General Info

[Soapy Smith]

Thanks WC and KM. Lots of helpful information about NAIA taxis.

[Econo Tech]

Based on my observations, Filipinos are not a tipping culture.

Yah right. But instead taxi fares jack price by 100% if you are not careful and if challenged, it will be "sir, only few dollars for you."

[GregLondon]

Flew BKK to Clark last night with Cebu Pacific. They are VERY STRICT re return /onward tickets and excess baggage.

The guy in the queue before me had a big bag weighing 27 kg and no return/onward ticket. They made him pay 12*350 Bhat = 4900 Bhat excess luggage - he also said they said only a mx of 20kg in the bad so he had to find a box for the other 7 kg- never heard that before. He also had to go away and pay 6000P for a return flight. ie a total of about 13,000P extra (I presume he wanted to keep his options open e the return.

Pretty scandalous. I didn't have a return ticket either but having been through it before knew that the minimum evidence they needed was a Valid Flight Number. I almost got caught out though as I had noted a Philipines Airlines flight no on my laptop. Sadly the battery was flat so they wre about to cal Phil Airlines and check my fictitious booking. I dashed away and eventually found an electric power point and got hold of the flight no which was sufficient to let me on. I put as much heavy stuff in my carry on backpack (which i wore to not give them a chance to weigh (supposed to be max 7 kg) and my laptop bag, so i got under 16kg (they insist on charging even if yiu are 1kg over.

SO IF YOU ARE FLYING IN WITHOUT AN ONWARD TICKET, look up and write down a valid Airline flight no and date/time and have it ready to confidently hand over to them. I suggest an airline not operating from the airport you are departing from to reduce the chance that they will phone around to verify. Don't choose the same airline as you are outbound asd they wil obviously just check their systems.

[WestCoast1]

Most people don't use those private cars. I use only the metered taxis, the yellow airport ones or the metered ones dropping off passengers. Think most would be very happy for the 70 pesos. Maybe he saw you tip the ticket agent 50 pesos and figured he'd get more than 20 pesos more than him if he's driving you.

This is similar to the approach Westcoast describes taking. But I was under the impression these airport taxis have a monopoly contract for the arrival level at Terminal 1. I know there are metered city taxis dropping off departing passengers one level up, but the only way I've found to get up there is a very steep set of stairs at the North end of the lower level loading zone. Not worth the struggle if you have any amount of luggage. Is there some other way to get non-monopoly cabs down on the arrival level? Do you go out through the waiting mobs into the parking lot across the street to look for cabs?

Skip, there are elevators that go up to the upper level. When you walk out the first set of doors (just past the customs desk) into what appears a lobby (before departing towards the street), ask any security where the elevator is. I turn right, walk about 40 feet to it (its along the wall to your right). Take the elevator up, and exit to the exterior drop-off (departure) zone. You won't have to wait for more than 2 minutes (often no wait) for a taxi to pull in. Unfortunately, these drivers sometimes want an up-front fee for the asking (p300 is typical to Malate, which is normally 90-150 depending the time of day). You can dicker and ask them to use the meter. I often just say 175, and they take it.

Downstairs, sometimes there is no line for the metered taxis. Sometimes its a longggg line. I then decide whether to lug my stuff upstairs or take the 500-peso rip-off taxi. If I'm tired, its the rip-off taxi (often a minivan, and I could care less the price).

[Key Master]

[QUOTE=Skip Kost]

Most people don't use those private cars. I use only the metered taxis, the yellow airport ones or the metered ones dropping off passengers. Think most would be very happy for the 70 pesos. Maybe he saw you tip the ticket agent 50 pesos and figured he'd get more than 20 pesos more than him if he's driving you. [/QUOTE

This is similar to the approach Westcoast describes taking. But I was under the impression these airport taxis have a monopoly contract for the arrival level at Terminal 1. I know there are metered city taxis dropping off departing passengers one level up, but the only way I've found to get up there is a very steep set of stairs at the North end of the lower level loading zone. Not worth the struggle if you have any amount of luggage. Is there some other way to get non-monopoly cabs down on the arrival level? Do you go out through the waiting mobs into the parking lot across the street to look for cabs?

