Getting around in Manila

[GoodEnough]

Have you ever tried catching a taxi when its raining? Or anytime between 5 and 8 pm? I'm fine with paying more for taxis. That's not the point. But it should be raised fares that are clear and transparent, without all the haggling. Theres a reason theres a meter. You may like to barter. Some people don't. Especially after a long flight, like I said. I know more people that complain about the taxis than don't, both Filipinos and foreigners.

The metro, while theoretically should be easy, I've only ridden it a few times and none of those times were pleasant. Think hot sweaty can of people. Its an experience, but not a pleasant one.

The metro is a disaster waiting to happen, poorly maintained and dangerous. For those who don't want to use Uber, I'd suggest the Grab app, which works pretty well in Manila. I've ised it a couple of times, always successfully.

GE.

[Hutsori]

The metro, while theoretically should be easy, I've only ridden it a few times and none of those times were pleasant. Think hot sweaty can of people. Its an experience, but not a pleasant one.

If you avoid the weekday rush-hour crush it's fine; ride between 10 am and 3 pm and the weekends and you may even get to sit often times. The problem is the system is stressed far beyond capacity, so massive queues form. If there is a mishap then everything is totally fucked.

[Kazeu]

Have you ever tried catching a taxi when its raining? Or anytime between 5 and 8 pm? I'm fine with paying more for taxis. That's not the point. But it should be raised fares that are clear and transparent, without all the haggling. Theres a reason theres a meter. You may like to barter. Some people don't. Especially after a long flight, like I said. I know more people that complain about the taxis than don't, both Filipinos and foreigners.

The metro, while theoretically should be easy, I've only ridden it a few times and none of those times were pleasant. Think hot sweaty can of people. Its an experience, but not a pleasant one.

From my experience, the only time taxi drivers were "painful" was when going to and from the airport. And even then, it really only amounted to an extra $2 or $3. Otherwise, I actually found Manila taxi drivers to be very reasonable, and cheap. The pain didn't come from the drivers themselves. It came from the traffic.

That's why, if during the day, and if possible, I say take the metro.

[Manny51]

Use uber. Taxis in manila are the worst. I hate the haggling, its the last thing I want to do after getting off a long flight. Ultimately I think the taxi situation will get better with the introduction of Uber and other like services, but for now I will continue to despise these taxi drivers.

Uber has been a godsend for me. It has almost completely removed the dreaded taxi experience. Prices are reasonable, probably about the same, maybe slightly less. The uber drivers themselves are always pleasant. You don't get crappy vehicles with seats falling apart.

One tip. If you do need to take a taxi and you arrive at Terminal 3 at a reasonable time (I. E. Not 2 am) you should be able to catch a metered taxi outside at the far end (direction of traffic) of the departures level. Theres is a line for taxis which have just dropped passengers off.

From my experience, the only time taxi drivers were "painful" was when going to and from the airport. And even then, it really only amounted to an extra $2 or $3. Otherwise, I actually found Manila taxi drivers to be very reasonable, and cheap. The pain didn't come from the drivers themselves. It came from the traffic.

That's why, if during the day, and if possible, I say take the metro.

[Kazeu]

Use uber. Taxis in manila are the worst. I hate the haggling, its the last thing I want to do after getting off a long flight. Ultimately I think the taxi situation will get better with the introduction of Uber and other like services, but for now I will continue to despise these taxi drivers.

Uber has been a godsend for me. It has almost completely removed the dreaded taxi experience. Prices are reasonable, probably about the same, maybe slightly less. The uber drivers themselves are always pleasant. You don't get crappy vehicles with seats falling apart.

One tip. If you do need to take a taxi and you arrive at Terminal 3 at a reasonable time (I. E. Not 2 am) you should be able to catch a metered taxi outside at the far end (direction of traffic) of the departures level. Theres is a line for taxis which have just dropped passengers off.

Having spent a lot of time in taxis during my three weeks I thought I would pass on my observations.

I had taxied from Makati to various locations throught Metro Manila (Paranaque, Malate, Mabini, Tagaytay, Quezon City, Fort Bonifacio etc.). For the most part, I found taxi drivers pretty honest, although I did have a couple that took me on joy rides to bump up the fare. Quite often, especially during busy times or late at night, the driver would ask for a flat rate or else a certain amount above the meter. Here is where it helps to know the usual fare where you are going or what the traffic conditions are really like.

For example, on one trip, I wanted to go from Makati to MOA at 11AM. The driver cried "much traffic sir, need 500 pesos flat rate", at which, I responded,"oh, I thought EDSA wasn't too bad this time of day and wasn't MOA at the end of EDSA. Last time I only paid 140 pesos (a guess on my part)". After some grumbling and assurance that I would pay something above the meter, he took me on my way and was quite pleasant after that. I can't remember actually how much was on the meter for that trip, but I think it was less than 160. I paid him 25 above and he seemed happy with it.

Another thing. Don't catch a taxi on Burgos, any time of day. They are more inclined to ask for a flat rate or offer you a "service car". Much better to walk out to Makati Ave and pick up a taxi there.

I am still amazed at how low the rates are in Manila compared to most of the US. How taxi's there can make money, with car, gasoline, presumably insurance, taxi rentals, licensing etc, amazes me.

[Hutsori]

For p300, which is kind of a rip off, the 24/7 bus service has two routes.

