Manila is the capital of the Philippines and the heart of Metro Manila, a sprawling region of cities that together form one of Asia's great urban centres. People fly here for business, family visits, shopping and food, and many use the city as the jumping-off point for beaches in Palawan, Cebu or Boracay. Whether you need a quick flight to Manila for a meeting or a longer holiday, Traveloka lets you compare times, fares and baggage from Singapore in one place, with e-tickets stored right in the app.

About Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Manila

Location

Ninoy Aquino International Airport, widely known as NAIA, straddles Pasay and Parañaque on the southern side of Metro Manila. It is close to the Bay Area and not far from Makati, though Manila traffic means the distance on the map rarely reflects the time on the road.

Terminals

NAIA is spread across several separate terminal buildings that are not connected airside, and each airline is assigned to a specific terminal. Always check the terminal on your booking before heading to the airport. If you are transferring to a domestic flight on a separate ticket, allow plenty of time, because moving between terminals means going landside and taking the inter-terminal shuttle.

Getting to and from the airport

Yellow airport taxis and regular white metered cabs queue outside arrivals, and ride-hailing is widely used across Metro Manila. Point-to-point and airport express buses link the terminals with Makati and other parts of the metro. Traffic can be heavy at rush hour and on Friday evenings, so leave a generous buffer when heading out for your flight home.

Direct and connecting flights to Manila

Singapore and Manila are linked by frequent nonstop services, so most travellers can fly direct. Tick the Direct filter to show only nonstop options, then compare departure times and whether checked baggage is included. Some low-cost fares are hand-carry only, which matters if you are bringing gifts home. If your final stop is elsewhere in the Philippines, compare flying into Manila and connecting against flying straight to Cebu or Clark, the airport north of the capital that some travellers use to avoid central Manila traffic.

When to fly to Manila

Manila is tropical and warm all year. The dry season from about December to May is the most comfortable, with March to May being the hottest stretch. The wet season from June to October brings heavy afternoon rain and the chance of typhoons, which can disrupt flights, so travel insurance and flexible plans help.

The Philippines celebrates Christmas longer than almost anywhere, and demand for Manila flights climbs from November right through the New Year. Holy Week is another peak as families travel home. From Singapore, the June and December school holidays and long weekends also push up demand. Browse the monthly fare chart on this page to see the usual pattern before choosing dates.

Popular places in Manila

Intramuros

The old walled city built during Spanish rule is the historic core of Manila. Walk the ramparts, visit San Agustin Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and explore Fort Santiago by the Pasig River. Hiring a bamboo bike or a kalesa horse carriage is a fun way to cover the cobbled streets.

Rizal Park

Also called Luneta, this large green space honours national hero José Rizal. Nearby, the National Museum complex houses art, anthropology and natural history collections under grand neoclassical roofs.

Binondo

Often described as the oldest Chinatown in the world, Binondo is a maze of lanes packed with bakeries, dumpling shops and hardware stores. Come hungry and join a food walk.

Manila Bay

The bayfront promenade along Roxas Boulevard is famous for its sunsets. The Bay Area around it has large shopping malls, entertainment complexes and waterfront dining.

Makati and BGC

Makati's Ayala district and Bonifacio Global City are the modern face of the metro, with parks, rooftop bars, galleries and some of the best restaurants in the country.

Where to stay in Manila

Makati is the classic choice for business travellers, with walkable malls and easy dining. Bonifacio Global City, or BGC, feels newer and greener, and suits families. The Bay Area in Pasay is closest to the airport and good for a short stopover. Ermita and Malate offer a more local, budget-friendly base near Intramuros, while Ortigas is convenient if your meetings are on the eastern side of Metro Manila.

Food to try in Manila

Adobo

Often called the unofficial national dish, adobo is chicken or pork braised in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic and bay leaf. Every family in Manila swears by its own version.

Sinigang

A comforting sour soup made with tamarind, loaded with pork, prawns or fish and vegetables. It is the perfect dish on a rainy Manila afternoon.

Lechon

Whole roast pig with shatteringly crisp skin is the centrepiece of Filipino celebrations. Try it with liver sauce or vinegar dip.

Sisig

Sizzling chopped pork seasoned with calamansi, chilli and onion, served on a hot plate and often topped with an egg. It pairs well with a cold drink at night.

Halo-halo

This colourful shaved-ice dessert layers sweet beans, jellies, fruit, leche flan and ube ice cream. Mix it all together before you eat, as the name suggests.

For your next trip to the Philippine capital, compare flights to Manila on Traveloka, set a Price Alert and let the app handle your e-ticket and any reschedule you might need.