Manila, the Philippines' capital city, is located near the mouth of the Pasig River on the east coast of Manila Bay on Luzon, the Philippines' main island and the country's northernmost point. It is the smallest capital city in Asia when compared to the capitals of all other Asian countries with 41,515 inhabitants per square kilometre. Manila is also the world's most densely populated city in the Philippines. Mani is a major centre of trade and industry in the Philippines, as well as a major tourist destination known as The National Capital Region and it is what it's called NCR. However it is the hub of the country's government, trade, and culture, as well as nearly all government departments and a private company's headquarters In fact, Manila's Old City is home to a plethora of attractions. 

Because of the Neelaad tree, Manila was once known as Minelad. The nickname "Pearl of the Orient" (Pearl of the Orient) is characterised by a culture that was inherited from Spain and America over the 300-year colonial era under the Spanish colonies and is distinguished by dazzling white blooms. There is an amalgamation of Eastern and Western cultures. This distinguishes Manila as a city with modern European architectural attractiveness, with its own cultural customs, beliefs, and traditions. Some of Asia's top restaurants and street food can be found in the city. It has the world's oldest Chinatown. Travellers booking flights to Manila will find a plethora of exciting attractions.

Besides what mentioned above, there are many other reasons why many people choose to Book a flight ticket to Philippines for holidays, vacations and for their honeymoon. However, before booking a flight to the Philippines, don’t forget to check for restrictions and rules of the country at the Safe-Travel Page first to make sure you know what to prepare and follow before travelling.

Seasons in Philippines

The Philippines is a South East Asian country comprising about 7100 islands. It's a land of bright smiles and breathtakingly stunning exotic scenery. Approximately 5 million tourists from all over the world visit during the normal season, which runs from November to May. The Philippines has it everything, from bustling cities and shopping malls to inner serenity in the midst of pure nature. Many resorts in the Philippines are excellent for a beach vacation. Tourists who prefer an athletic lifestyle flock to the Philippines to surf some of the most remote spots on the planet. You may do surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing here.

- Winter season; December - February. The average temperature is about 21-31 Degree Celsius.

- Spring season; March - May. The average temperature is about 22-34 Degree Celsius.

- Summer season; June - August. The average temperature is about 24-34 Degree Celsius.

- Autumn season; September - November. The average temperature is about 22-31 Degree Celsius.

Flights to Philippines

International flights to Philippines (BKK-MNL)

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL), commonly known as Manila International Airport or simply Manila Airport, is the principal international gateway to the Philippines and one of two international airports serving the Metro Manila Area. There are a number of International flights to Manila, Philippines around the world. However, direct flights from Bangkok to Manila have at least 6 flights per day, with all direct flights departing from Suvarnabhumi International Airport and some flights from Don Muang Airport. The estimated travel time of direct flight from BKK to MNL is about 3 hours 10 minutes.

Airlines that fly direct From Suvarnabhumi Airport to Philippines (BKK-MNL): KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines), Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and Thai Airways.

Airlines that fly direct From Don Muang Airport to Philippines (DMK-MNL): The only direct flight operating direct route from Bangkok to Manila is AirAsia.

About the Airport

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) is the primary international gateway in the Philippines. The airport is roughly 7 kilometres south of Manila and south-west of Makati City's Central Business District, along the country's boundary between Pasay and Paranaque cities. The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), which is part of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), manages the airport, which is one of the busiest in Southeast Asia. The airport has been designated a 3-Star Airport in terms of facilities, comfort, cleanliness, shopping, food and beverages, and staff service. Inside the airport, there are a total of 4 terminals where almost all foreign planes arrive and depart from Terminal 1. It features seven west gates and fifteen east gates. Philippine Airlines, the country's flag carrier, uses Terminal 2 for both international and local flights. International flights that aren't handled at Terminal 1 as well as some domestic flights are handled in Terminal 3. Finally, Terminal 4 is home to flights from regional and local carriers.

In Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL), there are facilities and services such as Free Wi-Fi, Post office, Baby care facilities, restaurants where travellers can find a variety of food, drink and retail concessions, Information desk, Luggage storage, Medical services and Pharmacy travellers can find inside the airport.

Transportations in Philippines

Travelling from the airport in Philippines to the city

- Airport Buses: There are various local bus services to Manila city from the Manila Airport,  eight of them are accessible via Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), while one is accessible via Circumferential Road 5. (C-5). These routes only serve a few specialised sites in Manila, and they are not recommended for tourists. To get to your location in Manila safely and securely, travellers should take either City Bus Route 2 or the UBE Express. 

- The Light Rail Transit System (LRT): The LRT or Light Rail Transit System, provides light rail service to a number of places around Metro Manila. Although there is a direct LRT connection from Manila Airport to downtown, it is not available. LRT 1 connects to Baclaran Station, which is part of the South Extension Project and is the nearest station to Manila Airport. The cost of a fare is calculated based on the distance travelled. In this regard, single ticket prices can range from PHP 15, PHP 20, and PHP 30.

- Taxi: Given its proximity to downtown Manila, taking a taxi to Manila is a convenient mode of transportation. The city of Manila is well-known for its massive traffic congestion, with travel durations ranging from 20 minutes to an hour without traffic. There are three types of taxis at the Manila Airport: Coupon Taxis (blue and yellow), Regular Taxis, and Yellow-metered Airport Taxis (colored yellow). The first ones charge a flat rate based on distance, the second ones have fixed prices, and the third ones are simply metered taxis.

- Car Rentals: One of the greatest ways to see the Philippines' capital and its surroundings is to rent a car at Manila Airport. Car rentals are available at the airport where you can see it at arrival. Travellers will get to see the car rental companies such as Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, and others can be found at the Manila Airport. However, travellers can choose to rent a car in Philippines in advance with OTA or other car rental companies.

