General Info

[Trevor2522]

No need for the Grab app while you're at the airport. Each terminal has a Grab kiosk you can use to book your Grab ride. I use the Grab app all the time when I am in Manila, but I never have booked a ride on the app at the airport; the drivers give preference to the Kiosk. It is much cheaper than the taxis. I got scammed 1. 5 k one time from Terminal 1 to Newport City. Never again.

Thanks. If Grab has a kiosk where tired travellers can book without a phone or Internet, that's a great facility which no one on YouTube has mentioned. It is hard to believe the authorities have not clamped down on the P1,500 scammers by now.

s far as the SIM card issue, it is better to download the Globe One app prior to entering the country. You can get a local number on eSIM and avail a promo before you even arrive. Or, if you're there for a short time, just use your phone plans roaming feature.

Thanks. I originally thought eSIMs were data only but maybe numbers are coming online now. How long do they give you to register your number and documents with the government? It is normally 30 days for a physical SIM. Is there a similar eSIM service prior to arriving in Thailand?

I thought it really oppressive having to upload selfie, passport, proof of address and ticket out just for a local phone number! Even then, they never approved the application via text and I had to go into Glorietta Globe store in Makati to find out the status. They said it was working, then regaled me with dozens of Machiavellian promotions, packages, durations and countries. I settled on P350 for unlimited calls/texts & 3GB data, valid for 30 days. Paid cash into the machine, confirmed the load, but the balance was P1 back at my AirBnB, without any usage! How can anyone monger or do business in a country where they spend half their time in phone shops sorting out this crap?

There is clearly now institutionalised theft by Globe and Smart of customer's loads, shortly after paying, loading and displaying the new balance. Also happened to a friend using Smart. There is a reason why tourist arrivals to Thailand outnumber those to the Philippines by over 5:1 ! Philippine cheating and incompetence levels meant I cut this trip short to go to Thailand, where one can buy and top-up a SIM in any 7/11 within 5 minutes and the SIM does not have to be registered for 6 months. At Bangkok airport I just go up to the departures level and take a metered taxi dropping passengers off; we are both happy!

https://seasia.co/infographic/international-tourists-arrivals-in-southeast-asia-2023

[Trevor2522]

Mfs tried to get me for 1500 to go to Ermita. Then some guy came along and said 900. I had already called Grab for 431 before leaving out of the door and the first person asking. I just wanted to see how much they said. I have T-mobile from the States which has free roaming in almost every country, so I have no problem getting a grab from the airport.

Thanks. Any country's phone number can be used for Grab, apparently, not just a local one. I have 2 x UK SIMs which claim to roam internationally but they are patchy. One worked in Colombia but the other worked in Philippines.

I have never had a problem with a load disappearing. The people in the airport want too much for the SIM and data though. 1500 pesos minimum for Globe was a pure ripoff. I went to a phone shop for my SIM. The guy said they pay 59 pesos for them and sell them for 80.1 month of the fastest data is 980,1 week 580, and 3 days 300. You can also top up at 7 11. You go to the machine to decide which plan you want. It prints out a paper, then you go to the cashier to pay. The cheapest plan was I think 75 pesos.

The Philippine cellular top-up system is crazy-complicated in terms of calls / data / validity. The longest one can buy is only 30 days; in normal countries load does not expire so rapidly. Plus, there is now organised larceny by the cellular providers. I lost P350 loaded at Globe's main office in Makati and my friend lost P200 of a P449 top-up (Smart network) at 7/11. In both cases the loads were acknowledged but then got cut.

[Aml3740]

Manila international airport (NAIA), Terminal 1 -- The yellow and white taxis are now across the two frontage lanes, then down a steep, pedestrian ramp to the right. But they will still rip you off, just like everything else in the country. I was charged 700 for a 450 ₱ trip to Makati in a yellow, metered taxi; my friend, 2 weeks earlier, had been charged 1500 peso in an unmarked car.

My driver switched the meter off (it was on initially to con me), and also kept the customer copy of the receipt, so I could not complain. Use the Grab app if you can but that is problematic for newbies with the patchy wi-fi and general tiredness. Best avoid the place like The Beatles did after getting battered in 1966!

Philippine sim card top-ups are either short-changed or disappear completely the next day. That is why I am leaving very early and heading to civilisation in Thailand. Days of head-banging grief in The Philippines just to get a local phone number. In Thailand it takes 5 minutes in a 7/11. You have been warned! As for the women: a can't is a can't.

