Does anyone know where you could pick up a regular priced bus in Manila (Pasay) to AC? A bus station name, address and/or major intersection would be extremely helpful. Thanks

Swagman hotel, i think 3 buses a day, 400 pesos, drops you right at your hotel in AC. Located i believe across from US Embassy on united nations ave.

The rabbit bus is far cheaper than that, and I believe it does leave from Pasay, but I don't know the exact details. With AC2 now being a pay site I can't easily find out.

Somebody on this board once described Manila as a dirtier version of
Mexico City--sounds like it's gonna be a lot of fun trying to find that bus station. LOL

I hope to spend a couple of days in Manila before heading to AC, so I'll ask around, just hope I don't get "the runaround"...

Another question, how does one find a "metered taxi" when walking out of the Manila Airport? And how much would one ordinarily expect to pay in US dollars to get to the EDSA area? Would five bucks be reasonable around midnight? Thanks again...

Gregorio, the funny thing about Manila is that the taxis don't like to use their meters, some don't even have them. If you fly in at night, there are registered airport taxis as you check out of the baggage claim area -- look for guy/gal with a clipboard and uniform. As I'm sure you know, make sure you don't get in the car with just any guy that walks up to you in street clothes as there are illegal cabbies loitering around that area. I only used the airport taxi once (most hotels will pickup for a reas. fee), but they charged me 300 pesos (about $6-$7) to get to Burgos (EDSA is a bit closer than Burgos) and they have the rates on a chart.

They charged me 300 pesos to go from the domestic terminal to EDSA also. It's a friggin' ripoff, but the only option I can see is to walk out to the main road and try and find a regular taxi -- NOT fun in that humidity and with luggage.

Another option -- When you exit the airport go to the right, you will see a small office with a sign hotels, there will be many hotel reps there, find the rep for your hotel and they will get their driver for you.

Also anyone who arrives without a room, check there, they`ll tell you which hotels have vacances.

BTW they also wanted 300 pesos to go to Las Palmas Hotel close by LA Cafe, but another taxis offered the ride for 200 pesos. I felt safer with the hotel reps driver.

If a newbie, after just landing in Manila, checks into his hotel and heads to EDSA around 1 a.m.,what is the one thing you would advise him to watch out for if he doesn't want to blow unnecessary coin, or be nickled and dimed to death right off the bat?

Do these joints have table dances, or privado dance areas where you can check out the goods and have some fun before deciding or not deciding to take the big plunge (barfine)?

What's the most common drink/pad the bill scam? What's a good way to quash it? Thanks guys...

Forgot to ask, anyone been to Puerto Galera? How was it?

No table dances or private dance area, most of the clubs have couch like seating on the back wall, grab a seat there, most girls are up for anything, ask for a lap dance and you shall recieve. Although you might have to give instructions.

They might push lady`s drinks hard, just politly decline untill you find the right girl.

Personally, i`ve never had a bill padded in the PI, but i`m not a big drinker either, maybe that explains it .

There are daily trips to Puerto Galera from Swaggman Hotel.

Without the valuable advice I'm gettin on this thread, I'd be fooled again and again and again in the PI, pardon the pun...Thanks

Fooledagain's experience is similar to mine, EDSA used to be alot more of a pressure cooker for ladydrinks, but in recent trips last month, a polite "No" when they asked for drinks will settle it. I always buy a drink for the gal that I'm sitting with however, during the "interview stage". Both EDSA and BURGOS St. were wwwwiiiidddde open last month and there were plenty of seats in dark corners to do some quality assurance inspections :-) Some bars, like Bandidos (Burgos) will have girls swarm over you as soon as you step in, but once you choose your girl, the others will leave.

LA Cafe was always jammed packed, and always had a few cuties, around 1am when you arrive is optimal timing. I'd caution you to choose wisely here as these girls are true freelancers with no mamasans to complain to about bad performance or theft. If you take a girl out (AC or Manila) You'd be amazed at how powerful the threat of going to the "mamasan" is in getting a bargirls attention if you have issues. Also, the area around LA Cafe requires heightened vigilence at night, I saw a guy rip a necklace off a gal and run this trip.

If your up for something different, go to dinner at the Hobbitt House (spelling ?). No girls, bring a date, according to my friend who works with 2 guys who recently married girls from the PI, they say this place is a must see when in Manila. I quess it`s designed for midgets, and run by midgets or something like that, suppossedly it`s wild, they say, be sure and check out the bathroom if you go. Good luck in the PI, you`ll have a blast !!!

To answer the original question, the best way I have found to get to A/C on the cheap is as follows: At the taxi area of the airport let one of the uniformed workers hail a taxi for you. They will write the taxi license # on a form and hand it to you (this is in case you want to complain about the driver) Hold the form in your hand where the driver can see it and ask him to turn on the meter BEFORE he drives away. If he refuses, open your door and tell him to get your bags from the trunk. Do not exit the taxi as he may drive away with your bags. This is usually sufficient to get him to use the meter. You want to go to the BLT bus terminal in Pasay City. The driver will know it. Make sure you get the bus to Dau, and get the AIRCON bus. The ride should be less than 3 hours and is about P200. Once in Dau, you will get a trike to Balibago. The driver will likely know your hotel. You are at the mercy of the trike mafia, and you will pay at least P100. Negotiate prior to getting in the trike. There is no jeepney from the bus station to A/C. I have used this method many times and it is safe and effective. The Filipino taxi and trike drivers are opportunists, and will only gouge you if you let them. Good Luck.