The cosmopolitan city of Manila promises a beautiful bayside location and an impressive blend of cultures. Visitors are often overwhelmed by Manila’s traffic and urban sprawl. However, the city offers a generous choice of tourist-friendly accommodation and attractions. Manila experiences a typical tropical climate with distinct wet-dry seasons. At times, there is an overlap of a month or 2 between the seasons. June – November is officially the wet season, characterized by heavy rains and serial typhoons. However, the rains are not constant, and rarely impact travel plans. If you visit in the wet season, you will find less crowds and a lush, green landscape. From March – May, the weather is hot and humid and average temperatures soar as high as 95 degrees Fahrenheit. From late November – early March, the weather is dry and average temperatures are around 80 – 85 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a good time to explore the city and its surrounding islands.
In general, March is the cheapest month to fly from United States to Manila. Due to it being the ‘off-season’ during this time, you can expect flight prices to be around $679. If you aren’t able to travel during the month of March, then book flights to Manila from United States during September instead. Flights to Manila in September, while not as cheap as those in March, still average around $701.
The best time to book a flight to Manila from United States is 56 days out, which is when prices tend to be around $799. However, flight prices might be lower outside of this timeframe. For example, people recently found flights to Manila from United States for as low as $583 on momondo.
The cheapest day to depart from United States to Manila is on a Tuesday when prices can be found for as low as $785. Flights from United States to Manila on a Saturday will generally be more expensive and average around $854. Keep in mind that these prices on both days could fluctuate depending on the season and the demand.
According to our data, the cheapest time of day to fly to Manila is in the afternoon. momondo users have found flights departing from United States to Manila in the afternoon for as low as $578. Keep in mind that these prices may fluctuate based on what airline you choose and the time of year you plan to travel. In contrast, the most expensive time of day to depart to Manila is in the evening when prices are around $847.
If you are planning a flight to Manila and are looking to avoid the rain, you should avoid traveling during the months of June, July, and August. These months will typically see 5.1 inches or more of rain, meaning that rain is likely. If you do run into rain while in Manila, there are still things to do and ways to enjoy your trip. Shopping centers like SM Mall of Asia are very popular destinations for those visiting the Manila area. SM Mall of Asia is a great place to go if you’re looking to spend some time inside. Many people find Manila Ocean Park to be a great place to check out while visiting Manila, especially on days where the weather does not quite cooperate.
Manila Ocean Park is an amusement park near Manila, and is a perfect place to go enjoy a beautiful day with the family. Consider planning your trip to Manila for the months of May if you have interest in visiting amusement or water parks. Flights to Manila are very popular around then, and it is recommended that you plan early.
Currently, Philippines travel restrictions include travel to Manila. Entry restrictions
The Philippines' borders are open only to returning Filipino nationals and their spouses and children, nationals of India with a Temporary Resident Visa, nationals of China with a Permanent Resident Visa who is spouse of a national of the Philippine, foreign nationals with certain category of visa. Starting December 7, the following may be allowed entry privileges to the Philippines under the Republic Act No. 6768: Filipino citizens’ foreign spouses and children, regardless of age, who are traveling with the Filipino citizen and former Filipino citizens, including their spouses and children, regardless of age, who are traveling with the Filipino citizen.
Entry requirementsForeign nationals wishing to enter the Philippines must hold a visa under the following categories, otherwise they risk being turned away at the port of entry: -a non-immigrant visa issued under Section 13 of the Immigration act (Section 13 series visa: / a,b,c,d,e,g) -those who acquired resident status under Republic Act 7919 or Alien Social Integration Act (RA 7919 visa); -those who availed of Executive Order 324 or Alien Legalization Program (EO 324 visa) -native-born foreign nationals (Native-born visa). Starting December 7, Filipino citizens’ foreign spouses and children, regardless of age, who are traveling with the Filipino citizen and former Filipino citizens, including their spouses and children, regardless of age, who are traveling with the Filipino citizen are allowed visa-free entry under Executive Order No. 408, s. 1960. They must have a pre-booked quarantine facility and COVID-19 testing at a laboratory operating at the airport.