No need for the Grab app while you're at the airport. Each terminal has a Grab kiosk you can use to book your Grab ride. I use the Grab app all the time when I am in Manila, but I never have booked a ride on the app at the airport; the drivers give preference to the Kiosk. It is much cheaper than the taxis. I got scammed 1. 5 k one time from Terminal 1 to Newport City. Never again.

As far as the SIM card issue, it is better to download the Globe One app prior to entering the country. You can get a local number on eSIM and avail a promo before you even arrive. Or, if you're there for a short time, just use your phone plans roaming feature.

Sure, friendly scammers are waiting for you. Just know what the scams are (taxis) and avoid them. Grab or Joyride (if you're fine using a motorcycle) is the way to go.

[Mr Enternational]

Manila international airport (NAIA), Terminal 1 -- The yellow and white taxis are now across the two frontage lanes, then down a steep, pedestrian ramp to the right. But they will still rip you off, just like everything else in the country. I was charged 700 for a 450 ₱ trip to Makati in a yellow, metered taxi; my friend, 2 weeks earlier, had been charged 1500 peso in an unmarked car.

Mfs tried to get me for 1500 to go to Ermita. Then some guy came along and said 900. I had already called Grab for 431 before leaving out of the door and the first person asking. I just wanted to see how much they said. I have T-mobile from the States which has free roaming in almost every country, so I have no problem getting a grab from the airport.

Philippine sim card top-ups are either short-changed or disappear completely the next day. That is why I am leaving very early and heading to civilisation in Thailand. Days of head-banging grief in The Philippines just to get a local phone number. In Thailand it takes 5 minutes in a 7/11. You have been warned!

I have never had a problem with a load disappearing. The people in the airport want too much for the SIM and data though. 1500 pesos minimum for Globe was a pure ripoff. I went to a phone shop for my SIM. The guy said they pay 59 pesos for them and sell them for 80.1 month of the fastest data is 980,1 week 580, and 3 days 300. You can also top up at 7 11. You go to the machine to decide which plan you want. It prints out a paper, then you go to the cashier to pay. The cheapest plan was I think 75 pesos.

[Trevor2522]

Manila international airport (NAIA), Terminal 1 -- The yellow and white taxis are now across the two frontage lanes, then down a steep, pedestrian ramp to the right. But they will still rip you off, just like everything else in the country. I was charged 700 for a 450 ₱ trip to Makati in a yellow, metered taxi; my friend, 2 weeks earlier, had been charged 1500 peso in an unmarked car.

My driver switched the meter off (it was on initially to con me), and also kept the customer copy of the receipt, so I could not complain. Use the Grab app if you can but that is problematic for newbies with the patchy wi-fi and general tiredness. Best avoid the place like The Beatles did after getting battered in 1966!

Philippine sim card top-ups are either short-changed or disappear completely the next day. That is why I am leaving very early and heading to civilisation in Thailand. Days of head-banging grief in The Philippines just to get a local phone number. In Thailand it takes 5 minutes in a 7/11. You have been warned! As for the women: a can't is a can't.

[Dg8787]

The other week coming in to terminal 3 the money exchanger's rate was USD1. 00 - 57.90 pesos. The official prime rate was 58.11.

Which no one gets the prime exchange rate. I have found the Terminal 3 rates to be very good. At times better than street money exchangers. The only downside side is having to show your passport, if that is a concern.

[PhilJoy]

Back in the 2000's when I first came here, hotels routinely took my PP at check-in, giving it back when I paid up and checked out.

I can imagine that was the case Westie.

Back around the same time, I was checking into Russian hotels and it was like checking yourself into prison.

(You had to take multiple photocopies of your PP for when the dodgy police stopped on the street you asking for your PP / ID).

That said, the blonde 'room service' in Moscow was amazing.

Never had an issue in The Phils and most hotels accept my local driver's license as ID.

Always good to keep an eye on the local laws though.

_ Phil.

[Transporter]

I guess maybe it depends on country origin?

As far as I know, the blue passport I carry does not belong to me, so it is not something I can lend out.

I understand it can be taken from me, but don't think I am free to lend it out.

[WestCoast1]

PSA. Vid from Filipina Pea, regarding various laws in Phils. She interviews a pinoy lawyer who debunks the concept that vendors and hospitals can take and withhold your passport. Back in the 2000's when I first came here, hotels routinely took my PP at check-in, giving it back when I paid up and checked out. Around 2012-14-ish, that stopped. According to the lawyer, your PP can only be confiscated from you only by LE or Immigration for investigative purposes (3:40 in the vid).