Listen up ok. There are special airport taxis that are metered that only pick up passengers from the airports in Manila. Even Cebu has them now. They don't usually pick up passengers on the street because most people know it's more expensive with them. But they're still cheaper than those private taxis. The meter starts out at 70 instead of the 30-35 pesos the regular meter taxis start and they probably tick a little faster. The cars are pretty new and clean. It's kind of crap for the regular metered taxis to take someone to the airport and have little chance of getting passengers out of there thus I usually am more willing to pay a bit more than meter as they can be stuck in traffic there trying to get out of the area looking for passengers. I know some people will say screw them, but honestly I don't know about most of the complainers here about taxi drivers in Manila, I actually have good experiences with them over 95% of the time. So maybe some of you people who are getting screwed need to brush up on past advice or your attitudes and how you act when getting taxis.

Anyway, for all the airports in Manila if you leave like you are supposed to and depart the front doors of the airport there are signs that point you to metered taxis. Follow the damn signs! You'll see a booth with people sitting there asking where you are going and they'll fill a ticket out for you with number of cab written down for complaints and stuff. They get you in a yellow airport metered taxi that starts at 70 pesos. It's a little more expensive than the regular ones, but not like the ones that are asking 550 or whatever. It's not that bad. If you don't mind going up to arrivals with your stuff you can probably find a regular metered taxi dropping off passenger and get him and it'll most likely be cheaper. Rates being quoted can change depending upon time and traffic to a destination and of course if you are using a regular meter taxi or a yellow airport metered taxi (which is the only authorized metered taxis to take passengers out of airport).

Just want to comment on the people bashing metered taxis here. In my first 2 years or so of coming to PI I used to only go to Angeles. Part of the reason was because people on message boards were constantly bitching about getting scammed by taxis. That may have been the case a long time ago and I'm sure it still happens. But I don't get scammed but will run into someone who wants not to use the meter and sometimes for good reason like they may not get a fare where I'm going out of there or like the airport. I'm willing to bump up the fare when appropriate, which to me is just one of those things. When I finally made the move to try Manila I was so scared to get screwed by the taxi drivers because of all these angry reports. Well I was shocked when that wasn't the case. I now do more time in Manila and Makati on all my trips. If you have common sense and don't like an idiot, you should do fine.

[Soapy Smith]

[QUOTE=Key Master] Most people don't use those private cars. I use only the metered taxis, the yellow airport ones or the metered ones dropping off passengers. Think most would be very happy for the 70 pesos. Maybe he saw you tip the ticket agent 50 pesos and figured he'd get more than 20 pesos more than him if he's driving you. [/QUOTE

This is similar to the approach Westcoast describes taking. But I was under the impression these airport taxis have a monopoly contract for the arrival level at Terminal 1. I know there are metered city taxis dropping off departing passengers one level up, but the only way I've found to get up there is a very steep set of stairs at the North end of the lower level loading zone. Not worth the struggle if you have any amount of luggage. Is there some other way to get non-monopoly cabs down on the arrival level? Do you go out through the waiting mobs into the parking lot across the street to look for cabs?

[Cheapy]

I just returned from 3 months of traveling around the Phillipines and passed thru Manila about 5 times. Manila Taxi Drivers are the worst low-lifes in the country. I always insist on "meter" taxis and even try to have the exact change and give them NO TIP.

I even learned a bad Filipino term used almost exclusively for manila taxi drivers. "Pudong ena mo" means son of a ***** and I follow it up with "Cocksucking bakla".

There are some good taxi drivers but even they will NEVER have change.

