
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), also called Manila International Airport, serves the National Capital Region and nearby provinces in Luzon Island. Metro Manila is a typical jump-off point for foreign tourists to explore the Philippines before heading to other local tourist destinations.
Hailed as the “Gateway to CALABARZON”, Muntinlupa City is a perfect springboard for your Southern Luzon escapade. Alabang is the city’s lifestyle and business center. Its map is studded with corporate buildings, shopping malls, foodie havens, and accommodation options, with enough options across the budget to five-star spectrum. It also harbors several transport terminals for jeepneys and buses, both intercity and provincial.
From NAIA, the travel time to Alabang in Muntinlupa is 30-45 minutes, depending on the the traffic situation and the time of the day. This post gives you a rundown of the different modes of transportation from the Manila airport to Alabang. Travel via booking from ride-hailing apps, taxi, bus (P2P buses), or even jeepney are all part and parcel of how to get from NAIA to Alabang in Muntinlupa.
WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE?
By Ride-Hailing Service
Before the advent of ride-hailing services in the country, travel between the airport and the southern metropolis was quite the a feat. Taxis are sparse in the ‘South’ compared to other parts of Metro Manila, even at present.
Thanks to the arrival of ride-hailing technology, the journey from the airport to the Alabang area has become less of a hassle. As opposed to public transportation, the driver will drop you off straight at your pinned destination. Also, your fare is evident from the get go on the app, even before confirming your ride. And to make your trip even more convenient, cashless payment methods are available.
But you must keep in mind that we are still in Metro Manila and the traffic situation can make the shortest of trips an absolute chore, especially during rush hour. Similarly, the comfort ride-hailing apps bring may cost a pretty penny, especially as trips during peak hours incur surcharges.
As of the moment, Grab and Joyride are the only ride-hailing apps we can recommend for transportation to and from the airport. Some companies, like Angkas, only offer motorcycle taxis for hire, while others are not as established as the two companies mentioned.
But before you’re able to use ride-hailing apps like Grab and Joyride, you’ll need internet connection. There may be free wifi at the airport but for safety, security, and reliability, it’s best to have your own private connection. If you are a foreign tourist exploring the Philippines, you can either purchase a local SIM card or rent a pocket WiFi unit. SIM cards and pocket WiFi devices are available at the airport.
- For Grab, you have four options: GrabTaxi, GrabCar 4-Seater, GrabCar 6-Seater, and Airport-To-Anywhere (ATA). The last option is available from Terminal 1, 2, and 3. This is a dedicated car service that allows a maximum of three passengers, plus three pieces of 23kg luggage.
- For Joyride, you have two options: 4-Seater or 6-Seater. Joyride also offers motorcycle taxi rides, but, as mentioned, we don’t recommend a motorcycle taxi ride if you’re bringing luggage with you. It is, however, a great option for when you’re roaming around the metro.
Fare and Pick-Up Locations
If you’re booking from NAIA to Alabang, the fare varies from P400 to P750, depending on your specific drop-off point, time of booking, type of car service you need, and ride-hailing app you will be booking from. Note also that if your route requires passing through the Skyway and/or SLEX, toll fees are not yet included in the reflected fare.
As for pick-up, you may choose from several pick-up locations in NAIA from the app. Make sure that you select the correct terminal!
If you favor Grab, you can find Grab booths located near some terminals. Attendants are available to book your ride through their phones and answer any questions you may have. You can find said booths at these locations:
- Terminal 1: Arrival Hall Exit
- Terminal 2: Arrival Hall Exit Bay 6
- Terminal 3: Arrival Hall Exit across Bay 4 (GrabCar) | Departure Hall Exit across Gate 6 (GrabTaxi)
- Terminal 4: Departure Hall Exit
By Taxi
Taking a taxi is another alternative for direct transfers from NAIA to Muntinlupa. Both fixed-rate taxis and metered taxis have their respective lanes outside the arrival area at NAIA. Whether you are taking a coupon taxi or a metered taxi, note that if you choose routes that cross the Skyway and/or SLEX, you must consider the toll charges, which are on top of the regular fare.
TIP: Compare the reflected fare in your Grab or Joyride app with the coupon taxi fixed rates to help you decide which transportation option is cheaper at the time of your arrival.
REMINDER! Like in any other country, be on guard against scams, especially against taxis pretending to be regular metered taxis. Some drivers will entice you under the guise of being a regular metered taxi, which are usually cheaper compared to other taxi options, but will eventually insist on an overpriced fixed rate when the trip starts. Always be vigilant.
Coupon Taxi
Coupon Taxis have fixed rates displayed at the designated coupon taxi transport lane. Although some drivers may request a tip, it is still your prerogative to give or not.
You will be handed a dispatch coupon at the booth. Keep it with you. The coupon taxi fare from NAIA to anywhere else in Muntinlupa can go from P440 to P740.
You’ll find coupon taxi lanes in NAIA at these locations:
- Terminal 1: Arrival Hall Exit & Arrival Hall Exit Extension
- Terminal 2: Arrival Hall Exit near Bay 11
- Terminal 3: Arrival Hall Exit across Bay 6
- Terminal 4: Arrival Hall Exit
Yellow Metered Taxi
A yellow metered taxi may be pricier than a regular metered taxi, but if you’re in a hurry, you might want to check out their lane first. More often than not, the line for yellow taxis is usually shorter. Sometimes, you may not even have to wait at all.
