roadagent

I have lived in Angeles City for 12 years. There's a lot of information presented here but unfortunately not all accurate. Let me try to summarize and provide some insight for you:

"Have never gone there via Bangkok and need some advice please. I have not been to Angeles since 2008 so looking for some up to date information."

Via BKK, there are no direct flights now to CRK. SSEAir and then Tiger Air used to fly direct into CRK but Cebu Pacific air took over the route a few years back and then ultimately cancelled it forcing everyone to fly to/from Manila.

"What is the best airline to fly with?"

My subjective opinion is Cebu Pacific Air is the most convenient airline (all things considered). I used their website with travel dates June 8 to June 29 and this is what it showed. There are 2 flights to MNL. One (5J932) departs at 0040 arriving at 0455 and another (5J930) that departs at 0940 arriving at 1400. For the BKK return, there are also 2 flights. One (5J929) departs at 0635 arriving at 0855 and another (5J931) that departs at 2135 arriving at 2350. They have a promotion at the moment with the fare being 2195B each way. This excludes fees/taxes.

A plus for them is they use terminal 3, which is much newer and nicer than the dreaded terminal 1.

"Should i buy a return ticket or one way?"

As others have stated, you absolutely, positively must have an onward ticket. No exceptions! The airline will deny you boarding if you don't have one.

"Once I get to Manila is it best to get a bus to Angeles or arrange a hotel pick up?"

You didn't specify a budget. If your hotel can arrange a pickup for you, this might be the most convenient option, although perhaps not the cheapest. I always use the services of Margarita Station. They are not cheap but they are reliable and charge 2900 pesos for a pickup at the airport and 2800 pesos for a drop off. Others have posted their website.

If you are familiar/comfortable with Manila or on a tight budget, you can take a local bus as others have suggested. If you have a lot of luggage, this might not be the most practical option. There are always shady characters lurking about looking for a opportunity steal. I believe Victory Liner bus station is the closest. Most buses will terminate in Dau, which is a few miles from Fields Ave. area. So from there, you will need to take a trike or if you are an intrepid traveler, try a jeepney for 8 pesos. Philippine Rabbit bus company has their main bus station near downtown Angeles and it goes right passed Fields Ave. You can tell the conductor to let you off there. You can walk or take a trike to your hotel. Their bus station in Manila is a little further away from the airport but saves you the hassle of stopping in Dau.

"Anything else I need to consider prior to and during my trip?"

You will get a 30 day visa on arrival (used to be 21 days). If you plan to stay longer than a month, you must get your visa extended to 59 days at the immigration office. If you have time and will be in Bangkok for a few days, you might consider getting a single entry 59 day visa at the Philippine consulate. It's cheaper and far less hassle. The consulate is about 8 minutes walk West from Thong Lor BTS.

Go to Tequila Reef and ask the cashier for a (free) Philippines-Addict membership card. You get a discount on food at TR and many bars will offer a discount on your drinks. If you go to Lost in Asia bar, you can get a PI at Night card which offers similar discounts.

"Any helpful advice is much appreciated."

Keep your nose clean and a low profile. Don't draw attention to yourself. If you go looking for trouble, trouble will find you. Just use common sense and you'll have a good time. As other have stated, bars have been raided but they generally only take the staff. I can only recall one instance a few years ago when customers were taken to Manila. If you find yourself it that situation, pay your bill and try to quietly leave.

To get in the mood, find the schedule for the Maniac Monday and Wow Wednesday parties. They have girls from 6 different bars dancing at the host bar with reduced price drinks, finger food and raffle prizes. It's generally posted on the wall of La Bamba in the rest room! It's from 6PM to 8PM but go early to get a good seat.

The price for an EWR (early work release) varies from 1200p on up to 3000p for spotlight girls. Quality has slowly gone way down the last few years for what I like but YMMV. They are out there but you just have to keep "stirring to pot" so to speak.

More and more bars are becoming Korean owned, which, isn't in and of itself, a bad thing. What turns me off is the owners seem to prefer the girls dance in evening attire (long dresses) revealing almost no flesh except elbows and ankles. If I can't see skin, I ain't interested but that's just me.

Have a good time but it ain't nuthin' like Pattaya...

that is one ugly ladyboy in the picture ... forgot to shave ?

That's not the LB. That's the cat's owner. Please READ the caption (under the photo)...

<deleted>!!! I didn't pay too much attention to the google search. yes I overpaid with my own mistake.

http://www.evisa-cambodia.net was the one I used. well serves me right for not paying to much attention.

can't cancel too late.

Yes, it's a little late but at the bottom of that site, it shows "Fees" and clickable links for:

View Prices for applying via our website ($70) AND View Prices for applying via gov website ($25). Perhaps reading this might help someone avoid the same mistake.

The rental business also has a duty of care. Did they even check to see if he was licenced? These things are very dangerous in the hands of inexperienced and unlicenced riders. Bothe rider and rental operator should be facing charges and be required to pay all medical costs.

