The cheapest practical way from Manila's Ninoy Aquino Airport (NAIA/MNL) into the city is the Airport Loop Bus from Terminal 3 to MRT Taft / Pasay Rotonda for a flat ₱40 (about US$0.70), taking roughly 30–40 minutes with traffic; from there MRT-3 and LRT-1 reach Makati, Ermita and the rest of the EDSA corridor. A jeepney is even cheaper at ₱13–15 if you travel light, or the direct UBE Express P2P bus costs ₱150 if you'd rather skip the train transfer. Avoid the fixed-fare 'coupon' taxis and the touts inside arrivals quoting flat ₱500–2,000 fares — use the official metered white-taxi bay or book Grab instead.
How to find it
- AIRPORTManila – Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)
- 01At NAIA Terminal 3, exit the arrivals hall and cross at the pedestrian lane near Bay 8. Look for the bus marked 'Airport Loop' / HM Transport with a Terminal 3 banner. If you land at Terminal 1 or 2, take the free MIAA inter-terminal shuttle to Terminal 3 first.
- 02Board and pay the flat ₱40 fare in cash or by tapping a Beep card. The service runs through the day (it is not 24/7) with no fixed timetable, so you may wait up to about 30 minutes.
- 03Ride about 20–40 minutes via Baclaran to MRT Taft / Pasay Rotonda — the interchange where MRT-3 (Taft Avenue) and LRT-1 (EDSA) meet.
- 04From Pasay Rotonda take MRT-3 north for Makati (Ayala, Magallanes) or LRT-1 for Ermita and Manila (Pedro Gil, UN Avenue). Onward train fares are only about ₱13–30.
- CITY CENTREManila
Ticket
Airport Loop Bus fare (NAIA Terminal 3 to MRT Taft / Pasay Rotonda)
Where to buy: Pay onboard the bus; no ticket counter and no advance booking needed.
How to pay: Cash (₱40) handed to the conductor, or tap a Beep card on the reader.
All ways to downtown, compared
| Option | Price | Time | Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| BusCheapest route | ₱40.00 | 40 min | Airport Loop Bus fare (NAIA Terminal 3 to MRT Taft / Pasay Rotonda) |
| Bus | ₱150.00 | 55 min | UBE Express P2P bus one-way ticket (NAIA to Pasay / PITX) |
Frequently asked
- What is the cheapest way from NAIA to central Manila?
- The ₱40 Airport Loop Bus from Terminal 3 to MRT Taft / Pasay Rotonda, about 30–40 minutes, then MRT-3 or LRT-1 into the city. A jeepney is ₱13–15 if you travel light.
- Where do I catch the Airport Loop Bus at NAIA?
- At Terminal 3, exit arrivals and cross at the pedestrian lane near Bay 8; look for the bus marked 'Airport Loop' / HM Transport with a Terminal 3 banner. If you land at Terminal 1 or 2, take the free inter-terminal shuttle to Terminal 3 first.
- How do I avoid the NAIA taxi scam?
- Ignore anyone inside arrivals offering a fixed 'coupon' fare or waving a laminated 'airport-accredited' card — those flat quotes run ₱500–2,000+. Use the official metered white-taxi bay (flagdown ₱45) or book Grab (about ₱350–500 to Makati).
- Can I pay the airport bus with a card?
- The Airport Loop Bus takes cash (₱40) or a tap of a Beep card. A Beep card also works on MRT-3 and LRT-1, so it's worth buying one at the station.
- Is there a direct bus from NAIA to the city?
- Yes — UBE Express runs P2P buses from the terminals to Pasay and PITX for ₱150, direct with no train transfer, but it costs nearly four times the Airport Loop Bus.
- What is the best way from MNL to downtown Manila?
- For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest practical one: the ₱40 Airport Loop Bus from Terminal 3 to MRT Taft / Pasay Rotonda in about 30–40 minutes, then MRT-3 or LRT-1 on into the city centre — Makati, Ermita and the rest of the EDSA corridor.
- How much is a taxi from Ninoy Aquino International Airport to the city?
- An official metered white taxi starts at a ₱45 flagdown and Grab runs about ₱350–500 to Makati — versus a flat ₱40 on the Airport Loop Bus. Never take the coupon taxis or touts quoting flat ₱500–2,000 fares.
Last verified: . Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.