Ride-share is the most reliable, safe and efficient way to get around Manila if you need to leave the venue at any stage during your stay.
For a visitor in the Philippines, Grab is the best and most convenient ride-share app. Think of it as a local equivalent to Uber or Lyft. After downloading Grab on your smartphone and registering with a mobile number, you’ll see several ride options, as described below:
- GrabCar: A private, air-conditioned car driven by a professional driver.
- GrabTaxi: Hails a metered, regulated taxi through the app. Fares follow local taxi tariffs. However, a GrabCar will almost always be a higher quality vehicle.
- GrabBike: A two-wheeled motorcycle taxi.
- GrabShare: A car-pool service that pairs you with fellow passengers headed in the same direction, lowering your fare.
Booking generally takes less than 30 seconds, but cars can take anything from one to ten minutes to arrive due to Manila’s challenging traffic conditions.
Set your pickup and drop-off points, choose a ride type, then confirm. You’ll see your driver’s name, photo, vehicle details, and an estimated fare before you ride. You can pay either with cash or credit card through the app. Real-time GPS tracking displays your route for peace of mind.
Taking a Grab makes getting around safe, convenient and predictable compared to taxis — which can be problematic for a number of reasons.