½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

I fly in and out 4 times every year, last flight was in was on the 26th of Dec 2018

All depends of course on how busy the airport is: 

*  Immigration can take anywhere from 10 min to 60 min - Purely depending on how many flights arrive at a similar time, how many on each flight, etc etc.
*  Bags to arrive on carousel after touch down about 15 to 30 min  (i.e. if you it takes you 30 minutes to clear immigration your bag should already be waiting for you)
*  Clearing customs - NA - no one checks you, just walk straight through.  (You will be handed a customs form on your plane, I do complete it but have never had to hand it to any one)

* If you are flying straight down to Cebu then you may whish to change money at the airport, the rates are not that bad.  Immediately as you exit Terminal 2 (international) just turn left and walk about 25 meters you will see 3 or 4 money changes.  This will take about 10 to 20 minutes.


One thing that you must check is which airport you flight to Cebu leaves from.

There are four terminals in Manila all the same airport.  If you have to take a taxi to another terminal then this will take about 50 to 90 minutes, by the time you get the taxi and then drive around to the other airport and depending on traffic.

There is a Philippines airlines (maybe Cebu Pacific - I am not sure about CebPac) shuttle service between Terminal 2 and Terminal 1 (maybe terminal 3) and not sure about Terminal 4, this shuttle service is provided by the airline (not an airport service) so you need to be sure that the airline you are flying domestic with offers the shuttle service.  This is the best way to move between terminals if it is offered.  And takes about 40 minutes by the time you wait for the shuttle (Departs every 15 minutes or so)  If offered this is the best way to move between terminals, as it moves around the internal roads of the airport, so no traffic.

If you flight to Cebu leaves from Terminal 2 (which is where most international flights arrive) then be aware there is a international Terminal 2 and a Domestic Terminal 2.  You need to exit International T2 and walk about 200 meters to Domestic T2.

Sounds a little messy, I know, but welcome to the Philippines.  Enjoy your trip.

Allow 3 hours or more.

Hello moonunit0103
I would probably allow 4 + hours, gives you a chance to unwind, stretch, have something to eat , a larger and more stable bathroom. Having said that, the local domestic flights are often later or sometimes cancelled. Good luck and I might see you at sinulog festival.
regards  Bruce

Excellent writeup by pej111. The short answer is 2.5 hours is safe unless you have to switch terminals, then allow 3-4 hours.

I allow two hours but my usual flight these days is PAL from Honolulu then PAL ongoing to Cebu, both T2. The flight to Cebu is usually late, so I will have plenty of time, lol.  As he mentioned, if you have different terminals to deal with it can take really long to get from one to the other. My bag is checked through but you have to get it, walk it through security, then put it back for the next flight. I used to get into MNL at 9pm on a Delta flight from Tokyo and couldn't make the transfers in time to catch an ongoing flight to Cebu so would stay overnight and go down the next day but that's a nightmare with the taxis.

Be aware that airport security is lax in some areas and there was recently a State Dept warning about flights out of Philippine airports. Have a great trip.

Any more recent trouble with bullets found in luggage scam?

And just so you know, pej111 is not exaggerating one bit!  DO BE AWARE of where you need to go to get your flight to Cebu.  You will be flying into the International terminal, which is a separate building at the airport, domestic flights can be in other separate buildings.  Our flight to to Cebu was from the international terminal, but that was weeks after we arrived in Manila.

Security is what you need to be aware of.  In leaving there are 3 security checks, so allow at least 3 hours.  But can't remember if that happened going to Cebu, domestic flights might not be as rigorous, but do check.

Cebu International airport is actually on Mactan Island, not in Cebu itself, but is a short drive to Cebu, so also allow time for that, in going to Cebu.

There are some good hotels though on Mactan next to the airport, which makes it easy for departing Cebu, no bridge traffic to deal with getting stuck on the wrong side.  That's what we did and it was a lot easier on departure day, since it was also raining all day. 

There are some hotels on the beach 12 mins to the front door of the airport.

We stayed at very nice and great breakfast in the hotel!  It was Microtel then.  If link does not work, look up HRS.

Use google maps, they show them all.

Have fun!

And no more bullet problems!  But who knows what the next scam will be, eh.