Manila Airport Departure Guide

Departure from Manila without problems

You leave Manila from:

Please Read our Taxes & Fees page explaining all airport and travel taxes!

MIAA, the Manila International Airport Authority, plans to re-assign most airlines to other terminals. Originally scheduled for August 2018, the work has stalled. Be careful, this complete change of terminals can now happen any time. Please check with your airline BEFORE flying!

Departure from Manila Airport can be annoying. Airlines demand that you check-in early and afterwards you got a lot of time to kill.

For international flights you should be at the airport 3 hours before take-off. For domestic flights you should be at the airport at least 90 minutes before departure of your flight.

Manila Airport (MNL) is already for a long time at its capacity limits. In the afternoon more than half of the flights are delayed. Delays can be from some minutes up to an hour or more.

You can check the delays on our Flight Status page.

Follow our guided and illustrated tour and enjoy your departure from Manila NAIA airport by clicking on the corresponding terminal from where you leave Manila.

CAUTION: Manila Airport is being transformed all the time. If you encounter differences between our description and the real thing, please inform us.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

No more terminal fee in NAIA

After many years MIAA, the Manila International Airport Authority, and the airlines found a way to integrate the terminal fee for international flights in the ticket price.

Already a year ago the terminal fee for domestic flights had been integrated for flights from Manila and Cebu.

The big problem had been to handle all the exemptions. The OFW association opposed to this integration because OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) do not have to pay the terminal fee.

OFWs show your OEC when buying a ticket!

Credit cards at the check-in?

Many airlines accept now check-in without showing the original credit card. But this still depends on the airline.

Airlines which use secure payment procedures usually marked with one of these logos, do not require to show the credit card anymore.

For other airlines we recommend to have a photocopy of the original card together with a photocopy of the owner's passport.

To be on the safe side, read the airline's website. There are still airlines that ask the credit card owner to fill in a form.

Departure from NAIA-1

You should be at the airport 3 hours before departure. Do not come earlier because you won't be admitted to the departure lobby. The check-in desks usually open 3 hours before scheduled take-off.

If you should be really too early then you may visit the "Window of the World" restaurant. Read more in our Manila Airport Transfer Guide.

At the entrance you have to show your ticket and your passport. Then you have to pass a first security check.

Once inside you see big displays opposite of the entrance. On these displays you find the check-in desk numbers of your flight.

Travel Tax

Travel Tax should be included in the ticket price.

This tax is to be paid by Philippines nationals (except OFWs) and foreigners who have stayed more than a year in the Philippines.

Unfortunately airlines still have problems with all the exception, exemtions and reductions. And when you bought your return ticket abroad, it might not include the travel tax. Or worse, the travel tax is included but you do not have to pay it.

If you are not sure if the tax is included in your ticket, we strongly recommend to go first to the check-in counter for your flight and inquire about the travel tax. Otherwise you risk to pay the tax twice. And then try to get a refund in the Philippines ...

If you have to pay the travel tax, then return to the entrance check-point. The travel tax counter is just on the left hand of the entrance (seen from inside). Be early, you may have to queue up for a while.

For more information about travel tax and other fees read our Taxes and Fees page.

Check-in

The check-in counters usually open 3 hours before scheduled departure.

You must have with you:

Your ticket
Your passport
Original credit card, please see here
All your luggage (check-in and hand carry)

There are usually 4 to 8 economy class counters and 2 or 3 business class counter per flight. Sometimes there is still a first class counter.

Most airlines do now a pre-selection before you can queue-up. Your luggage is weighed and the dimensions of your hand-carry bags are checked.

You will need between 10 and 60 minutes to check in.

Terminal Fee

This has been. In the past you had to pay the terminal fee for using the airport.

This terminal fee is now included in the ticket price.

The counters are still there but aren't used anymore It's more fun in the Philippines!

Immigration

All Filipino departing passengers are required to fill out the new Philippine immigration departure cards while foreigners and Philippine passport holders with immigrant status will no longer be required to fill out the departure cards.

Probably you do not have anymore the departure part of your "Arrival/Departure card". There is no problem. At the walls on your left and right side are desks with tons of these cards. Fill one in, you will have to give it to the immigration officer.

The queuing system in NAIA-1 changes permanently. At this moment (summer 2016) they test a single s-shaped queue with a dispatcher at the end.

The immigration officer needs your passport and your departure card.

Some foreigners have also to show their Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC).

Have a look at our Visa Information page for further details.

You need between 5 and 20 minutes to proceed through immigration.

Waiting / Shopping

First you have to undergo a final security check. This one is though. Depending on the officer who supervises the controls, you may have to get rid of all, but really all, metallic items, empty all your pockets, get off your shoes. But keep smiling :-)

After this check you are immediately in the duty free shopping area.

