Philippines flights - cheap international flight tickets and hacker fares to Manila, Cebu, Clark, Davao
Flights to Manila. Book plane tickets to Manila Airport (MNL) online.

The Philippines is open to international travel

The Philippines are open to all foreign nationals. Fully vaccinated foreign visitors are allowed to enter the Philippines quarantine-free, while unvaccinated visitors have to quarantine for 14 days. A pre-departure PCR/RAT test is only required for unvaccinated arrivals.

Transit through Philippine airports is allowed, although some restrictions may still be in place.

Arriving in Manila

  • If you are flying to Manila from abroad, you will most likely land at one of its biggest international airportsits main international airportManila International Airport MNL, also known as Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). It is the main airport serving the metropolitan area of Manila, located approximately 7 km south of the city center. It comprises four terminals: Terminal 1 serves international flights, Terminal 2 is reserved for the country's flag carrier, Philippine Airlines, Terminal 3 serves select international flights and domestic flights operated by budget airlines, and Terminal 4 has a handful of domestic and cargo flights. Free airport shuttle buses pick up and drop off passengers in all terminals. The NAIA airport offers a range of facilities for arriving travelers, including currency exchange services, ATMs, restaurants, cafes, luggage storage, and free Wi-Fi (GlobeFreeWiFi@NAIA network, available in 30-minute sessions). There are numerous options for transport to the city center by public transportation (the Airport Loop Bus or the NAIA Express Shuttle) or via taxi.

    Manila is notorious for its heavy traffic, especially during rush hours. Therefore a good option for travelers who want to avoid traffic congestion is flying into the Clark International Airport CRK located approximately 80 km (50 miles) north of Manila. The airport serves mostly budget airlines, and it generally imposes lower airport taxes, so flying to Clark is often cheaper than flying to Manila. CRK has quick and comfortable transport to Manila via P2P (Point-to-Point) Bus Service, operated by Genesis Transport (the bus stop is located right in front of the Arrival area). Ride-sharing service Grab is also available from Clark International Airport - the cost of a ride to Manila city is around PHP 1,000 - 1,500 (approximately USD 20 - 30)
    .

    These are also the best (and the cheapest) airports to fly into Manila. As they are used by many airlines serving the same routes, the competition for passengers is fierce – with decreased airfare as a result.
  • Once in Manila, take advantage of frequent intercity flights operated by domestic airlines such as Philippine Airlines,Cebu Pacific, Philippines AirAsia, Cebgo, PAL Express, Pan Pacific Airlines, and Sunlight Air. Those in-country carriers typically offer lower fares, operate from smaller airports located closer to city centers (you save on ground transportation), and provide flexible schedules – with a wide range of departure times.
  • Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations near Manila can be easily reached with regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) by the likes of AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Cebu Pacific, Jetstar Airways, Lion Air, and Scoot. If you have a layover in Manila and plan to fly only a short distance to one of its neighboring countries, these budget airlines are an excellent way to save money. However, the “no-frills” carrier may not provide free checked baggage allowance, complimentary food, in-flight entertainment systems, and fast customer support. You may not even get to choose your seats, unless you pay extra.

Airports of Manila

Best airports to fly into Manila: Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (IST) and Clark International Airport (CRK)
Manila has one international airport located in the city (Ninoy Aquino International Airport MNL) and one international airport nearby – Clark International Airport CRK located just 80 km away from Manila.
Things to know before flying to Manila
Airlines flying to ManilaAirAsia, Air China, Air Hong Kong, AirSWIFT, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Cathay Pacific, CebGo, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Central Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, El Al Israel Airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Gulf Air, Hong Kong Airlines, Japan Airlines, Jetstar Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Kuwait Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Oman Air, Pan Pacific Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air, Royal Brunei Airlines, Saudia, Scoot, SF Airlines, Singapore Airlines, SWISS, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Vietnam Airlines
Airlines of PhilippinesPhilippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Philippines AirAsia, Cebgo, PAL Express, Pan Pacific Airlines, Sunlight Air, SkyJet Airlines, AirSWIFT, Sky Pasada, Royal Air Philippines

Main airports in ManilaNinoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) — Manila
Clark International Airport (CRK) — Mabalacat
Regular price (roundtrip)✈ €800 – €1200 (from Europe)
✈ $700 – $1100 (from USA)
Flight hacks 40% — 80% off regular fare
Airline discountsDiscounted airline tickets to Manila (student/family/seniors/military)

Low-cost flights from Manila

Stay ahead of the game. Fly to popular destinations at a fraction of the regular fare.

