I had been curious about Kota Kinabalu since Friendster days because of the photos at Mt. Kinabalu and the banana-shaped Manukan Island with parasailing on the side. Seems like a good place to get my passport stamped!
Finally, after six years, our wanderlust instinct booked our first flight via Air Asia en route Clark International Airport. That trip made it to my list of many firsts - first flight aboard Air Asia, first check-in at Clark International Airport and my first parasailing experience! Never thought could be full of fun!
So there, on a sunny Friday of August in 2011, I and my travel buddies went to KK via Clark International Airport also known as Diosdado Macapagal International Airport located in Angeles City, Pampanga. I took the Philtranco 12:00NN direct trip to CIA from Megamall for Php400.00. It was more convenient and fast because we took the Subic-Clark-Tarlac-Expressway (SCTEx). My friends who were coming from the South took the Victory Liner Bus from Pasay to Dau-Mabalacat Terminal for Php146.00. From there, they rented a multi-cab to CIA for Php100 each.
How to get to DMIA/CIA:
Via Megamall: Philtranco Bus to Airport: 12:00NN Pick-Up Time at the back of Megamall A (facing St. Francis Square); Bus Fare: Php400.00 (Total travel time: 1.5hrs)
Via Dau-Mabalacat Terminal: Take bus to Dau-Mabalacat Terminal (Victory Liner fare Php 146), then take the multicab to DMIA (Php100/pax). (Total travel time, including transfers 2.5hrs)
Via Shuttle Service: GTS DMIA Airport Shuttle Contact +63 917 6169199
Victory Liner now offers free shuttle service from Marquee Mall in Angeles to Clark and vice versa when you fly with Air Asia.
Upon arrival, we immediately proceed to the Check-In counter and went through the airport fees payment (Travel Tax - Php1,620 and Terminal Fee - Php600). We passed thru the immigration and waited for another hour before boarding Air Asia.
 |
| DMIA Domestic Hall |
Clark International Airport, officially known as Diosdado Macapagal International Airport was previously known as the "forwarders airport" but with the growth of budget airlines, it opened more opportunities to link countries and places within the Philippines. It is the nearest point of entry and exit next to NAIA.
Currently, it is ranked as the 3rd best airport freezone in the world based on a survey conducted by Financial Time Business Group of London.
 |
| Boarding AirAsia |
