Advice on Manila airport taxis to Makati

Hafa Adai!
My husband and I are going on a special weekend getaway to Manila next month. We arrive at 8:40 p.m. and need to get to the Makati Shangri-La. We can fork out about USD $40 for the hotel's taxi service, or be adventurous and flag down a non-hotel taxi company. Neither of us speak Tagalog, and as this is hubby's first visit to Manila, he's a bit leery of arriving at night and jumping into a random taxi. Any advice, recommendations and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.60 (J2ME/MIDP; Opera Mini/4.2.13337/698; U; en) Presto/2.2.0)

Hello, I don't recommend flagging down a taxi and so if you decide not to use the hotel service, there's an airport taxi service you can use.
When you step out of the terminal building after picking up your luggage, the airport taxi service is on the left after crossing the driveway.
If I remember correctly from the airport to the hotel should cost somewhere between 300 to 500 pesos (around 10 US dollars or so).
The hotel is only about 3 to 5 kilometers away, but as you're traveling during rush hour, it can take more than an hour to get there so be sure to get a cab with working air conditioning.

KIXman--Thanks for the info! The Airport Taxi service seems much more reasonably priced. I'm surprised to learn the rush hour traffic still plagues the streets that late at night. Good to know, then we won't be worried if it takes an hour or more to get to the hotel.

Unfortunately the airport in Manila remains unchanged, even as the rest of the world flies by. You'll go through the same corridors, pay for the same luggage trolleys, go through the same lines and when out of terminal, face the same typical traffic patterns as you leave the airport to town.

The airport taxi service is fairly reliable - whatever you do, don't get into just any taxi or say yes to a gypsy driver!

9pm should be not too bad for traffic - if it is not raining - but there are normally roadworks and other delays that can clog up traffic very easily. 30mins to your hotel should be about right. Maybe a little more for a Friday night and double that if it is raining. There are Airport Taxis (white van-type vehicles) that will be about P400, but there are now also the yellow Metered Taxi available just after you walk out of the doors. With both methods of transport you go to the desk or office and tell the girl where you want to go and they will give you a little slip. The Metered Taxi will be about P200, the white Airport Taxi will be a fixed rate, which they will tell you when you go to the desk. The Airport Taxi is a better vehicle normally (ie, roadworthy) and can fit several large suitcases. I would just take the yellow Metered Taxi if I had small suitcases.

The Metered Taxis are cheap to use in Manila, although some can be not-so-roadworthy. Always insist on the meter being used, but don't be afraid to give a tip if it is a short journey.

Don't worry at all about the language. English is widely spoken, and in 3 weeks in and around Makati City I never had the slightest problem with language.

If you get a chance, spend a day on Corregidor, it's an extraordinary place that you'll never forget. I caught a boat right from the harbour in Manila and will always be glad I made the impulsive decision to go.

And Welcome to FlyerTalk!

Thanks to all the information and great advice! The metered taxis sound like the way to go; we're planning only a short stay and wont have much luggage. I'll be sure to share my experience in a trip report when we return.

Yes, definitely the new Yellow Metered taxis are the way to go. They are the best thing to happen in recent years. No problems with them whatsoever.

I always use the Airport Taxi with the fix rate. Not only is it usually a better vehicle, but the air conditioning always works (compared to the local metered taxi)!!

With either taxi service (metered v fix rate), is there any premium added for late night service? For instance in Singapore after a certain hour there is a premium added to the fare. We are arriving late into Manila MNL (23:55) and I'm curious. Thanks.

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We paid P330 about $7 for an official taxi, actually a mini van that accomodated 5 of us plus about 5 luggages & some carry ons to the Manila Intercon. Makati Shang is just another block away. The Intercon also has the $40 pick up service but obviously is not needed here.

Sweet Willy, no, there is no Singapore style after hours premium in Manila.

excellent, thank you^

If I can add a further question!

Staying in Ermita and will be flying out on CX (in J if it makes much difference at the airport!) at 6:20 on a Sunday morning...

Any advice on what time to plan to leave the hotel (by taxi)???

Many thanks!!!

At that time, traffic will be pretty well as light as it ever gets, so I would allow about 30 mins to get to the airport from Ermita. Being in J will certainly reduce your checkin time markedly, so your major possible delay will be at immigration. If you leave at 4am you should have no problems.

Thanks... I was hoping not to relive my navy watchkeeping days!!!

But it won't kill me once!!!