Manila

[samran]

Right,

A fairly dumb question. Being sent to Manila for a couple of days with work. What is the taxi situation in getting from the airport to your hotel? Is it a bit like BKK where you have to negotiate your way through the touts before you find the legit taxi drivers? The lonely planet even reckons that getting a hotel car to pick you up may even be a good option.

Any clues?

Cheers

Samran

[Deke]

In the arrival lounge (after you exit customs, etc.) there is a counter selling taxi tokens or vouchers (I forget exactly what they call it). Anyway, it's relatively hassle free.

[phuketsiam]

If the company's paying get the hotel transfer option, else take your chances

[samran]

If the company's paying get the hotel transfer option, else take your chances

Am checking that option, but company travel policy sometimes can be a bit stingy with the expenses in favour of the cheapest method of transfer. Hence the question.

[Rinrada]

I have always found the touts at Don M.much more polite than the HUSTLERS at Manila...but may have changed ...doubt it.....

Bit Of Info ....

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Taxi:

The journey time into Manila varies enormously depending on the time of day. At peak times, it can take up to two hours; at best, it will take 30 minutes. It is recommended to only take a taxi with a Department of Tourism (DOT) accreditation.

Flagging a taxi on the road outside the airport is notoriously expensive and often dangerous.

To avoid being hassled, book a taxi at one of the taxi desks before leaving the airport. Complimentary hotel cars can be arranged at the airport’s hotel reservations desks. Limousine: Limousine companies have desks in the Arrivals area, with rates pre-approved by the Airport Authority.

Bus: An airport bus runs to Metro Manila; a cheap and frequent Metrobus also operates to Metro Manila. Jeepney: Privately owned jeepneys run to/from Baclaran where there is a metrorail terminal along Quirino Avenue to complete the journey to the city.

INFORMATION AND HELP DESKS

Airport information desks are open for all flights. Tourist information counters are available in Arrivals and Departures.

AIRPORT FACILITIES

Money and communications: Airport facilities include banks, post offices (outside Terminal 1 Arrivals and in the Terminal 2 Arrivals south wing) and telephones. All banks at the airport provide a bureau de change service during flight operations.

An ATM centre is located in the Arrivals area.

Eating and drinking: There are several restaurants, coffee shops, snack bars and bars in Terminal 1. Shopping: Duty-free shopping is available. There is a duty-free shop located several kilometres from Terminal 1, served by a shuttle bus. Luggage: There is no left-luggage facility at the airport. Trolleys are available free of charge and a free porter service is available on request. There is a lost property office in the Departures area of Terminal 1. Other facilities: Baby-changing facilities, a children’s playroom, salon, sauna and massage service, 24-hour medical centres, chapels, and a pharmacy are all available.

CONFERENCE AND BUSINESS FACILITIES

The airport provides an executive lounge with business facilities and showers. The nearby Philippine Village Airport Manila (tel: (0)2 833 8080) provides fully-equipped meeting and conference rooms for up to 1,000 delegates, with audiovisual equipment and catering available.

DISABLED FACILITIES

The airport is wheelchair-accessible with ramps, lifts and disabled toilets, and wheelchairs are available on request from airline ground staff; passengers requiring this service or any special assistance should inform their airline prior to travel. There is a contact number for assistance (tel: (0)2 877 1111).

AIRPORT HOTELS

The Philippine Village Airport Manila (tel: (0)2 833 8080) is the only airport hotel and is located 2km (1 mile) from the terminal; passengers in transit can hire a day room for resting. Nearby hotels include the Traders Hotel Manila, The Heritage Hotel Manila, Renaissance Makati, Oakwood Premier Ayala, InterContinental Manila, Hyatt Regency Manila and the Makati Shangri-La.

There are hotel reservation desks at the airport in both terminals and major hotels provide a shuttle service.

http://www.worldairportguide.co.uk/airports/mnl/mnl.asp

[Erwin1011]

When you come out of the airport look across the road for the NAIA Transport Queuing System building(shack). Buy you taxi ticket there. I pay 610 Peso to Pasig Ortegas business centre. No hassle good cars, friendly drivers. Prices are indicated on the board for the different destinations. Saves me roughly 400-800 peso compared to hotel limo and enormous amount of hassle compared to flagged down taxis.

Enjoy