The Roxas Blvd route goes to MOA, the Entertainment City, Midas Hotel, Hotel Jen, and Manila Hotel. The Makati route goes to Glorietta Mall and Ascott Hotel.

If you've having a hassle hailing a taxi, don't have Uber or Grab Taxi, and don't want to go across the street to Resorts World to catch a taxi there this gives you an alternative. Look for the UBE Express bus operated by Air21.

[IM Punter]

Having spent a lot of time in taxis during my three weeks I thought I would pass on my observations.

I had taxied from Makati to various locations throught Metro Manila (Paranaque, Malate, Mabini, Tagaytay, Quezon City, Fort Bonifacio etc.). For the most part, I found taxi drivers pretty honest, although I did have a couple that took me on joy rides to bump up the fare. Quite often, especially during busy times or late at night, the driver would ask for a flat rate or else a certain amount above the meter. Here is where it helps to know the usual fare where you are going or what the traffic conditions are really like.

For example, on one trip, I wanted to go from Makati to MOA at 11AM. The driver cried "much traffic sir, need 500 pesos flat rate", at which, I responded,"oh, I thought EDSA wasn't too bad this time of day and wasn't MOA at the end of EDSA. Last time I only paid 140 pesos (a guess on my part)". After some grumbling and assurance that I would pay something above the meter, he took me on my way and was quite pleasant after that. I can't remember actually how much was on the meter for that trip, but I think it was less than 160. I paid him 25 above and he seemed happy with it.

Another thing. Don't catch a taxi on Burgos, any time of day. They are more inclined to ask for a flat rate or offer you a "service car". Much better to walk out to Makati Ave and pick up a taxi there.

I am still amazed at how low the rates are in Manila compared to most of the US. How taxi's there can make money, with car, gasoline, presumably insurance, taxi rentals, licensing etc, amazes me.

[X Man]

I took a taxi there. Since I had an educated Filipina with me I let her do most of the talking especially when it came to the boat, etc. We took the regular bus back, which isn't too hard to figure out if you ask the locals. The buses run pretty regular. You can flag them down anywhere on the main street.

I think SLeezy Slip already knows the answers to his questions. There are a few different ways to get to Taal from Manila and vice versa.

I would have liked to stay overnight. I hope someone can add information. X.

What bus did you take? Where'd you catch it in Manila and where'd you pick it up in Tagaytay for the return trip? Times also please if you have that information.

[Slippery]

What bus did you take? Where'd you catch it in Manila and where'd you pick it up in Tagaytay for the return trip? Times also please if you have that information.

[X Man]

Taal in Tagaytay is such a nice place. It would really help others if someone does a field report.

My own experience was that I was delivered to some registration place where I had to pay a fee. The fee apparently included some annoying guy on a horse. Or does it? I wanted to hike and hike I did. The dick on the horse followed so closely that I had to ask him to back off. My partner was a Filipina, so he tried to convince her, in their language, that riding on his horse is the best option. Dick!

It was an easy hike. My partner did it in flip flops. I told her to hop on the horse, but she refused. Great gal, now married in the west.

I wanted to hike more around the rim or even down into the volcanic crater, but the Filipino guides constantly discouraged us form doing this. There was also the problem of hiring out assualt rifles. Firing a gun into a volcanic crater. Boring. That's some pretty fkd up eco tourism.

Tired at the end of the day, but I had become exhausted dealing with the locals who were constantly trying to overcharge the tourist. We took a bus back to Manila.

It's be great if someone could do a Taal Volcano or Tagaytay report. X

[Dg8787]

I guess it depends, hour or day. I'd like to go to a few places like Taal in tagaytay, or pubic (I mean subic) as well as have a driver or taxi driver I can trust to drive me and my Pinay (when I get one) to hotel or wherever.

I did get a couple of numbers from a member so I have some options.

I have used this driver several times. He is very honest and knowledgeable. Speaks great English, drives a nice newer clean mini-suv with free wi-fi. Yes wi-fi onboard with great connection. Perfect for longer drives or even around town. 400 pesos / hour or he will fix rate for shorter runs. No upsells or steering and very reliable. Call Gilbert at 63 905-331-5660.

[IM Punter]

Are you looking to hire by the hour? And what is your budget?

I guess it depends, hour or day. I'd like to go to a few places like Taal in tagaytay, or pubic (I mean subic) as well as have a driver or taxi driver I can trust to drive me and my Pinay (when I get one) to hotel or wherever.

I did get a couple of numbers from a member so I have some options.

[Dg8787]

I'd like to find a trustworthy driver to take me and hopefully a "tourist guide" from DIA. A driver who doesn't mind out if town trips or even Manila tours.

I'm ok with taxis in Manila (only got scammed once last time) but expect that I might be more of a target with a sweet 20ish tour guide in tow. I'd rather have one person I could trust.

Is there a reputable agency or some other means of finding a driver.

Any tips would be appreciated.

Are you looking to hire by the hour? And what is your budget?

[IM Punter]

I'd like to find a trustworthy driver to take me and hopefully a "tourist guide" from DIA. A driver who doesn't mind out if town trips or even Manila tours.

I'm ok with taxis in Manila (only got scammed once last time) but expect that I might be more of a target with a sweet 20ish tour guide in tow. I'd rather have one person I could trust.

Is there a reputable agency or some other means of finding a driver.

Any tips would be appreciated.

[Hutsori]

And another 3, 000 to get home! Bwahahahahaha

LOL. Lucky for me we didn't get that far into the conversation.