If you are flying commercial, it might be a good idea to see if you can find a Filipino Travel Agency in your area. They know the ropes and can save you a ton of money.

A common word used in their advertisements is "Balik-Bayan" which means homecoming.

El Pensador

I personally love the deal that Cathay Pacific Airlines offers. For $999 RT you can go to 16 different places in Asia. I went to Hong Kong, Manilla (then to Angeles), and Bangkok. Just go to the website and look under unique local offers (U.S.).

There is a plethora of airlines that will get you to the Philippines including PAL, Eva, China Airlines, Northwest, Continental, Asiana, Korean, Cathay Pacific, Singapore and others. The fares are ranging from $600 off peak West Coast to $1300 peak East Coast coach fares.I've seen a few lower fares and many much higher fares, so it pays to shop. PAL flys direct from LAX or SFO to Manila (sometimes with a fuel stop in Honalulu)in about 14 hours. Some people don't like PAL, I never had a problem with them, and they are cheap.I have flown Continental which goes from Houston via Guam and Honalulu and it is one long flight. Delta goes from Atlanta to Tokyo and JAL to Manila. The possibilities are endless.Be aware of the time that your flight arrives in Manila. If you are a newbie, a night arrival can be intimidating, so make sure all your arrangements are confirmed. The taxi stands are a rip off, so if you don't have private transportation, proceed to the public taxis (you will see a line of filipinos waiting and a policeman overseeing things)or just ask someone in uniform, they all speak english. If the taxi driver does not turn on his meter, ask him to before you depart. If he refuses, politely tell him to let you out, and he will use the meter. This is usually not a problem since the policeman overseeing these taxis hands you a form that has the taxis license number and a phone number to call if you feel you've been ripped off. I hold the form in my hand where the driver can see it. Cheap insurance! From here you can proceed to your hotel in Manila or the bus station to Angeles. I don't recommend the bus if this is is your first trip or at night, but a seasoned (or brave) traveler can get the Victory Liner in Pasay City to Dau for P99. I have ridden this bus many times and it has never taken more than two hours, although I have read posts where people say it takes 3 or 4 hours. From Dau, you can get a trike for P50 to your hotel. They will start off high, but will usually take P50. From the airport to the hotel in Angeles should not take more than 4 hours.

Archie,
Thanks for posting all the taxi information.
That was one of my questions since I have never been to Manila. If you have been to Bangkok, as soon as you come out of the terminal building there is a long line of taxis waiting. You go upto the small counter on the sidewalk, give your destination, the lady will give you a form/receipt with your taxi number on it. When you reach your Hotel, you pay the driver based on the meter reading.

Based on the above please clarify the difference between "taxi stands" and "public taxis"? Are the "public taxis" right outside the Manila terminal? What is the approximate meter fare one would expect to pay from Airport to AC?

Thanks!

Sorry I took so long to answer, but I overlooked your question. The taxi stands are little kiosks and the people there will call out to you. They are a rip off. They usually charge you double the price compared to a metered taxi to bring you to your hotel in Manila. You will also be approached by touts acting as "hotel representatives".They will rip you off also. The metered taxis are upstairs from the arrival terminal, or just ask anyone where the metered taxis are. As far as hiring a taxi to AC, I have heard P1400 is about the going rate. They will start off high, but you can negotiate. I have heard it is best to call use the Margarita Station van or Beeline travel van. www.theville.com or www.beelinetravel.com

FYI-- Asiana air is running a web special out of LAX into CLARK for $580. Flights leave on tues/thurs and you need to book by sept 30th.

http://us.flyasiana.com/promosep2004.asp

This is a fantastic deal as all taxes/fees are supposedly included in that price.

Thanks for the info. Man, I got a long weekend coming up in mid-September...

hey pork-- what about all that talk about laying off the mongering for a bit? Believe me, I've been on a 7 month dry spell and I would not recommend it to anyone ;)

Sept 30th is the purchase deadline, you can travel thru the end of Nov.

I'm thinkin' of the 2nd or towards the end of the 3rd week of oct.

Just daydreaming. I couldn't afford the ticket to LA right now, much less the ticket to Asia! And yeah, I REALLY should focus on real life for awhile instead of Fantasyland. Prices like this make it damned tempting, though.

Come one Porker do it, just do it. Ask your CC company to extend you another 1K in credit. Bafana and I will be partying down in AC that weekend. Hell if you could get a day off before and after the weekend you could be there the whole holiday weekend.

Let me hold the syringe while you tie up your arm....

Waking this thread up for a new question. I would like to fly LAX-BKK with a layover in MNL. Now, Philippine Airways does layover there for a few hours, but do they allow a passenger to add a day or more into the layover, outbound, inbound or both? At what cost? Obviously trying to sneak in a little AC action to and from the LOS.