Taxi recommendations

[NHANORAK 305]

I was wondering if we could have a sticky thread for reliable and honest taxi drivers. Particularly for those unfamiliar to Cebu wanting to be met at the Airport and not be taken the long way round to their destination?

 

I reviewed Taxi Drivers in LICU and found a couple of good reports for Danny Noy. I found a link to this website with still active telephone numbers and an EM address. http://www.cebutaxiservice.com/reliable_cebu_taxi_driver.htm

 

I EM'd him a month before coming over and he quickly confirmed the booking and a charge of 300PHP. I had to double check this, because it cost us 290 PHP to go to the Airport when we left last year. So 300 PHP to be met seemed like a catch. He confirmed the price was all inclusive and I then sent a further EM a couple of days before flying to confirm the arrangements. He confirmed by EM and he was there with a sign with our name on at the airport. Our flight arrived 15 minutes before our scheduled arrival time, but he had actually already been there 30 minutes as he'd rather be early than late when meeting a flight. He had also adjusted his working day to ensure he was on call later than usual.

 

He is a very amiable chap with good English and drove very carefully. So if you need an honest and reliable taxi driver in cebu, I can highly recommend Danny.

[+Salty Dog 66,937]

Sounds good if you want to plan ahead and considering he may not have had a fare to the airport before he picked you up.. I went to the airport and back twice this week and every time it was less than P200 from/to the I.T. Park. It was early morning so no traffic. It's abut 12-13 kilometers and one guy did it in 20 minutes. The last time I took a yellow airport cab, it was closer to P300.

Edited January 16, 2014 by Salty Dog

[Paul 55,113]

I have known Danny, or I should say, Danny has known me, since I was with JJ, prior to our marriage. So, we are talking a very long time here. 

 

I have known him to never be anything but prompt, if not early, more honest than the day is long, and as patient as Job. 

 

He has returned items owned by people he has driven for on many occasions. My ex-wife JJ, Jim Sibbick, and I had him as our official driver during the time we had Cebu Tours running in Cebu City.

 

Thanks very much, for the review. I'm sure Danny and his wife Weena (whom you probably were communicating with via email) will appreciate it very much.

[Lee 17,710]

Danny is an excellent driver and nice person, I would highly recommend him.

 

Also for anyone who wishes to compare prices, lets not forget that Danny also has to drive to the airport to pick up a person and wait for them. IMHO it would be worth up to p500 for a driver to meet me at the airport and I would be happy paying it, so p300 is a great price from my POV. Yes it does cost less if you take a white taxi from the airport directly to the center of Cebu City but for a person who does not know their way around or does not have a Cebuana or Cebuano with them or speak the language, going with Danny and also using him to tour the city is a great way to be totally safe. 

 

When I arrive with my wife we either go upstairs and catch a white taxi or if we have a lot of luggage we just negotiate with the airport taxi hustlers for a fair deal and then I tip the driver more once we get to our condo, and the smile on their face when they realize I am not the cheap bastard they thought I was, when we negotiated the deal, it is worth the extra tip.

[NOSOCALPINOY 1,864]

I bookmarked Danny's website  http://www.cebutaxis...taxi_driver.htm just in case we make it to Cebu! 

Just last week we rented a van with driver my wife knows and we went to Manila just an hour away and paid $3,500 round trip including gas and tolls! No, we won't quibble about a P300 to P500 taxi ride from or to anywhere with an honest and safe driver!  

Convenience and our safety is a must/priority with us while living here in the Philippines!     

Edited January 16, 2014 by NOSOCALPINOY

[spritsail 604]

I have used the same taxi driver in Cebu for many years. I usually call him a few days in advance to let him know where I can find odds and ends. Few years ago I wanted to buy a kalesa and horse bridles/saddles. He scounted around for me and found the firm that makes them, so we could go straight there after I arrived in Cebu.

 

I havn,t been to Cebu for four years now, but I called him the other day to see if he was stiil driving and to help me find some horse harnesses/collars. He remembered straight away and to just text him when I know a date to arrive. I couldn;t find a better cabbie anywhere, and he usually charges only 1000 to 1500 php for a whole day,

[Ozepete 9,284]

Danny Noy is more than a good reliable taxi operator, this man is a gentleman with more than his share of common decency..

To explain. We were referred to Danny via LINC and have used his services for many years. He is always on time, knows how to drive and has become a good freind. 

About a year ago a Catmon friends 13 year old was violently ill late at night. Fortunately my wife Cora happened to call that night and was told about the symptoms of this boy. It was obvious that he was in deep trouble with appendicitis. The only money they could get together was just enough to get him on a tricycle to Danao. The hospital there needed funds to treat him and that he needed transport to the city urgently. We called Danny from Oz and he was kind enough to go to the hospital and sort things out. (Danny lives close by) He called his cab, and relief driver, out to Danao from the city and transported the lad to hospital where an emergency operation was done as his appendix had erupted. If Danny and his cab were not there to help I doubt that this boy would be alive today. And Danny thought nothing of of it!

We have the greatest respect for Danny as a taxi operator but more so as one hell of a decent man. 

[Holmes 49]

Danny Noy is more than a good reliable taxi operator, this man is a gentleman with more than his share of common decency..

To explain. We were referred to Danny via LINC and have used his services for many years. He is always on time, knows how to drive and has become a good freind. 

About a year ago a Catmon friends 13 year old was violently ill late at night. Fortunately my wife Cora happened to call that night and was told about the symptoms of this boy. It was obvious that he was in deep trouble with appendicitis. The only money they could get together was just enough to get him on a tricycle to Danao. The hospital there needed funds to treat him and that he needed transport to the city urgently. We called Danny from Oz and he was kind enough to go to the hospital and sort things out. (Danny lives close by) He called his cab, and relief driver, out to Danao from the city and transported the lad to hospital where an emergency operation was done as his appendix had erupted. If Danny and his cab were not there to help I doubt that this boy would be alive today. And Danny thought nothing of of it!

