Given the traffic in the metro, taking flights to and from the Clark International Airport is becoming a viable alternative to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. While this airport is located in Pampanga, it provides a good option for those based in the northern part of the capital, including Quezon City and Caloocan and nearby provinces in Northern Luzon like Bulacan, Pampanga, and Baguio.
Clark is usually less congested than NAIA, offers cheaper flights, and has lower terminal fees. Currently, it serves a total of 19 airlines connecting the Luzon region to 19 domestic flights. Seat-sale enthusiasts can score cheaper flights to the country’s top tourist destinations like Caticlan (Boracay), Busuanga (Coron), and Puerto Princesa (Palawan), and international destinations like Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea.
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In case it’s your first time flying from the new Clark International Airport and unsure of how to get there, here are all the updated transport options available from Manila to Clark International Airport in Pampanga as of September 2023.
Where exactly is Clark International Airport?
Clark International Airport is located within the Clark Freeport Zone in the province of Pampanga, roughly 80km northwest of Manila, accessible through the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).
ICYDK, the stunning new terminal building was completed in September 2020 and started operating commercial flights on May 2, 2022. The older and smaller terminal, which many pre-pandemic travelers may be more familiar with, has already been decommissioned.
P2P Bus to and from Clark International Airport
For air passengers, the most economical option would be to make use of the various shuttle and bus services from key points around the metro going directly to Clark Airport.
Genesis Transport Service is one of the major transport service providers, with trips to the airport (with stops at SM Clark) ranging from 2.5 to three hours.
Trinoma to Clark
Genesis operates point-to-point (P2P) trips between Trinoma in Quezon City and Clark International Airport with stops at SM Clark. The bus terminal in Trinoma is located on the Mindanao Avenue side. Check out the schedules below. As of September 2023, the one-way fare from Trinoma to SM Clark is P300, while Trinoma to Clark Airport costs P380 per passenger.
NAIA to Clark
Those coming from NAIA Terminal 3 who have flights departing from Clark can also go directly there via Genesis Transport’s P2P buses. From Clark International Airport and SM Clark, the buses stop at NAIA Terminals 1, 2, and 3. The fare is P430 per passenger.
Make sure to follow Genesis’ verified Facebook page for updated schedules as more timeslots could be added in the future.
Dagupan and Olongapo to Clark
Victory Liner also offers trips to and from Dagupan and Olongapo to the Clark International Airport. The fare via Dagupan is P331 one-way, while it’s P254 per passenger via Olongapo.
Trip schedules are subject to change, so visit the official website and official Facebook page for the most updated schedules.
P2P Buses are also available between Baguio City and Clark, with fares costing P450 each.
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Van/car rental and taxis
In case you don’t have anyone to drive you to the airport, renting a car or van or taking a taxi offers a faster and more convenient option, especially for groups and families getting to and from Clark International Airport. While more expensive, this is ideal for those with lots of luggage, or traveling with young kids and seniors. The transport services are also popular with international tourists to the Philippines who don’t mind spending more for comfort and security.
In some cases, car rentals and airport transfers are your only option if you’re arriving or departing from the airport late at night or early in the morning when P2P bus services are closed.
To avoid getting overcharged, book your transportation to or from Clark International Airport with companies recommended by airport management such as Grab, Avis Rent-a-Car Philippines, or Mabuhay Car Rentals.
If you’re traveling within Pampanga only from the airport, you can make use of Blue Taxi, an on-demand taxi booking service that currently only services Pampanga. The Blue Taxi’s flagdown rate is P40, with an additional P13.50 per kilometer traveled, and P2 per minute of running time.
Passengers are advised not to book Blue Taxis via Facebook pages or groups as these are not official channels. Passengers should instead go directly to the taxi queuing areas across Pampanga or book online via the GrabTaxi app.
In case you’re heading up north after arriving in Clark, you can also book private transfers to and from Clark International Airport to other destinations like Baguio, La Union, Vigan, and more via Klook.
Private car
Private car owners can also opt to just drive to the airport and park their vehicles in Clark while they’re on vacation. Clark has a Park and Fly service that costs P250 per night. Here are two possible routes to get to the airport.
Via NLEX/SCTEX
- From North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), continue driving until you reach the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) exit.
- Continue north and take the Clark North exit.
- Turn left on the first rotunda to CRK Airport Road.
From inside Clark Freeport Zone
- Take Gil Puyat Avenue towards Mabalacat Gate.
- Turn right on the rotunda to CRK Airport Road.
Make sure to download navigation apps and pin the location on Google Maps or Waze for turn-by-turn directions.
Parking rates at Clark International Airport
Parking is available at Clark International Airport’s Parking areas A, B, and C with 439 regular slots. The fixed daily rate for Park and Fly for vehicles is P250 per entry per day. So if you leave your car parked for 3 days while you travel, you could be charged with P750.
- Vehicle – P50/entry
- Motorcycle – P30/entry
- Overnight parking
- Vehicle – P250/entry/day
- Motorcycle – P130/entry/day
- Lost ticket – P450 plus actual parking fee
Where to stay near Clark International Airport
If your flight is scheduled too early in the morning or you’re too tired to travel after arriving, it may be better to stay overnight in Clark. There are guesthouses and budget hotels near the Clark International Airport including Xenia Hotel Clark, Hotel Stontsenburg, Airport Hotel Clark, KLM Condotel, and Red Planet Angeles City.
For business and leisure travelers who want to extend their stay, Clark also has hotel counters for the following properties:
- Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort
- D’ Heights Resort and Casino – Clark
- Quest Plus Conference Center Clark
- Mimosa Plus Golf Course
- Marriott Clark
- Hann Casino Resort
- Swissotel Clark
Got time to kill in between flights? You can find two lounges within the Clark Airport.
The Plaza Premium Lounge located after the departures immigration in Clark International Airport Terminal 2 of International Departures offers a full range of lounge services for airport travelers, including a comfortable seating area, a selection of local and international food and beverages, complimentary Wi-Fi, work and charging stations, and a nursing room for moms. Those who want to freshen up before or after their flight, can make use of the lounge’s fully equipped shower rooms for an extra fee.
Meanwhile, the PAGSS Lounge at the International Departures, Level 3 near Gate 6 provides a modern and cozy ambiance for passengers with designated sections for dining, reading or working, and relaxing. The PAGSS Lounge offers a wide food and beverage selection, including a variety of Asian and continental dishes.
Have you flown out of the Clark International Airport recently? Let us know your experience in the comments section below.
