Overnight in MNL airport

[JohnK]

What have I gotten myself into?

I was trying to use my BMI miles when the announcements were made back in April and I did not have a flexible travel period and could not get to BKK or TPE so I settled for MNL. My flight does not get in until 10:40pm and I suspect by the time I clear immigration and collect luggage that it will be well after midnight. Flight the next morning is at 6:20am.

It is almost not worth booking a hotel to only return in a few hours and the Marriott wants 2 arms and a leg for the privilege of staying there.

Is the airport as bad as what is posted on the internet? Or are these just some random incidents that could happen anywhere. Is corruption that bad? I have spent time at most airports in SE Asia and everyone of these has been civilised. I cannot believe that MNL would be any different.

Any thoughts or advice? I have no issues spending a few hours in an airport overnight as long as my safety is not compromised.

 

[mella2007]

I have heard various reports of the airport there over the years....all terrible. Beggars, Thieves, dirty...
However I believe now they have new toilets, carpet and seating in some areas.
Personally I wouldn't...is there no hotel closer or cheaper than the Marriott near the airport?

 

[Ric]

John,
I would'nt risk it. Get a cab and go over to Resorts World (yes, casino integrated with Marriott) get a drink or coffee and walk around for couple of hours or sit and listen to some live music inside the gaming area and then head back to the airport.....problem I see is your luggage which i have no idea of what to do with it!

 

[dajop]

What have I gotten myself into?

I was trying to use my BMI miles when the announcements were made back in April and I did not have a flexible travel period and could not get to BKK or TPE so I settled for MNL. My flight does not get in until 10:40pm and I suspect by the time I clear immigration and collect luggage that it will be well after midnight. Flight the next morning is at 6:20am.

It is almost not worth booking a hotel to only return in a few hours and the Marriott wants 2 arms and a leg for the privilege of staying there.

Is the airport as bad as what is posted on the internet? Or are these just some random incidents that could happen anywhere. Is corruption that bad? I have spent time at most airports in SE Asia and everyone of these has been civilised. I cannot believe that MNL would be any different.

Any thoughts or advice? I have no issues spending a few hours in an airport overnight as long as my safety is not compromised.

Not sure if you will have lounge access, but there are some pay lounges airside that may be worth considering if you can do a transit (can through check luggage). Landside could be difficult and you may not even get back into the airport until check in opens. However I'd guess at that time of night, the Marriott isn't really that much closer to T1 than any of the Makati hotels, so for a taxi fare ($6-$7) you can get to probably get to a cheaper hotel if you have concerns (Certainly at 4 in the morning, it is only 15-20mins from Makati). You may or may not be lucky with arrival depends on how many other flights arrive before you but you could get out in 30 mins. With no luggage I've been landside within 10 mins of landing a couple of times.

I have never encountered anything waywardly corrupt or dangerous at the airport, but have never been there late at night, always during afternoon or early evening. And had less issues with extortionate taxi drivers not wanting to use the meter than I have in BKK (just use the official desks).

Ignore all above just read Ric's reply. Great idea.

 

[JohnK]

Thanks guys all good advice.

Not sure about checked luggage. I am travelling SYD-BKK the short way! The route is a complex one (would you expect any different from me?) and goes something like this

SYD-ICN-MNL (OZ)
MNL-HKG-TPE-HKG-BKK (CX)

If I can somehow check luggage through SYD-ICN-MNL-HKG.... then I am laughing but I suspect this will not be possible due to overnight transit in MNL and *Alliance and Oneworld carriers mix.

I can book a room at Manila Airport Hotel which I believe is nearby and has a shuttle for 100-150 Pesos each way. Personally I do not want to go to hotel for a couple of hours and return to airport at 3:00am-4:00am as I am not likely to get any sleep and it may not be wise to sleep as I may not wake up in time.

Or I can just sit outside for a few hours in the heat and drink some beers. As long as I know it is relatively safe.

Resorts World sounds like an alternative but what do I do with checked luggage? I guess I can take it with me but it is a lot to carry around.

Decisions, decisions....

 

[meloz]

I tried to enter the terminal about 7 years ago without a print out of my e-ticket and was forced to visit the QF office to obtain a print out of my booking. I thought this eliminated anyone entering the landside departures area without a ticket e.g beggars.

I considered it safe during my 2 visits just not as nice as other SEA airports. You might get offered several hundred watches while you drink those beers outside though. The QF and CX lounges were very average.

