Tacloban Airport Guide: Terminal Fee, How to Get there via Jeepney, Taxi

Now named Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport, Tacloban Domestic airport is the gateway to Eastern Visayas serving flights to Tacloban City.

From this airport, you can then venture out and explore other towns and cities of Leyte and Samar. This airport was destroyed by typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in December 2013 and currently is state of disrepair

UPDATED: June 2014


Tacloban Airport before Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan. People waiting for passengers of a Cebu Pacific flight. Tutubi hang out at the arrival while waiting for the opening of check-in counters


Carriers servicing Tacloban Domestic Airport:

Philippine Airlines with regular daily flights to other destinations

Cebu Pacific with regular daily flights from Manila, Cebu, Tagbilaran (Bohol), Iloilo, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro and Kalibo

Tacloban Airport Terminal Fee: PhP100.00 (as of June 2014, sometimes called airport tax/departure tax/airport users tax)

A baggage carousel is present eliminating the need for porters at the arrival hall.

Double layer of X-Ray machines plus guards for body frisking and sifting through your hand-carried bags for security.

There's a small store inside the passengers lounge selling snacks and last minute pasalubong stuff like binagol, pastillas and chocolate moron. No restaurant inside the terminal.

No tubes to board the aircraft, you need to walk and use the stairs to the airplane doors like in most other domestic airports.

Hotels near Tacloban Airport:

Walking distance: None
There are many hotels and other accommodations in downtown Tacloban

From Tacloban Aiport to your destination:

Taxis are available to take you to Tacloban City downtown for PhP250.00 (travel time is about 30 minutes). They can also be hired for P2,500.00 12-hour city tour besides other V-hire (van for hire) there with people offering you their vehicles at the exit gate.

For backpackers and budget travelers, jeepneys ply the route going to the New Tacloban Bus Terminal (where buses, shuttle service (GT Express) and jeepneys are waiting for passengers), downtown and even Duptours terminals (beside a gas station). If you're in a hurry, don't ride the waiting jeepneys at the exit if it's not full, head straight to the airport gate and flag a jeep going to Tacloban.

Commuting to Tacloban Airport:

If you took the bus or shuttle (e.g. Duptours) from anywhere in Leyte (e.g. Ormoc) or Samar (Basey, Marabut, Guian, Borongan), drop off at Tacloban rotonda and transfer to a jeepney with signboard San Jose-Airport. The same jeepney can be found in downtown Tacloban. There are no taxis in the city center, only tricycles, and the airport is quite far for tricycles so expect an expensive fare.

WARNING:
Don't even think of cracking a bomb joke at the airport. Filipinos may have a sense of humor but bomb jokes can make you miss your flight and get you in serious trouble with the police and airport security people.

Note: Tutubi is posting updated information on these things. He noticed guide books about the Philippines, including Lonely Planet and Jens Peters, are churning out new editions yet information has not been fully updated and verified and it seems the authors have not really been to some destinations and probably got the information from someone else :(