Makati

[Expat American]

Thanks EA, this answers my questions. So if I use the booth's employees to get me a Grab taxi, at the end of the ride I will be paying (in cash) the meter + Grab fee?

That I don't know as I have never used the booth. I thought it would be pre paid at the booth but I could be wrong.

[WestCoast1]

If you google Grab Manila Airport T3 you will see detailed instructions and even a video pointing you there. And I saw a lot of big green signs pointing the way. I think booths are there for visitors from the west who may never have heard of grab and don't want to download the app and set up the CC for just one ride. It makes sense to me. I use grab all the time and have app and payment set up so its faster for me to call it myself. Pick up location is exactly the same either way. As inefficient the PHils and MNL is in general, this was not an issue. Actually the entire experience seems much smoother than the last time I flew into MNL (which was years ago as I use CRK most of the time).

Thanks EA, this answers my questions. So if I use the booth's employees to get me a Grab taxi, at the end of the ride I will be paying (in cash) the meter + Grab fee?

[Goferring]

If you google Grab Manila Airport T3 you will see detailed instructions and even a video pointing you there. And I saw a lot of big green signs pointing the way. I think booths are there for visitors from the west who may never have heard of grab and don't want to download the app and set up the CC for just one ride. It makes sense to me. I use grab all the time and have app and payment set up so its faster for me to call it myself. Pick up location is exactly the same either way. As inefficient the PHils and MNL is in general, this was not an issue. Actually the entire experience seems much smoother than the last time I flew into MNL (which was years ago as I use CRK most of the time).

Good information. I don't know why but I mistakenly thought that we couldn't use the in app directly but had to use the Booth. I'd agree both that Grab is great 99% of the time and that the Booths are essentially useless to seasoned travellers, even across multiple countries.

T1 has the self ordered and Booth assisted pickups in very different areas. Use the app and turn left immediately outside to pillars 5 and 6. The Booth and their pickups are one more lane out and on the far right hand side.

I don't think I'll be using the Booths ever again now that I know the app can be used directly.

Enjoy. G.

[Expat American]

Why they don't just remove the Booths entirely and have the self service collection areas better signed is beyond me.

The other countries literally have step by step photos after selecting the ride to direct you out of baggage collection and to the meet point. Works much better.

G.

If you google Grab Manila Airport T3 you will see detailed instructions and even a video pointing you there. And I saw a lot of big green signs pointing the way. I think booths are there for visitors from the west who may never have heard of grab and don't want to download the app and set up the CC for just one ride. It makes sense to me. I use grab all the time and have app and payment set up so its faster for me to call it myself. Pick up location is exactly the same either way. As inefficient the PHils and MNL is in general, this was not an issue. Actually the entire experience seems much smoother than the last time I flew into MNL (which was years ago as I use CRK most of the time).

[Goferring]

Yes you can use your own app. Small correction on my report. It was at T3 where I arrived but I think its similar at all terminals. I would wait until getting to the pick up area to call the grab because as I understand it the drivers are given a waiting area close by and then pull up when you call. At least that's what my driver told me. It was totally painless and quick.

Why they don't just remove the Booths entirely and have the self service collection areas better signed is beyond me.

The other countries literally have step by step photos after selecting the ride to direct you out of baggage collection and to the meet point. Works much better.

G.

[Expat American]

A small touch of confusion. Some gents report that getting Grab at NAIA involved going to the Grab area, and some employees (Grab? Airport?) got them a Grab car / taxi (no app needed). EA appears to have used his app (no need for such employee help). Which is it? Can I use the Grab app to order a Grab car / taxi while I'm waiting at the luggage carousel (or departing the luggage carousel), and have them waiting for me (meter running I would assume) at the NAIA Grab area (as I do with Uber in my country)? Why would I need locals or employees to help me get one if there is a line of them waiting for customers?

Yes you can use your own app. Small correction on my report. It was at T3 where I arrived but I think its similar at all terminals. I would wait until getting to the pick up area to call the grab because as I understand it the drivers are given a waiting area close by and then pull up when you call. At least that's what my driver told me. It was totally painless and quick.

