Key hubs
Manila airport and railway station
- Airport
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL), about 7 km south of the city centre; roughly 30–60 minutes by road depending on traffic. Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 handle most international flights.
- Railway station
- No useful intercity passenger rail for visitors. Within the city, the elevated LRT Line 1 and Line 2 serve Taft Avenue, Recto and the north-south corridor; the PNR Main Station is at Tutuban.
- Getting around
- Ride-hailing apps and metered taxis for most trips; LRT/MRT for short, crowded-hour-free hops; kalesa horse carriages and walking inside Intramuros. Traffic is heavy at peak hours.
How to reach Manila by air
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) is about 7 km south of the city centre. Air India was listed as flying to Delhi from Manila at the time of writing; otherwise many Indian travellers connect through hubs in Southeast Asia or the Gulf. Check current direct services and schedules before booking. Road time into the city is usually 30 to 60 minutes.
How to reach Manila by train
There is no useful intercity passenger train service for visitors arriving in Manila. The PNR Main Station is at Tutuban, but within the city the elevated LRT Line 1 (a north-to-south elevated line with stations near Taft Avenue) and LRT Line 2 (east to west) are the useful lines.
How to reach Manila by road
Manila is the hub of Luzon's road network, with expressways north and south, but traffic is heavy at peak hours. Long-distance buses and vans leave from several terminals. For visitors, a private car or ride-hailing is the practical way to reach nearby towns such as Tagaytay.
Getting around Manila
Ride-hailing apps and metered taxis are the easiest options for most visitors. Intramuros is best explored on foot or by kalesa, and the LRT is useful for short hops outside peak hours. Beep cards work on LRT and MRT lines. Allow generous time for traffic.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Manila
- Treat Intramuros as a morning outing. The stone paving is uneven and shade is limited, so carry water, wear a hat and plan a rest indoors by midday.
- Use a car or ride-hailing between sights. Distances look short on the map, but heat, traffic and crowded pavements make walking between districts tiring.
- Avoid the LRT and jeepneys during morning and evening rush hours; they are crowded and have steps. Taxis and apps with air conditioning are easier for older travellers.
- Hospital care is available in Metro Manila, but travel insurance with medical cover matters. Carry prescriptions, names of medicines and a printed medical summary.
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.