Flights from Auckland to Manila, Philippines

As the capital of the Philippines, Manila is a large and thriving city with lots to offer all kinds of travelers. Fashionistas will appreciate the chic malls filled with designer clothing, while history buffs can walk the walls of the Fort Santiago to find out more about the city’s past. A true blend of the traditional and the futuristic, in Manila you can see massive skyscrapers glimmering in the sun or take a trip to the grand Manila Cathedral, which is a colonial treasure dating back to 1541. When you need to eat, check into one of the city’s new breed of modern Asian restaurants or try a tasty local snack from a street vendor.

Flying to Manila

1. Which airports serve Auckland to Manila?

Flights leave for Manila from Auckland Airport, the largest international airport in New Zealand and is located 15km from the city center. Arriving in the Philippines, travelers touch down at Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport, which receives both domestic and international traffic. It is 13km from central Manila.

2. Which airlines operate flights from Auckland to Manila?

Direct flights to Manila from Auckland are provided by Philippine Airlines. Qantas and Malaysia Airlines also have regular flights, but these are not direct.

3. How long is the flight?

A direct flight from Auckland to Manila will take 10 hours and 25 minutes, but for flights which include a stopover, this can increase to 17 hours and 20 minutes. Auckland is 4 hours ahead of local Manila time.

4. Climate changes between Auckland and Manila

In Auckland overcast weather is rare, the area is mainly bathed in warm sun with rains falling from May to August. Manila is a tropical location with just as much heat. Heavy rains fall between May and November, but the temperatures remain consistently high all year round.

5. Culture differences and need-to-know

The official currency in Manila is the Philippine Peso, there are many banks and ATMs where it can be withdrawn but money exchanges are also located around the city. An extra 10% is often added on to credit card transactions but MasterCard and Visa are a popular form of payment. To enter the Philippines from New Zealand, travelers need an onward ticket, but a visa of 21 days will be automatically granted.

Manila Information

Both of these sunbaked cities have populations of around 1.5 million people but in Manila, the crowds are more densely packed, so it could feel considerably busier than Auckland! Public transport in Manila is adequate – try one of the colorful jeepneys, many of which are now electrically powered.

You can meet some of the locals at Binondo, the oldest Chinatown in the world, there are specialty shops, cool cafes and a huge arch which serves as an entrance way. At the Quiapo Church, you’ll find one of the city’s quirkiest markets, as trinket sellers sit alongside fortune tellers and many stalls packed with homemade candles for sale. After a shopping trip to the Mall of Asia, step outside to Manila Bay, then grab an ice cream as the sun begins to set. Day trips to Mount Taal, the world’s tiniest active volcano, are a popular excursion. You can ride a boat out to the little volcanic island, then take in the sprawling crater views.