The cheapest time to fly to Manila

The Philippines’ weather makes it a year-round travel destination. However, the best time to find the cheapest airfares to Manila is during the low season – June through October. It is when the country experiences the wet season, so the weather can be less favorable, with a higher chance of typhoons. The country sees fewer tourists from June to October and lower demand results in cheaper airfares and accommodation prices.

Duty-free rules

The Philippines is serious about the duty-free concession. There is a limit for bringing in certain items. Alcoholic drinks such as wine, spirits or beer cannot exceed one liter per person, and you can carry 2 cartons of cigarettes (or 2 tins of pipe tobacco). In addition to personal items, you may also carry items in reasonable quantity up to a value of $1,000.

Anything above those limits must be declared – at the Manila Airport, head to Red Lane to declare your goods.

Use local airlines for domestic travel in the Philippines

The Philippines is an archipelago so you may spend long hours (or days) moving between provinces by land and sea. Also, the Philippine inter-island ferry and passenger boat network is infamous for its poor safety record. Therefore, it’s wise to consider domestic air travel to avoid overcrowded boats and long journeys.

Cebu Pacific and AirAsia often run sales and promotions and have frequent flights from Manila. Stalk these airlines on social media or use Promo Radar to find and secure some fantastic deals.

Philippine Airlines: bid for a cabin upgrade

When booking Economy Class tickets to or from Manila, Philippine Airlines allows you to upgrade to a higher class seat – Premium Economy or Business – through a bidding procedure on their website. If you’re not willing to pay the full fare for a premium/business ticket, it may be a good way to upgrade at a discount. You can only make an offer within a pre-determined price range, and the bidding ends 36 hours before flight departure.

Once you’re successful, you can enjoy the airline perks like more comfortable seats, better meal options, priority check-in and boarding, airport lounge use, etc. It’s worth trying!

Next tips

Flights to Manila from United States and Canada

  • There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to Manila. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to Manila, as do some larger airports in the Middle East – your journey will have at least one stop. Currently, only Philippine Airlines offers year-round direct flights from the US/Canada to Manila. It flies out from the biggest cities in North America: Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, and Vancouver. All scheduled flights arrive in Manila at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Expect to spend between 11 and 17 hours on a plane.
  • Manila is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to Manila with one layover depart from most major North American airports, including Atlanta ATL, Dallas DFW, Denver DEN, Chicago ORD, Los Angeles LAX, Las Vegas DFW, Miami MIA, Seattle SEA, Houston IAH, New York JFK, and San Francisco SFO in the United States and Toronto YYZ, Vancouver YVR, Calgary LAS, and Montreal YUL in Canada.
  • The best airlines to fly to Manila from the US and Canada are: Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, and United Airlines. They are top full-service carriers, offering exceptional customer service, in-flight comfort, a generous checked baggage allowance, and reliable customer support channels – all included in the ticket price.

US and Canada to Manila.Ticket prices in November 2023.

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Long waiting times when calling the helpline?

Social media is usually a faster way to reach the airline when a problem arises. Use Twitter or Facebook Messenger to contact the airline customer service and get a response and solution within minutes (see detailed guides for Turkish Airlines, Etihad AirwaysSingapore Airlines, and others).

When it comes to Twitter, there’s one more trick to get in touch with the airline faster: mention the airline in a tweet about your issue (add “@airline_handle”, for example: “@flyPAL” for Philippine Airlines). The social media team will often notice it immediately, ask you for a direct message, and respond privately.

Use Grab to get around Manila

Uber is no longer available in Manila – it ceased business in March 2018 and has been replaced by its Asia alternative – Grab. It’s a good way for a cross-city journey: the cars are safe, secure and usually air-conditioned. Similarly to Uber, it has fixed distance-based fees, so drivers can’t overcharge you for journeys. If you don’t have Grab Taxi yet, download it for your Philippines vacation and set up your account, payment options, etc, before arriving.

