More Information about Manila

Destination Overview

Manila is the thriving capital city of the Philippines that is rich in history and full of many notable landmarks with distinct Spanish influences from its long history as a thriving Spanish colony with a unique, local culture. This historical area is a hot spot for tourism and holds a variety of activities such as museums highlighting the city’s culture and history, old dungeons and gunpowder rooms to tour, shops, parks, and a vibrant nightlife. As a vibrant metropolis of the Philippines, Manila also holds a number of business headquarters for professionals to visit for conferences and meetings.

Flying to Manila

1. Which airports serve Dubai to Manila?

Dubai International Airport is one of the most popular airports serving flights from Dubai to Manila and is located only 4 km from Dubai. It is a major Middle East hub airport. The Al Maktoum Airport is also an international airport with some flights from Dubai to Manila. It is located 37 km west of Dubai.

2. Which airlines operate flights from Dubai to Manila?

Emirates is the major provider for these flights, with daily departures and no connections required, with Cebu Pacific and Philippine also offering similar flights. Other airlines, including Air China, Cathay, China Southern, Gulf Air, JAL, Korean, KLM, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman Air, Royal Brunei, Singapore, Saudi Arabian, Thai, and Turkish also offer daily departures but require a connection. Qantas, China Eastern, and Ethiopian offer only some departures throughout the week.

3. How long is the flight?

If you book a direct flight from Dubai to Manila you can expect it to take approximately 8 hours and 45 minutes. With layovers, there are many other options that might take upwards of 11 hours. Manila is 4 hours ahead of Dubai.

4. Climate changes between Dubai to Manila

While Manila’s warm temperature is consistent throughout the year, Dubai experiences more varied weather with extreme heat from May through September. Manila has two monsoon seasons, with most rain falling between June and September.

5. Culture differences and need-to-know

Manila’s currency is the Philippine Peso and it can be acquired at most Manila banks, international airports and specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus. Credit cards such as MasterCard, Visa, and American Express can be used at ATMs to obtain currency as well.

No visa is required to enter the Philippines provided you are visiting as a tourist for 30 days or less. If you are visiting for longer or for business purposes then a visa will be required.

City Information

Flying from Dubai’s high year-round temperatures, Manila may be a bit of a relief, especially if you avoid the rainy season.

Dubai and Manila have some similarities that crossover, even though they are almost a continent and an ocean apart. Dubai, though located in the Middle East with a dry and desert-like climate, is also a metropolis for business and pleasure. Known for their luxury and shopping, many business people make Dubai a hub for their conferences and business meetings. Many feel similar about Manila, though there are several differences to make note of, most importantly the climate.

Manila is a very popular hotspot for both business people and tourists alike. As the capital of the Philippines and the metropolitan center of the country, Manila is bursting with culture, shopping, and nightlife activities. Some of the most popular include San Agustin Museum and San Agustin Church, as well as the University of Santo Tomas.

Manila is considered a hotspot for nightlife, featuring a thriving bar scene with fancy rooftop cocktail bars, great clubbing, and live music. It is quickly becoming one of the most attractive cities in Asia for those interested in the nightlife.