Asia - Manila international flight connect to domestic, minimum time?

Hi all,

Soon I'll be flying into Manila (for the first time) from Singapore on SQ, and then thinking of connecting to a domestic Cebu Pacific flight to Kalibo (Boracay). Looking at the schedule, it seems I'll have two hours if I try this. Is this a realistic idea? I know they operate from different terminals. I will not have bags to check, if that helps.

Is that enough time to clear immigration, go to the other terminal, and re-check myself in?

Caveat: I've never done this particular connection so might have the details hugely wrong, this is just based on observation. Someone correct me if I am totally wrong!

It should be possible, although I'd feel a bit more comfortable with 2.5 hours. The problem is you will have THREE lines to navigate: one for immigration and then a second, usually shorter one, to get an airport taxi to the Cebu Pacific terminal. Finally, there would be the check-in line for Cebu Pacific.

At MNL, there is a taxi monopoly and the fares are significantly higher than what they should be. Still this one should be only on the order of $5-10 max (about 3 - 5 times what it would be if there was no monopoly).

When you come out of the terminal building, you have to cross a small roadway in front of the terminal and go into another building to get a piece of paper with your destination written on it (this is not well marked). Then you have to wait in line for a taxi to your destination.

The taxis take PHP so you will also need to go to an ATM (to your left after you exit customs) to get some local currency if you don't have any.

The taxi ride is about 10 mins max, worst case. It is NOT walking distance, I regularly pass (what I think is) the Cebu Pacific domestic terminal when taking the cab from MNL to my hotel.

2 hrs is cutting it close as that does not give you an allowance for any delays that could occur, and also depends if you arrive during peak time causing long lines to clear immigration. it is doable but you will be in a big rush especially if your SQ flight gets delayed.

Perhaps you may want to consider other airlines to consider connecting to such as the flights that directly go to Caticlan instead of Kalibo by Asian Spirt or SEAir. They are more expensive but convenient, although I am not sure how the connections will work for these flights.