WARNING: Do not buy liquids if your flight does not reach directly its final destination. At any stop-over in the world, you will have your liquids confiscated.

If you are (still) a smoker, there is a bar called "Tinderbox" on the right side. This bar is smoker-zone.

NAIA-1 has 3 lounges accessible for economy class passengers: Sampaguita, Club Manila and PAGS lounge. Sampaguita and Club Manila are cheaper than PAGS but PAGS is quieter, brighter and doesn't charge for alcohol (Sampaguita does). Look for the hostesses at the point where the Y separates into two legs. Entrance fee is PHP 500 to 800

Business class passengers get their invitation to an airline lounge at the check-in counter.

Boarding

Your last half mile on Philippine's ground. The alleys are long. So get on your way at least 30 minutes before boarding time.

Several airlines have a last check-point before you are admitted to the gate lounge. Again you have to show your passport and your boarding card.

Your last station in the Philippines. Here you wait until the boarding counter is open and you take your seat for the next long hours.

At the gate you also find rest rooms (CR) and some food stalls. Sometimes you even find some small mobile shops, where you can buy a last "pasalubong", the Filipino's traditional homecoming gift.

Thank you and come soon again.

Departure from Manila Airport is a long walk

Departure from NAIA-2

[For international flights]

You should be at the airport 3 hours before departure. Do not come earlier because you won't be admitted to the departure lobby. There is nothing around this terminal where you can quietly kill your waiting time. The check-in desks usually open 3 hours before scheduled take-off.

[For domestic flights]

You should be at the airport 90 to 120 minutes before departure. Do not come earlier because you won't be admitted to the departure lobby. The check-in desks usually open 90 minutes before scheduled take-off.

Both entrances (domestic and international look similar.

International flights are from the north-wing (foreground in the aerial photo. Domestic flights are from the south-wing.

At the entrance you have to show your ticket and your passport or ID. Then you have to pass a first security check.

Travel Tax

[International flights only]

Travel Tax should be included in the ticket price.

This tax is to be paid by Philippines nationals (except OFWs) and foreigners who have stayed more than a year in the Philippines.

For more information about travel tax and other fees read our Taxes and Fees page.

Check-in

[International flights only]

The check-in counters usually open 3 hours before scheduled departure. You must have with you:

Your ticket
Your passport
The original credit card, if you had bought your ticket on-line
All your luggage (check-in and hand carry)

[Domestic flights only]

The check-in counters usually open 90 - 120 minutes before scheduled departure. You must have with you:

Your ticket
Your passport or a valid ID with photo
Original credit card, please see here
All your luggage (check-in and hand carry)

You will need between 10 and 60 minutes to check in.

Terminal Fee

This has been. In the past you had to pay the terminal fee for using the airport.

This terminal fee is now included in the ticket price.

The counters are still there but aren't used anymore It's more fun in the Philippines!

Immigration

[International flights only]

There is no problem. There are cards available on desks. Fill one in, you will have to give it to the immigration officer.

The queuing system in NAIA-2 changes permanently. At this moment (summer 2016) they test a single s-shaped queue with a dispatcher at the end.

The immigration officer needs your passport and your departure card.

Some foreigners have also to show their Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC).

Have a look at our Visa Information page for further details.

You need between 5 and 20 minutes to proceed through immigration.

Waiting / Shopping

In the international section you find duty free shops.

WARNING: Do not buy liquids if your flight does not reach directly its final destination. At any stop-over in the world, you will have your liquids confiscated.

If you are (still) a smoker, there is a bar called "Tinderbox". This smoker zone is situated between the international and the domestic section.

There are no lounges for economy passengers but some food stalls and some shops. Business class passengers get their invitation to the PAL lounge at the check-in counter.

Boarding

In NAIA-2 it's a short way to the plane if you found a seat near the gate.

At the international section you have to show your passport and your boarding card.

At the domestic section only your boarding card is required.

Have a nice trip.

Departure from NAIA-3

[For international flights]

You should be at the airport 3 hours before departure. If you come earlier, you won't be able to check-in. Then you might go up to the top floor where you find shops and a food-court. I have already stayed a whole night there. The check-in desks usually open 3 hours before scheduled take-off.

[For domestic flights]

You should be at the airport 90 to 120 minutes before departure. The check-in desks usually open 90 minutes before scheduled take-off.

There are no separated entrances for domestic and international flights. The selection starts after check-in.

At the entrance you have to show your ticket and your passport or ID. Then you have to pass a first security check.

Travel Tax

[International flights only]

Travel Tax should be included in the ticket price.

