HomeAsiaPhilippinesLuzonPampangaClark Airport to Singapore Flight – Arrival at Changi Airport Budget Terminal By Marcos Detourist on October 24, 2011For our 5-day Singapore and Malaysia trip, we booked an outgoing flight from Clark instead of NAIA (Manila) International Airport.Aside from the cheaper airfare, I was also interested to visit the Clark International Airport for the first time. The Clark Airport is the closest thing the Philippines has to a low cost carrier terminal, particularly because the it operates as the international hub of some budget airlines.If the airfare was the same, flying out of Clark would definitely be more of an inconvenience taking into account the 3-hour drive from Manila and the negligible difference in airport fees.Still, it was a great experience to transit through the Clark Airport. It was a glimpse into the future since the Clark Airport is being planned as the long term replacement of NAIA. First view of the Clark International AirportManila to ClarkWe had the pleasure of driving to Clark thanks to our brother-in-law. Travel time from Manila via the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) took two hours and 40 minutes.Commuting to Clark should take 2-3 hours or more depending on traffic conditions. Philtranco bus line has a direct service to Clark International Airport from SM Megamall or their terminals at Pasay and Cubao (P300 bus fare from Pasay and P350 from SM Megamall/Cubao) Air Force in Clark, PhilippinesClark International AirportClark International Airport (more formally known as the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport) is located at the Clark Freeport Zone, which in turn is situated within the boundaries of Angeles City, Pampanga. This former US military air base can be found approximately 64 kilometers north of Metro Manila.The Philippine Government is planning to transform Clark International Airport as the main international gateway of the country. I actually agree to having a long term replacement of NAIA. It would be better to have an airport isolated from the towering high-rises of Metro Manila.For this to happen, a high speed mass raid transit system should be built between Clark and Manila. This part will take a loooong time to materialize knowing how slow government projects take to finish. I have a strong feeling NAIA will still be the primary gateway for at least another decade. Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) Passenger TerminalDMIA FacadeConstruction works at the DMIA Passenger TerminalFlight Check-in at Clark AirportWe checked-in for our flight to Singapore three hours before scheduled departure. The terminal fee for international flights was a bit cheaper at P600. Philippine Travel Tax (for outbound Philippine passport holders) was the same at P1,620.The Philippine immigration officers did not give us any inconvenience. I noticed it was easier going through the immigration counters if traveling on a group.One odd thing I noticed was the lack of free WiFi at the pre-departure area. You’d think that after paying the terminal fee, passengers should get to enjoy complimentary WiFi internet. Unfortunately, WiFi access was only limited to the check-in area.Clark to Singapore FlightWe boarded the plane at 11:40nn (30 minutes before departure). Coming out of the temporary boarding gate, it was my first time seeing the full view of the Clark International Airport. The glass walls look good! not as good as the Iloilo Airport, in my opinion, but still leagues ahead compared to most Philippine airports (especially Terminal 1 of NAIA).Clark International Airport Passenger Terminal View of Mt. Arayat from the runwayAt 12:10nn, we already up in the air. It was my first time seeing aerial views of this side of Luzon Island. North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) interchange. Mabalacat exchange? Pampanga landscapes Aerial view of Clark Freeport Zone Aerial view of Clark International Airport (Clark Air Base) Yokohama Tire Philippines SM City ClarkArrival in Changi International Airport, SingaporeThree hours and thirty minutes later, we were already in the territory of the Lion City. As you could imagine, we started getting really excited to start our adventure in Singapore when the Changi Airport came into view. Aerial of Changi Airport Budget Terminal Changi Airport Terminal 1 Changi Airport Terminal 2 Changi Airport Control Tower Changi Airport Runway Taxiing to the budget terminalSingapore Changi Budget TerminalThere are 4 passenger terminals at the Changi Airport in Singapore. The budget terminal looked very basic, which is expected for a low cost carrier terminal. I do like the green views from the glass windows and the spacious halls.Even though it was only a budget terminal, the experience was pleasant because of the convenient arrival procedures. Passageway to the Immigration Counters Luggage carousels Changi Free Shuttle Service Pick-up PointChangi Airport Budget Terminal ShuttleAfter boarding out of the plane, we walked directly to the Singapore immigration counters. We presented the white colored arrival card that we filled out during the flight. After the officer “stamped” our passport, we went through the luggage claim area and headed to the currency exchange booth.We only exchanged a fraction of our money to Singapore dollars (S$). We thought we’d get a better deal if we exchange most of our money at the city center.Exiting the arrival area, there was a free shuttle service right outside the terminal. We were headed for the Changi Airport MRT station located at the basement level between terminal 2 and 3.Don’t leave yet. There’s more!Clark to Kota Kinabalu Flight via AirAsia2 Days Kuala Lumpur Itinerary — Overnight Layover at KL…Air Asia Promotion Free Seats 2010!6 Days Bangkok Itinerary — Siam, Chinatown, Saphan TaksinPlanning a trip to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaManila to Bangkok Cebu Pacific FlightComments Michael saysOctober 29, 2011 at 3:34 pmhey man, it was a nice blog.. can you send me your ITs and where did you stay? Marcos saysNovember 11, 2011 at 6:28 pmThe itinerary is posted here: https://www.ambot-ah.com/singapore-malaysia-5-days-diy-itinerary-budget/ jasonpaul saysJune 4, 2013 at 9:22 amtwo corrections about your post:1- Air Force City is not a nickname of Clark. It is a zone within Clark.2- the aerial photo you have of SM here is SM City Clark in Angeles City, not SM City Pampanga in San Fernando.Half of the 3-hour drive you had in your trip surely came from the traffic in Metro Manila area. From NLEX in Quezon City to SCTex, it’s just 1.5 hours. Marcos saysJune 13, 2013 at 7:46 pmThanks for the correction jason, edited the post already.(1) Just to be politically correct, I’ll modify the caption. Posting of new comments is disabled temporarily.Connect with Marcos on:Detourista.comMarcosDetourist.comFacebookInstagramTwitterDetourista.comDiscover more travel guides and blogs about the Philippines and beyond by Marcos DetouristChoose your next destination: Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
Michael saysOctober 29, 2011 at 3:34 pmhey man, it was a nice blog.. can you send me your ITs and where did you stay?
Marcos saysNovember 11, 2011 at 6:28 pmThe itinerary is posted here: https://www.ambot-ah.com/singapore-malaysia-5-days-diy-itinerary-budget/
jasonpaul saysJune 4, 2013 at 9:22 amtwo corrections about your post:1- Air Force City is not a nickname of Clark. It is a zone within Clark.2- the aerial photo you have of SM here is SM City Clark in Angeles City, not SM City Pampanga in San Fernando.Half of the 3-hour drive you had in your trip surely came from the traffic in Metro Manila area. From NLEX in Quezon City to SCTex, it’s just 1.5 hours.
Marcos saysJune 13, 2013 at 7:46 pmThanks for the correction jason, edited the post already.(1) Just to be politically correct, I’ll modify the caption.