Enjoy "buang" (crazy) Manila. Cheapy "to the bone"

For the high-price of the rip-off fare (I've paid it myself, to not have to stand in the long taxi line) covers your tip. Tipping is not expected there like it is elsewhere. Give the next highest note amount if you can (say, p550) and let him keep the change. You weren't being cheap, in fact you may have over-tipped. Get that kano 15% rule out of your head. When the bill at the restraunt for you and your girl comes for, say, 480 pesos, put down 500 and walk. I'm not saying that you should not be generous (for good service), I'm saying that you don't have to tip unless you get GOOD SERVICE. If you find the service lacking (as you said, he never handled your bags), DONT TIP.

A normal fair to Malate would be p160-180 in the daytime, closer to p100 when traffic is lighter at night. I have yet to go from the airport to Malate (or vice versa) for more than 200 pisos in a regular taxi.

[WestCoast1]

Some of you know about the airport taxi monopoly. The set fare to Ermita or Malate is 530 pesos, even though a metered city taxi going the opposite direction is between 150 and 200. But the airport taxi service is reliable and still reasonable compared to other cities in the world. Thursday night I used the airport taxi to get me and my squeeze to Eurotel on Pedro Gil. The ticket agent and I loaded my bags, I tipped the ticket agent 50 pesos -- he looked surprised that I tipped him -- and away we went.

The driver stopped along the way to get something to eat. My squeeze and I waited about 5 minutes while he did this. When we arrived at Eurotel the doorman unloaded my bags and I asked for the receipt. I gave the driver 600 pesos. The 70 peso tip was a little more than 13%. It would have been a hefty tip for a city taxi going the same distance. But this driver didn’t think it was enough. He said so, loudly calling me “kuripot” (cheap) for all to hear – the doorman and security guard, my squeeze, and various others on the street nearby. Incidentally, he didn’t lift a finger on my bags, since other people, myself included, handled the luggage at both ends. I tipped the doorman 50 pesos.

So here’s my question: did I tip enough, or was the driver right to assail me as kuripot? How much are other mongers tipping for this distance? Filipino friends think I tip too much in taxis, so is this an expectation that applies only to foreign visitors? I promise no backchannel flames for anybody who calls me cheap. Have at it.

Skip

For the high-price of the rip-off fare (I've paid it myself, to not have to stand in the long taxi line) covers your tip. Tipping is not expected there like it is elsewhere. Give the next highest note amount if you can (say, p550) and let him keep the change. You weren't being cheap, in fact you may have over-tipped. Get that kano 15% rule out of your head. When the bill at the restraunt for you and your girl comes for, say, 480 pesos, put down 500 and walk. I'm not saying that you should not be generous (for good service), I'm saying that you don't have to tip unless you get GOOD SERVICE. If you find the service lacking (as you said, he never handled your bags), DONT TIP.

A normal fair to Malate would be p160-180 in the daytime, closer to p100 when traffic is lighter at night. I have yet to go from the airport to Malate (or vice versa) for more than 200 pisos in a regular taxi.

[Nolz7]

Filipinos usually dont tip cabbies at all, at best they might let him have the change (say the ride is 93.. they'll give him 100 and let keep the 7 peso change).. Malate cabbies are notorious for being dicks and pulling all kinds of stunts (tinkered meter, overcharge...). Bottom line is, you have to know what the fair costs are.. pay him the fair cost on arrival and ignore the protests.

Based on my observations, Filipinos are not a tipping culture.

[Fast Buck Artist]

The driver stopped along the way to get something to eat. My squeeze and I waited about 5 minutes while he did this. When we arrived at Eurotel the doorman unloaded my bags and I asked for the receipt. I gave the driver 600 pesos. The 70 peso tip was a little more than 13%. It would have been a hefty tip for a city taxi going the same distance. But this driver didn’t think it was enough. He said so, loudly calling me “kuripot” (cheap) for all to hear – the doorman and security guard, my squeeze, and various others on the street nearby. Incidentally, he didn’t lift a finger on my bags, since other people, myself included, handled the luggage at both ends. I tipped the doorman 50 pesos.

