbound.
If you’re driving on SLEX, take the Villamor exit ramp. Drive down the road past the Resorts World Complex and NAIA Terminal 3 until you reach the rotunda monument. Just keep driving until you reach another rotunda, where you’ll take the left exit. Once you reach the end of the road, turn left again to get to NAIA Road. At the first intersection, turn right and follow the signs leading to Terminal 1.
If you drive on the airport Skyway, take the NAIA Exit at the Sales Interchange. Drive down the road until you reach the junction. Turn left and follow the signs that will lead you to Terminal 1.

NAIA Terminal 2

Photo: Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Facebook)

NAIA Terminal 2, which started operations in 1999, was initially intended to operate as a domestic flights hub. However, it ended up housing both the domestic and international flights of Philippine Airlines, the country’s flag carrier.

Currently, Philippine Airlines exclusively uses the airport. But starting July 1, 2023, Terminal 2 will be dedicated to all domestic flights of Philippine Airlines and Philippines AirAsia.

How to Go to NAIA Terminal 2 from the North

Below are some ways to reach NAIA Terminal 2 if you live in the northern part of the metro:

👉 Via Public Transportation

Ride the MRT and alight at Taft Station. Near the MRT station, you’ll find a terminal with airport shuttles that ferry passengers to Terminal 2. If you want to reach Terminal 2 quickly, ride a taxi or book a TNVS service at Taft Station.

Want a quick, non-stop trip? Just board the UBE Express that offers daily trips to NAIA Terminal 2. If you live in Quezon City, especially in Cubao or nearby areas, take the UBE Express bus at Araneta City. Fare costs ₱200.

If you reside in the City of Manila or nearby areas, you can ride the UBE Express bus at Robinsons Manila for ₱150.

👉 Via Car

Go south on EDSA to Pasay, then turn left at the interchange between EDSA and Aurora Boulevard.
From Aurora Boulevard, turn right to Andrews Avenue until you reach the rotunda.
Turn left to Domestic Road.
At the end of Domestic Road, turn left to NAIA Road. Follow the signs leading to NAIA Terminal 2.

How to Go to NAIA Terminal 2 from the South

The denizens of Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Laguna, and Batangas have a few options for getting to NAIA Terminal 2:

👉 Via Public Transportation

Take the bus going to Manila via SLEX. Disembark at the Magallanes Interchange. From there, book a TNVS service or ride a taxi going to Terminal 2.

If you live in Laguna (especially in Biñan, Santa Rosa, and Cabuyao), take the UBE Express bus at Robinsons Santa Rosa. Fare costs ₱300.

If you live in Muntinlupa, particularly in Alabang or nearby areas, you can board the UBE Express at Ayala Malls South Park. Fare costs ₱200.

👉 Via Car

Take the northbound road of South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) or Skyway.
If you’re driving on SLEX, take the Villamor exit ramp. Drive down the road past the Resorts World Complex and NAIA Terminal 3 until you reach the rotunda monument. Continue driving until you reach another rotunda where you’ll take the left exit. Once you reach the end of the road, turn left again to get to NAIA road. At the first intersection, turn right and follow the signs to reach Terminal 2.
If you’re driving on Skyway going to the airport, take the NAIA Exit at the Sales Interchange. Drive down the road until you reach the junction. Turn left and follow the signs that will lead you to Terminal 2.

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NAIA Terminal 3

Photo: Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Facebook)

Opened in 2008, Terminal 3 is the largest of all NAIA Terminals. Handling 13 million passengers yearly, it is NAIA’s response to the growing number of passengers.^[3]

Terminal 3 houses the operations of the following air carriers:

All Nippon Airways
Cathay Pacific
Delta Air Lines
Emirates
Etihad Airways
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Qantas Airways
Qatar Airways
Singapore Airlines
Turkish Airlines
United Airlines
Cebu Pacific
PAL Express
Jetstar Asia
Jetstar Japan
China Southern Airlines
Scoot
STARLUX Airlines

How to Go to NAIA Terminal 3 from the North

Residents living up north can reach NAIA Terminal 3 via the following routes and methods:

👉 Via Public Transportation

Take the MRT and alight at Taft Station. How to go to NAIA Terminal 3 from Taft Avenue? Outside the MRT station, you’ll find a terminal with airport shuttles that take passengers to Terminal 3. If you want to reach Terminal 3 quickly, ride a taxi or book a TNVS service at Taft Station.

How to go to NAIA Terminal 3 from Cubao and surrounding areas? Board the UBE Express bus at Araneta City. Fare costs ₱200.

How to go to NAIA Terminal 3 from Monumento? Take the LRT-1 train at Monumento Station and alight at EDSA Station. From there, walk to MRT Taft Station and ride an airport shuttle going to Terminal 3. You may also ride a taxi or a TNVS service to reach the airport quickly.

