MNL Int-Dom transfer

[DrA]

Hi all,

This will be my first time transferring to a domestic flight in MNL directly from an international arrival. I've just put flights for CNS-MNL-CEB with PR on hold, so would be arriving into T2 (at 0320) and also departing from T2 (at 0555). I've been reading about the horrors of connecting in MNL, but it all seems to be an issue with changing terminals. Is a 2.5 hour connection enough for an Int-Dom connection if both the arriving and departing flights are in the same terminal? Presumably PR can check my bag through from CNS to CEB and I don't need to pick it up in MNL? Or if I do need to pick it up to clear customs in MNL, is there a transfer desk after customs for doing a bag drop since it's a same airline and same terminal connection?

Would appreciate any info, because all I seem to be able to find is transfer info if you're going from T2 to T1 or T3, not if you're staying in T2.

 

[elan]

Not sure if this helps, but last month I flew out ofterminal two. My flight was at 6.55am, I arrived just before 5am and was in theterminal within 15mins. Luckily I purchased a PE seat on PR which got me loungeaccess, I was told that due to security, two hours minimum is required to get into the departure area . If your flight is at 0555 I wouldn’t be too concerned as the number of people in the terminal will be relatively low.

 

[whughes3]

You will have to collect your bag and clear customs (this is the case pretty well everywhere); but after this it will be fairly painless, just go over to domestic checkin. As elan says, it will probably be fairly quiet at that time.

 

[Slime]

Yes the transfer should be painless as it is the same terminal and airline. Just need to take care that no one gets the opportunity to slip a bullet inside your bag.
Not completely sure about the bag but maybe just ask when u check in at CNS but I suspect whughes3 is correct as u will be transferring to a domestic flight.

 

[albatross710]

Are you booked on the same PRN with PR? If so they will manage the connection time in the event of an incoming delay. They have many services onto CEB each day so it's no major issue if you miss your immediate connection due to a delay.

As for getting through immigration and baggage collection, that is one of life's great mysteries there. I've usually walked the terminal, gone through immigration and waiting for the baggage. Has taken up to one hour.

You also have to take consideration that you need to check your bag with enough time for it to make it. I think that's 30 minutes before the domestic departure.

If it's not too late.....do take up the preferred seating on PR domestic flights, at just AU$8, it's a good ROI.

Consider when you arrive at 3:30am you will feel like cough. You will be boarding CNS about 11pm to then get a few hours broken kip to then negotiate NAIA.

Also, on arrival there are the free Globe SIMs which I always grab one. So you can score one in MNL & one in CEB. They do come in handy or you can give them away.

It's more fun in the Philippines.

 

[YSSY]

PR to PR is piece of cake, other then a direct into Cebu (via Hong Kong, Doha, Singapore etc) its probably the best way to do it.

I had the misfortunate of living in Cebu for several years whilst flying in and out regularly and was often flown via Manila but having to transfer to Terminal 1, and transferring terminals in Manila could be a nightmare, in fact even with 2-3 hours between flights I missed flights changing terminals due to traffic on several occasions. I would be happy to never set foot in that country ever again.

 

[JohnK]

Agree the transfer is now painless. I did similar transfer in March and the transfer bus goes past domestic terminal.

 

[Simo]

Expect the unexpected and you will be fine and make sure you don't cut your time between flight tight as you have a huge chance of missing connections. If all with the one airline and no change of terminals you should be fine

 

[Melburnian1]

The PR staff typically take your bag after you remove it from the carousel, and then tag it for (in this case) CEB.

It is a well organised process and painless. The should also be a transfer desk at one end of arrivals at T2 if I recall where you can sort out any boarding pass problems (although as with many airlines, in CNS you may well receive a boarding pass for the two sectors).

The days of difficult inter-terminal transfers in MNL should be mostly over now that 'inside airport' buses offer fairly quick transfers between each terminal for those with onward flights.

A lot of information on the Internet hasn't caught up with these newish airside buses that are a vast improvement on having to negotiate busy external roads.

MNL - CEB is the MEL - SYD of Philippines and while the frequencies are not yet at 90 flights per day total from all airlines, the number of flights PR has each day is reasonable - so if you miss the 0555 hours flight you should not be delayed more than another couple of hours (although to be delayed for even five minutes after a sleepless night on a narrowbody is not something you may aspire to).

 

[DrA]

Thanks everyone. It's ticketed now, so all same PNR. I figure if I miss the connection PR will sort it out and I can just jump on the next one.

Had a quick look at the arrivals info, and there doesn't seem to be much going on at MNL T2 at 0330'ish, so hopefully will clear formalities pretty quickly and be on my way.

 

[Lionel Hutz]

Thanks everyone. It's ticketed now, so all same PNR. I figure if I miss the connection PR will sort it out and I can just jump on the next one.

Had a quick look at the arrivals info, and there doesn't seem to be much going on at MNL T2 at 0330'ish, so hopefully will clear formalities pretty quickly and be on my way.

I've always breezed through (maybe I've just been repeatedly lucky) so I think you're pretty safe at that time of the morning