Ninoy Aquino Airport (MNL)

About Ninoy Aquino Airport

Also known as Manila Airport, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport is the main transportation hub of Manila. It is located on the border of the small cities of Parañaque and Pasa in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Named after Senator Ninoy Aquino Junior, who was assassinated at the airport in 1983, the busy hub handles more than 45 million visitors per year. 

What used to be considered one of the worst airports in the country is now one of the best. Granted, it began (and still is) as a military base, so it lacks in some of the pleasantries you may expect at a major airport. However, there are quite a few unexpected bonuses here and there. For example, there are five lounges, with two at Terminal 1 and three at Terminal 3, where you can enjoy comfortable seating, food, drinks, and other amenities. 

If you get hungry, there are 11 eateries to choose from, with most of them at Terminal 3, where they have a Food Hall. All Terminals have retail shops such as the Duty-Free Philippines retailers at Terminals 1, 2, and 3. You can even find handcrafted items so you can pick up some souvenirs while you are there. 

When taxiing on the runway, book your luggage storage in Manila on the Bounce app, if you have a layover or visit planned to the city.

Fun Fact: The Filipinos are very superstitious so you will not find the 13th floor in any building anywhere in the Philippines.

Things to do in and Near Ninoy Aquino Airport

Whether you just have a couple of hours or the whole day, there is plenty to see at the airport and in Manila. Don't miss our favorites. 

• Try some fried chicken at Jollibee, which is the Philippines largest fast-food restaurant chain
• Get some unique souvenirs at Preclaro’s at Terminal 1 or Tesoro’s Philippine Handicrafts at Terminal 1 or 3
• Visit the Philippine Air Force Aerospace Museum right there on the airport grounds
• Take a shower or nap at one of the five lounges at the airport
• Stop in one of the chapels for some prayer or peace and quiet
• Play a round of golf at the Villamor Air Base Golf Course on Sales Road 
• Take a walk along the bay on the Manila Baywalk on Roxas Boulevard
• See the city from the top of the Mall of Asia’s Ferris wheel 180 feet in the air

Transit Options Near Ninoy Aquino Airport

• Point-to-Point Bus
• UBE Express
• City Bus
• Airport Minibus
• Jeepney
• Taxi
• Rideshare apps

Luggage Storage Near Ninoy Aquino Airport

You do not have to bring your bags with you everywhere you go near the Ninoy Aquino Airport. Keep them safe and sound at one of our local Bounce locations while you enjoy the many attractions. We've partnered with vetted companies to store your belongings in a safe spot for as long as you need. Even if you are a local leaving work or the gym, our partners can hang onto your things, so you don’t have to go all the way back home. 

Luggage Storage Options Near Ninoy Aquino Airport 

When you are in a new city, it is customary to try the local cuisine, and Manila is a great place to do that. They have several eateries both inside the airport and the surrounding area to choose from. Do some shopping, learn the culture, or take advantage of one of the lovely parks in the area. Download our Bounce app so you can drop off your bags first. 

Luggage Storage Near the Mind Museum 

If you want to learn more about science, visit the Mind Museum on 3rd Avenue, about 20 minutes from the airport. The museum boasts over 53,000 square feet of cool science exhibits on two floors with more than 250 interactive displays. The five different galleries take you on a journey through atoms, life, earth, universe, and technology. Each one has a major exhibit that it is centered on. For example, the Atom Gallery looks at the smallest elements, like electromagnetism and gravity. The Life Gallery describes habitats and organisms on the planet. You can learn more about dinosaurs in the Earth Gallery. Outer space is the focus of the Universe Gallery. And the Technology Gallery is the largest one, with examples of how we live, who we are, how we know, how things work, and here to there. Leave your luggage with one of our Bounce affiliates before heading to the museum because they are not allowed. 

Luggage Storage Near the National Museum of Natural History

About 25 minutes from the airport on Teodoro F. Valencia Circle, the National Museum of Natural History is a fantastic way to learn more about the Manila area and the Philippines. With six floors of exhibits, you may need more than one visit to appreciate it all. The first floor is the Tree of Life and access to the lower courtyard and visitor services. The second floor is the most popular, with the largest crocodile skeleton in the Philippines. Several permanent and rotating galleries make up the third and fourth floors, such as the rainforest, mangroves, and marine realm. The fifth floor has exhibits about the Philippine biodiversity, geology of the Philippines, minerals and energy resources, and the life and time of the Philippines. You will want your camera for this visit, so don’t forget to get it out of your bag before dropping it off with one of our Bounce partners in the area. 

Luggage Storage Near Rizal Park 

Just to the west of the National Museum of Natural History on Roxas Boulevard, Rizal Park is a large green space with 140 acres to explore and enjoy. Take a walk along the path in the Chinese and Japanese Gardens, where you’ll see hundreds of native flowers and plants. The National Planetarium, next door to the garden, is a fascinating place to learn about the stars. The park also boasts several monuments such as the Martyrdom of Rizal Diorama, Dr. Jose Rizal National Monument, and Rizal’s Execution Site Historical Marker. The National Library of the Philippines is a must-see for book lovers and history buffs. And be sure to stop by the visitors’ center before leaving where you can learn more about the park and the area around it. Just find the closest Bounce location to leave your bags before going because you are not supposed to bring them into the park.