Ortigas Center, or simply Ortigas, is the second busiest and most important business district in Metro Manila, next to the Makati Central Business District. Interestingly, Ortigas straddles the boundaries of three cities in the National Capital Region (NCR, spanning over 100 hectares: Pasig City, Mandaluyong City, and Quezon City.

Its map is strewn with a high volume of high-rise office and residential buildings, shopping malls, restaurants, bars, nightlife joints, and hotels. It’s no wonder that it has become one of the favored areas to stay while doing business or even for leisurely travel.

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is the primary gateway for those traveling to the Philippines. It accommodates most international and domestic flights and serves the NCR, also known as Metro Manila, and nearby provinces in Luzon Island. It is the usual jump-off point for foreign tourists to other popular destinations in the Philippines.

Ortigas is located 50-70 minutes northeast of NAIA. Some of the transportation options from the airport to the busy Ortigas Center are via bus (P2P buses), ride-hailing app, taxi, and even jeepney.

WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE?

By Ride-Hailing Service

As of this time, we can only recommend Grab and Joyride for transporting passengers to and from the airport. Some companies only offer motorcycle taxis for hire (e.g., Angkas), while others may not be as established as the two previously mentioned.

This option is convenient, as drivers will drop you off at your chosen location. Plus, the fare is immediately reflected on the app, even before confirming the ride. Cashless payments through the app are also a big plus point. However, during peak hours, it can also be the most expensive choice and may take longer than usual to find you a ride.

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!

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

Depending on your specific drop off point, the time of your booking, the type of car service you need, and the ride-hailing app you will be booking from, the fare from NAIA to Ortigas can go from P400 to P700.

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

Another option for direct transfers from NAIA to your hotel or your chosen destination within the Ortigas Central Business District is to take a taxi. Whether you opt for a fixed-rate taxi or a metered taxi, you will spot their designated lanes at NAIA, specifically outside the arrival area.

TIP: You can compare the reflected fare on Grab or JoyRide with the coupon taxi fixed rates to help you decide which ride is the cheaper option at the time of your arrival.

REMINDER! Like in any other country, be on your 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 but will eventually insist on an overpriced fixed rate when the trip starts. Always be vigilant.

Coupon Taxi

Coupon Taxis have fixed rates based on your destination. You’ll see the prescribed rates posted at the designated coupon taxi transport lane. Some drivers may ask for an additional fee or a tip, but it’s not mandatory.

You will be handed a dispatch coupon/slip at the booth. Keep it with you. The coupon taxi fare from NAIA to Ortigas ranges from P530 to P610.

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

Yellow metered taxis are generally more expensive than regular metered taxis. But if you are in a hurry, the line for the yellow metered taxis is usually shorter or you don’t 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 Ortigas area ranges from P400 to P600.

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

Regular metered taxis are relatively cheaper compared to both coupon taxis and yellow metered taxis. But here’s the major issue with these white regular metered taxis: they get tons of complaints about scams. These include not turning the meter on and then asking for a fixed price once the trip starts, tampering with the meter, overcharging upon drop-off, and taking longer routes to raise your fare. In the event that you really have no choice but to take a taxi, make sure that the taxi meter is turned ON when your ride starts.

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 Ortigas ranges from P350 to P550.

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

The only type of public buses that are allowed to enter within NAIA are point-to-point (P2P) buses. UBE Express is the Philippines’ primary premium airport bus link in Metro Manila. If you plan to take this option, you must take note that NAIA Terminal 3 is the only pick-up location for all UBE Express routes.

Ortigas used to be included in the list of specific routes for P2P buses with drop-off and pick-up to and from NAIA. Presently, the possible choice of P2P bus terminal for those heading to Ortigas is either One Ayala in Makati or Araneta in Cubao, Quezon City. This means that you still need to take another ride to Ortigas via an EDSA Carousel bus, a ride-hailing service, or a taxi.

Via One Ayala Terminal

From NAIA Terminal 3, head to the arrival hall exit. If you are coming from Terminal 1, 2, or 4, 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 terminal 1, 2, and 4 to terminal 3, but no set time. In that case, taking a cab or booking a ride from a ride-hailing app may be a better option for you.
Find the UBE Express P2P Bus booth at the outer lane of Bay 12.
Purchase your ticket going to One Ayala transport hub. The fare is P150. You can also buy your ticket online through UBE Express’s official website.
Go to the P2P bus pick-up/drop-off point. It is located just across Bay 12 and wait for your bus or find your designated bus.
Alight at One Ayala in Makati. From here, take another bus via EDSA Carousel Northbound, flag down a taxi, or book a Grab car (near Jollibee) to Ortigas.

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

Via Araneta Cubao Terminal

From NAIA Terminal 3, go to the arrival hall exit. If you are arriving at Terminal 1, 2, or 4, note that 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 terminal 1, 2, and 4 to terminal 3, but no set time. In that case, taking a cab or booking a ride from a ride-hailing app may be a better option for you.
Find the UBE Express P2P Bus booth across Bay 12.
Buy your ticket going to Araneta City Cubao. 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 Araneta City in Cubao, Quezon City. From here, hire a taxi, book a Grab, or take another bus via EDSA Carousel Southbound (Main Avenue) to Ortigas.

NAIA Terminal 3 to Araneta Cubao Time Table

05:30 AM
07:30 AM
09:00 AM
11:00 AM
01:30 PM
02:30 PM
04:30 PM
06:30 PM
08:30 PM

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

Jeepney

Both traditional and modern jeepneys are not allowed inside the airport grounds. You need to head towards the national road if you want to ride a jeep.

Although this is by far the cheapest option among those listed in this post, this is the least convenient too. It’s really a feat commuting via jeepney in Metro Manila, especially if you are carrying lots of stuff with you. Specific stops for jeepneys are rare to nonexistent, so you might miss your stop and get lost if you don’t know exactly where you’re going. Also, it can be cramped, especially during rush hour.

If you really want to try commuting from NAIA to Ortigas by jeepney, note that you need at least two transfers from the airport to your specific destination in Ortigas. Minimum fare is P12 for traditional jeeps and P14 for modern jeeps.

Anyway, 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 to Pasay Rotonda/EDSA-Taft Junction.
You can take the MRT 3 train from Taft Station and alight at Ortigas Station. Alternatively, you can also ride the EDSA Carousel Northbound bus at Taft to Ortigas bus stop or just take a taxi or a ride-hailing service along Taft Avenue in Pasay.

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.

How to Get from NAIA to ORTIGAS CENTER 2023