Meet Girlfriend At Manila Naia Airport Or At Hotel?

[earthdome]

I will be flying to the Philippines soon to reunite with my girlfriend. She would like to meet me at the airport but hasn't done this before.

As I recall from my first visit those meeting arrivals at Terminal 1 are pushed out beyond the airport road where the taxis and hotel shuttles do pickups.

Are there taxi stands close by beyond the greeters area to get a reputable taxi?

Would it be easier to just meet her at the hotel in Makati?

Thanks for your input!

Earthdome

[Curley]

No, there are no taxis by the greeters area, been there, done that, meet at the hotel, much easier.

[earthdome]

No, there are no taxis by the greeters area, been there, done that, meet at the hotel, much easier.

Thats the direction I was leaning. Thank you for the confirmation.

[Garpo]

I went through the same situation two years ago and can tell you that it is better to meet her at the hotel unless she or somebody she knows has a vehicle to pick you up near the greeting area outside the terminal.

Just be careful with the taxi's outside the terminal. Make sure to use a metered one or you can also check with the motel and see if they might have a shuttle service but of course that will usually cost you more than a taxi.

[jode]

She may want to meet you at airport to be sure you are actually arriving when you say you are and not meeting up with someone else first. A lot of us slippery ex-pats have been know to do that. Had a big fight with my gf when returning to cebu and her insisting on meeting me at the airport. I didn't want to go through with that bother after a 23 hour journey and instead just wanted to jump in a taxi and meet her at apartment. It lead to cranky traveler having sharp words with her our first minutes together. It is much less hassle to just meet her at Hotel. I would insist on it. The metered taxis are to the far right as u leave terminal. Last week had to wait in a long line to get one. 80 minute flight from cebu - 50 minutes waiting for metered taxi. You can take airport taxi for maybe double the charge but no wait.

Maybe she could check into hotel before u arrive if you make prior arrangements. She could be waiting in a neglige and with a hot tub and cold beer ready. That is my idea of a great welcome not the awkwardness of first minutes together in the din of an airport and back of a taxi.

Edited April 11, 2012 by jode

[earthdome]

It is much less hassle to just meet her at Hotel. I would insist on it. The metered taxis are to the far right as u leave terminal. Last week had to wait in a long line to get one. 80 minute flight from cebu - 50 minutes waiting for metered taxi. You can take airport taxi for maybe double the charge but no wait.

After spending almost 24 hours traveling and not having seen my girlfriend in 5 months I expect I would rather save time than money and go for the airport taxi.

[gottawannalive]

It is much less hassle to just meet her at Hotel. I would insist on it. The metered taxis are to the far right as u leave terminal. Last week had to wait in a long line to get one. 80 minute flight from cebu - 50 minutes waiting for metered taxi. You can take airport taxi for maybe double the charge but no wait.

After spending almost 24 hours traveling and not having seen my girlfriend in 5 months I expect I would rather save time than money and go for the airport taxi.

It was my initial thought exactly that she is afraid you will meet and greet another girl prior to seeing her. Notwithstanding your intentions, it is far far easier just to have her come to your hotel. The reception area at that terminal is shoulder to shoulder crowded with entire families awaiting arrivees and somewhat confusing to get to.

Call her when you get in your taxi. You have two choices for taxis. First, turn right and you will find the yellow metered taxis. Fare should be under 250 php. Turn 30 degrees to the left and you will see the white taxi stand. You go inside and tell them where you are going and they have a fixed price for your destination. They are somewhat more expensive than the yellows but with the white ones, you know you are getting into a reputable company's cab with a professional driver. Any yahoo can drive a yellow and drive you anywhere. You wouldn't be the first person to get robbed while taking a yellow taxi from NAIA. I always pay a bit more but at least I know what I am getting into.

In any event, call the gf from the taxi and let her know you're on your way. She can then meet you at the hotel.

[Jollygoodfellow]

Turn 30 degrees to the left and you will see the white taxi stand. You go inside and tell them where you are going and they have a fixed price for your destination. They are somewhat more expensive than the yellows but with the white ones, you know you are getting into a reputable company's cab with a professional driver. Any yahoo can drive a yellow and drive you anywhere. You wouldn't be the first person to get robbed while taking a yellow taxi from NAIA. I always pay a bit more but at least I know what I am getting into.

Wondering if Manila is the opposite as in colors of taxi's because in Cebu normal taxi is white and yellow is airport taxi?

[Steve & Myrlita]

Turn 30 degrees to the left and you will see the white taxi stand. You go inside and tell them where you are going and they have a fixed price for your destination. They are somewhat more expensive than the yellows but with the white ones, you know you are getting into a reputable company's cab with a professional driver. Any yahoo can drive a yellow and drive you anywhere. You wouldn't be the first person to get robbed while taking a yellow taxi from NAIA. I always pay a bit more but at least I know what I am getting into.

Wondering if Manila is the opposite as in colors of taxi's because in Cebu normal taxi is white and yellow is airport taxi?

I think he may have reversed it by accident.

[gottawannalive]

Turn 30 degrees to the left and you will see the white taxi stand. You go inside and tell them where you are going and they have a fixed price for your destination. They are somewhat more expensive than the yellows but with the white ones, you know you are getting into a reputable company's cab with a professional driver. Any yahoo can drive a yellow and drive you anywhere. You wouldn't be the first person to get robbed while taking a yellow taxi from NAIA. I always pay a bit more but at least I know what I am getting into.

Wondering if Manila is the opposite as in colors of taxi's because in Cebu normal taxi is white and yellow is airport taxi?

I think he may have reversed it by accident.

Ummmmm, I do know my left from my right and white from yellow.