Manila Travel Forum

On march 31st I shall arrive at Manila international airport on my first trip to the Philippines.
my questions:
Which is best means of transport ot Malate?
If it was Taxi, should I better go for expensive prepaid? How much would it be?
Or better try to get a metered taxi? If so, where to catch it? Outside the depature hall? How much should it cost?
There are many reports of rip offs, even of being robbed by taxi drivers. Is it really that bad? - I am an experienced traveller, even though this question might suggest otherwise.

It's just a short taxi ride. Catch a taxi outside the departure hall. There is really no need for pre-paid.

I think that the taxi situation has improved a lot over the last few years. I remember 9 or 10 years ago reading in a Lonely Planet Guide that the taxi drivers had the meter hooked up to the horn and every time he hit the horn the price would jump 20 pisos! The old caution was to never get into a taxi that had a an extra helper riding with him, you would be assaulted and robbed. But that was then, if it happens the same way now I haven't heard about it. I still do not get into a taxi with "his friend" in it! I tell the driver to not pick up anyone else and I lock the doors to stop the kids from crawling in when you stop at a light.

I arrive late at night and have everything I own with me and usually take the airport taxi into town for safety and convenience. The $5 extra I shell out over a meter taxi is worth it to me being that close to midnight! If I arrive during the day time and I don't have all my junk with me I think getting a meter taxi is okay. I pay the meter price.

My destination has always been to the Ermita area, I have been in and out of there several times over the past 10 years. Airport taxi to Ermita is around 500 pisos. City taxi using meter is around 200 - 250 pisos to the same area (Mabini and Padre Faura.)

The kiosk to sign up for the airport taxi is just outside the arrivals area, looks like a little shack to me. Different prices for different parts of Manila. Have the address available for your destination. For the regular meter taxi I usually walk down hill and catch one cruising by.

For regular travel in the Ermita area I found it easy to get a taxi to simply use the meter and the fee is cheaper than bargaining (for a foreigner anyway!)

If you need any recommendations for hotels mention what you want to spend per night.

Hal

will you be arriving at Terminal 2 (via Philippine Airlines)? If so, you can go to the departure area and catch any cabs.

if you are arriving at Terminal 1, sad to say that i think you might have to take the coupon taxis (fixed/flat rate)

transport to malate-the best answer is ....in the airport (outside arrival area) there are airport taxi,and the price to go to malate is written in their billboard and you have to pay prepaid so there is no hussle .don't know the price maybe around 500-600 pesos. dont go for metered taxi some driver will rip you off.

Thank's to all a lot for the valuable advices. I'll arrive with Philippine Airlines at abt. 6 P.M., so I guess I will try and go for a metered taxi at the depature hall

Hal, you had offered that you could suggest a hotel:
Well, I do not want to spens a lot, but the room should be not smallly and not noisy, that's my main concerns.
I almost had made an online reservation for either the Palm Plaza and the Executive Plaza, online prizes were only abt. 30 USD. But by now I missed to make any resevation, I had got discouraged by bad reports abt. both places, and thought I may try to get a room at the 'mpensionne', a travellers guest house - which will be enough for me, as I guess won't stay much in the room besides when falling into the bed very tired after exploring Manila.
Any other suggestion, for, let's say, not more than 30 USD/night?
Or would you recommend to stay in somewhat better place, I am willing to pay a bit more if you think it is worthwhile

thank's again for any suggestion

thank's fr any suggestion.

Here is a hotel in Ermita that seemed to always have a room available without prior reservations. Soriente Hotel, 545 A. Flores St. Their telephone numbers are 525-7304, 523-9480, Fax 522-3913. On the same street as the Swagman Hotel but the other end. Not far from United Nations. Air, hot water, TV, private toilet, security box, under $30. Other cheaper hotels in this area. Book one or 2 nights and look at some of the other places.

Hal

THANK YOU VERY MUCH ( just being at Bangkok airport, flight 3 hours delayed )
Will check it out, go streight there!