You will be handed a dispatch slip with the taxi details and numbers to call if you have concerns about your trip. The fare from NAIA to anywhere else in Muntinlupa is from P400 to P700.
Flag-down Rate: P75 (initial 500 meters traveled)
Succeeding Rate: P4 (for every 300 meters) + P4 (for every 2mins waiting time)
Here are the yellow metered taxi lane locations at NAIA:
- Terminal 1: Arrival Hall Exit & Arrival Hall Exit Extension
- Terminal 2: Arrival Hall Exit near Bay 14
- Terminal 3: Arrival Hall Exit across Bay 8
- Terminal 4: Arrival Hall Exit
Regular Metered Taxi
Ideally, regular metered taxis are cheaper than coupon taxis, yellow metered taxis, and car-hailing services. But in the real world, this may not always be true. You may end up having to pay more if you are not careful when dealing with regular taxis. This is because they have gained notoriety for scamming passengers. Some of their schemes include taking longer routes to increase the fare, tampering with the meter, overcharging upon drop-off, and not turning on the meter then requesting a fixed price once the trip begins.
If you find yourself in a situation where your only choice is to take this taxi, insist that the fare meter be turned on as you begin your journey.
You will receive a passenger copy of the dispatch slip. DO NOT hand it over to the driver. Keep it. The fare from NAIA to anywhere else in Muntinlupa ranges from P350 to P600.
Flag-down Rate: P45
Succeeding Rate: P13.50 (for every kilometer) + P2 (for every minute of travel time)
Here are the regular metered taxi lane locations in NAIA:
- Terminal 1: Arrival Hall Exit
- Terminal 2: Arrival Hall Exit near Bay 23
- Terminal 3: Arrival Hall Exit across Bay 12
- Terminal 4: Departure Hall Exit
By Bus
Point-to-point buses are the only type of public bus allowed inside NAIA. UBE Express is the flagship premium airport bus link in Metro Manila. Among other routes, it runs a direct route between NAIA and Muntinlupa.
Please note that UBE Express routes coming from Manila airport have only one pick-up location, which is NAIA Terminal 3. If you are arriving at Terminal 1, 2, or 4, note that the free inter-terminal shuttle buses are exclusive for those who have connecting flights. Another alternative is to take the UBE Express NAIA Loop, which picks up passengers from Terminal 1, 2, and 4 to Terminal 3, but at no set time. If you are in a rush, taking a cab or booking a ride from a ride-hailing app may be a better option for you.
The P2P bus heading to Muntinlupa terminates at Ayala Malls South Park in Alabang. Here’s how to get there:
- From NAIA Terminal 3, go to the arrival hall exit.
- Find the UBE Express P2P Bus booth across Bay 12.
- Buy your ticket going to Ayala South Park Alabang. The fare is P200. You can also buy your ticket online through UBE Express official website or through Klook: ✅ GET P2P TICKET HERE!
- Go to the pick-up/drop-off point and wait for your bus. The pick-up/drop-off point is also located at the booth area across Bay 12.
- Alight at Ayala South Park. From here, you can ride a taxi or Grab to your hotel or anywhere else in Muntinlupa. You can also take the jeep but only if you are familiar with the routes and have no luggage in tow.
NAIA Terminal 3 to Ayala South Park Time Table
- 05:30 AM
- 07:45 AM
- 10:30 AM
- 01:45 PM
- 04:20 PM
- 07:00 PM
Note: The schedules and available routes may change from time to time. Please check the official UBE Express Facebook Page for updates.
Jeepney
Although this is the most budget-friendly option, we recommend this the least, especially if you are not familiar with the routes or are a first-timer in the Philippines. Commuting via jeepney in Metro Manila can be exhausting. This really isn’t for the faint of heart nor the claustrophobic, especially during rush hour.
Kindly note that the airport management does not allow either traditional or modern jeepneys to enter the premises. You’ll have to walk to the national road in order to ride a jeepney. The minimum fare is P12 for traditional jeeps and P14 for modern jeeps.
If you still want to give it a go, here’s how to travel via jeepney from the airport:
- From any terminal in NAIA, walk to the designated jeepney stop outside the airport.
- Get on a jeepney bound for Pasay Rotonda/EDSA-Taft Junction or PITX.
- If you’ll get off at Pasay Rotonda/EDSA-Taft Junction, you can take a bus or another jeepney going to Alabang. If you’ll alight at PITX, you can board a bus bound for Alabang at Gate 3 on the second level.
NAIA Jeepney Stops
- Terminal 1: ICT Service Road (near T1 Pass Control Office)
- Terminal 2: Near MIAA Admin Building Gate 2
- Terminal 3: Andrews Avenue
- Terminal 4: Domestic Road
Other Private Transfers
Renting a car or hiring one from NAIA to your destination is also an option. Rental companies are stationed near Grab’s booth between Bay 4 & 5. Most of them run 24/7 and have fixed rates based on your drop-off point or specific destination. Cash is king when it comes to payment.
Should you decide to take this option, make sure to check and compare the rates first before settling for a specific car rental company.
Another private transfer alternative is by arranging with your hotel. Check if your chosen hotel offers airport transfer services.
Related Article: Where to Stay in Alabang?
Reminders

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