This tax is to be paid by Philippines nationals (except OFWs) and foreigners who have stayed more than a year in the Philippines.

The travel tax counters are on the extreme left side (seen from inside). Be early, you may have to queue up for a while.

For more information about travel tax and other fees read our Taxes and Fees page.

Check-in

[International flights only]

The check-in counters usually open 3 hours before scheduled departure. You must have with you:

Your ticket
Your passport
Original credit card, please see here
All your luggage (check-in and hand carry)

[Domestic flights only]

The check-in counters usually open 90 - 120 minutes before scheduled departure. You must have with you:

Your ticket
Your passport or a valid ID with photo
The original credit card, if you had bought your ticket on-line
All your luggage (check-in and hand carry)

You will need between 10 and 60 minutes to check in.

Terminal Fee

This has been. In the past you had to pay the terminal fee for using the airport.

This terminal fee is now included in the ticket price.

The counters are still there but aren't used anymore It's more fun in the Philippines!

Immigration

[International flights only]

There is no problem. There are cards available on desks. Fill one in, you will have to give it to the immigration officer.

The queuing system in NAIA-2 changes permanently. At this moment (summer 2016) they test a single s-shaped queue with a dispatcher at the end.

The immigration officer needs your passport and your departure card.

Some foreigners have also to show their Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC).

Have a look at our Visa Information page for further details.

You need between 5 and 20 minutes to proceed through immigration.

Waiting / Shopping

First you have to undergo a final security check. This one is tough. Depending on the officer who supervises the controls, you may have to get rid of all, but really all, metallic items, empty all your pockets, get off your shoes. But keep smiling :-)

In the international section you find duty free shops.

WARNING: Do not buy liquids if your flight does not reach directly its final destination. At any stop-over in the world, you will have your liquids confiscated.

If you are (still) a smoker, there are smoker rooms with a bar. This smoker zones are one both gate levels in the domestic section and on main level in the international section.

There are no lounges at this moment. There are some food stalls. In the international section there are even restaurants.

Boarding

Now you are sitting at your gate and are waiting for boarding. Well sitting is sometimes difficult, because there are not enough seats and some airlines handle up to 3 flights at the same gate.

But at least you have a nice view on the aircraft cemetery on the other side of the runway. The old "Super Constellation" isn't there anymore. It had been sold to Qantas in Australia.

Unfortunately many finger-docks in NAIA-3 are not operational. So you will have the pleasure to ride on an old Korean airport bus.

Have a nice trip.

Departure from NAIA-4

You should be at the airport 90 minutes before departure. Do not come earlier because you won't be admitted to the departure lobby. The check-in desks usually open 90 to 120 minutes before scheduled take-off.

If you should be really too early then you may visit one of the restaurants (e.g. the Lin-Lu) just around the corner. Read more in our Transfer Guide.

At the entrance you have to show your ticket and your passport or any valid ID with photo. Then you have to pass a first security check.

Once inside you see the row of check-in counters just ahead of you.

Check-in

The check-in counters usually open 90 to 120 minutes before scheduled departure.

You must have with you:

Your ticket
Your passport or any valid ID with photo
Original credit card, please see here
All your luggage (check-in and hand carry)

You will need between 10 and 20 minutes to check in.

Be prepared! The luggage allowance chances frequently. At this very moment it is 20 kilograms per person. For Caticlan (Boracay) it is only 10kg and your body weight together with all your baggage is noted.

Excess luggage must be paid at the cashier desk on your left. Fortunately excess luggage charge is only PHP 100.00 to 150.00 per kilogram.

Terminal Fee

This has been. In the past you had to pay the terminal fee for using the airport.

This terminal fee is now included in the ticket price.

Are you (still) a smoker? Sorry, there is no more smoker's lounge. The old one has been replaced by a shop. You can smoke nowhere inside the terminal building.

You can now proceed directly to security check #2.

No more smoker's room and Terminal Fee counter

Waiting / Shopping

Congratulations! You are now in the passenger waiting area. The most important word is WAITING! I have already passed 7 hours in this most awful place, so I know about what torture I am writingt.

There are toilets. The cleaning staff tries to keep them clean - emphasis is on the word "tries".

There are also a news stand and food stalls.

One thing we can really recommend is a massage. In the very first boot after the security check #2 you find immediately on your right hand a massage cabinet. The staff is composed of blind masseurs. They do a really good job. While relaxing, you help this people to keep their self esteem and earn their lives.

Boarding

When your waiting time is over, you pass through the gate check.

Here you have to present your boarding pass.

Then you walk over the tarmac to your aircraft. When it rains or when the sun is burning down on your head, you'll get an umbrella.

Have a nice trip.

When it rains, they give you an umbrella