Major city · Philippines
Pasay
Stay in Pasay only for the airport or a Bay City event: 1 night, or 2 if you have a Mall of Asia show. Skip the rest of the city.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- PHP
- Best months
- Dec–May (dry season)
- avoid Jun–Nov (rain and typhoon season), Holy Week and Christmas–New Year for airport crowds
- Airport
- MNL
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Philippines ↗Complete the free eTravel registration on the official government site within 72 hours before arrival; ignore lookalike sites that charge.
- Philippines ↗Typhoon season runs roughly June to November: flights and boats are cancelled at short notice; buy flexible tickets and keep a spare day.
- Philippines ↗Carry pesos in small notes; many stalls, jeepneys and taxis are cash-only.
Pasay is the city around Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the reclaimed Bay City strip, where SM Mall of Asia, the MOA Arena and the convention centres sit. It is a practical base for a late arrival or an early flight, not a sightseeing destination. Most travellers give it one night and move on to Manila or the islands.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Pasay, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Philippine pesos (₱) in small notes for jeepneys, market stalls, tips and taxis; malls and hotels take cards.Philippines-wide
- SIM or eSIMGlobe and Smart sell SIMs at airports; SIM registration with passport is required by law.Philippines-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; refill stations cheap.Philippines-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% if no service charge.Philippines-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Philippines-wide
- SafetyPasay is fine by day in Bay City and Newport City; the EDSA–Taft area is rough after dark.
- RestroomsCalled 'CR' (comfort room); bring tissue; many lack toilet seats.Philippines-wide
- Emergency numbers911 National emergency
- Sundays & holidaysHoly Week shuts much; malls open daily; banks closed weekends.Philippines-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMNL Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) (Terminals 1–4 sit inside Pasay; Terminal 3 is the main international one for many carriers.
- Getting aroundLRT-1 and MRT-3 meet at EDSA–Taft (Pasay Rotonda).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee₱120–220 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealNoodle or rice meal at a mall food court₱150–300 (≈ US$3–6)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a convenience store₱150–250 (≈ US$3–5)₱60–120 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 mi5 km ride-hail3.1 mi ride-hailSurge pricing in rain and at peak hours.₱200–350 (≈ US$4–7)
- Metro or bus rideLRT-1 or MRT-3 ride₱15–35 (≈ under US$1) (check)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week₱400–800 (≈ US$8–15)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum or attraction entry₱200–1,500 (≈ US$4–30)
- Budget bedHostel or budget-room bed, a night, per person₱600 (≈ US$11)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per room₱3,500 (≈ US$65)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per room₱7,000 (≈ US$130)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₱1,500 (≈ US$30) · Mid ₱3,500 (≈ US$65) · High ₱7,000 (≈ US$130)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MNL Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) (Terminals 1–4 sit inside Pasay; Terminal 3 is the main international one for many carriers. Allow 1–2 h by road to Makati or Manila in traffic.)
Weather and climate
Pasay: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C86°F
23°C73°F
4 rd
Feb
31°C88°F
23°C73°F
3 rd
Mar
32°C90°F
24°C75°F
3 rd
Apr
34°C93°F
25°C77°F
4 rd
May
34°C93°F
26°C79°F
9 rd
Jun
33°C91°F
26°C79°F
15 rd
Jul
32°C90°F
25°C77°F
18 rd
Aug
31°C88°F
25°C77°F
19 rd
Sep
31°C88°F
25°C77°F
18 rd
Oct
31°C88°F
25°C77°F
15 rd
Nov
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
10 rd
Dec
30°C86°F
23°C73°F
7 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
LRT-1 and MRT-3 meet at EDSA–Taft (Pasay Rotonda). Jeepneys and tricycles cover short hops; tricycle fares should not exceed about ₱200 — agree first. Ride-hailing (Grab) is the practical option for the airport and Bay City. Driving yourself is not advised: EDSA, Roxas Boulevard and Macapagal Boulevard jam most of the day.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 45–60 min
LRT-1 from EDSA–Taft to Central Terminal, about 25 min
The real sightseeing day; go early to beat the heat.
Makati
goDoor to door: About 30 min
MRT-3 from Taft Avenue to Ayala, about 15 min
Museums, malls and evening restaurants.
