Lowest fare in our latest check
Houston (IAH) to Manila (MNL): $1,878 round trip in December on American / Philippine Airlines, 2 stops
Sample dates Dec 15 to Dec 22 · checked Oct 22 · fares change daily
Set a free price alert for IAH to MNL →What IAH to Manila costs, from our daily checks
Lowest fare found each day for a 7-night round trip leaving Dec 15, economy, in USD. How we measure
8 observations since Oct 1. Price bands appear after 10 daily checks spanning 14 days.
Fare by month, IAH to MNL
Of the 6 months we priced (November to April 2027), November had the lowest observed fare at $925 (checked Oct 22) and December the highest at $1,878, each for a 7-night trip from the 15th.
| Month | Lowest observed | Trip priced | Checked | Alert |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November | $925United | Nov 15 to Nov 22 | Oct 22 | Alert me under $780 |
| December | $1,878American / Philippine Airlines | Dec 15 to Dec 22 | Oct 22 | Alert me under $1,590 |
| January 2027 | $1,189American / JAL | Jan 15 to Jan 22 | Oct 22 | Alert me under $1,010 |
| February 2027 | $929United | Feb 15 to Feb 22 | Oct 22 | Alert me under $780 |
| March 2027 | $925United | Mar 15 to Mar 22 | Oct 22 | Alert me under $780 |
| April 2027 | $925United | Apr 15 to Apr 22 | Oct 22 | Alert me under $780 |
Alert targets are 15% under the observed fare, rounded down to $10. Each month is the same 7-night trip from the 15th.
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From IAH airport to Manila
Reaching George Bush Intercontinental
Uber/Lyft from downtown Houston: $28-42, 25-35 minutes depending on traffic (I-45 northbound is a parking lot 7-10am weekdays). Gray Line Airport Shuttle: $24 one-way, 45-60 minutes, leaves Downtown Transit Center on schedule but slow. Car2Go or Zipcar from Midtown: $8-15 base fare plus mileage, 20-30 minutes if you time it outside rush hour. Honestly, Uber is fastest and most reliable—split it with a travel buddy and you're under $25/person. Don't take a taxi unless you hate money.
Getting from MNL into Manila
Option 1 — Grab (ride-hailing): The only realistic option for most travelers. From NAIA Terminals 1-4 to BGC expect ₱350-600 (~$6-10) and 30-60 minutes without traffic, up to 90 minutes during rush hour (7-9am, 5-8pm). Book inside the terminal through the app before stepping outside. Option 2 — NAIA Expressway/Airport Taxi: Official metered airport taxis at designated queues outside each terminal; rates run ₱400-700 to Makati or BGC. Avoid unlicensed touts who will quote ₱2,000+. Option 3 — Airport Express Bus (PH-BUS): ₱100 flat fare running from all terminals to several Makati and BGC stops; slow but air-conditioned and budget-friendly for solo travelers with light luggage. The MRT-3 is not directly accessible from NAIA — you'd need a tricycle or jeepney to reach it first, which isn't worth the complexity.
Planning Houston to Manila
Manila is one of Southeast Asia's most misunderstood cities — Americans often use it as a layover hub for Palawan or Boracay, not realizing the capital itself is worth 3-4 dedicated days. The city is chaotic, loud, deeply Catholic, and genuinely fascinating. You'll find a 16th-century Spanish walled city (Intramuros) blocks away from gleaming BGC skyscrapers, and world-class Japanese and Korean dining that costs a fraction of what it does back home. Manila rewards travelers who lean into the disorder rather than fighting it.
Local basics
Best-month weather in Manila
January
70–87°F · 3 rain daysPeak dry season with low humidity and clear skies — Manila's most pleasant month. Occasional cool northeast winds make evenings genuinely comfortable.
February
69–88°F · 2 rain daysDriest month of the year with nearly zero rain and blue skies daily. Daytime heat is manageable and nights are refreshingly cool for the tropics.
The destination guide flags July and August and September as the least favorable months.
Two areas to consider
BGC (Bonifacio Global City)
luxuryManila's most livable district — wide sidewalks (a rarity), reliable power, zero street flooding, and a concentration of great restaurants and bars. Stay here for The Shangri-La BGC, Seda BGC, or boutique options like Z Hostel if budget-conscious. Poblacion in neighboring Makati is a 10-minute Grab away for nightlife.
Makati CBD
mid-rangeThe original business and upscale district, with Ayala Center malls, Greenbelt restaurants, and solid mid-range hotels like Acacia Hotel and Citadines Salcedo. Less polished than BGC but more authentic, with great street food on Pasong Tamo and a walkable evening scene in Legazpi Village.
Local planning tip
Book Philippine Airlines' nonstop LAX-MNL specifically on the A350 routing and request seats 30A or 30K — the last row before premium economy, which has no seat reclining into you from behind and direct access to the rear galley where crew are generous with snacks on the 14-hour flight. More importantly: exchange money at a Sanry's Money Changer inside Robinsons Galleria or Greenbelt mall, not at the airport. Airport rates are 5-8% worse than mall money changers, and the difference on $500 is meaningful. Never use hotel front desks for currency exchange — the rates are criminal.
Visa and entry notes for US travelers
US passport holders receive a free 30-day visa on arrival at NAIA, no pre-registration or e-visa required as of 2026 — just show your passport and onward ticket. This can be extended at any Bureau of Immigration office for ₱3,030 for an additional 29 days (making it 59 days total), then again up to a maximum of 36 months total stay. The Bureau of Immigration in Intramuros handles extensions; arrive early or use an accredited travel agent to avoid multi-hour lines. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date. There is no arrival card requirement as of 2024 — the paper forms were eliminated. Confirmed return or onward ticket is technically required and immigration officers do occasionally ask for it.
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Lowest live fare: Los Angeles (LAX), $1,505 round trip, checked Oct 22