First Flight To The Philippines: Where To Land?

[Dutchman]

Clarke is MUCH closer and only 90 minute drive or less.  independent taxi will negotiate prices.

 

[Dave Hounddriver]

neither are all straightforward actually for Subic. But Clark is the easier of the two. On my initial arrival I would seriously consider getting a taxi directly there, as it is only 80km from Clark and 120km from Manila, which should mean a taxi fare of no more than about 1800 from Clark, or 2500, from Manila. However the Clark taxis is an overcharging mafia and the official yellow taxis from Manila airport, while not really bent, would probably still cost plenty more than 2500.

 

 

If the whiptster says take a taxi, then I'd take one.  He is one of the most frugal guys I know and if he is giving this advice then there must be a good reason.

[FlyAway]

Being your first flight in, I can guarantee anyone will spot you as being a first timer right from the moment you get off the plane.

Some tips I can think of depends on if you land in Manila and depends on the Terminal.

 

If you do land at Terminal 3 and are into a little bit of walking, I would say when leaving the Terminal, head to your left. Long walk but eventually you get to the entrance area that will lead to the main road. Usually you can pick up a "White" Colored common Taxi. Make sure it is "Metered". Watch out for the ones that charge by the "Kilometer". They are rip offs. Again, this is if you really want to do some walking! Do not walk strait ahead out of the terminal and think there is an exit to the main road, there is not! You will still end up walking the fence to the left until you get out. Been there done that one!

 

You can then instruct the driver to take you to the 5 Star bus terminal in Pasay. This will be a real short ride. At the 5 Star terminal, ask one of the crew what bus you should take. Security can point you who to talk to as well. Just watch out for everyone trying to sell you snacks and such. They like to personally escort you to a seat and then expect a little bit as a service fee.

 

Now you could also pay a little extra for one of the Yellow airport taxi's. Instead of exiting left from Terminal 3 you would go to your right. Usually you will see a very on line of people waiting for the Yellow Taxi's. Depends on how cheap and how much exercise you want. Having done both, I would elect the Yellow cab. But if you really want to save 3 or 4 US Dollar equivalent, then by all means have an adventure.

 

As for prices of riding the common white taxi, airport to 5 Star, going to be less than 100 peso. I do not know the exact fare from Pasay to Olongopo but it cost me 132 peso to go to Dau close to Angeles city a few years ago.

 

You will want to have Peso's as well. May be a little more expensive but exchange at the airport to be safe. 50 to 100USD would be more than enough to exchange there. Always nice to have a little extra till you get to your destination. Try to get many 20, 50 and 100 peso notes. Just easier to deal with than trying to hand some one a 500 or 1000 note and them saying they have no change.

[sandwichmaker]

As for prices of riding the common white taxi, airport to 5 Star, going to be less than 100 peso. I do not know the exact fare from Pasay to Olongopo but it cost me 132 peso to go to Dau close to Angeles city a few years ago.

 

You will want to have Peso's as well. May be a little more expensive but exchange at the airport to be safe. 50 to 100USD would be more than enough to exchange there. Always nice to have a little extra till you get to your destination. Try to get many 20, 50 and 100 peso notes. Just easier to deal with than trying to hand some one a 500 or 1000 note and them saying they have no change.

 

I agree, it's not that hard to get to the Pasay (that's the subcity which the Manila airport is located in) bus terminal. 

 

Just make sure any taxi you ride uses the meter. Ask "with meter?" just before you get in. Keep the chit of paper with the taxi licence plate on it. You know you can complain to the authorities, threaten any taxi who tries to rip you off, just do so in a controlled (don't lose control of your temper) way, the drivers will always back down and accept a reasonable price for the trip.

 

I have never seen a legitimate yellow taxi exceed about 100 pesos in Manila, except once, when the meter read something like 1,345 in a very short trip (10 minutes). The meter was fiddled with. I complained to the driver, he backed down, and I just gave him 100, which he accepted.

Edited June 2, 2014 by sandwichmaker

[OnMyWay]

You can then instruct the driver to take you to the 5 Star bus terminal in Pasay.

 

I don't think 5 Star goes to Ologapo.  If they do it is very infrequent.  Go to Victory Liner in Pasay (all the bus terminals are in the same general area) and get an SCTEX bus to Olongapo.  If you don't get the SCTEX bus, the bus will stop in many small towns and the trip is 2-3 hours longer.  The SCTEX bus goes every hour and the fare is p245.

 

http://www.victoryliner.com/schedules/

[BrettGC]

 

You can then instruct the driver to take you to the 5 Star bus terminal in Pasay.

 

I don't think 5 Star goes to Ologapo.  If they do it is very infrequent.  Go to Victory Liner in Pasay (all the bus terminals are in the same general area) and get an SCTEX bus to Olongapo.  If you don't get the SCTEX bus, the bus will stop in many small towns and the trip is 2-3 hours longer.  The SCTEX bus goes every hour and the fare is p245.

 

http://www.victoryliner.com/schedules/

 

 

Yep, done exactly this a couple of times.  

[jon1]

The easiest way would be via Manila (more International flights) and ease of getting to the bus station. If you fly in to Clark too late at night (some international flights arrive around midnight or later) you run the risk of not being able to find transportation to the Dau bus terminal. 

 

I agree with OMW, the Victory Liner SCTEX bus is the best one to take. You will get to Olongapo in around 5 hours or so.

 

If you are going to get in later in the evening, I recommend just going with one of the better known hotels Sheavens (http://www.sheavens.com/rooms.php) or Marmont. That will put you in Barrio Barretto and give you the ability to walk around the next day in your search for a more permanent place. I have no idea what a trike or jeep fare would be from the Olongapo terminal. You rarely see a taxi unless you are in the Freeport. Barrio Barretto is about 15 minutes from the Bus Terminal. 

 

Without your own transport, it will be harder to shop for a place within the Freeport.

[FlyAway]

Thought 5 Star went to Olongopo? I remember them asking if I was going there or Angeles. Oh well, maybe not so profitable run or they lost the route?

 

Victory Liner terminal was on the opposite side of EDSA from where 5 Star is located. Brother in Law taught me to cross to the other side of EDSA to catch a taxi back to Fort Bonifacio. Saves a lot of time and peso since turning around on EDSA is a PITA.