We have the greatest respect for Danny as a taxi operator but more so as one hell of a decent man. 

 

I think I just found my driver for the month i'm in Cebu. Thank you.

[shadow 18,481]

I think I just found my driver for the month i'm in Cebu. Thank you.

You can't do better than Danny, we too have used and recommended him for years.

[Monsoon 28,940]

I just don't see the point or need to prebook transportation from the Cebu airport. Unless you are going somewhere special (a long way out of town) or require a special vehicle for whatever reason.

[Mikala 14,383]

I just don't see the point or need to prebook transportation from the Cebu airport. Unless you are going somewhere special (a long way out of town) or require a special vehicle for whatever reason.

 

He might be bringing $100k so he can have a really good time during the 1 months stay!

[Holmes 49]

He might be bringing $100k so he can have a really good time during the 1 months stay!

 

I am a planner. I always try to plan three steps ahead. And no way in hell i'll be carrying that kinda money on me in Cebu. Mind as well just shoot myself outside of the airport and save someone the bullet. lol

[smokey 21,823]

I am a planner. I always try to plan three steps ahead. And no way in hell i'll be carrying that kinda money on me in Cebu. Mind as well just shoot myself outside of the airport and save someone the bullet. lol

Well bring some valium as this is going to be a major problem for you .. its hard here to plan 3 hours ahead

[Holmes 49]

Well bring some valium as this is going to be a major problem for you .. its hard here to plan 3 hours ahead

 

Yea I know. Got a taste of that my first visit. Lunch at 12 means sometime around 3 pm with traffic and everyone's so laid back. For a guy from NYC like myself who's use to being on point, its torture.

[cvgtpc1 2,089]

I just don't see the point or need to prebook transportation from the Cebu airport. Unless you are going somewhere special (a long way out of town) or require a special vehicle for whatever reason.

 

Maybe you don't see it because you have a lot of Cebu experience?  This info is valuable for a newbie.  I like to be prepared and will go for a known entity every time versus a stranger if given the choice.

[Monsoon 28,940]

He might be bringing $100k so he can have a really good time during the 1 months stay!

Then he should book an armored car.

[Paul 55,113]

I just don't see the point or need to prebook transportation from the Cebu airport. Unless you are going somewhere special (a long way out of town) or require a special vehicle for whatever reason.

 

I would much rather have someone I know, someone I trust, and someone who equally knows me - as Danny and his family do, to meet me at the airport, than to jump into the car of a driver I may have never seen in my life, before. 

 

This certainly applies if I am carrying a large sum of money, upon entering the country. 

Maybe you don't see it because you have a lot of Cebu experience?  This info is valuable for a newbie.  I like to be prepared and will go for a known entity every time versus a stranger if given the choice.

 

Excellent point. Chris, you, others - myself included, have a lot of on the ground time there, over the years. The new fella just arriving needs to be as comfortable as he can, especially if in country for the first time. 

[lamoe 14,086]

Thanks for the post - I've bookmarked him also. A couple of USD is worth it to what will be a newbie

[smokey 21,823]

Yea I know. Got a taste of that my first visit. Lunch at 12 means sometime around 3 pm with traffic and everyone's so laid back. For a guy from NYC like myself who's use to being on point, its torture.

have you ever watched the Jerry Springer show..?  your about to be in the show at times

[Topper 3,685]

Well bring some valium as this is going to be a major problem for you .. its hard here to plan 3 hours ahead

You much humor, Smokey San!  Can't argue with you though.

[goggleye 1,519]

ive taken yellow cabs and white cabs from the airport there in Mactan  - i never felt i was misused    only once did a driver try to drive without a meter  - cebu cab drivers generally are very good  

[Mikala 14,383]

I had too many white cabs from the airport that were in such disrepair that I didn't think we'd make it the few km to my hotel. I try to keep a positive outlook though and treat it as another 'experience' in life. I consider reserving a driver / car just so I can be sure the vehicle is roadworthy.

[Enuff 29,736]

Yes

 

You have a few options

 

Yellow, white or private

 

Always bet on white

[smokey 21,823]

i have done it many ways a few times i drove myself and left the car in the parking lot, hassle and security questions arise... your basic choices are yellow metered cab outside the door... private car usually a new vios out the door or drag yous stuff up the stairs and get a white cab which just dropped off a fare at the entrance... to my house which is pretty far..  white cab... 350 peso... yellow 450 peso often much cleaner ... private car 700 great is you have lots of luggage .  i would rather take the yellow because they are often cleaner .. smell better ,, maint. is more up to date and the air con works... and i am too lazy to drag my shit up the stairs..  but i will take the private car also if no yellow ready and able to go as often i cant wait to get home and un pack and sleep in my own bed .. I am baffled at times when a guy will fly say from the usa to cebu a 25 hour trip costing at least 60,000 peso only to find the need to drag his shit up the stairs to save up to 100 peso on the taxi fare

Edited November 26, 2014 by smokey

[Mikala 14,383]

 

 

I am baffled at times when a guy will fly say from the usa to cebu a 25 hour trip costing at least 60,000 peso only to find the need to drag his shit up the stairs to save up to 100 peso on the taxi fare

 

Plenty of times I arrive after midnight and there are virtually no yellow taxis available.

 

I take the convenient elevator up and go find a white taxi after that. Admittedly there are times it will take 45 minutes to get a white taxi at that hour too!