[PhilJoy]

My last several inbounds into T1 and T2, I couldn't find a regular white taxi when I stepped outside with my luggage.

I had the same problem on my last two arrivals into T1 Westie.

The white and yellow cabs are now located down the ramp on ground level.

_ Phil.

[GDreams]

Option 2 is to use your own phone's app, walk outside and wait for the car. Just like everywhere else in the world. EA says there is signage but I didn't see it. At T1 pick up is at pillars A5 to 6. At T3 it is downstairs outside arrivals. Payment is via whatever your app's default is..

When I arrived in March T3 was in a carpark on the right after coming out of Arrivals, you actually need to walk to the last bay and go back inside and it to the left then straight on. A taxi tout actually gave me directions as its not obvious though the app did specify the pickup point.

[Goferring]

A small touch of confusion. Some gents report that getting Grab at NAIA involved going to the Grab area, and some employees (Grab? Airport?) got them a Grab car / taxi (no app needed). EA appears to have used his app (no need for such employee help). Which is it? Can I use the Grab app to order a Grab car / taxi while I'm waiting at the luggage carousel (or departing the luggage carousel), and have them waiting for me (meter running I would assume) at the NAIA Grab area (as I do with Uber in my country)? Why would I need locals or employees to help me get one if there is a line of them waiting for customers?

In typical Phil style, the answer is all of the above.

Option 1 is to use the employee 'assisted' Grab Booths. Expect a long line and at least 15 minutes of manual processing of your booking. You are then given a small sheet of paper with the car's rego and told to wait off to the side. In about 5 minutes the car arrives and your journey begins. Pay the driver in cash as cards are not accepted when the girls do the manual booking.

Option 2 is to use your own phone's app, walk outside and wait for the car. Just like everywhere else in the world. EA says there is signage but I didn't see it. At T1 pick up is at pillars A5 to 6. At T3 it is downstairs outside arrivals. Payment is via whatever your app's default is.

I wasn't aware of it at the time but the driver who drove me from the airport confirmed that customers can use their own app. I thought that the Booths were the only option but I was incorrect. Interestingly, there were also many Pinoys in the line behind me who thought the same thing.

In future I'll be using my own phone and app and just walk to the collection point. The manual processing at the Booth is just a total waste of time.

G.

[WestCoast1]

I had no issue at all. Followed the signs to the end of the terminal. Stepped outside, called on my app and within 5 min was in the car. Very smooth experience. This was T1 I believe (Singapore airlines).

A small touch of confusion. Some gents report that getting Grab at NAIA involved going to the Grab area, and some employees (Grab? Airport?) got them a Grab car / taxi (no app needed). EA appears to have used his app (no need for such employee help). Which is it? Can I use the Grab app to order a Grab car / taxi while I'm waiting at the luggage carousel (or departing the luggage carousel), and have them waiting for me (meter running I would assume) at the NAIA Grab area (as I do with Uber in my country)? Why would I need locals or employees to help me get one if there is a line of them waiting for customers?

[Old And Ugly]

Thats piss poor screening by the bar. The mamasuns usually hire these girls so a valid ID would be my first question. When you get a ID come back and see me, as you can't barfine without one. I usually ask them but I've been known with a buzz to forget. This happened to me once and I took her back to bar and got barfined returned. Hiring her without ID was just stupid.

Happened to me too, but right after the scamdemic in AC, the girl had a pic of her vax certificate in the phone, but the overzealous receptionist at the hotel, didn't accept it, she wanted the original. Went back the bar next door (Viking) and got my 3 K BF back, waisted only the money for the LD.

[Expat American]

It's another one of those Only in the Philippines moments. Grab is a cluster fuck at any Phil airport. In town it's great but at the airport it sucks. As usual, it's just lack of organisation and doing things the most complicated way possible. I always thought that using your own app and phone wasn't possible and that those useless Booths were the only option. Turns out that you can but they don't advertise it and don't even have a marked meeting point.

Other counties just use the app and often even have photo directions in where to go to meet the car but 'Welcome to the Philippines'.

