Transport in the Philippines

Now more and more people are traveling to the Philippines. When traveling, transportation is of course indispensable. What kind of transportation is available in the Philippines? How to choose transport in the Philippines for the first time?

 

Introduction of transport in the Philippines

Most foreign tourists start their trip to the Philippines in Manila, which is the capital of the Philippines and the transportation hub of the Philippines. Ships are usually the main means of transportation between islands in the Philippines, mainly bancas, speedboats, and ferries.

 

Jeepneys and tricycles are the main public transportation vehicles in cities, and there are taxis with meter in big cities such as Manila. Horse-drawn carriages are commonly found in some tourist attractions, which are a means of transportation with cultural experience and entertainment.

 

How to get to the Philippines?

How to get to the Philippines? Transportation between the Philippines and other countries is mainly airplane. There are seven airports in the Philippines, four of which are international airports, such as Ninoy Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, Diosdado Capagar International Airport (also known as Clark Airport) in Clark, Cebu Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Lapu Lapu City, and Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City. All international airports are equipped with complete tourist service facilities.

 

Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport

 

The Philippines has signed international air transport agreements with more than 30 countries and regions, and has direct flights with many countries and regions in the Americas, Europe, Oceania, and Asia.

 

Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport

Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport is located in the southern suburbs of Manila, about 10 kilometers from the city center. There are 4 terminals in Manila:

• Terminal 1: Ninoy Aquino International Airport
• Terminal 2: Centennial Airport
• Terminal 3: Cebu Pacific Terminal
• Terminal 4: Manila Domestic Airport

 

How to get around the Philippines?

A lot of transportation is available in the Philippines, mainly including public buses, taxis, jeepneys, and horse-drawn carriages. Of course, light rail is indispensable in the capital area, and tricycles and horse-drawn carriages are used in small cities.

 

Public Bus

If you are departing from Manila, public buses will be very convenient for you. It's very simple to catch the bus. You can get on the bus at a bus stop or on the main road. The general price starts from 10 pesos to 12 pesos, depending on whether there is air-conditioning or not. If there is air-conditioning, it will be relatively expensive.

 

 

Jeepney

Jeepneys are the most distinctive means of transportation in the Philippines, which were transformed from old jeeps used by the US Army after World War II. The windshield and side of the car will be marked with landmark information.

 

 

Riding a jeepney for a drive is full of fun and worth experiencing. The starting price of a jeepney is about 10 pesos, and it takes about 30 pesos to go anywhere in the city. Rent a jeepney for about 3,000 pesos a day.

 

Taxi

Taxis should be the most commonly used means of transportation for most tourists in the Philippines. There are many advantages of taking a taxi. The cost starts at 40 pesos and it is not expensive. Besides, most taxis are air-conditioned and comfortable to sit on. Grab Taxi is a taxi-hailing app used by many people in Southeast Asia.

 

 

Tuk Tuk

The tuk tuk is also called a tricycle, which is very common in Philippine cities. Large tuk tuk can generally sit up to seven or eight people, while small tuk tuk is limited to one person. Unlike the Jeepney's prescribed route, the tutu can negotiate the price with the driver before boarding. The general chartered car starts at 50 pesos, and the price is based on the distance.

 

 

Tricycles cannot run on the main roads in the urban area. Therefore, in some remote or high-end communities and special zones, taxis or jeepneys are less maneuverable, and tricycles have become the most convenient means of transportation.

 

Motorbike

The motorbike is called "Habal habla" locally. In Cebu, you often see a row of motorcycles parked on the side of the road, and they usually gather outside the supermarket. The riders hold a helmet to solicit business and keep asking if they want to take a motorcycle. You can go to the sights that jeepneys and taxis can't reach. If you want to roam in remote rural and hilly areas, motorbike is also a good means of transportation.

 

 

Kalesas 

Traveling in Kalesas is very romantic. You can take Kalesas to travel around and appreciate the local customs. This kind of horse-powered car is generally only found in some sightseeing spots, and it is relatively rare on the streets of Manila. The price is relatively high.

 

 

Ship

As an island country, ships are the most commonly used means of transportation in the Philippines, including bancas, speedboats, cruises and ferries.

 

Bancas, as the name suggests, looks a bit like a crab. Banca is the most famous boat in the Philippines. It is named after the brackets that extend from the hull. Because of these brackets, the Banca travels very smoothly on the sea, like flat ground. You can take bancas on Boracay, and it only takes about 10 minutes to reach the pier on the island. Bancas bring countless tourists a unique experience of "island-hopping".

 

 

Choose a ferry between Cebu and Bohol during the day, which saves money and time. It takes only 90 minutes.

 

Ferry boats depart from Manila's North and South ports, and there are many ferries to the main islands of the Philippines. The main cities of the route include Bacoló, Iloilo, Dumaguete City, Puerto Princesa, etc.