Makati

[WestCoast1]

I ALWAYS use the yellow taxis on arrival (I use Grab to get to the airport).

No fuss. Yellow cabs are always available no matter what time of day. Just get the chit from the despatcher and away we go. I have never had a scam or attempted scam. Fare is always between 800-900 php to my condo in Ortigas and I give a blue note (Grab is almost a fixed price at 810 php from home to airport).

I read the dramas some of you have with taxis and wonder why you experience stuff that I have never had (and I have lived here for 28 years now).

Concur. Your success, I imagine, is to always use the more hassle-free method. I flew a few months ago and grabbed a yellow taxi (small 2-minute wait in line for me at the time). Grabbed the chit and off we went to Makati. Pleasant driver. He dropped me at my condo, helped me get my luggage to the front door, and off he went with his meter + tip. I waited in line checking in at the counter and realized I left my phone in the taxi. Ahhhhhh! I ran outside and ran in the direction he went (1-way street). I stopped after a short block and realized he was gone. I was about to grab the chit and see if there was a phone number to call for help in contacting the driver, when he pulled up along side me. He'd realized what happened and circled the block to return. He handed me the phone and I reached into my pocket to give him another tip, but he drove off. Great yellow cab experience.

In addition, I recommend those high-priced touts and their pre-fixed rate vans as you exit the airport door. While expensive, the drivers are professional, the don't get paid extra for driving more miles or more minutes. They just drop you at your destination. Yes, its $25-$30, but its also the fastest vehicle to get into (shortest distance from the airport exit doors, directly in front of you) and out of the airport. I use them on occasion when I enter the country on a long-bow flight over the pond, and am not in the mood to wait in any line or deal with errant drivers.

I believe the problem comes with white and / or Grab taxis, who get paid both per minute and per kilometer.

[Red Kilt]

So far this year, I have had seven return international business flights back into Manila (4 at T1 and 3 at T3), and I ALWAYS use the yellow taxis on arrival (I use Grab to get to the airport).

No fuss. Yellow cabs are always available no matter what time of day. Just get the chit from the despatcher and away we go. I have never had a scam or attempted scam. Fare is always between 800-900 php to my condo in Ortigas and I give a blue note (Grab is almost a fixed price at 810 php from home to airport).

I read the dramas some of you have with taxis and wonder why you experience stuff that I have never had (and I have lived here for 28 years now).

[WestCoast1]

The small bluebird of happiness made a brief pass down Burgos recently. He reports that Fyre and Neon Nights are reopened, up and running. More ladies for thee, and for me.

Thanks birdie.

[PhilJoy]

One of those changes* is that white taxis have been banished to the departure area, upstairs. Walk outside and be greeted by:

1) The higher-priced van services, right in front of you, which have set prices to different parts of Manila. There are touts outside directing you to these vehicles. They are a tad deceptive, and often greet you with: "Taxi sir?"

2) Yellow airport taxis, stationed to your right. Slightly higher in price than white taxis, but they are by law dedicated to airport pickups only. Typical taxi fare from NAIA to Makati in the yellow is p300-400.

3) Grab booth, probably to your left as you walk out to the street. Price will be the same as a white taxi (below) + grab fee (p59 to 79, depending time of day and availability).

If you want a regular white taxi (bit cheaper than yellow), then elevator upstairs to the departure area and walk outside. White taxis for the same ride to Makati will usually be p220-280.

Hi Westie,

It's all turned into a bit of a shit-fight at Terminal 1, mainly because there's no signage regarding taxis since the changes.

In March I walked outside expecting to get a yellow taxi to the left and they'd disappeared. Even the security guards couldn't tell me where they were.

I avoid the "Taxi Sir" vans because after a long flight I just want a few moments to get my shit together on arrival without being hassled as soon I'm out of the terminal doors.

I'm also over the white cabs as the pricks never turn their meters on, unless you demand it before your bag is placed in the back.

