Getting to Manila and Around by Grab, LRT, MRT and River Ferry

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) sits unusually close to the southern districts of Metro Manila, just 5 to 9 kilometres from Makati, Manila Bay and Bonifacio Global City (BGC). Moving around the capital is straightforward when you combine the Grab app on elevated toll skyways with the overhead LRT-1 rail line into historic Manila.

Arriving at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL): Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4

Unlike single-roof hub airports, MNL divides flights across four separate terminals connected by perimeter roads:

• Terminal 3 (the largest modern terminal): handles most international airlines as well as Cebu Pacific and AirAsia international and domestic flights, linked by the Runway Manila pedestrian footbridge to Newport City.
• Terminal 1: serves Philippine Airlines international flights and selected foreign carriers.
• Terminal 2: dedicated primarily to Philippine Airlines domestic flights across the islands.
• Terminal 4: a compact terminal handling turboprop regional flights (such as Cebgo to boutique island airports).

From any terminal, the easiest transfer to your hotel is booking a car via the Grab app (Southeast Asia's main ride-hailing platform; download and link your card before flying) or stepping up to the official Grab / Yellow Metered Airport Taxi booth outside arrivals. Ask your driver to take the elevated NAIA Expressway (NAIAX) and Skyway, which bypasses surface traffic to reach Manila Bay, Makati or BGC in 15 to 30 minutes. Fixed-route UBE Express premium airport buses also run to major hotel hubs.

LRT-1, MRT-3 and the stored-value Beep card

To travel between southern Metro Manila and historic sights without sitting in road traffic, pick up a rechargeable blue Beep card at any station machine. LRT Line 1 (Yellow/Green Line) is the single most useful line for visitors: it runs north from Baclaran and EDSA (interchange with MRT-3 from Makati's Ayala Station) straight up to United Nations Station (for Rizal Park and the National Museums), Central Terminal (east gate of Intramuros) and Carriedo Station (for Binondo Chinatown and Quiapo).

The Pasig River Ferry and Bambikes in Intramuros

For a traffic-free water perspective on weekday mornings, the public Pasig River Ferry Service runs air-conditioned boats between Escolta Ferry Station (at the foot of Jones Bridge beside Binondo and Intramuros) and Guadalupe (near Makati/BGC); check the official MMDA Pasig River Ferry page for current sailing schedules.