You can get Grab from MNL no problem
Rumours on forums advising otherwise, possibly originate from the genuinely-friendly scammer-staff at the official airport taxi offices/kiosks
They will inform you that Grab has been banned from the airport, and so you need to cancel your Uber ASAP!
These guys have a range of official looking rate cards, with fixed prices for proper taxis
- unfortunately the prices are ridiculous eg MNL T1 to Makati is PHP 2000 (November 2023)
(you can still get in a taxi directly without these "bookers" and their prices)
Right now, the same journey would cost
- PHP 333 in a Grab
- PHP 257-309 in a metered taxi booked through the Grab app
(prices checked 8:39pm Manila time on 5th December 2023)
Grab is usually cheaper, but at peak times especially, taxis often cost less (booked through Grab app)
- booking fee for a regular taxi using Grab app is PHP 69 (US$1.25) with this and the fare billed to your card
Yes true. Don't believe what they tell you outside the airport. The local taxis on the far side are good if you know where you are going. If not a few extra pesos on a grab is the best. I have found that a lot of the normal taxis have cigarette smell inside and the grab cars are much better inside.
Depending on the time of the day and where you are going is the crux of the matter.