Meloz

 

[Limewood]

Went through Manila airport April last, departure lounge chockers, hot food was available in smoking room yes really. Going between dom/int. hoards of people and touts at least your time should be OK, best bet as they say go to nearest hotel (eatery) and stay there for a while.

 

[richie9x]

About a 6 weeks ago I did a similar connection to you.

Landing was delayed due to congestion which I gather is fairly typical. Arriving at terminal 1, passing immigration and collecting bag was surprisingly fast (although I was first off the plane). Maybe 20 minutes from landing to getting land side.

I stayed at the Manila airport hotel . There was a free shuttle bus from the airport. The hotel was very close to terminal 1 so could have actually walked, there are beggars in the area so probably not a very pleasant walk. The hotel is not very flash. Just really a comfortable bed and a clean bathroom which is enough for me. The air con was quite noisy. Got up early at 4am and took the hotel shuttle to terminal 3.

There are some better hotels a bit further out. Also Makati isn't that far away either.

For all the bad press MNL isn't all that bad. Terminal 3 is actually quite good I would rate it better than some Australian terminals. Terminal 1 is getting a bit old and crowded. Certainly it isn't up to the standards of BKK, KUL or SIN. Certainly there is room for improvement. To me it does seem quite similar in standards to CGK or other older airport in Philippines or Indonesia.

There didn't seem to be a lot of seating in the airport. Not sure if there is any area where you could have a nap in the airport. There are no departures from terminal 1 between midnight and 5:30am so they might kick you out. Or at least there might not be much open overnight.

 

[JohnK]

Decided to book a room at the Nichols Airport Hotel if only to have somewhere to sit and wait for a few hours. Room rate was only AUD47 which I thought was quite cheap.

Now to try and work out how to book the hotel airport shuttle and where to exchange some money. Obviously Travelex is totally out of the question but I could get some Pesos at Kings Currency exchange or risk it for arrival in MNL ~11:00pm.

 

[extracta]

I have seen the corruption at the airport first hand (and elsewhere as well).

It is not worth considering staying at the airport especially if you have your golf clubs.

A few extra dollars spent here to ensure safety is IMHO worthwhile.

I would recommend using pre-arranged/hotel transport as well.

 

[whughes3]

Decided to book a room at the Nichols Airport Hotel if only to have somewhere to sit and wait for a few hours. Room rate was only AUD47 which I thought was quite cheap.

Now to try and work out how to book the hotel airport shuttle and where to exchange some money. Obviously Travelex is totally out of the question but I could get some Pesos at Kings Currency exchange or risk it for arrival in MNL ~11:00pm.

It is unlikely that any of the bank branches in the arrivals area will still be open at that time, but there are several ATM's there which could be of use. Note that these are *before* you go out the main doors, so locate them before you find yourself stuck outside!

 

[JohnK]

Just a quick update.

I go some currency exchange in Brisbane on Thursday and the rate was 38.26 and 39.25 which I thought was Ok.

ICN-MNL Flight was delayed and got in just after 11:00pm and took almost an hour to get through immigration which is an unorganised mess. I have never seen anything like it anywhere. The bags were checked SYD-ICN-MNL-HKG-TPE which meant I did not have to collect them.

The currency exchange was open and the exchange was 41.4! :shock:

I did not organise transport with hotel as booking was made with Rates to Go so now how to get a taxi. The touts outside wanted 600 pesos so I went to official desk and was given a voucher for "meter" taxi and I would just need to pay meter only. He wanted a "tip for me" as well so gave him 50 Pesos. The "meter" started at 250 pesos and clocked up about 10 pesos and taxi fare turned out to be 490 Pesos. I find it hard to believe that a 5 minute trip in an "official" taxi was 500 pesos. So I told him that and just handed over money and went to check-in at hotel.

Hotel was OK and I managed to get 3 hours sleep. Booked the hotel shuttle back to airport which was only 300 pesos.

Turns out my bags were waiting with OZ staff in MNL. Just as well I checked. So now bags are checked through MNL-HKG-TPE and I have to collect them again for TPE-HKG-BKK. At least I did not have to worry about them on this transit. Did not have to pay the 550 Pesos departure fee thanks to OZ agent and I got an express clearance through immigration and security from CX agent.

Sitting in the MNL CX First Lounge now on my own.

Better prepared for next time....