Looking for advice for not getting ripped off after arriving in Manila

[JimRaynor 3]

I'm from the US. I'm going to the Philippines at the end of July and I wanted to take a cab from the airport in Manila to my girlfriend's place. Anyone have any advice so I don't get ripped off or put in danger? I'll be arriving at the airport at 4 AM.

[sy1983 31]

Download Grab Car app and call for a ride, the rates are fixed or UBER, but Grab car is a more popular choice. 
By the time you get out of immigration and getting your luggage it would be 530 or so, it won't be dangerous hours by then. 

[Redheadguy03 505]

You can also get metered taxi  or set prices. Just don't use the taxis that don't use a meter. Can't your girlfriend meet you at the airport? It helps to have a Filipina with you. 

[JimRaynor 3]

Yeah, she's going to meet me at the airport actually. But it's nice to know what I could do just in case. Thanks guys

[bowens44 214]

Take only a metered cab. For safety, take a cell phone picture of the license plate and the cab number make sure that it is obvious to the driver that you are doing this. Get on the phone or pretend to when you get in the cab and tell the person you are 'talking to' that you sent them the cab info...... 

 

that being said, Ive been to Manila 6 times in the last four years and I have never had a bad experience. 

Edited June 24, 2017 by bowens44

[JimRaynor 3]

1 minute ago, bowens44 said:

Take only a metered cab. For safety, take a cell phone picture of the license plate and the cab number make sure that it is obvious to the driver that you are doing this. Get on the phone or pretend to when you get in the cab and tell the person you are 'talking to' that you sent them the cab info...... 

Ooo I like that. SMART

[optlh0 19]

Arriving at 4am might be a good time to use a metered taxi. I arrived on a Sunday night at 7pm and waited in line for 2.5 hours to get one  Although it was inexpensive, I'd never want to wait that long again after more than 20 hours of traveling already. An option I heard about after that (but haven't personally used yet) is Nissan car rental. In this case car rental means you're renting a car and driver to take you somewhere. Here's a link to their website. http://www.nissanrentacar.com/services.do?id=942

[optlh0 19]

Another option if she's meeting you at the airport is to just have her arrange the round trip transportation. Say a van from wherever she lives costs 300 pesos one way to the airport, have her negotiate a 900 peso round trip in advance. Then the driver would be willing to park at the airport and when you arrive they're both there waiting for you

[j N j 50]

6 hours ago, Redheadguy03 said:

You can also get metered taxi  or set prices. Just don't use the taxis that don't use a meter. Can't your girlfriend meet you at the airport? It helps to have a Filipina with you. 

 

[j N j 50]

5 hours ago, optlh0 said:

Another option if she's meeting you at the airport is to just have her arrange the round trip transportation. Say a van from wherever she lives costs 300 pesos one way to the airport, have her negotiate a 900 peso round trip in advance. Then the driver would be willing to park at the airport and when you arrive they're both there waiting for you

the price goes up once they know a westerner is involved.. have your fiance negotiate price while you stand nearby ( not with if possible) 

[Greenbaum 12,259]

KANO money.

[Hank_ 9,174]

21 hours ago, JimRaynor said:

I'm from the US. I'm going to the Philippines at the end of July and I wanted to take a cab from the airport in Manila to my girlfriend's place. Anyone have any advice so I don't get ripped off or put in danger? I'll be arriving at the airport at 4 AM.

I 2nd downing the GRAB app..  with that you can get a Grabcar or Grabtaxi ... they are all registered with Grab, so the driver and car is known.  Plus you will know the cost of the fare before you get in the car. 

 

I use Grab for all my traveling about here in the metro Manila area.    I used Grab on Friday running over to Market-Market and back again.

 

You can set the APP up for paying cash or charging to you CC .. I use both ways, works excellent.

[RO_AH 1,648]

On my first trip there my girlfriend inquired with friends and family if they knew someone that did airport service. From that she found someone close to the family and I usually pay him for a full day and we uses him for airport travel or other times when we are in need of transportation for a full day. I have used his service on 4 different trips there.

 

But that is my suggestion. She can do some checking around and find you transportation. If she is going to the airport to meet you she will need transportation anyways, you might as well make it round trip.

 

There are other precautions I take while the entire time I am in the Philippines as well. I have a small wallet that I bring with me and use whenever I go out. I only carry enough cash for the day and 1 form of ID. I keep that wallet in my front pocket. I leave my actual wallet, passport and money where I am staying. I dress very casual mostly in a T-shirt and shorts and I don't wear jewelry. Mow are these precautions necessary, or do I ever feel unsafe, threatened there? No. Most people treat me like a celebrity and I am twice the size of most people I see. However being in a foreign country and so far from home I feel it is always better to be extra cautious. 

[RO_AH 1,648]

Just to add to my post. The guy we use drives a newer van with AC. The full day is 3000 peso (about 60 USD) which includes the parking and tolls to and from Manila. We travel to Bulacan about 90 to 120 min from Manila. Another good thing is my girlfriend can bring a friend or family member or 2 along which is better than her being alone in Manila waiting for me.

 

One last thing is if you are staying at a Hotel while there you can make arrangements with them for airport service. 

[Wiz_Fit 26]

On 6/24/2017 at 7:44 PM, j N j said:

the price goes up once they know a westerner is involved.. have your fiance negotiate price while you stand nearby ( not with if possible) 

Think it depends on the fiancee too... Last time I went, got a great price at most flea market type shops, and even in Boracay at the D talipapa. This time when I took her and let her stand next to me, they would start with me and when they didn't like my  prices would switch to her trying to get sympathy pad up the prices. We ended up walking away with a few shops or places giving a snide remark until I asked her to go wait at the table or down the aisle but I really enjoy haggling so maybe thats a difference.