Of course he was licensed, it's called Thai Baht...

I would apply for a transit visa, explaining your situation. Not sure how they will consider this, as you must change airports and enter the country.

Personnaly I would change my travel plans so I don't have to use two different airports.

Yes i think i will do the latter and transit in KL or somewhere like that and when in manila it should be easy to arrange flights to cambo, nam, laos etc

Off topic but anyone know how much i should pay for a taxi to Angeles from Manila..? And how long is the ride..?

last time i was in Angeles i went direct to clark from BKK flying tiger, operated by seair who has the best looking air hostess iv ever seen in my life

they were wearing mini skirts

Manila to Angeles is about 3,000 pesos. You can take a taxi to Ermita, though, for 180 pesos, then take Fly the Bus to Angeles or Olongapo for 600 pesos. YOu can find them online.

Out of curiosity, what did you do to get banned, if you don't mind sharing?

I always politely & patiently point out the error (over/under charge) for them to correct. Mistakes happen...

I regularly fly Tiger Air between BKK and Clark airport in Angeles City. At the check in counter, the only document they have ever asked for is a ticket out of the country. It is illegal to enter the Philippines without an onward flight and you will be denied boarding. If you do not have a visa, you will be issued a 21 day visa on arrival which can be extended to 59 days at an immigration office in the Philippines.

FYI,

Bell Travel Service: www.belltravelservice.com

Fare: THB 350/person

Depart Don Muang Airport at: 10:30/14:30/18:30. Travel by van to Suvarnabhumi, then by coach to Pattaya.

From Pattaya depart Bell Office at: 06:00/11:00/15:00. Travel by coach to Suvarnabhumi then to DM by van.

At the bottom of the airhanuman web page, it states: "The Site in Under Construction..." That probably explains why certain options aren't working yet.

You might consider Citibank...

Oatmeal with a sliced banana...

You didn't mention how much time you have? On the island of Negros, Dumaguete City (Negros Oriental) or Bacolod (Negros Occidental) might be worth considering. A little more remote is Malapascua island.

Yes it is possible to open peso and US dollar accounts, as I have both with Metro Bank and BPI (Bank of the Philippines Islands). You can even deposit a check drawn on a US bank into your dollar account and get funds put into your account. BPI has a 25 day hold on the check however. You can get no fee ATM cards as others have posted. They require proper documentaton. I believe they want to see some evidence of residence (phone bill, electric bill, etc.). This may vary with the financial institution so check at the bank.

The link http://www.mfaic.gov.kh/evisa/ doesn't work but you can try this one:

http://www.cambodiaonarrival.com/ The cost is $30 ($20 for visa & $10 service fee)

I was just in Phnom Penh a few weeks ago & they are quite efficient at processing visa-on-arrival. The main advantage I believe to the E-visa is you don't get a page taken up in your passport.

The link http://www.mfaic.gov.kh/evisa/ didn't work for me but you can try this one:

http://www.cambodiaonarrival.com/ The cost is $30 ($20 for visa & $10 service fee)

I was just in Phnom Penh a few weeks ago & they are quite efficient at processing visa-on-arrival. The main advantage I believe to the E-visa is you don't get a page taken up by the visa in your passport but not 100% sure.

Yes you can, a fairly simple form to fill out on arrival,a passport sized photo and 20USD (single entry 30 day tourist visa) or 25USD (single entry 30 day business visa)Usually quick and painless,no asking silly sums of money like at Had Lek/Koh Kong,it's quite an efficient process at PP airport

Alternatively, you can get a Cambodian E-visa online with your credit card. I did this a couple years ago, cost and extra $5, for $25 total, but saved the mad rush and crowd on arrival to the window for the paper application.

http://www.mfaic.gov.kh/evisa/

Mac

I was going to head for Benihana in RGP but then heard about Mantra. Any advice or recommendations please? We're not wanting a carvery or all we can eat for 99 baht.

We've been to Benihana a few times, it's very nice. I thought we might try Mantra but their website doesn't give much information about their Sunday brunch. What's their Sunday brunch like?

Really depends on what you want. If you want a glorified western buffet, than yes Mantra, Dusit, Amari are all excellent, but expensive.

If you would like a nice lunch buffet served from 12-4PM on Saturday and Sundays, the Beafeaters on Soi Diana just west of second road is excellent for 199 Baht. The buffet includes what I think is the best ribs in Pattaya with double baked potatos with melted cheese. Also a full mexican spread with tortia chips, sour cream cheese sause, tacos, make your own etc. Great value for 199 Baht.

Barry

Based on this recommondation we stopped by Beefeaters this afternoon for the brunch - i thought a good value for the money - the ribs were basted in a tasty BBQ sauce and i was able to make a plate of Nachos with crispy tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream, jalapenos, and salsa - the chili was also excellent - thanks

I went by Beefeater's last night (Oct 22nd) to look at their menu, and they are charging 250 B for the week end brunch.