[Philippines/Manila Airport] How to use Grab

I've decided to write down how to use Grab for those who will be going to Manila in the future. First of all, Grab is a ride-hailing app similar to Uber.

There are rumors that airport taxis are particularly prone to overcharging compared to taxis in the city (I haven't ridden one, so I don't know if this is true).
Grab costs less than 1,000 yen from the airport to Makati (calculated at 2.6 yen per peso).
For first-timers, I recommend Grab because the fare is determined in advance and paid via a registered card. You can also rate the driver, and there is a button to call the police.

・Things to do in Japan
Download the app, register as a member, and complete SMS verification.
Since I think many people cannot perform SMS verification locally, this is a must.
If you can receive SMS with your own mobile number in the Philippines, it doesn't really matter.
In addition, it is good to finish registering your credit card as well.

・Arrival at Manila Airport (in the case of Terminal 3)
Terminal 3 is for ANA and Jetstar.
Be careful, as terminals are not separated by airline alliance (Star Alliance, etc.)!!
It's a real mystery that Cathay Pacific of oneworld is in the same Terminal 3 as ANA of Star Alliance, while JAL, which is also oneworld, is in Terminal 1. (As of April 2025)
Other terminals are likely the same.

After immigration, I went through the eTravel check and picked up my luggage around 2:00 PM local time.
As an aside, you don't need a visa for the Philippines if you stay for less than a month, but it seems you need to apply for eTravel anyway (think of it as a simplified version of the US ESTA).
By the way, since a barcode is sent to you via email for eTravel, you present that (after picking up your luggage).
I thought it didn't matter which way it was facing, so I held it out facing me (like PayPay), but I was told that was wrong.
So I held my smartphone out towards the other person.
Also, there is an X-ray inspection machine that you often see before departure, but I was able to pass through with one suitcase, one backpack, and one pouch.
However, the person in front of me had their suitcase stopped and had to go through X-ray.
I have no proof, but it seems that sizes that cannot be carried on board require X-ray inspection.

After that, in the case of T3, if you are going to use Grab, leave the restricted area and go to the right for a few minutes.

There is a green Grab counter that is quite easy to find.

By the way, it seems that people who forgot to download the app or don't intend to install it can also call one here.
So, it is not impossible to call one at the counter at the airport and download the app later at the hotel, but as mentioned above, there is the SMS verification issue.

If you can call one with the app, just walk past the green counter. (Don't turn) If you go another minute or so, there is an area that looks like a taxi lane.
However, you can also request a ride as soon as you see the counter (because it takes a few minutes to dispatch).

Confirm that the pin location is Terminal 3 and select this boarding location.
If you cannot select this, move the pin location slightly to the right.

Then, the number of the dispatched car will be displayed in the app. The driver will ask you what number you are at via message or a call through the Grab app, so answer them.

If you don't like phone calls, it might be a good idea to send a message first.
I thought I was supposed to wait at the Grab counter, so I was confused about what the number was, but I realized it just in time and was safe.

The waiting area is not the Grab counter, but further ahead where there are several numbers (photo above).
By the way, there are many people waiting, so it's perfectly fine if the numbers overlap.
I selected number 14, which was the closest, and the car with the number written in the app arrived in a few minutes. I boarded safely.
Some people ask for your name to confirm, some don't.
Some people put your luggage in for you, some don't.

My driver could speak a little Japanese and told me I absolutely had to go to Jollibee (lol).
I went anyway, even without being told.

It's also reassuring that the route is displayed in the app.
Also, payment is by credit card. (Including highway tolls)

The Philippines has a tipping culture, so it's fine to pay a tip in cash when you get off.
After getting off, you can add a tip when you rate the driver in the app (I think from 25 pesos).

Whether it's good or bad, the cost from the airport to Makati was 20 pesos in cash. (A tip for helping with luggage and telling me about Jollibee)

For Makati to the airport, they didn't help with luggage at all, so I didn't pay anything. Although I gave both the highest rating. As mentioned above, the airport to Makati toll fee is 35 pesos.

The driver did mention that there would be a toll fee, so please be aware, and said no cash was needed! (app payment). I don't know what would have happened if I had refused. However, traffic in Manila is terrible, and it's only 35 pesos, so taking the expressway is fine. Conversely, there is no expressway for Makati to the airport, likely due to the layout of Airport Terminal 3.

Finally, as an aside, the terminals are even further apart than at Haneda, so when heading to the airport, it is essential to check which terminal you are going to with both the app and the driver.

Also, when you get out of the car and enter the airport terminal building, there is an e-ticket or flight ticket check, so be prepared. I was able to pass through using the ANA app screen instead of an e-ticket.

Makati is where the Peninsula, which appeared in the Detective Conan movie 'Black Iron Submarine', is located. It is considered a safe area popular with Japanese people, so I recommend it as a place to stay.

At Philippine immigration, I wasn't asked anything even with a one-way ticket (it might have been a fluke), and they even directed me to the ASEAN lane despite being Japanese.

I had no idea that I would have trouble with immigration in Seattle after this...