Fondly called “Kyusi” by the locals, Quezon City is the largest city in the National Capital Region, both in terms of land area and population. It cradles a significant number of government agencies and offices, shopping malls, food strips, and nightlife spots. But aside from modern establishments, the city also abounds in green spaces.

Hailed as the “City of Stars”, it is home to major media networks and entertainment companies in the Philippines. The city also harbors two of the country’s top universities: the Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the Philippines Diliman, the flagship campus of the country’s national university.

Cubao, Diliman, and Novaliches are some of the busiest districts in Quezon City. Novaliches is the largest and the northernmost district. Diliman, which is originally the birthplace of the city, is considered its core. Cubao in the southern portion, with its many transport terminals, makes Kyusi a gateway to the northern provinces of Luzon and a viable jump-off point to popular tourist destinations up north.

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) welcomes international and domestic flights, serving Metro Manila and nearby provinces in Luzon Island. It is the usual starting point for foreign tourists to explore the country before heading to other popular destinations in the Philippines.

Quezon City is located 60-90 minutes north of NAIA or MANILA AIRPORT. Some of the transportation options from the airport to Kyusi are via bus (P2P buses), ride-hailing app, taxi, and even jeepney.

WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE?

By Ride-Hailing Service

Grab and Joyride are currently the only ride-hailing apps we can recommend for transportation to and from the airport. Some companies may not be as established as the two previously mentioned, while others only offer motorcycle taxis for hire (e.g., Angkas).

What makes this option convenient? For one, the driver will drop you off at your pinned location. Another reason is that you don’t have to second-guess your total fare because it’s immediately reflected in the app prior to confirming the ride. Passengers may also choose to pay via cashless transactions.

Note that during peak hours, it may take you longer than usual to find a ride. The surcharge can also spike your fare up compared to when you book during non-peak hours.

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 Quezon City ranges from P600 to P1,300.

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

Taking a taxi is another option for you if you want direct transfers from NAIA to your chosen destination in Quezon City. Both fixed-rate taxis and metered taxis have their designated lanes at NAIA, particularly 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 standard rates posted at the designated coupon taxi transport lane. Some drivers may ask for a tip, but it’s not mandatory to tip your drivers.

You will be handed a dispatch coupon/slip at the booth. Keep it with you. The coupon taxi fare from NAIA to Quezon City ranges from P610 to P940.

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, you can opt to take this one as the line is usually shorter. In some cases, 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 Quezon City can go from P550 to P900.

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 coupon taxis, yellow metered taxis, and car-hailing services. But these white regular metered taxis also get a mountain 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. If you are in a situation where 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 Quezon City is between P500 and P800.

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 (P2P) buses are the only type of public buses that are allowed to enter NAIA. UBE Express is the Philippines’ primary premium airport bus link in Metro Manila. If you plan to take this option, do note that NAIA Terminal 3 is the only pick-up location for all UBE Express routes. The nearest UBE Express P2P bus terminal for Quezon City is the Araneta City 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 at 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. Numerous hotels are found around the area, some are even walking distance from the terminal. If you were not able to book from any of the nearby hotels, you can ride a taxi or Grab from here to your hotel. You can also take the EDSA Carousel Northbound bus from the Main Avenue stop and alight at the nearest bus stop to your final destination in Quezon City.

NAIA Terminal 3 to Araneta City 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 have to walk all the way down to 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 recommended too. It’s really a challenge 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 get very cramped, especially during rush hour.

If you really want to try commuting from NAIA to Quezon City by jeepney, note that you need at least two transfers from the airport to your specific destination in Kyusi. 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 Baclaran or Pasay Rotonda (EDSA-Taft Junction).
You can take the MRT 3 train from Taft Station and alight at any of these stations: Santolan, Cubao, Kamuning, Quezon Avenue, and North Avenue. You can also take the LRT-1 train at Taft Station or Baclaran Station and alight at Balintawak Station or Roosevelt Station. Taking the EDSA Carousel Northbound bus is also another option. Here are the stops in Quezon City: Main Avenue, Nepa Q. Mart, Quezon Avenue, North Avenue, Roosevelt, Kaingin, and Balintawak.

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 QUEZON CITY (Cubao, Diliman & Novaliches) 2023