If you reside in the City of Manila or nearby areas, you can ride the UBE Express bus at Robinsons Manila. Fare costs ₱150.

👉 Via Car

Go south on EDSA to Pasay, then turn left at the interchange between EDSA and Aurora Boulevard.
From Aurora Boulevard, turn right to Andrews Avenue until you reach the rotunda.
Turn left to Domestic Road.
At the end of Domestic Road, turn left to NAIA Road. Follow the signs leading to NAIA Terminal 1 and Parañaque.

How to Go to NAIA Terminal 3 from the South

Southies, here are the routes leading to NAIA Terminal 3:

👉 Via Public Transportation

Take the bus going to Manila via SLEX. Alight at the Magallanes Interchange and book a TNVS service or ride a taxi going to Terminal 3.

If you live in Laguna (especially in Biñan, Santa Rosa, and Cabuyao), take the UBE Express bus at Robinsons Santa Rosa. Fare costs ₱300.

How to go to NAIA terminal 3 from Alabang or nearby areas? Just ride the UBE Express bus at Ayala Malls South Park. Fare costs ₱200.

👉 Via Car

Take the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) or Skyway northbound.
If you’re driving on SLEX, take the Villamor exit ramp. Drive down the road past the Resorts World Complex and NAIA Terminal 3 until you reach the rotunda monument. Follow the flow of the rotunda to reach the Terminal 3 entrance.
If you’re driving on Skyway, take the NAIAX Skyway Exit at the Sales Interchange. Continue driving until you reach the Terminal 3 exit ramp.

NAIA Terminal 4

Photo: Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Facebook)

NAIA Terminal 4 goes by the names of Old Domestic Terminal and Manila Domestic Passenger Terminal. Built in 1948, it’s the oldest of all four terminals. It houses the domestic operations of air carriers, such as AirSWIFT, Skyjet, Cebgo, and Philippines AirAsia (until June 30, 2023).

How to Go to NAIA Terminal 4 from the North

Passengers coming from the North can reach Terminal 4 via the following ways:

👉 Via Public Transportation

Take the MRT and alight at Taft Station. Outside the MRT station, take an airport shuttle to reach the airport. If you’re looking for a quicker or more comfortable alternative, ride a taxi or book a TNVS service at Taft Station.

UBE Express’ point-to-point (P2P) buses also ferry residents of Cubao and surrounding areas to NAIA Terminal 4. The jump-off point is at Araneta City. Bus fare costs ₱200.

If you live in the City of Manila or nearby areas, just board the UBE Express bus at Robinsons Manila. Fare costs ₱150.

👉 Via Car

Go south on EDSA to Pasay, then turn left at the interchange between EDSA and Aurora Boulevard.
From Aurora Boulevard, turn right to Andrews Avenue until you reach the rotunda.
Turn left to Domestic Road. You’ll find Terminal 4 on your left side.

How to Go to NAIA Terminal 4 from the South

If you’re hailing from the south, here are the routes that you can take to reach Terminal 4:

👉 Via Public Transportation

Take the bus going to Manila via SLEX. Alight at the Magallanes Interchange. Then, book a TNVS service or ride a taxi going to Terminal 4.

If you live in Laguna (particularly in Biñan, Santa Rosa, and Cabuyao), take the UBE Express bus at Robinsons Santa Rosa. Fare costs ₱300.

Meanwhile, Muntinlupa and Las Piñas residents can reach Terminal 4 by riding the UBE Express bus at Ayala Malls South Park. Fare costs ₱200.

👉 Via Car

Take the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) or Skyway northbound.
If you’re driving on SLEX, take the Villamor exit ramp. Drive past the Resorts World Complex, NAIA Terminal 3, and rotunda monument until you reach another rotunda. Take the left exit and keep driving until you see Terminal 4 on your left side.
If you’re driving on Skyway going to airport, take the NAIAX Skyway Exit at the Sales Interchange. Keep driving until you reach the Terminal 3 exit ramp. Drive past the Resorts World Complex, NAIA Terminal 3, and rotunda monument until you reach another rotunda. Take the left exit and drive until you see Terminal 4 on your left side.

Final Thoughts

Those not familiar with NAIA terminals’ roads and routes may find the airport inaccessible. It’s true to some degree, but thankfully, air passengers now have more options on how to go to NAIA terminals. On top of airport shuttles and taxis, premium P2P buses can ferry passengers to and from NAIA.

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Sources:

^[1] NAIA passengers in Q1 increase by 158% – MIAA (Philstar Global, 2023)
^[2] Passenger Volume Drops by 300K Due to COVID-19 (Philippine News Agency, 2020)
^[3] NAIA Terminal 3 Profile

From Commute to Private Car: How to Go to NAIA Terminals

Jay Pagkatotohan