Attending a concert at the Philippine Arena? Here are ways to make your trip hassle-free

Getting there is not that easy for most concert-goers. Not only is it about 30 kilometers north of Metro Manila, but commuting to the venue can be complicated especially if you're not familiar with the area.

Don't let this stop you from seeing your favorite artists perform live. To help you plan your trip to the Philippine Arena, here is everything you need to know.

Via private vehicle

Using a private car to the venue may be the easiest and fastest way to get to the arena. However, it can be more expensive.

To get there from Metro Manila, pass through the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and take the Marilao exit going along Patubig Road. You may enter via Duhat on the left side of the Arena or right via Mahabang Parang.

Those coming from northern Luzon may take the southbound lane in NLEX and exit via Marilao. Then, go straight ahead to reach the Ciudad de Victoria Bypass Road, another entrance.

Via public transportation

A cheaper option to get to the Philippine Arena is through public transportation.

You may opt to ride a bus going to Sta. Maria or Bocaue, Bulacan from the Araneta Central Bus Terminal. The trip will pass through EDSA and will take approximately more than an hour.

Don't forget to tell the driver that you’ll get off at Brgy. Turo, which is one ride away from the Ciudad de Victoria, the arena’s location. Once you get there, hail a tricycle to the venue.

Via shuttle service

Some concert organizers arrange shuttle services for its attendees. If the organizers are offering this service, they usually give instructions on how to avail it, along with some guidelines.

The shuttle service will take you to the Philippine Arena, however, prepare your feet as some shuttle buses park along Parking E, the farthest space from the arena.

If you have questions, make sure to clarify with the organizers directly and take note of your meeting time and place so as not to miss them.

Tips

Going to the Philippine Arena is not that bad, you just have to consider some points if you are watching a concert or attending an event there.

1. Come early. According to L!fe's social media and community editor Myla Eder and multimedia producer Gela Tianco, guests should arrive a little earlier to be able to secure the best parking slots. "Pros for being early is that you get to choose your preferred parking spot and you get to go around and navigate your way through the arena. And you wont get stuck in traffic going to ph arena," said Gela.
2. Park near the exits. To avoid the carmaggedon after the event, it's best to park near the parking exit because that's where the build up usually is. Parking D and E are considered nearest the exit but farthest from the arena. According to Myla, who attended the SEVENTEEN concert last December 2022, strategize where to park. "If you're north bound, park in Candy Land. It's a bit of a walk to the Philippine Arena but you can get out of there quickly after the concert." Or, if you're up to walk, look for parking outside of the compound.
3. Book an airbnb. Since most events usually end pretty late, concertgoer Elaine says to book an Airbnb or a hotel nearby if you have the budget for it. Those coming from the south may want to consider this option as it will be a long commute.
4. Bring baon. If in case you get stuck going out, bring extra food inside your car. You don't want to get hangry!
5. Use cash. While mobile wallets are convenient, expect that the system may go down due to weak signal. "Always bring cash. There may be stalls that cater to online payment but signal in the arena may be weak. So better to have cash on hand if ever you want to buy merch or food," said Gela.
   
6. Don't bring a lot of things. Elaine says to only bring the essentials like your cellphone, wallet, ticket, and light sticks. Make sure to also read the venue and concert guidelines, if any, to know what items are allowed and not allowed inside.