Quezon City
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
MRT-3 from Taft Avenue north, 40–50 min
Long ride; only for a specific sight or event.
Taguig (BGC)
goDoor to door: About 45–75 min
Ride-hail or bus via EDSA, 30–60 min depending on traffic
Modern dining and shopping district.
Parañaque (PITX and Entertainment City)
goDoor to door: About 30–50 min
Ride-hail or jeepney along Macapagal Boulevard, 20–40 min
Casinos and the provincial bus terminal.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Newport City (NAIA Terminal 3)
Walkway to Terminal 3, hotels and a casino; best for a single airport night.
Bay City / Mall of Asia
Malls, bay esplanade and arena; 15–30 min by road to the terminals.
Pasay Rotonda / EDSA–Taft
Cheap rooms and LRT-1/MRT-3 interchange; busy, seedy at night, use for transit only.
Roxas Boulevard / CCP area
Bayfront hotels near the Cultural Center of the Philippines; 20–40 min to NAIA.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₱1,500–2,800 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₱2,800–5,500 (≈ US$50–100) excl. bed
- High
- ₱5,500 (≈ US$100)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 1 night × ₱3,500 | ₱3,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₱3,500 | ₱7,000 |
| Ride-hail NAIA Terminal 3 → Bay City, one way1 × ₱300 · check | ₱300 |
| LRT-1 or MRT-3 single ride2 × ₱30 · check | ₱60 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₱500 | ₱1,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₱1,190 |
| Trip total≈ ₱6,530 per person per day, bed included | ₱13,050≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in pesos; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ₱120–220 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Noodle or rice meal at a mall food court | ₱150–300 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a convenience store | ₱150–250 (≈ US$3–5) / ₱60–120 (≈ US$2–3) |
| 5 km ride-hailSurge pricing in rain and at peak hours. | ₱200–350 (≈ US$4–7) |
| LRT-1 or MRT-3 ride | ₱15–35 (≈ under US$1) (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ₱400–800 (≈ US$8–15) |
| Museum or attraction entry | ₱200–1,500 (≈ US$4–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Airport taxis: insist on the meter; meter-tampering devices are reported. White taxis are not officially sanctioned at NAIA.
- EDSA–Taft area at night: petty crime and prostitution; keep to lit main roads.
- Tricycle and jeepney price gouging for visitors — agree the fare before boarding.
- Manila Bay is not a swimming beach; the esplanade is for walking and sunsets.
- Typhoon season Jun–Nov can cancel flights; build a buffer before an international connection.
Emergency numbers
- National emergency
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
PasayPasay
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Sa address na ito poTo this address, please
Emergency
- National emergency911
Embassy
Most embassies are in Manila or Makati, not Pasay; check your country's embassy page for the current address.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- NAIA Terminal 3 → Bay City, ride-hail: ₱250–400 (≈ US$5–8), 15–30 min (check)
- NAIA Terminal 3 → Makati, taxi: ₱300–500 (≈ US$6–9) metered, 30–60 min (check)
- LRT-1 EDSA–Taft → Central Terminal (Manila): ₱15–35 (≈ under US$1), about 25 min (check)
Say or show
- Paumanhin po — Excuse me / Sorry (pa-oo-man-hin po)
- Salamat po — Thank you (sa-la-mat po)
- Magkano po? — How much is it? (mag-ka-no po)
- Paki-gamit po ang metro — Please use the meter (pa-ki-ga-mit po ang met-ro)
- Nasaan po ang banyo? — Where is the toilet? (na-sa-an po ang ban-yo)
- Puwede po bang mag-card? — Can I pay by card? (poo-we-de po bang mag-kard)
Keep the fare and emergency numbers on your phone before you land.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Pasay. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–May (dry season) · avoid Jun–Nov (rain and typhoon season), Holy Week and Christmas–New Year for airport crowds · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for NAIA: terminal-by-terminal transfer times, taxi and ride-hail fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Bay City (MOA, esplanade, arena), Newport City, Roxas Boulevard/CCP, EDSA–Taft.
- Place pages with verified hours (SM Mall of Asia, MOA Arena, Star City, CCP, Dessert Museum) and eat pages with last orders.
- Typhoon and late-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.