I do get the yellow cabs to Makati but have never got one as cheap as 400 p.

Stupid shit in the Philippines maybe? To arrive in a country and have to get transport in the departure area?

Anyway, I found that yellow taxis also depart from downstairs. When you head out of the terminal doors, politely turn down the "Taxi Sir?" touts, and walk across the road and then down the ramp. At the bottom, you'll find them.

Footnote: I always get the hotel guys to hail me a cheaper white cab back to the airport and get them to tell the driver in Tagalog to turn the meter on. No meter no fare. No meter, no tip.

_ Phil.

[GreenBud]

The keywords in Doc's message are "last year. " Both Immigration and Transport Departments have undergone dramatic revisions in the past few months of 2025 so what worked last year has probably changed now.

I arrived in Terminal 1 this past Wednesday in the afternoon.

I ordered transport via the Grab App.

The App said to meet the driver on the departure level.

[WestCoast1]

The keywords in Doc's message are "last year. " Both Immigration and Transport Departments have undergone dramatic revisions in the past few months of 2025 so what worked last year has probably changed now. The new heads of both departments are smart and are making significant changes in the airports and in general transport arrangements in Manila.

One of those changes* is that white taxis have been banished to the departure area, upstairs. Walk outside and be greeted by:

1) The higher-priced van services, right in front of you, which have set prices to different parts of Manila. For example, a run to Makati will probably be about p1500 ($30 USD). The price is fixed, there is no meter, and the vehicle is not a taxi. Drivers are quiet, courteous, and professional. There are touts outside directing you to these vehicles. They are a tad deceptive, and often greet you with: "Taxi sir?" You say yes and they usher you to their vans (deceptive in that they didn't lie to you, but you asked for a taxi and they directed you to a private car). You agree to the price before getting into the van. I have taken these before and have been glad they were there, even though a plain white taxi, a Grab taxi, or a yellow taxi are my usual MO. When there are long taxi lines, these vans can be invaluable. Taking a similar airport vehicle (or taxi) in my country the same 6 km could run me $50-$70. Also these vehicles are convenient, they are right in front of you, just waiting.

2) Yellow airport taxis, stationed to your right. Slightly higher in price than white taxis, but they are by law dedicated to airport pickups only. Typical taxi fare from NAIA to Makati in the yellow is p300-400. Yellow taxis rarely cause any problem by asking for extras. Just pay him the meter amount and walk away (tip as desired). You get a chit (two chits) from a booth operator before getting your yellow taxi, which has your destination on it, the driver's license plate number, and a phone number you can call if there is trouble. You keep one chit, the driver gets the other.

3) Grab booth, probably to your left as you walk out to the street. Price will be the same as a white taxi (below) + grab fee (p59 to 79, depending time of day and availability).

If you want a regular white taxi (bit cheaper than yellow), then elevator upstairs to the departure area and walk outside. White taxis for the same ride to Makati will usually be p220-280.

* Terminals 1, 2, and 3.

[Red Kilt]

I would guess that is true. Last year, I directed my driver to come to Bay 4 in the arrivals pickup area (at NAIA Terminal One), and that is where he drove up to.

The keywords in Doc's message are "last year. " Both Immigration and Transport Departments have undergone dramatic revisions in the past few months of 2025 so what worked last year has probably changed now. The new heads of both departments are smart and are making significant changes in the airports and in general transport arrangements in Manila.

[Lalake]

IMHO there should be a thread on how to get in and out of the airport (or all airports). It's important infor and it scattered about.

Cheers.

[Docwiltro]

Maybe in theory but I have just told the Grab driver in chat the bay I am at and he has come there.

I would guess that is true. Last year, I directed my driver to come to Bay 4 in the arrivals pickup area (at NAIA Terminal One), and that is where he drove up to. Also, for the uninitiated, to get to that pickup spot, you must cross the street once outside the terminal and walk down one of two ramps that lead to the aforementioned pickup spot. You can walk down either ramp, but the one on the left will take you to Bays 4,5, or 6.