Travelling around Philippines

Buses, planes, ships and ferries are the most common transportation options in the Philippines. Boat rides are ideal for short-distance inter-island travels. Flights are recommended for anywhere else, depending on when you travel; the Philippines has a lot of cheap flights. In fact, flying is sometimes less expensive than taking the ferry. Within small towns and cities, the bus, jeepney, or tricycle (similar to Thailand's tuk-tuk or India's auto-rickshaw, but smaller) are the principal modes of transportation. Taxis and the Grab app are also available in major cities. Manila is the only city with a metro system.

- Car Rentals: One of the greatest ways to see the Philippines' capital and its surroundings is to rent a car at the airport. Car rentals are available at the airport where you can see it at arrival. Travellers will get to see the car rental companies such as Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, and others can be found at the Manila Airport. However, travellers can choose to rent a car in Philippines in advance with OTA or other car rental companies.

Ways to book air tickets conveniently than before

New Features of Traveloka

- Price Alerts; Notifies you when tickets are available at the price you seek. Simply turn on the notification to never miss out on exclusive promotions. We will ensure that you get the best price for a flight to the Philippines or flight to any destinations you are finding for!

- Promo Filter; Select only the best promotion by comparing different ticket prices. Moreover, beside promotions and prices, promo filter feature is where you can filter out facilities and flight preference you want to. This immensely aids your decision making.

- Flight Upgrade; Upon buying a ticket, click 'Flight Upgrade' to pay a little more (additional payment varies for different destinations) in exchange for more luggage weight, no limit flight postpones and other exclusive benefits depending on different airlines' terms and conditions.

Top 3 places to visit in Philippines

1. Cebu – Cebu is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the Philippines since it has an international airport. Various visitors arrive in Cebu from all over the world, and this is their first stop in the Philippines. Because there are so many activities to do in Cebu, most tourists just do one or two before moving on to another island. This is a massive error because Cebu alone might keep you busy for a week or longer! Activities visitors can do and places you can go in Cebu are varied such as  hiking to the Osmena Peak, experiencing a Hot Springs in Malabuoy, swimming with whale sharks, playing at the Aguinid Falls and many more fun things you and other tourists can do here.
2. Coron Island - Coron is a volcanic island in the province of Palawan, Philippines. It is home to some of the world's most magnificent white sand beaches and crystal blue waters, as well as seven lakes, one of which is nationally renowned as the purest lake in the Philippines. It's one of those locations that will make you realise that heaven does exist! Several other Philippine locations boast similar beauties from El Nido just across the sea to Caramoan on either side of the country but what sets Coron apart is the overwhelming range of what it has to offer. There are activities visitors can do at Coron Island such as island hopping, Scuba Diving, swimming and snorkelling at Twin Lagoon, exploring around Banul Beach, visiting Black Island and so on.
3. Manila - Manila isn't the first location that comes to mind when thinking of visiting Asia. The city is hailed as the 'Pearl of the Orient,' but it is one of the region's most underappreciated cities. Manila is the Philippines' enormous metropolis and a significant entrance point for travellers to the country. It has a diverse cultural legacy and an architecture environment that incorporates glittering new buildings alongside historic churches and palaces. Interesting museums, beautiful parks, and a vibrant nightlife add to the city's richness. Activities visitors can do are visiting Fort Santiago, visiting Manila Zoo (best place to visit especially when you travel with kids), visiting National Museum Complex, exploring theMalacanang Palace and many more interesting things to do.

Top 3 things to do in Philippines

1. Take a day tour at Boracay Island – Boracay is a tropical island haven with pristine white sand and breathtaking sunsets. It is a little island that is noted for its peacefulness as well as its active nightlife. Horseback riding, scuba diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, kiteboarding, cliff diving, and parasailing are some of the recreational activities available. A golf course with 18 holes is available. Many little insect-eating bats, including the larger fruit bat, live in the Bat Cave and in trees on the hillside above Punta Bunga Beach. Taking a boat tour through Boracay's many beaches, such as Puka Beach, Crocodile Beach, and Tambisaan Beach, is one of the most popular pastimes. Observing the spectacular sunsets each evening is a feature of Philippine visits here.
2. Swim with Whale Sharks in Donsol – Everyone has a bucket list of things they like to accomplish in the Philippines, and to swim with whale sharks is usually at the top of the list. This may appear frightening, yet these gentle giants are completely harmless to humans. Donsol happened to be the best place on earth to receive a real and natural whale shark experience, with animals ranging in size from camper-sized youngsters to adults larger than a bus. You’ll get a chance to get up face to face with the beautiful creature in the ocean! These mind-boggling monsters, which can grow to the size of a school bus, may appear frightening, but they primarily feed on plankton, so you can stop worrying now! This fin-tastic adventure doesn't have to compromise your principles, either, because ethical shark diving is practised in Donsol, which avoids baiting or feeding the creatures. Diving with whale sharks is a must-do activity in the Philippines, so go ahead and do it!The best time we’d recommend everyone to see whale sharks in Donsol is from January to May each year.
3. Experience and Enjoy zipline in El Nido - If you're looking for something a little more exciting than a beautiful tan on the beach, the El Nido Zipline is a good option. This 2500 ft. zipline takes you soaring into the skies, high above the turquoise colored water, to the nearby islands of Ketong and Batas, all while being entirely encircled by tropical scenery and filled with pure adrenaline. El Nido appears to have been snatched from a Hollywood movie poster and placed right in front of you. It's just as breathtakingly lovely on any given day. On the horizon, one lush green hill melts into the next, while the varied hues of the sky and water tempt one to keep looking for visual delights. If you're lucky, you might get to watch one of the most beautiful sunsets you've ever seen while ziplining from one island to another.