Cheap flights to Manila for 2021

Manila is becoming increasingly popular with Australian travellers and is well worth exploring. The cosmopolitan capital has bucketfuls of culture, diverse architecture and a collection of excellent museums and art galleries.

Visitors to the city will discover tasty cuisine and market food, exotic cocktails and lively nightlife. Manila is great for bargain shoppers and has one of the largest shopping malls in the world, the SM Mall of Asia.

You can find flight deals to Manila on direct and indirect routes from Australia.

How long is the flight to Manila from Australia?

• From Sydney: Approximately 7 hrs 55 mins + when you fly direct to Ninoy Aquino International Airport
• From Melbourne: Approximately 8 hrs 10 mins + when you fly direct to Ninoy Aquino International Airport
• From Brisbane: Approximately 8 hrs 10 mins + when you fly direct to Ninoy Aquino International Airport
• From Perth: Approximately 10 hrs + when you fly direct to Ninoy Aquino International Airport

Which airlines fly to Manila from Australia?

• Cebu Pacific
• Philippine Airlines
• Qantas

When's the best time to book Christmas flights to Manila?

The best time to book flights to Manila for the Christmas season is June to August because this is when most airlines offer early-bird discounts on December flights.

If you book three months before your departure, you can save up to 7% on your airfare, based on the findings of the Skyscanner Best Time to Book tool. Don't worry if you couldn't book your flight in this period since you can still nab reasonable fares in late November when travelling from Brisbane or Perth.

Fares are considerably cheaper if you depart on or before 15 December. The return fares begin dropping from 1 January onwards.

Booking accordingly will help you save more, in case you plan to spend the whole holiday season in Manila or somewhere else in the Philippines.

Manila insider flight tips

• Cebu Pacific is a low-cost Philippine carrier that typically has the lowest fares to Manila, as well as direct flights from Sydney and Darwin. They are strict with their 7kg hand-luggage rule, so if you’re not a light traveller, it’s wise to pre-book check-in luggage when you book your flight.
• If you prefer the full-service treatment when flying, Philippine Airlines has a low-cost flight with in-flight meals and a 30-kilo baggage limit included in their lead-in fares. They fly direct to Manila from Sydney, Melbourne, Darwin and Cairns and onwards to many destinations beyond, such as Japan or China.
• Manila Airport can be very chaotic and Terminal 1, where many international flights land, is one of the most overcrowded terminals in Asia. It gets very busy, so factor in plenty of time for transits and getting to your destination.
• Sign up to the newsletters for AirAsia, Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines or follow them on social media so you’ll know as soon as one of the frequently held sales is on.

How to get from the airport in Manila

Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) is composed of four terminals, with a free shuttle connecting them all. It’s only seven kilometres from Manila and takes around 20 minutes by car. To get to Manila city centre, you can catch a jeepney to the Baclaran transport hub (10 minutes from the airport), or you can take a shuttle from Terminal 3. From there, the Metro-Rail goes to the city. There are private airport buses every 15 minutes and a city bus goes from Terminals 1 and 2. You should also inquire with your hotel about airport transfers.

To catch a taxi, it’s best to buy a coupon at a counter in the airport terminal so you pay a flat rate according to your destination. You can also flag down a yellow taxi outside the terminal, but these tend to be more pricey. Several car rental companies operate at the airport with desks in the terminal. If you’re only staying in Manila, it’s better to rely on the public transport system, which includes Metro and Light Rail, than trying to negotiate the city’s traffic.