Getting Around
There are four modes of public transport in Metro Manila
and surprisingly, they are easy to use.
Buses : Both air-conditioned and regular
buses travel most of the major routes in Metro Manila. On
an air-con bus a short ride costs PhP 8.00 (Regular Bus),
Php 12.00 for Airconditioned Bus , adding a few peso for
every succeeding kilometer. Just tell the conductor
where you are going and he will tell you how much it costs.
Keep your bus receipt as it is your proof of payment.
 Jeepneys :
Called "folk arton wheels," jeepneys ply most of
Manila's secondary roads and even a few major thoroughfares.
They're as much fun to ride on as they are to look at and
you have to try one. Although there are regular stops, you
can often just flag one down and hop on. Call out "bayad" (bah-yhad)
and pay the driver. If you are too far back, pass your PhP
7.50 (minimum fare for the first 4 kilometers; 1 peso additional
for every succeeding 500 meters) down. When you are ready
to get off, call out "para" (pah-rah); wait till
he slows down and jump.
The LRT : It's a fast, cheap way to go
to downtown Manila. A token can take you between Monumento
(the northern end of Edsa) and Baclaran, travelling first
along Rizal Avenue and then Taft Avenue. Many of the tourist
maps have the route of the LRT marked. The fare varies
from P12.00 minimum fare to P15.00 for the entire route.
The MRT: After
it's somewhat unsuccessful opening, the MRT is now enjoying
a fair share of passengers plying EDSA. This is definitely
the fastest mode of transport, this side of the metropolis.
The MRT runs from the North Avenue Station in Quezon City
up to Taft Avenue Station in Pasay City. Passengers would
enjoy the traffic-less route, clean stations and coach, with
a good view of Metro Manila's landscape. The only problem
is that some stations have very high stairways. Although
a number of elevators is operational, not all stations have
one. Travel time is approximately 20 minutes end to end. The
fare varies from P9.00 minimum to P15.00 for the entire route.
Taxis: Air-conditioned
taxis cost PhP40.00 on the meter and an additional PhP
2.50 is added for every succeeding 200 meters to the final
cost. Non-airconditioned taxis do not ply anymore. Taxis
are always lined up at the major hotels and tourist restaurants
and can be hailed on the street. If you take a taxi, make
sure the driver turns on the meter. If he gives you a story
that it is broken, get out and take another taxi. Unless
you are taking a long trip or the traffic is unusually
horrible, most taxi rides should be well under P100. At
least a 10% tip is expected.
Other Modes of Transport
Most of the major car rental agencies, including AVIS, Budget,
and Hertz have offices in Metro Manila and carry a full line
of vehicles from jeeps to limousines. All vehicles
may be rented with or without a driver. If you wish to do
your own driving you must have a valid foreign or international
license.
Inter-island transportation is provided by either airplane
or ferry boat. Philippine Airlines services most of the major
provincial airports. Cebu Pacific, Asian Spirit, SeaAir,
Air Philippines, and Pacific Airways are smaller carriers
servicing more remote tourist destinations. For information
about boat schedules, check with the Department of Tourism
on T.M. Kalaw Street, Manila (63-2-5267652, 5267653, 5267655).
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