In case you’re having a hard time booking a ride with Grab, there are other ride-sharing apps that you can use in Manila; among the most popular are ePickMeUp, GoLag, Hirna, Hype, and MiCab.

Set the currency to the currency of the airline’s country

Prices quoted on airline websites often vary depending on where you book from. So here’s the simple trick: if you’re booking a flight with Philippine Airlines (for example), try setting the country to Philippines and the currency to Philippine peso (PHP).

If the airline website detects your actual location by checking the IP address (and automatically applies the adequate currency), you can overcome this by using a VPN to alter your location to appear as if you are in Manila.

Avoid currency exchange kiosks at airports

Airports are infamous for making an exuberant amount of money from their currency exchanges due to the extremely high margins, and Philippine airports are no exception. Airport kiosks usually charge higher fees which are sometimes hidden within the poorer exchange rates they offer – their business is based on charging extra for being a convenient, last-minute option.

Plan ahead and exchange some money for the Philippine peso at home.

Next tips

Flights to Manila from UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and other countries in Europe

  • There are no direct flights from Europe to Manila — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia. There's a limited choice when it comes to direct flights from Europe to Manila. Currently, only KLM offers a non-stop connection from Schiphol Airport AMS in Amsterdam to Ninoy Aquino Airport MNL in Manila. The flight time is 15 hours and 35 minutes, and the ticket prices average around 700-900 euros (one way).
  • Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to Manila include Air France, Emirates, Etihad Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, SWISS, and Thai Airways.
  • Consider departure airports in neighboring countries to increase your chance of spotting the best deal. Especially look for large airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines. For example, if you live in Western Europe, check air tickets to Manila from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. Leverage frequent promotions from European budget carriers like RyanAir, EasyJet, and Eurowings to reach a major hub; from there, take a cheaper long-haul flight to your final destination, potentially saving hundreds of euros.
  • These major European airports are excellent departure points for trips to Manila: London LHR and Manchester MAN in the United Kingdom, Frankfurt FRA and Munich MUC in Germany, Paris CDG and Nice NCE in France, Amsterdam AMS in the Netherlands, Madrid MAD and Barcelona BCN in Spain, Rome FCO and Milano MXP in Italy, Brussels BRU in Belgium, Copenhagen OSL in Denmark, Oslo OSL in Norway, Stockholm ARN in Sweden, Zurich ZRH in Switzerland, Lisbon LIS in Portugal, Vienna VIE in Austria, Warsaw WAW in Poland, Prague PRG in the Czech Republic, and Dublin DUB in Ireland.

Europe to Manila.Flight schedule and ticket prices.

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Last-minute flights to Manila. The real cost of convenience.

Last-minute flights are often touted as a great way to save money, but the reality is far from it. Booking last-minute flights to Manila almost always never works out. The convenience of being able to book a flight on the fly is a dangerous game of chance, and you will most likely end up paying significantly higher than booking in advance.

Last-minute flight cost spike
Late booking penalty: The flight prices rise as departure draws near. Last-minute flights are almost always more expensive than booking in advance.

The common perception may be that airlines decrease ticket prices to fill empty seats as the departure date approaches. However, the truth is that airfares depend on demand. Based on years of research and current customer data, the airlines know what people are willing to pay for specific flights and dates. They are also well aware that people are willing to pay a premium for flights they need to take immediately. To make the most money, the airline will sell its cheapest fares first and then increase the prices right before the flight to take advantage of business travelers and others who are willing to pay the premium price for late booking.

Occasionally, airlines can put some seats on sale to fill the remaining seats, but these are for unusual times and unpopular places. Popular destinations and dates around peak travel times tend to sell out quickly.

Planning ahead is key to securing a good deal on your flight. Last-minute flight deals are hard to come by, so as soon as you have a tentative travel timeline, book your flight. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to save money. If you are looking for a good deal, the best time to book your flight to Manila is 2-8 months before the takeoff.

Looking for the best deals for Manila? Check different departure airports.

