Apart from multinational corporations and major businesses in the Central Business District, Makati is also known for great eats and a booming nightlife, particularly in Poblacion. This highly urbanized city is thoroughly peppered with a wide range of accommodations, from budget to luxury hotels, making it one of the popular bases for both business and leisure travelers in Metro Manila. Here’s a quick guide on how to get to Makati from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

NAIA, also known as Manila International Airport, is currently the primary international airport in Metro Manila and the usual entry point of foreign visitors to the Philippines.

From NAIA, the travel time to Makati is 25-45 minutes, depending on the the traffic situation and the time of the day. The modes of transportation from the airport to Makati include bus (P2P buses), ride-hailing app, taxi, and jeepney.

WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE?

By Ride-Hailing Service

You’ll find a few ride-hailing services (also known as Transport Network Vehicles) in the Philippines, but the only ones we can recommend for transporting passengers at the airport at the moment are Grab and Joyride. All other TNVS in the Philippines are either not yet as established or only offer motorcycle taxis for hire (e.g., Angkas). Most of the time, passengers coming from the airport may have one or more pieces of luggage in tow, so we will focus more on Grab and Joyride in this section.

But before you could use ride-hailing apps like Grab and Joyride, you’ll need an 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

✅ GET DATA SIM CARD HERE!

✅ GET POCKET WIFI HERE!

Booking a car via a ride-hailing app is probably the most convenient and fastest way of getting anywhere in Makati from NAIA, but it might also be the most expensive, especially during peak or busy hours. On the plus side though, the fare is reflected immediately on the app even before you confirm your ride.

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. These are dedicated car services that allow 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 Makati, the fare ranges from P245 to P500, depending on your specific drop off point, the time of your booking (non-peak or peak hours), the type of car service you need, and the ride-hailing app you will be booking from.

You may choose from several pick-up locations in NAIA from the app. Make sure that you select the correct terminal.

If you want to book via Grab, they have installed Grab Booths around some of the terminals with attendants to book for you through their phones. If you have any questions, you may ask the person manning the booth. You may find the booths in 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

For relatively more private transportation options, you may also take a taxi directly to your hotel or anywhere in Makati from NAIA. You may find both fixed-rate taxis and metered taxis from NAIA. Is taking a taxi a cheap option? Well, taxis are relatively more expensive than the P2P buses and jeepneys, but they are more convenient.

Should you take a taxi or book a ride from a ride-hailing app? It’s probably best to compare the coupon taxi’s fixed rate with the reflected rate on your ride-hailing app. So, the answer here is: taxis can either be pricier or cheaper than Grab, so make sure to compare prices before choosing!

REMEMBER! Like in any other country, be on your guard against scams, especially when some taxis may masquerade as regular metered taxis. Some drivers will entice you under the guise of being a regular metered taxi but will eventually insist on an overpriced fixed rate when the trip starts. Always be vigilant.

Coupon Taxi

These taxis have fixed rates based on your destination. Some drivers may ask for an additional fee or a tip, but it’s really up to you if you will give extra. Tipping the driver is not mandatory. You will be handed a dispatch coupon/slip at the booth. Keep it with you until you arrive at your destination. The coupon taxi fare from NAIA to Makati rages from P330 to P430.

Here are the coupon taxi lane locations in NAIA:

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

These yellow metered taxis are generally more expensive than regular metered taxis, but lines are usually shorter and units are better maintained. 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 Makati area ranges from P200 to P300.

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 in 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

Regular metered taxis, usually white sedans, are cheaper compared to coupon taxis and yellow metered taxis. The downside here is that most reported scams involve these white regular metered taxis. Passenger complaints include not turning the meter on and asking for an over-the-top fixed price once the trip starts, or turning on their meters while taking longer routes, among others. If you opt for this mode of transport, make sure the taxi meter is turned on when your ride starts. You will also receive a passenger copy of the dispatch slip with the taxi. DO NOT hand it over to the driver. The fare from NAIA to Makati ranges from P180 to P300.

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 (P2P buses) may also be found in NAIA. UBE Express is the Philippines’ primary premium airport bus link in Metro Manila. Note that the only pick-up location in NAIA is at Terminal 3. The nearest P2P bus terminal for Makati area is the One Ayala transport hub.

From NAIA Terminal 3, go to the arrival hall exit. Coming from Terminal 1, 2, or 4? Currently, the free inter-terminal shuttle buses are exclusive only for those who have connecting flights. Another alternative is to take the UBE Express NAIA Loop, which picks up passengers from terminals 1, 2, and 4 to terminal 3, but no set time. Thus, taking a cab or booking a ride from a ride-hailing app may be a better option.
Find the UBE Express P2P Bus booth across Bay 12.
Buy your ticket going to One Ayala transport hub. The fare is P150. You can also buy your ticket online through UBE Express official website.
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 One Ayala in Makati. Dusit Thani, Crown Regency, Ascott Makati, and Holiday Inn can be reached by foot from the terminal. If you are staying anywhere else in Makati, you can ride a taxi or Grab to your hotel. You can also take the Makati Loop-Landmark jeepney route from here. If your final destination in Makati is along EDSA, you can get on the MRT 3 train from Ayala Station to Magallanes (Southbound), Buendia, or Guadalupe.

NAIA Terminal 3 to One Ayala Makati Time Table

05:30 AM
07:30 AM
10:00 AM
01:45 PM
04:15 PM
07:00 PM

Note: Schedules may change from time to time. Please check the official UBE Express Facebook Page for updates.

Jeepney

This is the cheapest option, but we recommend this option the least. Jeepneys, both traditional and modern, are not allowed inside the airport grounds. You have to walk all the way down the national road if you want to ride a jeep to Makati. You need at least two transfers from the airport to Makati. Minimum fare is P12 for traditional jeeps and P14 for modern jeeps.

Taking public transportation in Metro Manila is not for the faint of heart, but if you really want to try commuting from NAIA to Makati, or have no other option but to ride a jeep, here’s how:

From any terminal in NAIA, walk to the designated jeepney stop outside the airport.
Get on a jeepney to Pasay Rotonda/EDSA-Taft Junction.
You can take the MRT 3 at Taft Station and alight at any of these stations in Makati: Magallanes, Ayala, Buendia, and Guadalupe. Alternatively, you can also take the EDSA Carousel Northbound bus at Taft to One Ayala Terminal, Buendia, or Guadalupe bus stop.

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 is also an option. Car rental companies are stationed near Grab’s booth by Bay 4 & 5. Most of them are 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 certain car rental company.

Another private transfer alternative is by arranging with your hotel. Make sure to check if your chosen accommodation offers airport transfer services.

How to Get from NAIA to MAKATI (Central Business District & Poblacion) 2023