The Philippines' Mode of Transportation

Every seaside lover, thrills junkie, and local culture enthusiast should visit the Philippines to experience its pristine beaches, wondrous landscapes, and distinct culture.

Because the Philippines is an archipelago, visitors will need to fly or take a ferry to reach amazing destinations in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Here's a handy guide to help you navigate your way around the country.

Buses

Taking a bus as a mode of public transportation in the Philippines is similar to how it works in other countries. In the Philippines, there are three types of bus service: provincial buses with routes from the city to distant towns and provinces, city buses with routes within Metro Manila, and P2P (Point-to-Point) buses available in Manila.

Provincial buses typically have designated terminals and departure schedules, whereas city buses have frequent points in Manila where passengers can be picked up and dropped off. A passenger does not pay for either type of service upon boarding the bus, but rather waits for the conductor, who collects fares once a passenger is seated. In the case of the P2P bus, there is only one pick-up and one drop-off location. Furthermore, because buses in the Philippines are privately owned, there are numerous bus lines to choose from, and you can ride in either an air-conditioned or non-air-conditioned bus (which has cheaper fares).

Local tip: It's best to bring small bills or exact change for the conductor. To pay for your trip on a P2P bus (which is more convenient and guarantees comfort), you will need a beep card (which is reloadable).

Trains

The Philippines currently has a railway footprint of only 77 kilometers, and rail transportation is provided by three rapid lines in Metro Manila called the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1, LRT Line 2, and MRT (Metro Rail Transit) Line 3 and the Philippine National Railways (PNR), which serves commuters traveling from the province of Laguna to Manila and back. LRT Line 2 and MRT Line 3 are linked by a walkway in a station in Cubao, Quezon City.

Local tip: While regular MRT and LRT passengers use the beep card to pay for their rides, you can purchase single journey cards. Furthermore, for easier and more convenient trips, it is best to study the route of each train line and their stations.

Taxi

Normally, taxis circulate throughout Metro Manila, but big cities outside of the National Capital Region, such as Cebu City, Baguio City, Davao City, and Iloilo City, to name a few, have taxi services as well.

Taxis, which are white cars with yellow license plates, have a pre-set flag down rate of 40 Philippine pesos (at the time of writing) and an additional charge per kilometer and waiting time on the road. Taxis, like buses, are privately owned, so there are various taxi operators.

Local tip: Not all taxi cabs are well-maintained, so choose taxis that flag you down with caution. Also, remind the driver to turn on the meter (if it isn't already on) to avoid being scammed. Also, make sure to have smaller bills or to pay the exact amount.

Jeepneys

Along with taxis, trains, and buses, the iconic and colorful national symbol of the Philippines – jeepneys – can be found. It is a post-World War II innovation that can still be seen on Philippine roads today.

It is the most affordable and widely used mode of land public transportation in the Philippines. It's easier to get on and off the vehicle because of the open rear door design. In addition, unlike bus stops, there are more jeepney stops. It's best to know where you want to go before boarding a jeepney (what the areas are called, the names of the stops, roughly how long it takes to reach your destination).

Local tip: Once you've arrived at your destination, yell "para" or "para po" and exit the jeepney. If you're only traveling a short distance, sit near the back of the jeepney and assist other commuters in handing over their fares to the driver.

Tricycles

Tricycles are useful when your intended destination is inaccessible by jeepney or when you have a large load to transport and no taxi cabs are available in town. These modes of public transportation come in a variety of forms, such as a motorcycle with a sidecar or a bicycle with a sidecar. They are colorful, like Filipino passenger jeepneys, revealing the artistic nature of the country's residents.

Local tip: Bring smaller bills so you can pay the exact amount.

Taxis on motorcycles (Habal-habal)

Adventurers who want to go up the mountains and visit the wilderness will be unable to do so if they only have the option of riding on a jeepney or a tricycle. This is where motorcycle taxis (habal-habal) come in, transporting you through steep and unpaved roads to your destination. Typically found in mountain barangays and distant provinces, you can take a habal-habal ride when visiting Cebu and Siargao.

Local tip: Be extra cautious because motorcycle taxis can carry two or more passengers (excluding the driver)

Ferries and ro- ro's

Inter-island travel within the country is best accomplished by ferry boats for major islands. The country's roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) system is aimed at the country's three major nautical systems – the Western, Central, and Eastern nautical highways. It's also more convenient to travel by ro-ro, especially if you're traveling with your car. While not all ports and piers in the country can accommodate ro- ro's, there are small ferry boats and small but fast hovercrafts that you can use to travel to your desired island!

Local tip: There are fixed routes and schedules, so make a note of them so you don't miss the ride.

Pump boats, also known as bancas,

Riding on a pump boat or banca is your best option for short-distance travel or when visiting small and nearby islands! In the Philippines, bancas or pump boats are used for almost everything, from fishing to inter-island travel, and even as a service vessel for the Philippine Coast Guard.

Don't worry, these boats are equipped with outriggers for stability and are usually powered by a small gasoline or diesel engine. Pump boats or bancas are available in ports, and drivers are friendly and accommodating, taking you safely to your island adventures like island hopping, diving, or visiting long stretches of sandbars.

Local tip: Because boat rates are usually not fixed, you can negotiate the price if you believe it is too high. Also, if you're prone to seasickness, don't forget to pack light and avoid standing up or moving around.

Airplanes

The most expensive, yet most convenient and fastest way to reach the country's neighboring major island groups is by plane. There are more than ten international airports in the country, as well as about 30 major domestic airports.

This figure does not yet include the Philippines' community airports and unclassified airstrips. If you want to fly to major cities in the country, the best airlines to consider are Philippine Airlines (the country's flag carrier) and Cebu Pacific.

Local tip: These airlines hold promotions and sell airline tickets at low prices throughout the year, such as Cebu Pacific's "piso" fare, which has seats for a net price of one Philippine peso.

Apps for transportation

Uber has been permanently suspended in the Philippines' capital region as of this writing. In Metro Manila, Grab is the only major app-based ride hailing service left, with other potential transport network vehicle providers still in talks to enter the market. Angkas, a motorcycle ride booking service, is also available in Metro Manila. Of course, you can rely on Sakay.ph when commuting in Manila and traveling throughout the Philippines.