Airlines often have varying prices for flights to Manila from different airports – even if they are in close proximity to one another. So don’t limit yourself to just your nearest airport. The neighboring cities may have lower-priced flights that include a layover at Manila, or may even have direct flights that are more budget-friendly.

For example, if you’re looking to fly from Paris to Manila, it may be worth checking prices for flights departing from London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or Rome. Yes, you may have to fly a few hundred kilometers to these hubs, but domestic low-cost airlines like EasyJet, RyanAir, or WizzAir will happily take you there for less than €100.

Book flights from many departure airports
By entering more than one departure city in the flight search engine (at the top of this page), you can quickly find the airport with the cheapest flights to your destination

The same goes for long-haul flights to Manila from anywhere in the world. By broadening your search to include neighboring airports, you may discover lower-priced options that can save you hundreds of euros!

Domestic flights from Manila

Most domestic routes in Philippines are operated by local carriers. When traveling to popular tourist destinations such as Quezon City, Davao City, Angeles, Antipolo, Cebu City, Caloocan, and General Santos from Manila Airport , you’ll likely fly with one of these domestic airlines: Philippine Airlines,Cebu Pacific, Philippines AirAsia, Cebgo, PAL Express, Pan Pacific Airlines, and Sunlight Air.

This is often the best transportation method, providing speed, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. Local airlines often offer multiple daily flights to key destinations, providing flexibility in scheduling and competitive pricing. They also serve smaller regional airports, enabling access to a wider range of Philippine destinations.

Flights to Manila from Australia and New Zealand

  • Australia and New Zealand are well-connected with popular Asian destinations, including Manila. In addition to domestic airlines – Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand – routes from Australasia to Asia are operated by large international carriers such as ANA, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Thai Airways.

    Currently, there are no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand to Manila. You’ll need a layover in one of the major hubs in Asia.


    More expensive non-stop flights to Manila from Australia are around 8 hours long, and you have a choice of four departing airports: Sydney SYD, Brisbane BNE, Melbourne MEL, and Perth PER. There are no direct flights to Manila from New Zealand.
  • Airfare costs can vary widely depending on the route and the airline’s pricing strategy. To find the cheapest flight to Manila, compare ticket prices from various international airports in Australia – Sydney SYD, Brisbane BNE, Melbourne MEL, Perth PER, Adelaide ADL, Cairns CNS, Gold Coast OOL, Canberra CBR, and in New Zealand – Auckland AKL, Wellington WLG, Christchurch CHC, Queenstown ZQN, and Dunedin DUD.
  • For optimal savings, consider flying from Australia or New Zealand to a key Asian hub, then connect to Manila via a regional low-cost carrier. Among budget airlines that fly to Manila are AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Cebu Pacific, Jetstar Airways, Lion Air, and Scoot.

    For the first leg, use the budget carriers that fly out of Australian airports, leveraging sales and promotions they run frequently: AirAsia (connects with Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore), Cebu Pacific (Manila), Jetstar (Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo), Scoot (Singapore), VietJet Air (Ho Chi Minh City), Bamboo Airways (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Beijing), and Batik Air (Jakarta, Singapore).

Australia and New Zealand to Manila.Flight ticket prices today.

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“Hot seats” on long-haul flights

Those days seat selection is considered an optional, extra paid service – seats with extra legroom (front and exit rows) are usually priced higher. However, if you’re about to take a long-haul flight to Manila, those “hot seats” are worth considering – expect to pay $50-$100, which is much less than upgrading to Premium Economy.

If you want to choose your seats, do this early (ideally during the booking) for a more extensive selection of available options.

Booking hot seats (preffered seats with extra legroom) on plane
Choosing a hot seat during the flight booking process is usually worth it. For a reasonable price, you will get more room to stretch your legs, as well as a wider seat pitch.

Booking group flights to Manila

Flights are cheaper when purchased in bulk rather than as individual tickets. Booking group flights to Manila can be a cost-effective option for a school trip, family reunion, or corporate group traveling to a conference.

To qualify for the special group rate, the group must usually have at least 10 passengers. Discounts depend on the airline, group size, and travel dates, and typically range from 5% to 20% off the regular airfare.