Filipinos usually dont tip cabbies at all, at best they might let him have the change (say the ride is 93.. they'll give him 100 and let keep the 7 peso change).. Malate cabbies are notorious for being dicks and pulling all kinds of stunts (tinkered meter, overcharge...). Bottom line is, you have to know what the fair costs are.. pay him the fair cost on arrival and ignore the protests.

[Paul C]

Some of you know about the airport taxi monopoly. The set fare to Ermita or Malate is 530 pesos, even though a metered city taxi going the opposite direction is between 150 and 200. But the airport taxi service is reliable and still reasonable compared to other cities in the world. Thursday night I used the airport taxi to get me and my squeeze to Eurotel on Pedro Gil. The ticket agent and I loaded my bags, I tipped the ticket agent 50 pesos -- he looked surprised that I tipped him -- and away we went.

The driver stopped along the way to get something to eat. My squeeze and I waited about 5 minutes while he did this. When we arrived at Eurotel the doorman unloaded my bags and I asked for the receipt. I gave the driver 600 pesos. The 70 peso tip was a little more than 13%. It would have been a hefty tip for a city taxi going the same distance. But this driver didn’t think it was enough. He said so, loudly calling me “kuripot” (cheap) for all to hear – the doorman and security guard, my squeeze, and various others on the street nearby. Incidentally, he didn’t lift a finger on my bags, since other people, myself included, handled the luggage at both ends. I tipped the doorman 50 pesos.

So here’s my question: did I tip enough, or was the driver right to assail me as kuripot? How much are other mongers tipping for this distance? Filipino friends think I tip too much in taxis, so is this an expectation that applies only to foreign visitors? I promise no backchannel flames for anybody who calls me cheap. Have at it.

Skip

A 70 peso tip for a 530 fare is plenty. He called you kuripot because he's an ungrateful idiot who gets pleasure from name-calling. Next time this happens, get your wallet out as if you're gonna add more, get your money, then give him the exact fare. Make him think twice before he calls a customer "kuripot."

[Key Master]

Some of you know about the airport taxi monopoly. The set fare to Ermita or Malate is 530 pesos, even though a metered city taxi going the opposite direction is between 150 and 200. But the airport taxi service is reliable and still reasonable compared to other cities in the world. Thursday night I used the airport taxi to get me and my squeeze to Eurotel on Pedro Gil. The ticket agent and I loaded my bags, I tipped the ticket agent 50 pesos -- he looked surprised that I tipped him -- and away we went.

The driver stopped along the way to get something to eat. My squeeze and I waited about 5 minutes while he did this. When we arrived at Eurotel the doorman unloaded my bags and I asked for the receipt. I gave the driver 600 pesos. The 70 peso tip was a little more than 13%. It would have been a hefty tip for a city taxi going the same distance. But this driver didn’t think it was enough. He said so, loudly calling me “kuripot” (cheap) for all to hear – the doorman and security guard, my squeeze, and various others on the street nearby. Incidentally, he didn’t lift a finger on my bags, since other people, myself included, handled the luggage at both ends. I tipped the doorman 50 pesos.

So here’s my question: did I tip enough, or was the driver right to assail me as kuripot? How much are other mongers tipping for this distance? Filipino friends think I tip too much in taxis, so is this an expectation that applies only to foreign visitors? I promise no backchannel flames for anybody who calls me cheap. Have at it.

Skip

I wouldn't know what the normal tip is for these guys. Most people don't use those private cars. I use only the metered taxis, the yellow airport ones or the metered ones dropping off passengers. Think most would be very happy for the 70 pesos. Maybe he saw you tip the ticket agent 50 pesos and figured he'd get more than 20 pesos more than him if he's driving you.