And other odd legal Phils info.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T51ivyjS6U

[Old And Ugly]

If you book domestic airfare via airasia, is cheaper, not by much, but it is, than the respective airline's price. So I book CP on airasia's app.

[Jarango]

Do you have fixed dates or are you flexible? I'm not European but here there are major savings by getting a general idea of the cheapest airlines and travel periods through Scanner, Google Flights etc then sign up with notifications to those airlines' websites. They often have alerts for discount fares between your nominated airports. However, you need to be able to act quickly. Heavily discounted flights can be only a few seats and sell out very quickly, often a day or two.

I only ever deal direct with the airlines. Never travel agents, consolidators etc. they reserve the cheapest deals for direct sale and should any problems arise, then there aren't 27 middlemen

Good luck. G.

PS. It's often cheaper to book between the capitals and domestic connections separately ie to MNL plus MNL DVO is cheaper than one ticket to DVO

I am totally flexible. I know most of what you say but am leaving it there for others. I always book through airlines.

Scoot to Singapore form either Vienna or Athens seems a good deal, and then a cheap onward Asian fare from Singapore. KL seems another hub worth travelling through. Last time. I "saved" maybe $400 or more for slumming it for a day or so in airports but it does take it out of you. There is also the principle of paying over the odds, something the cheap Charlies here should know well.

[Goferring]

As the price of air travel is not getting any cheaper, I have been busy on skyscanner, kayak etc looking for bargains flying from Europe to Luzon. Although the Chinese airlines seem to be much cheaper than the Gulf States ones (Saudi seems to be an avoid at all costs airline), I have been looking for cheaper alternatives, like going through KL or Singapore with maybe a stop over for old times sake.

Any idea what is the cheapest way to do it from a small European airport via a European hub and then onwards? Last time, I stayed overnight in Heathrow airport and it near killed me. I marvel at Americans who can flit across the States and then the Pacific like it is nothing. To me, it is a lot in time, in money and in wear and tear.

I can't say I like the Philippines but compared to the Stalingrad that is Western Europe, it has its attractions, not the least of whom are the 1 k-2 k panties droppers.

Do you have fixed dates or are you flexible? I'm not European but here there are major savings by getting a general idea of the cheapest airlines and travel periods through Scanner, Google Flights etc then sign up with notifications to those airlines' websites. They often have alerts for discount fares between your nominated airports. However, you need to be able to act quickly. Heavily discounted flights can be only a few seats and sell out very quickly, often a day or two.

I only ever deal direct with the airlines. Never travel agents, consolidators etc. they reserve the cheapest deals for direct sale and should any problems arise, then there aren't 27 middlemen

Good luck. G.

PS. It's often cheaper to book between the capitals and domestic connections separately ie to MNL plus MNL DVO is cheaper than one ticket to DVO

[Jarango]

As the price of air travel is not getting any cheaper, I have been busy on skyscanner, kayak etc looking for bargains flying from Europe to Luzon. Although the Chinese airlines seem to be much cheaper than the Gulf States ones (Saudi seems to be an avoid at all costs airline), I have been looking for cheaper alternatives, like going through KL or Singapore with maybe a stop over for old times sake.

Any idea what is the cheapest way to do it from a small European airport via a European hub and then onwards? Last time, I stayed overnight in Heathrow airport and it near killed me. I marvel at Americans who can flit across the States and then the Pacific like it is nothing. To me, it is a lot in time, in money and in wear and tear.

I can't say I like the Philippines but compared to the Stalingrad that is Western Europe, it has its attractions, not the least of whom are the 1 k-2 k panties droppers.

[Trevor2522]

Guys phils is one of the easiest countries in SEA to get into. Just fill in a simple online form, no visa (for me), tick a couple of boxes, get a qr code and waltz through immigration. You can download the app or just do it online which I do.

Egov. Ph is the portal app but it is easier to go to https://etravel.gov.ph/ on a laptop or smartphone.
Save your reference number (+date of birth), take a QR-screenshot, save the QR-code in Safari, or even print it on paper for immigration.
Be aware that the eTravel system sometimes crashes and has to be handled manually, causing delays at immigration counters.

[Jingo10]

Guys phils is one of the easiest countries in SEA to get into. Just fill in a simple online form, no visa (for me), tick a couple of boxes, get a qr code and waltz through immigration.

You can download the app or just do it online which I do.