Quarantine requirementsAll arriving travelers and airline crew must present a completed Case Investigation Form upon arrival. They will be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) and placed in quarantine at their own expense, while awaiting the results of the test.
All other infoTravelers arriving to Davao must have a medical certificate with a negative Coronavirus (COVID-19) test result issued within 72 hours before departure.
If you are planning to travel to Manila at this time, it is recommended that you stay up to date on current restrictions and follow proper safety measures while in public.Only Philippine Airlines offers direct non-stop international flights from some U.S. cities to Manila. Other airlines that offer flights with 1 or more stop are ANA (All Nippon Airways), Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Asiana Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Saudia, Korean Air, Turkish Airlines, Korean Air, Xiamen Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, KLM, Air China, Qatar Airways, and EVA Air.
Also known as Manila International Airport, MNL is located around 9 miles from the City of Manila. There are several options to travel from the airport to the city center. To travel between the various terminals, MNL offers the Airport Loop, a paid shuttle system with vehicles departing every 15 minutes.
Buses
The airport is served by several city bus routes that take you to various parts of Metro Manila. Visitors arriving at MNL should look for buses with ‘MIA/6-11/Tambo’ signboard posted on the dashboard. Bus fares start at approximately ₱12.00 PHP and ply though Terminals 1 and 2. For Terminal 3, you will be able to use the jeepney. Ultimate Bus Experience (UBE Express) offers bus transportation service connecting all the airport terminals with several hotels located in the City of Manila, as well as neighboring Makati, Pasay, and Parañaque. Fares range from ₱200.00 PHP – ₱300.00 PHP per person.
Trains
The Airport Loop shuttle transports arriving passengers from all terminals to the EDSA-Taft LRT station for a fare of ₱20.00 PHP. The journey takes anywhere between 20 – 40 minutes depending on traffic. From here you can ride the LRT Line #1 to Central Terminal LRT station in the City of Manila. Trains arrive every 5 minutes. The one-way fare is ₱20.00 PHP and the ride takes 15 minutes.
Taxis
Official, metered or pre-booked taxis from the airport terminals to City of Manila charge approximately ₱185.00 PHP – ₱200.00 PHP. The ride can take anywhere between 30 – 60 minutes depending on traffic. Ride share with Uber is also available from the airport.
Car rentals
Several leading car rental companies are present at the airport. You can also look for deals on car rentals with momondo.
Manila is a busy and sprawling city with a fairly well developed public transportation system. The best way to get around in the city is to rely on the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) that connect most of the popular tourist attractions and shopping destinations in the city. Fares are based on distance traveled, and range from ₱15.00 PHP – ₱25.00 PHP. When exploring Manila, remember that as long as you can see an MRT or LRT line, you will not be lost.
Metered taxis are available everywhere and you can hail a taxi anywhere on the streets. You can also rely on the app-based services such as Uber. To cover shorter distances, try a ride in one of the colorful jeepneys which are one of the key modes of public transportation in the Philippines. Jeepney fares start at ₱7.50 PHP for the first 4 kilometers. With constant traffic jams, gridlocks, and aggressive driving style of locals, it is best if you can avoid driving in the city and rely on other modes of transportation.
U.S. citizens do not need a visa to visit Philippines for up to 30 days. For foreign nationals, please check the Republic of the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs website.
Manila, also called the ‘Pearl of the Orient’, is a typical Asian megacity that moves at a hectic pace. The newer and developed parts of the city feature glossy high-rises and contemporary architecture which stand in stark contrast to the shanty towns in the less developed parts of the city. However, its rich culture and heritage reflects in its many monuments, museums and parks, which are a ‘must-see’ when you travel to Manila.
Travel safe
Manila is a developing city and certain parts of the city are prone to petty thefts. Try to stay within the tourist-friendly locations, watch out for your personal belongings in crowded, public places, and if you are out in the night, try to avoid secluded, unlit streets. Avoid drinking tap water and ice from street vendors. It’s best if you purchase bottled water at your hotel as well as when you move around exploring the city.