FWIW the app didn't even work upon arrival at Gensan airport. Despite having a heap of cars out the front, all with the Grab logo, none accepted bookings online. I gave up after 3 attempts. Luckily the first guy I asked only wanted P40 over for the trip so I didn't even worry about haggling. I'm guessing they don't want to pay the Grab commission.

I had no issue at all. Followed the signs to the end of the terminal. Stepped outside, called on my app and within 5 min was in the car. Very smooth experience. This was T1 I believe (Singapore airlines).

[WestCoast1]

It's another one of those Only in the Philippines moments. Grab is a cluster fuck at any Phil airport. In town it's great but at the airport it sucks. As usual, it's just lack of organisation and doing things the most complicated way possible. I always thought that using your own app and phone wasn't possible and that those useless Booths were the only option. Turns out that you can but they don't advertise it and don't even have a marked meeting point.

A system so silly that this probably belongs in the "Stupid Sh*t" section.

Other counties just use the app and often even have photo directions in where to go to meet the car but 'Welcome to the Philippines'.

Yes. In the home country, you use the app to book either when you deplane, or when you pick up your luggage. The Uber cars aren't allowed in an airport 'waiting area' like at NAIA. They are either out on regular patrol in the area, or they specifically loop around the perimeter of the airport waiting for airport arriving passengers who need a lift. Once they take your ride request, they enter the airport and proceed to a parking area specific to Uber. The customer picks up his luggage and walks to that area in the parking lot or structure. Directions there are posted on airport walls and you get a message from your driver on how to get there. The driver sends me a message like: "I just arrived at the Uber pickup area. I am in parking slot #27". I just have to go find that slot. This simple system does involve some walking from the luggage carousel area to the parking structure, but otherwise it works like a charm (I can see how persons in a wheelchair might need help getting there).

The idea that the airport needs 'helper' personnel (either their own, or from Uber or Grab), is a bit silly and is just an extra step in confusion. Not to mention in corruption, as if the app is bypassed for any reason, the drivers have a chance to not run the meter or insist on higher pay in advance.

Where on earth could this have been set up this way. Where. . . ?

My last several inbounds into T1 and T2, I couldn't find a regular white taxi when I stepped outside with my luggage.

[Locamotive]

Worst experience ever leaving phillipines in the morning. Went to iron horse tonight in Burgos street! Found a cute girl grinding all over me spent $12,000 pesos on our drinks with mamasan! Even tipped good! Go to city garden hotel only to find out the girl doesn't have government ID. As soon as we leave she starts I'm so shy sir drama before we even get to the hotel. Then she try's to get me to pay to go a hotel iron horse owns instead! I returned her back to the club! Told mamasan the embarrassment I just endured. Then she tries to give me uglier girls. I told her the only girl I like there they bring her over and because I have a full size penis says 30,000 to go with me! Instead of the $5000 agreed with the other girl. P.S. $4600 bar fine which after enough of a scene they paid me back! Brutal trip in phillipines worst girls in the world and scams! I'll stick to Colombia, Brazil, Thailand.

Thats piss poor screening by the bar. The mamasuns usually hire these girls so a valid ID would be my first question. When you get a ID come back and see me, as you can't barfine without one. I usually ask them but I've been known with a buzz to forget. This happened to me once and I took her back to bar and got barfined returned. Hiring her without ID was just stupid.

[Goferring]

The whole Grab thing at Terminal 1 is a shitfight.

Better off getting a yellow metered cab downstairs from experience.

_ Phil.

It's another one of those Only in the Philippines moments. Grab is a cluster fuck at any Phil airport. In town it's great but at the airport it sucks. As usual, it's just lack of organisation and doing things the most complicated way possible. I always thought that using your own app and phone wasn't possible and that those useless Booths were the only option. Turns out that you can but they don't advertise it and don't even have a marked meeting point.

Other counties just use the app and often even have photo directions in where to go to meet the car but 'Welcome to the Philippines'.

FWIW the app didn't even work upon arrival at Gensan airport. Despite having a heap of cars out the front, all with the Grab logo, none accepted bookings online. I gave up after 3 attempts. Luckily the first guy I asked only wanted P40 over for the trip so I didn't even worry about haggling. I'm guessing they don't want to pay the Grab commission.