Airports and Facilities
Manila is served by the Ninoy Aquino International Airport
(NAIA), 7 kms. from the city center; and by the Manila
Domestic Airport, 1 km. from the NAIA. Cebu is served
by the Mactan International Airport (MIA), 45 minutes
from the city center. Both international airports have
adequate traveler facilities: duty-free shopping centers,
souvenir shops, tourist information centers, hotel and
travel agency representatives, and car rental services.
The NAIA has banks, postal service, a medical clinic,
and a baggage deposit area.
Porterage
For passengers arriving at the NAIA, baggage carts
are available for about AUD$2. Porterage fee on departure
is P5.00 per baggage. At the Mactan International
Airport, porters are paid P2.00 per baggage.
Airport Transfers
Taxis-Avis operates the only accredited
taxi service at the NAlA. Coupons are available at
the Avis counter at the Arrival lobby. At the Manila
Domestic Airport, C&S is the authorized pre-paid
coupon taxi company. Metered taxi rates in Cebu range
from P60 to P70 from the airport to the city proper.
Hotel Car - Hotel transport can be arranged with hotel
representatives at designated counters at the Arrival
lobby of the NAIA and the Mactan International Airport.
Car Rental - service by reputable car rental companies
is available at NAlA. At the Mactan International
Airport, a trip to the city proper by hired car costs
P100, payable directly to the driver or at designated
counters in the airport.
Airport Fees
Ninoy Aquino International Airport: P550 (approx AUD$19.00);
Mactan International Airport: P550 (approx AUD$19.00);
domestic departure fee: P30 (approx AUD$1-2)(Manila);
P7 (Cebu). Paid in Philippine pesos only.
Duty Free Shopping
Duty Free shops are located at the departure and transit
areas of NAlA and MIA in Cebu. There are also Duty
Free outlets at The Manila Hotel, the Hotel Nikko
Manila Garden, and the Century Park Sheraton Hotel.
The Duty-Free Fiesta Shopping Center near the NAIA
is the country's largest duty-free outlet. Overseas
Filipinos returning to the Philippines under the "Balikbayan
Plus" program of the Department of Tourism have special
duty-free shopping privileges.
Customs
Visitors are allowed to bring in the following articles
duty-free: a reasonable quantity of clothes, jewelry
and toiletries; 400 sticks of cigarettes or two tins
of tobacco; and two bottles of wine or spirits, each
one not exceeding one liter. Visitors carrying more
than AUD$5,000 are requested to declare the amount
at the Central Bank of the Philippines counter located
at the customs area. Foreign currency taken out upon
departure must not exceed the amount brought in. Therefore,
it is advisable to keep all exchange receipts for
record purposes.
Domestic Transport
Air-Philippine Airlines provides daily services to
and from 42 local destinations. Pacific Airways has
scheduled and chartered flights to major domestic
destinations.
Sea-Interisland ships connect Manila
to major ports. Ferry services connect the smaller
islands. Departure schedules from the Port of Manila
can be found in the local newspapers.
Land-Jeepneys and buses are inexpensive
ways of getting around most places. In Manila, Love
Buses ply certain key routes. Roofless double-decker
buses run along Roxas Boulevard from Rizal Park and
provide lovely views of the trip and Manila Bay. Metered
taxis generally cruise for hire.
In Manila, the elevated Light Rail Transit
(LRT) provides a fast, efficient rail system along
a 15-km line from Baclaran in the South to Caloocan
City in the North. There are 15 stations spread 800
meters apart and situated at major intersections.
Travel time from end to end is 30 minutes. The Metro
Tren offers commuter train service from Espana Street
in downtown Manila to Alabang in Muntinlupa, a suburb
south of Manila. The Metro Ferry plies the waters
of the Pasig River from Escolta in Manila to Guadalupe
in Makati.
Cars and air-conditioned tourist buses
are also available for hire from licensed tourist
transport operators in major cities. Most hotels have
limousine service.
