Overview
Olongapo City sits on the edge of Subic Bay in Zambales province, a couple of hours north-west of Manila on the Philippines' main island of Luzon. Once known for the US naval base at Subic, the area has reinvented itself as a laid-back gateway to jungle-fringed coastline, marine parks and duty-free shopping, without the crowds of Boracay or Cebu. For UK travellers, it makes a refreshing change of pace, whether tagged onto a wider Philippines itinerary or booked as a standalone break.
Best time to fly to Olongapo City
The dry season, from around November to May, is the best time to visit, with December to February bringing the most comfortable temperatures and lower humidity. March to May is hotter and drier still, ideal for beach days but best paired with plenty of water and sun cream. The rainy season runs roughly June to October, with August and September carrying the highest typhoon risk in this part of Luzon — worth bearing in mind when choosing dates. Shoulder months either side of the rains often bring the best value fares, so it's worth checking the When to book chart above before settling on dates.
Airlines and routes
There are no direct flights from the UK to Olongapo City. The most practical route is to fly into Manila (MNL), where Philippine Airlines operates a nonstop service from London Heathrow — one of the longest scheduled routes from the UK, at around 15 hours in the air. Alternatively, one-stop options with carriers such as Emirates (via Dubai), Qatar Airways (via Doha), Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong) or Singapore Airlines (via Singapore) can work out cheaper, typically adding a few hours of total journey time. From Manila, Olongapo City is a road transfer of around two to three hours via the SCTEX expressway, by private car, shared van or bus.
Things to do in Olongapo City
The wider Subic Bay area punches well above its weight for things to see and do:
- Ocean Adventure: the Philippines' only open-water marine park, with dolphin and sea lion shows in a natural cove setting.
- Zoobic Safari: a jungle safari park inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, home to tigers, crocodiles and a walk-through wildlife trail.
- Grande Island: a short boat ride from Subic, with quiet beaches and decent snorkelling over old shipwrecks.
- Subic Bay Freeport Zone: duty-free shopping alongside jungle survival experiences run by former Aeta tribal guides.
- Mount Pinatubo day trips: excursions to the volcano's crater lake are commonly arranged from the Subic and Clark area, combining a 4x4 ride with a scenic trek.
At Subic Bay International Airport (SFS)
Subic Bay International Airport sits within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, only around 15–20 minutes by road from Olongapo City centre. Scheduled commercial services here are limited, so most UK travellers will actually complete their journey overland from Manila or Clark International Airport rather than flying into SFS directly. Taxis, hotel transfers and shuttle vans are all readily available for the final leg into Olongapo and the wider Subic area.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Olongapo City
- Book your Manila flight roughly two to five months ahead for the best mix of choice and price — see the When to book chart above for current trends.
- Flying midweek (Tuesday or Wednesday departures) is usually cheaper than weekend travel on the London–Manila route.
- Keep your dates flexible where possible, as shifting by even a few days either side of school holidays can make a noticeable difference to fares.
- Compare direct Philippine Airlines flights against one-stop alternatives, as the extra connection can sometimes undercut the nonstop fare significantly.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders can enter the Philippines visa-free for stays of up to 30 days, provided the passport is valid for at least six months beyond arrival and onward travel is booked. The currency is the Philippine Peso (PHP); it's worth changing some pounds before travel or on arrival at Manila airport, with ATMs widely available in Olongapo and Subic. No vaccinations are mandatory for UK travellers, though routine cover plus sensible precautions against mosquito bites are worth discussing with a travel health clinic before you go.