Last updated Jun 2026
Philippines
Everything you need before landing in the Philippines: visa requirements, best eSIM plans, Manila airport transport options, ATM tips, and essential apps.
Visa
| Passport | Status | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧UK | Visa-free | 30 days | Free |
| 🇺🇸USA | Visa-free | 30 days | Free |
| 🇦🇺Australia | Visa-free | 30 days | Free |
| 🇪🇺EU countries | Visa-free | 30 days | Free |
| 🇨🇳China | Visa-free (temporary) | 14 days | Free |
| 🇮🇳India | Visa-free | 14 days | Free |
Visa rules change. Always confirm your requirements at the official Philippines Bureau of Immigration site before you travel.
eTravel registration required before boarding
All travellers must register at etravel.gov.ph within 72 hours before arrival. It's free — you receive a QR code that airlines check before you board.
eSIM / SIM card
Buy before you fly — an eSIM activates automatically when you land, no airport queue needed. Prices are approximate USD and may vary.
Short stay — up to 10 days
Long stay — 10 to 30 days
Airport Transport
MNL – Ninoy Aquino International (NAIA)
Philippines' main international hub — 4 terminals; T1, T2, T3 serve international flights
| Option | Time | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grab Designated Grab pick-up zones outside arrivals at each terminal — confirm your zone in the Grab app before exiting | 30–75 min depending on traffic | PHP 200–500 (~$4–9) to Makati/BGC | Door-to-door with fixed price; best for heavy bags or late arrivals |
| Yellow taxi (MIAA-accredited, metered)Always available Official taxi queue inside arrivals — do not accept any driver who approaches you in the hall | 45–75 min | PHP 330–600 (~$6–11) to Makati/BGC; metered | No smartphone needed; available 24/7 |
| UBE Express busBudget Departs from Terminal 3 primarily — take the NAIA Loop shuttle (PHP 50) if you arrive at T1 or T2; routes to Pasay (PITX), Makati, BGC, and Cubao | 45–90 min | PHP 150–200 (~$2.60–3.50) | Budget travel with light luggage; pay with cash or Beep card |
Ignore everyone inside the arrivals hall
NAIA is notorious for airport fixers and unofficial taxis charging 3–5× proper fares. Walk past anyone approaching you, exit the terminal, and use only the official yellow taxi queue inside arrivals or the Grab pick-up zones outside. Never hand your luggage to anyone who approaches you unsolicited.
Cash & ATMs
Verdict
The Philippines is moderately cash-dependent. Street food, markets, jeepneys, tricycles, and most local restaurants are cash-only. Cards are accepted at malls, chain restaurants, and mid-range hotels. Keep PHP 2,000–3,000 on hand at all times.
ATMs
Most Philippine ATMs charge PHP 250–300 (~$4.40–5.30) per foreign card withdrawal regardless of amount. HSBC ATMs are the exception — no surcharge for foreign cards, with a single withdrawal limit of PHP 40,000 (~$700). Withdraw larger amounts (PHP 10,000+) to minimise the per-transaction fee. Use a Wise or Revolut card to offset the cost.
Tipping
Not mandatory but appreciated. Leave 10% at sit-down restaurants if no service charge is included, and round up taxi fares. Not expected at street food stalls or carinderia (local diners).
Essential Apps
Grab
Ride-hailing and food delivery across 20+ Philippine cities. The go-to app for safe, fixed-price transport from NAIA and Cebu airport.
Google Maps
Essential for navigation — download Manila or Cebu offline before landing. Works reliably throughout the Philippines.
GCash
Philippines' dominant e-wallet for QR payments at markets, stalls, and transport. Requires a Philippine mobile number to set up — easier once you have a local SIM.
InDrive
Ride-hailing alternative to Grab where you negotiate the fare — often cheaper for longer trips across Metro Manila.
foodpanda
Food delivery in Metro Manila, Cebu, and other major cities. A widely used alternative to GrabFood.
First Day Tips
- 1Register on eTravel (etravel.gov.ph) within 72 hours before your flight — it's free and airlines routinely turn away passengers who haven't completed it. Do it the morning before departure, not at the gate.
- 2At NAIA, walk past anyone approaching you inside arrivals and go directly to the official yellow taxi queue or the Grab pick-up zones outside the terminal. A metered yellow taxi to Makati runs PHP 330–440 — any 'fixed rate' you're offered inside the hall will be significantly higher.
- 3Withdraw PHP 3,000–5,000 at a bank ATM once you reach the city rather than at the airport — the PHP 250–300 withdrawal fee is the same everywhere, but city exchange rates are better. Keep this cash for jeepneys, street food, and cash-only vendors on your first day.
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