Frequently asked questions
Which international airport should I fly into for the Philippines?
Most visitors fly into Manila (MNL), the main gateway with the most domestic connections. Mactan-Cebu (CEB) is a strong second gateway for the Visayas, Bohol, Siargao and Palawan routes. Clark (CRK) suits northern Luzon. We choose the gateway that shortens your onward connections.
Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines for domestic flights?
Both fly the main tourist routes. Philippine Airlines is a full-service carrier, while Cebu Pacific is a low-cost airline with a wide domestic network and paid extras such as checked baggage. We choose by schedule, airport and baggage needs rather than brand, and confirm fares at booking.
What is the domestic flight baggage allowance in the Philippines?
Allowances depend on the airline and fare. Low-cost fares often include only hand luggage, while full-service fares usually include checked bags. Small aircraft, such as those flying into El Nido's Lio airport, can have much lower limits. We confirm each limit when we book, so you can pack accordingly.
How do I get from Manila to El Nido, Siargao or Bohol?
El Nido: fly to Lio when seats allow, or to Puerto Princesa and continue north by van, often four to six hours. Siargao: fly to Siargao's airport, directly or via Cebu. Bohol: fly to Bohol-Panglao (TAG), or fly to Cebu and take the ferry of roughly two hours. Schedules change, so we confirm at booking.
Manila to Boracay: Caticlan or Kalibo?
Caticlan (MPH) is the closest airport to Boracay, with a short land transfer and boat crossing. Kalibo (KLO) has more flights but adds about 1.5 to 2 hours by road. We book Caticlan when schedules fit, and Kalibo when it saves a day or suits larger groups.
How long before a flight should we leave the hotel?
As a rule, we schedule hotel departures four hours before international flights and three hours before domestic flights. Manila traffic and terminal queues are unpredictable, so this buffer protects your connection. On island airports we may adjust slightly once we know local conditions.
Can we transfer between Manila airport terminals?
Yes, but NAIA terminals are separate buildings, so a terminal change means a road transfer, not a walk. When connecting between domestic flights in Manila, we plan a minimum of three to four hours to cover traffic, check-in and security. On our private trips a driver handles the move between terminals.
