Commute to Clark Airport

How to commute to Clark Airport from Manila 
(the cheapest possible way)

  

Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA)

Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) or Clark Airport is now drawing a lot of attention from people who love to travel especially to those who want to fly without hurting their pocket. Many low-cost carriers are serving Clark Airport such as Air Asia Malaysia, Air Asia Philippines, South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR), Cebu Pacific Air, Airphil Express, Dragonair, Jin Air  and a sole full-service carrier Asiana Airlines. Majority of these airlines offer cheap fares within Philippines as well as to neighboring countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau and Thailand.

Having been to Clark Airport thrice for my flights to and from Puerto Princesa, Singapore and Hong Kong, I'd like to share my experience in commuting from Manila. Total travel time will be around 2 hours for three transfers (1 bus and 2 jeepneys) and will cost you just a little over PhP 150.00 (less than PhP 150.00 if you're a student *ehem*)

*FROM CUBAO

There are several bus companies that make a stop-over at Dau Terminal in Pampanga such as Victory Liner and Dagupan Bus Lines. Bus fare will be less than PhP 150.00 (PhP 111.00 for students like me) and travel time will take about an hour and a half. If it's a weekend or a holiday, allot more time as North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) might get busier. Upon calling Victory Liner hotline, I was told that a bus via Dau Terminal leaves every hour starting 3:00AM up to 12:00 midnight.

Victory Liner - Cubao Terminal

*FROM DAU BUS TERMINAL

Upon alighting the bus, you will have to walk towards the intersection near KFC and from there, you can scout for a jeepney that goes to SM Clark. Walking time from Dau Terminal to the intersection is about 3 minutes while the travel time for the jeepney to reach Main Gate is about 5 minutes if traffic is moderate. Just pay PhP 8.00 and alight at "Main Gate" where most of the jeepneys are stationed.

Main Gate Terminal

*FROM MAIN GATE

Hop on a jeepney that says Route 1 and pay PhP 12.00 for an approximately 10-minute ride to the side of the airport. There are eateries across the Main Gate terminal so if you still have enough time to fill in an empty stomach, you might want to try some Pampangueño dish which is a good alternative to food being offered at the airport. It's always cheaper and has wider varieties to choose from.


Tell the driver that you're going to Clark Airport so he'd drop you off at this area. This is presumably an entrance to the parking lot of the airport complex. You will walk for about 5 minutes to get to the airport building, so it is advisable to pack light when you're doing this commute.

I overheard these two ladies are going to Malaysia :)

* ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION FROM DAU TERMINAL

There are air-conditioned jeepneys stationed beside Dau Terminal for PhP 100.00 per passenger. With this, you can eliminate the hassle of taking two more rides if you have heavy stuff with you (now, that's PhP 100.00 versus PhP 20.00). They only need a minimum of 5 passengers to commence the travel to Clark Airport. These are the same jeepneys that you will see at the airport terminal when you're going back to Manila. 

* FROM CLARK AIRPORT TO MANILA

Ride an air-conditioned jeepney that will bring you to Dau Terminal for PhP 50.00 per person and take a bus of your preferred destination (e.g. Pasay or Cubao). While I am not sure if there is a cheaper way to get to Dau Terminal from Clark Airport, I think paying PhP 50.00 is already acceptable. If Dau Terminal to Clark Airport was only PhP 50.00 per person, I'd take it anytime. I just don't know the reason behind the 100% price hike they implemented on the route back to airport but I'm sure as Clark Airport attracts more passengers in the future, there will be more options for the commuting passengers.

-renwock