By Plane--Air travel is the only sure bet to get to the Philippines. There are no regular passenger ships to the country. A few cruise ships stop here, but not long enough to allow passengers much time to explore the country.
Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport is the main port of entry, followed by Cebu's Mactan International Airport (flights from Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan).
From the U.S. & Canada--Flying in from the U.S. or Canada will take you, including stopovers, about 24 hours from the East Coast, 14-18 hours from the West Coast. Bring your fluffy socks and lots of books for this long flight. You will lose at least 12 hours going, but when you return to the U.S. you will arrive before you left, thanks to that mysterious International Date Line. Airlines with service to Manila include: Cathay Pacific; Continental; Japan Airlines; Korean; Northwest; Philippine Airlines (PAL); and United.
Almost as fast as Philippine Airlines went out of business, it came back again, although with limited service. Check with them for promotional fares or updated routes. PAL has Canadian offices in Vancouver and Toronto, and Cathay Pacific offers regular flights between Vancouver and Manila, with a stopover in Hong Kong.
From the U.K.--British Airways, Philippine Airlines and several European airlines fly from London to Manila.
From Australia--Flying to Australia is quite expensive, but this can be sidestepped if you use Manila as a stopover to other European, North American, or Asian destinations. PAL offers service to the continent. Qantas Airlines flies from Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, and Sydney. Air Niugini flies to Manila with a stopover in Port Moresby. STA is one of the best discount agencies, with offices in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Brisbane, and Hobart.
From New Zealand--Thai Airways International offers the cheapest flights, via Bangkok. Because there are no direct flights from New Zealand to Manila, there are few bargains.
Airport Taxis--In Manila, airport taxis (private companies that serve the airport) will be waiting to take you to any part of the city. Rates are usually fixed; to Makati, the upscale business district, or Ermita, the tourist area, expect to pay about P500. This is much higher than regular taxis but more hassle-free, as you won't have to bargain with the driver or worry about his not using the meter or taking a roundabout route.
Regular, metered taxis are on the upper level of the airport. The ride should be between P70 and P100. Insist on the meter, and if they don't cooperate, just get another taxi.
Most of the major hotels in Manila provide an airport taxi service. If you have made reservations, your name will appear on a list that the dispatcher has handy, and he will signal for the taxi to take you to the hotel. The amount--usually from P450 to P600--will be charged to your bill. It's the most hassle-free way to go, especially when you are jet-lagged.
