Getting Around In The Philippines

There are many ways of getting around in the Philippines to where you would like to go some more comfortable then others. One thing that remains true across all of the methods of transport is that no matter which you pick you will always get stuck in traffic at some point, unless your traveling very late or early hours of the morning.

Jeepneys: This is what the locals most use to get around the Philippines, they are cheap to use only costing you around 9 Peso a ride. They tend to be cramped an if your tall your going to knock your head a few times, But if you enjoy getting the real experience give it a try. Jeepneys each have their own route an travel along it stopping to let people off and picking up others, it can get a bit tiresome if they are stopping every 50m.

Trikes: These are basically motor bikes with side cars the price can vary greatly depending on the driver an they tend to try an take advantage of tourist who don't know any better. They are good for getting thru traffic faster then other means but can get a bit scary. As with the jeepneys the space in the side car isn't that big so be prepared to pack yourself inside if you are tall.

FX: FX's are air conditioned Wagons or Vans can vary but they operate between shopping center mostly and are more comfortable but the drivers do like to pack as many people as they can fit inside them. The fare for the use is around 50 Peso per person an is relatively cheap. They operate the same way as the Jeepney stopping along their route an letting people out or pick up more passengers.

Bus: With buses it is a mixed bag some have air conditioning some do not an if they do you have to pay a higher price, the price also depends on how far you are traveling. Bus can travel routes within the city's or they could be ones that go to other City's/Provinces, So if you are going to get in one make sure you know where it is going you don't want to end up far from your comfort zone.

Train: Trains in the Philippines are a good method of getting around such city's as Manila, But tends to be a long line to get on at the station. It tends to be another affair of being as many people they can cram into the carriage. The pricing is set at 5 Peso per 7km so it is very cheap to use but you have to be willing to wait to get on. The Trains in Manila run from about 6am in the morning up until 8pm at night after that better to find other transport.

Link: Train Times and Price Guide In Manila

Taxi: There are a lot of Taxi's operating within the Philippines and hard to go far in the major city's without seeing one. Taxi's in the Philippines can be hit an miss depending on the driver an if he is willing to go where you want. All Taxi's in Philippines are metered an never get in one that does not have one, or you be in for a nasty surprise at the end. The driver if he thinks he can take advantage of you will try to ask you for a set amount, but best practice is always to use the meter. The starting rate for  pick up is 40 Peso after that goes up per 100m you travel and if you get stuck in traffic it will keep going as well. Some Taxi's air conditioning isn't the greatest so if you don't want to get hot go for the newer models if the Taxi is old most the time the air conditioning isn't working. 

Also if it is your first time to travel in one be ready for a new experience as you dart your way thru traffic an wonder how they get the car past buses an trucks.

This sums up most of the ways to get around in the Philippines all with different costs an comfort levels, Be ready to for some different styles of driving as most of Philippines just follows the rule of get there as fast as possible with little regard to any traffic laws or safety you may be use to back home. Safe travels and never travel outside your comfort zone.