[Old And Ugly]

Is the massage actually any good? A strange question, I know but I love both a good deep tissue massage and won't turn back a good fuck either. However, it's rare to find both. Masseuses generally just give a tugjob and hookers can't massage for shit.

If you have another option, I'd definitely be interested.

G.

It is possible, but it takes time and money. After years of trials and filtering, I have 2 masseuses in AC that are very good at both activities and look extremely good also. One is a 10, (I know is hard to believe) was 19 when we first met, now is 24, still a virgin, we do only 69 and light pussy play, it took me a lot of money, and time, about a year, to get her at ease and to trust me, it was like a side project. The second one is also very good looking, at first maybe a 9, but has to be derated to a 7 because of baby damage, the body is perfect, but below the belly button there is too much skin, probably some sort of skin removal surgery would give her a perfect body again, this one fucks like there is no tomorrow, and arches, and moves and have facial expressions just like in a porn movie, also very submissive, I used her many times in 3 somes. Both are extremely cautious and shy, always come with a facemask on, not to be recognized.

How to have someone like that on speed dial? Look far away from the Red St, those places don't offer hotel service, once you found the girl, visit her often, give good tips even if there are no extras involved, and once you have a trusty friendly relationship established, have her come to your place for massages, and without rushing it work it out further. You're not going to end up cheaper than paying a hooker, but to me is worth it, the virgin being a totally different experience than the daily AC routine, and the other one is just amazing.

[Pez612]

Is the massage actually any good? A strange question, I know but I love both a good deep tissue massage and won't turn back a good fuck either. However, it's rare to find both. Masseuses generally just give a tugjob and hookers can't massage for shit.

If you have another option, I'd definitely be interested.

G.

No the massage will be terrible 😆.

If you want a decent massage and extras suggest to get a massage girl from a massage shop delivered to your hotel. You might not get extras, but chances are high you will. You often won't be offered sex, but a good cash offering and a cheeky request for boom boom can often work wonders if you put a bit of charm on.

[Expat American]

Is the massage actually any good? A strange question, I know but I love both a good deep tissue massage and won't turn back a good fuck either. However, it's rare to find both. Masseuses generally just give a tugjob and hookers can't massage for shit.

If you have another option, I'd definitely be interested.

G.

You want her to cook you a Michelin level meal as well?

[Goferring]

I'm not a huge fan of P. Burgos street due to the high costs related to barfines etc. There are a few massage girls hanging out on the nearby streets (such as the one leading to Handlebar). You can get what you need from them at a cheaper price. They're not as hot as the bar girls, but you can get a massage and the dirty deed for less. They'll start at 4 k but you can easily get the price down. This option is handy if you can't take someone back to your hotel and don't want the hassle of a short time hotel and freelancer. Don't expect the massage room to be luxurious though. And watch for the LBs (unless that's your thing).

Is the massage actually any good? A strange question, I know but I love both a good deep tissue massage and won't turn back a good fuck either. However, it's rare to find both. Masseuses generally just give a tugjob and hookers can't massage for shit.

If you have another option, I'd definitely be interested.

G.

[Pez612]

I'm not a huge fan of P. Burgos street due to the high costs related to barfines etc. There are a few massage girls hanging out on the nearby streets (such as the one leading to Handlebar). You can get what you need from them at a cheaper price. They're not as hot as the bar girls, but you can get a massage and the dirty deed for less. They'll start at 4 k but you can easily get the price down. This option is handy if you can't take someone back to your hotel and don't want the hassle of a short time hotel and freelancer. Don't expect the massage room to be luxurious though. And watch for the LBs (unless that's your thing).

[Pekkakoo]

Grab cars are not allowed to pick up in other bays / areas.

Maybe in theory but I have just told the Grab driver in chat the bay I am at and he has come there.