ACCESS BY AIR

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila is the premier gateway to the Philippines. It serves more than 30 airlines which fly to different cities around the world. It is located about 7 miles from the city center of Manila. Other international gateways are Cebu, Davao, Clark, Subic and Laoag.

Cebu, where the 12th ASEAN Summit will be held, is the gateway and economic hub of Central and Southern Philippines. The Mactan International Airport in Cebu handles regular flights from Japan, Singapore and Australia, as well as chartered flight from Hong Kong, the United States and other major travel capitals. It is about 45 minutes from the city’s center.

Davao International Airport handles regular flights from Indonesia and Singapore. The Diosdado Macapagal Airport in Clark and Subic International Airport in Central Luzon service both chartered and cargo planes. Laoag International Airport in Ilocos Norte services regular flights from Macau and Taiwan.

The Philippine Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, and other domestic airlines, such as Cebu Pacific, Asian Spirit, and Air Philippines link Manila to the other major cities in the country. There are 40 major provincial airports around the country. PAL uses the Centennial Airport in Manila, while the other carriers use the Manila Domestic Airport. Both airports lie near the vicinity of the NAIA. Metered taxis and car rental services are widely available at all airports.

ACCESS BY SEA

Cruise ships, ferryboats and fast crafts ply the sea-routes from Manila to the major seaports in the country. Ferry services connect the smaller islands. The busiest seaports outside of Manila are Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga.

Cebu is the busiest and largest port outside of Manila. Eighty percent of the country’s shipping lines are based in Cebu. Its deep-water port not only serves local shipping lines, 13 international carriers/ shipping lines also have offices in the city. 

The major local shipping lines that service the city are WGA Super Ferry, Sulpicio Lines, Philippine Fast Ferry Corporation and Negros Navigation.

Visit livingincebu.com for more information on daily shipping schedule to and from Cebu.

ACCESS BY LAND

There are many modes of transportation available in the Philippines. Buses, jeepneys, trains and taxis are readily available for use in getting around the major cities.

Buses are available with or without air-conditioning. The most popular mode of transportation in Manila, Cebu, and in other major cities is the jeepney. As the name implies, it is basically a colorful jeep that looks like those used by the Americans in World War II. They have regular stops, as do buses.

Taxis are air-conditioned and can be found practically anywhere in Manila, Cebu, and in the other major cities. Car rental companies are available for those who wish to drive cars on their own and possess international drivers licenses.

Inter-island buses are available from Manila to other parts of the country. They require the use of ferry boats to travel between the islands. The major bus companies are Philtranco, Victory Liner and Philippine Rabbit. Philtranco services Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao routes, while the other companies largely serve Luzon routes.