[Soapy Smith]

Some of you know about the airport taxi monopoly. The set fare to Ermita or Malate is 530 pesos, even though a metered city taxi going the opposite direction is between 150 and 200. But the airport taxi service is reliable and still reasonable compared to other cities in the world. Thursday night I used the airport taxi to get me and my squeeze to Eurotel on Pedro Gil. The ticket agent and I loaded my bags, I tipped the ticket agent 50 pesos -- he looked surprised that I tipped him -- and away we went.

The driver stopped along the way to get something to eat. My squeeze and I waited about 5 minutes while he did this. When we arrived at Eurotel the doorman unloaded my bags and I asked for the receipt. I gave the driver 600 pesos. The 70 peso tip was a little more than 13%. It would have been a hefty tip for a city taxi going the same distance. But this driver didn’t think it was enough. He said so, loudly calling me “kuripot” (cheap) for all to hear – the doorman and security guard, my squeeze, and various others on the street nearby. Incidentally, he didn’t lift a finger on my bags, since other people, myself included, handled the luggage at both ends. I tipped the doorman 50 pesos.

So here’s my question: did I tip enough, or was the driver right to assail me as kuripot? How much are other mongers tipping for this distance? Filipino friends think I tip too much in taxis, so is this an expectation that applies only to foreign visitors? I promise no backchannel flames for anybody who calls me cheap. Have at it.

Skip

[Tally Wacker]

Great post glad you had fun and it shows to respect the filipinas unlike some others on this board that give themselves high fives and refer to them as stupid, ignorant, liars and then use them and throw them.

If your approach to meeting women is all about yourself then you will recieve the bottom of the barrel and deserve it.

Its been a while since I did a FR on the phils, here we go.

[Whatsgoingon]

Its been a while since I did a FR on the phils, here we go.

After expecting to be coming back for non mongering reasons (see advice section) this went a bit wayward during the week.

Rather than cancel my trip I decided to hook up with a couple of girls that I got to know in UAE, treated nicely and were happy to see me.

First was in Manila and we met up. I stayed in a well know 5* in Malate, which is a nice hotel but the surrounding area is a dump, not quite like Makati where I normally stay but I booked at short notice and the rates were much lower.

This girl has always been quite shy but went out for drinks, dinner and even asked to go to a bar in P Burgos as she wanted to see one. I obliged and we did some bar hopping. Bottoms was a great fun place, was busy and had a great buzz.

Eventually we returned to the hotel, I was happy for her to leave being tired after the flight and suggested she do so but she had better plans. We had a really nice session, nothing kinky but a good shag with someone I knew fairly well. In the morning I tried to give her money and put some in her bag. She really didnt want me to give her anything. She told me she wanted to welcome me to Phils and make me happy, she would get a jeepney. I offered her money for Taxi instead, she still refused.

Day 2 and i decided to go to Davao for the night. I like this place. After talking a while to a 65 yr old Brit in the Marco Polo who relocated from Cebu I met Ms A, a friend from UAE from 6 mths back. We went out and ate, hit the bars in Torres St which were fun. A pinoy suggested I dance with what looked like an 18 yr old at one bar, I suggested i was tood old. He said there is no such thing in the Philippines!!!

After a great night out drinking/dancing we went back to mine and had a great session followed by another one in the morning.

This time I tried to sneak the money into her bag but she saw and told me not to. She doesnt do it for money with me. She wanted to give me a good time in return for visiting her.......I finally managed to convince her to at least take taxi money.......

Strangly this girl has been internet dating Mr. A from the Middle East for some time and he recently visited. I asked her the night before if it was right we sleep together and she said she wasnt sure if it would work and he wouldnt know so no problem. So Mr. A, I'm sorry, I did try!

Back to Manila and I have to come home a day early due to an emergency.

Anyway, a weird trip just catching up with some girls i met before and was kind and pleasant to. They repaid me with their kindness by wanting to make me happy!!