Airlines and flight search websites typically limit automatic group bookings to 10 passengers. This limit reflects the complexity of managing larger groups, which require personalized service and more time to coordinate. To get the price quote for your group, you’ll need to contact the airline or a travel agent directly.

If you’re open to different airlines or want more personalized service, a travel agent may be a better choice. Travel agents may have access to discounted group rates to Manila and can help with logistics and scheduling.

Flights to Manila from Bali, Bangkok, Delhi, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, and other major hubs in Asia

  • Many popular tourist destinations in Asia have convenient direct flights to/from Manila: Bangkok BKK, Bali DPS, Beijing PEK, Hanoi HAN, Ho Chi Minh SGN, Hong Kong HKG, Jakarta CGK, Kuala Lumpur KUL, Seoul ICN, Singapore SIN, Taipei TPE, and Tokyo HND.
  • Asia is probably the best continent for short-haul and mid-haul flying. The sheer scale of this most populous region on Earth is reflected in the type of aircraft operating many shorter routes: intra-Asia flyers benefit from comfortable, wide-bodied aircraft by the likes of Boeing 777, 787 or Airbus A350, A330, and A380. When booking your flight to Manila look for these bigger planes as they will almost always give you the best experience in every cabin, including better seat pitches, higher ceilings, and larger overhead bin space.
  • Asia is also home to most of the world’s best airlines. There are only ten airlines that received the prestigious 5-star mark of quality from Skytrax, and all of them are from Asia: ANA, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines. Choosing one of these airlines for your trip to Manila will guarantee a pleasant journey – delicious meals served during the flight, great in-flight entertainment, and above-average airline customer service.
  • Asia is extremely well served by low-cost regional airlines. If you are visiting Philippines and want to see several other countries on a tight budget, they often have great sales with rock-bottom prices, while still offering a relatively comfortable flight experience. Among the best Asian budget airlines you can book without hesitation are AirAsiaCebu Pacific, Citilink, FlyDubai, Indigo, Jetstar Airways, Scoot, SpiceJet, and VietJet Air. The cons? Being no-frills airlines they may not provide free baggage allowance, inflight meals, or onboard entertainment. The departure times may also be quite inconvenient as they try to save money by flying at off-peak hours.
  • Most major Asian airports have convenient and frequent flights to Manila — including Changi (Singapore), Dubai (UAE), Hong Kong (China), Incheon (Seoul, South Korea), Indira Gandhi (New Delhi, India), KLIA (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Narita (Tokyo, Japan), Denpasar (Bali, Indonesia), Soekarno–Hatta (Jakarta, Indonesia), Ninoy Aquino (Manila, Philippines), Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok, Thailand), Taoyuan (Taipei, Taiwan), and others.

Manila from major Asian airports.Flight prices in November 2023.

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Proof of onward travel – a simple hack

Travelers who go on long trips often don’t have a set itinerary and fly on one-way tickets. The problem? For many APAC countries, proof of onward travel is a legal requirement. If you arrive at the airport without an onward ticket (from Philippines to another country), you’ll either be forced to buy one online or forbidden from boarding the plane altogether.

The cheapest solution? Renting an onward ticket! Use the websites such as OneWayFly or OnwardTicket to get a flight reservation for a limited amount of time (usually 2 to 14 days). They work by actually booking you on a real flight out of Philippines and giving you a confirmable flight reservation with a PNR (Passenger Name Record) under your name. After the time limit, your spot on the flight is automatically canceled. Such “temporary tickets” tend to cost anywhere from $10 to $20.

Confirmed flight ticket reservation
Proof of onward travel: confirmed flight ticket reservation (source: OnwardTicket)

Fly now, pay later

Book Now Pay Later (BNPL) plans for flights have become a popular trend in the travel industry, allowing travelers to book flights and pay in installments. Among the airlines that offer this option are American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Turkish Airlines, and United Airlines. They partner with external financial companies to offer their loan services on the checkout page.

The BNPL plans come with varying terms and fees. Some may be interest-free but have fees for late-payments and require forced autoplay on your bank account, while others may have high annual percentage rates (up to 30-40% APR).

When considering BNPL financing for your flight to Manila, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate the pros and cons, and thoroughly review the terms and conditions.