MNL · Layover Guide
Manila
Stop in Manila.
Best layover: 6–24h
LayoverScore™
Base city score. Your route score varies by savings and timing.
Exit realism
Workable window
You can still touch Manila if you move with purpose. One anchor stop. No side quests.
Landside playbook
If time slips
- Drop the last stop. Go straight to the train, taxi rank, or ride pickup you already chose.
- Add 15 minutes to map ETAs for the return leg at rush hour.
- One ticket for the whole trip protects you when the inbound is late. Separate tickets do not.
Worth knowing
- Do not stack three stops. One solid block in the city beats a rushed loop.
- Do not treat one map time as gospel for immigration lines. Pad on your first pass through this hub.
Planning a stop in Manila?
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Places to stay
Search hotelsLayoverScore™ breakdown
Score 60 · Discover 48 · Ease 21
Why Manila scores 60
Getting there
Grab (ride-hailing) $10 · Metered Taxi $8
min to center
taxi- 01Grab taxi (45-90 min depending on traffic)
- 02Ride-hailing apps like Grab (45-90 min, $8-15)
- 03Airport bus to Pasay/EDSA (60 min, $2)
137 min by UBE Express: Manila International Airport - Pasay
- 01Explore the walled city of Intramuros and Fort Santiago
- 02Visit San Agustin Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- 03Sample halo-halo and lechon at Binondo, the world's oldest Chinatown
- 04Stroll the Manila Baywalk at sunset
- 05Browse art and cafes at the hip Poblacion neighborhood in Makati
Experiences in Manila
Timed tours and tickets for Manila are listed on our partner site.
Open listingsOpens in a new tab.
- Just A Restaurant~60 min1 min walk
- Phillogistic Corporation Fil Korean~60 min1 min walk
- Mojaipa~75 min1 min walk
- K T V~75 min1 min walk
- SNJ Christian Ministries Inc~90 min1 min walk
- Assn of Bible Believing Educators Entrepreneurs Inc~90 min1 min walk
- Quiapo Church - Minor Basilica & National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno4.7
- Rizal Park4.5
- De La Salle University Manila4.6
- National Museum of Fine Arts4.7
- Fort Santiago4.5
Need a room for your layover? Browse hotels near the airport.
Where to stay →Drop your luggage. Don't drag it around the city.
NAIA Terminal 3 Left Baggage
Terminal 3 Arrivals
$5/bag
2 min walk
Belmont Hotel Manila
Newport City, near Terminal 3
$45/day
10 min walk
From the terminal to the good part.
Grab (ride-hailing)
to Makati/Intramuros
Most reliable option; can take 90+ min in rush hour
60 min
$10.00
Metered Taxi
to city center
Use yellow airport taxis; insist on meter
60 min
$8.00
UBE Express Bus
to major business districts
Premium bus to Makati, Ortigas, Quezon City
75 min
$4.00
Intramuros Walking Tour
Guided tour of Fort Santiago, San Agustin, Casa Manila
Book via Klook or local operators; 3-hour tours available
$25
per day
Getting there
Get an Uber from the airportAt the airport
- 01Terminal 3 has decent dining options including Jollibee and Max's
- 02The Wings Transit Lounge offers day-use rooms
- 03Duty-free shopping for local delicacies like dried mangoes
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