A Guide To Exploring Manila During A Layover

If you’re flying to America from Southeast Asia, a really common layover is the capital city of the Philippines, Manila.

And often the layovers in Manila are over 8 hours due to the scheduling of the incoming/outgoing flights.

If you’ve flown through Manila before, then you know the airport is really, really unimpressive. It’s cramped and despite the large number of layovers that happen in Manila, there is almost nothing there.

Trust me when I say, you do not want to spend more than a few hours here.

There is absolutely no reason to NOT go explore Manila during a long layover!

(Although you might hear people say it isn’t worth it because of the traffic.)

But if you adventure out for the day, there are a few things to know which will make your day go a lot more smoothly!

Check Your Luggage Through To Final Destination

Save yourself the hassle of dragging your luggage on your layover.

Have a small day bag packed as your carry on so you can send your luggage through to your final destination.

This is much simpler than trying to pay for luggage storage or carting everything around with you!

Use Angkas To Get Around Manila And Avoid Traffic

Angkas is just like Uber but for motorbikes! It’s convenient, easy to use and really inexpensive. Plus it’s a great (and fun!) way to see the city as you cruise around on the back of a bike!

Your driver will provide you with a helmet and can take you into the city or drop you off at your accommodation.

Using Angkas also has a MAJOR benefit- you can cut through traffic. This is a huge time saver in Manila. Everything you read online about the city will warn you about the awful, stand still traffic.

Some people don’t even leave the airport because of it. With Angkas, I found it wasn’t a problem AT ALL.

The rides are incredibly cheap but be sure to exchange some money at the airport for the Philippine peso because you will have to pay your driver in cash.

You can expect to your pay around 150 Philippine peso (about $3 USD) to get from the airport to the Makati neighborhood/city center.

Grab- The Uber Of Southeast Asia

If you have a large suitcase with you, the weather is terrible or you don’t want to ride on the back of a motorbike, you can use the other app, Grab.

This will allow you to order a car instead of just a motorbike.

You can pay by card and avoid getting ripped off by taxis! It’s the same as Uber but for Southeast Asia.

Accommodation In Manila During An Overnight Layover

Depending when you land, you may still need accommodation for the night.

My flight landed at 11pm so I opted to book a room in a hostel, get some sleep and spend the next day exploring!

Makati Neighborhood

To help avoid the horrible Manila traffic, I recommend staying in the Makati neighborhood which is easily accessible from the airport.

Great Mid-Range Hotel: City Garden Grand Hotel

This hotel has as great rooftop with city views and a pool.

Great budget choice: Z Hostel

If you’re looking for a good budget option, I recommend Z Hostel. This is where I personally stayed during my layover.

It has an awesome rooftop bar with a gorgeous view of Manila.

Z Hostel also includes breakfast and has a really nice cafe for lunch!

Address: 5660 Don Pedro, Makati, 1209 Metro Manila

Airbnb Experiences

Night markets, guided walks, Instagram photo shoots, horseback rides to a nearby volcano… Airbnb has no shortage of experiences in Manila that you can book during your layover!

Check out all the amazing & highly rated Airbnb Ex periences in Manila!

I personally recommend Hidden Gems of Manila with Venus if you only have a short amount of time! It’s an inexpensive option and it’s lovely to have someone local show you around. The host, Venus, is a joy to be around!

Full of energy and very enthusiastic, it was great to learn about Manila from someone who grew up there. You can check out her Instagram: @flameexplorer. She hosts a variety of experiences!

*Spending the morning with Venus in Manila!*

Go with a local guide

With limited time in a large city, I found it helpful to be shown around by a guide.

In addition to Airbnb Experience, you can also find day tour options for Manila on Get Your Guide or Viator.

For instance, this Manila food tour on Viator is highly rated and a great introduction to Filipino street food.

Cheap Manicures, Pedicures & Massages

Be sure to take advantage of the awesomely low prices of any spa or beauty treatment while in Manila! It’s a great way to unwind from your long flight.

Museums in Manila

Looking for something to do in the afternoon? Manila has a number of free or inexpensive museums you can visit!

Check out the National Museum of Anthropology, San Agustin Museum, Ayala Museum or the National Museum.

All are excellent options!

Ride in a Jeepney

You can’t come to Manila and not ride in some of the VERY interesting public transportation.

These jeepneys are everywhere and look like something out of Mad Max.

It all seems very apocalyptic with their beat up exteriors and spray painted graffiti designs.

*Warning: Manila Traffic

If you read anything online about having a layover in Manila, everyone stresses that the traffic is HORRIBLE.

For once in my life I was nervous to leave the airport during a layover because the Internet made it seem like the route back could end up taking hours, resulting in a missed flight.

I truly didn’t find traffic to be an issue.

Just follow my previous advice: stay in a neighborhood near the airport, ride on a motorbike instead to cruise right past stand still traffic and allow yourself extra time.

Enjoy Manila 🙂