Manila Airport Guide 2026: Grab Tips & Terminal Warnings

After a relaxing beach getaway in Boracay, I hopped on a Cebu Pacific domestic flight to head back to Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). By flying domestic, I was able to depart directly from Caticlan Airport instead of making the long trek to Kalibo, saving a ton of travel time.

Arriving at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)

Perhaps because it was a domestic connection, the arrivals area was incredibly quiet. There were barely any passengers or staff in sight, making the walk through the terminal feel like a breeze.

It wasn't until I reached the baggage claim area that I started seeing other travelers.

Stepping outside, the sheer scale of the city hit me instantly.

My previous trips to the Philippines had been focused entirely on tropical island destinations like Bohol and Boracay, which left me with an image of the country as purely laid-back beaches and palm trees. Arriving in Manila was a completely different story—it felt like entering a massive, bustling metropolis.

If you are planning to book a Grab (the go-to ride-sharing app in Southeast Asia) from NAIA, make your way out of the Arrivals terminal through Gate 5.

Look for the sign marked BAY 9—this is the designated Grab pickup point.

Personally, I think the airport authorities could have designed this pickup zone a bit better—perhaps by placing it across the street.

Because the pickup point is located right at the immediate exit curb, the bumper-to-bumper traffic here is absolutely brutal.

In many international airports, ride-share pickups are designated across the main road to ease congestion, so I kept checking my Grab app to make sure the driver wasn't waiting on the other side. But rest assured, the cars do crawl their way right up to BAY 9.

Departing Manila: Terminal Mix-ups & Quirky Encounters

Unlike the empty arrivals hall, the departure terminal entrance had long lines snaking out the door before you could even enter the building.

But as it turned out...

I had showed up at the wrong terminal! Because I travel so frequently these days, I've gotten a bit too relaxed and didn't bother checking my ticket details beforehand.

I approached an airport staff member to sort things out.

"I need to get to the other terminal. Where can I catch the shuttle bus?"

"There isn't one running right now," they replied.

"No shuttle? Is it close? Can I just walk there?"

"No, it's very far. You have to take a taxi."

.............

It made me highly appreciate airports with seamless terminal connections. Luckily, I managed to book a Grab car quickly.

Since I always make it a habit to arrive at airports exceptionally early—mostly to explore, take photos, and relax with a cold drink—I had plenty of time to spare despite my terminal blunder.

After a decent-sized drive that definitely confirmed walking was out of the question, I finally arrived at the correct terminal.

This terminal was much less chaotic, with no massive queues outside the entrance.

However, as I was showing my passport and booking confirmation to the security guard at the door, he started playfully asking me for "pocket money" in Korean ("Yong-don, yong-don").

I had heard plenty of rumors about airport staff trying to solicit small bribes or tips from tourists, but this was my very first time experiencing it firsthand.

What amused me was the context—or lack thereof. Usually, these stories involve travelers getting flagged for a minor baggage issue or a customs discrepancy. But here I was, simply standing at the public entrance door with a valid ticket and passport.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with my documents, yet he was casually asking for pocket money! I just smiled, played dumb, and asked, "What's that?" He laughed it off, repeated "yong-don" a couple more times, and then waved me through without any hassle.

Share this article