This will bring tourists to and around tourist sites in the country’s capital.
On Monday, January 19, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced that it has begun offering the new Transit Tours for passengers of flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) through PAL’s official website and the LovePH mobile app.
Through this program, which was launched in December 2025, travelers will be able to spend time by exploring Manila’s culture and people, raather than simply spending their long layovers at the airport.
Foreign tourists taking a stop in Manila via the Philippine Airlines (PAL) will be able to experience a “curated, safe, and time-bound bus journey along the metro’s iconic attractions,” under the newly launched initiative.
The DOT noted that the program is open to travelers coming from visa-free countries and whose layovers last up to at least eight hours, which accounts for the whole trip itself that will only run for four hours: two hours for the tour (1 hour with a guide and 1 hour free time).
There will be a 2-hour allowance before and after the tour to accommodate immigration and airport procedures.
Beginning January 30, 2026, Transit Tours will provide trips to four different landmarks in the capital city Manila, such as Intramuros and the National Museum in the morning.
Meanwhile, Solaire and Okada in Entertainment City, Parañaque are in the afternoon schedule.
The passengers will be riding a 49-seater, air-conditioned bus, complete with a DOT-accredited tour guide.
Meanwhile, each tour will cost USD50 per person, inclusive of entrance fees, insurance coverage for accidental death and medical expenses, water, and a poncho in case of rain.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco noted, “We express our warmest gratitude to our colleagues in the private sector for supporting our initiative to maximize the potential of our tourist spots and extend an invitation to foreign travelers who are just passing by.”
She continued, “Because what our transit tours actually provide are opportunities — an opportunity for tourists to explore Manila in between flights, an opportunity for our Filipinos to earn a living, and an opportunity for our industry to enhance visitor experience.”