Travel Cruises - Philippines Transportation Options For an Expat Living in the Philippines

Traveling and doing business in the Philippines, below are listed my preferences based on over 20 years of living. Whereas others are preferable for the rural areas, cebu and Davao, certain modes are preferable for the big cities of Manila. There are numerous options for traveling about in the Philippines.

Air

There is currently a lot competition and rates are extremely low best of all, The safety record of carriers in the Philippines is excellent and their security measures are up to par with international carriers. With flights to destinations throughout the country, there are numerous major carriers operating in the Philippines.

Ferries and Boats

I have found travel between Cebu and Bohol and other short hauls using the small and slick catamarans to be very efficient and safe, however. There have been too many disasters due to overloading for my comfort, as notwithstanding what the government says about introducing strict new safety regulations, i have only traveled by this means once, however. And Mindanao, the Visayas (Cebu area), particularly Manila, ferries have traditionally provided efficient and cheap means of transportation between islands, consequently. There are so many islands in the Philippines.

I therefore recommend air travel as much as possible over ferries. And the cost is extremely reasonable, just about anywhere of any significance is served by an air carrier these days in the Philippines.

Rail

One can grab a cheap taxi upon exiting the station, of course. Provided your destination is within a short walk of the MRT station, this is an excellent alternative, the trains are air conditioned and with the horrible traffic jams in Manila. Whereas the MRT is relatively new and focuses on the commuter hub bringing commuters into and out of Makati (the central business district in Manila), the LRT is older. The LRT (Light Rail Transit) and the MRT (Metro Rail Transit). One can find excellent rail transportation, in Manila.

Taxis

The drivers usually expect a tip of some nominal amount of change you have. This keeps the driver honest so he can keep his special arrangement as a hotel or airport qualified taxi. But they are safe and the registration number is always logged down by an official, they are slightly higher, if you take these taxis. Is to always take an airport or hotel car, or you cannot speak enough Tagalog to let him know you are a "local" foreigner, if you are new to an area and are not familiar with where the driver is going, your safest bet. Or want to drive you in circles, but rather want to negotiate the fare, as a foreigner one needs to always be on the alert in the larger cities for the unscrupulous drivers who don't want to turn on their meter, however! And they are generally all air conditioned, taxis are everywhere in every city.

Buses

Which generally travel overnight from Manila to other parts of the island of Luzon and down to the Visayas are very reliable, these buses. But well worth the additional fare, the fares are a little higher. Air conditioned and better maintained, recently I have found the long distance buses to be newer, however. And the drivers tend to be "cowboys", i must say they generally are not well maintained, however. I have traveled the buses time to time in Mindanao and Luzon.

Jeepneys

Which is of course what they are designed for, i find them very efficient for short destination riding. It is the common man's form of public transportation. And the driver will stop anywhere and at anytime along his route to pick up and dispense passengers, fares are very cheap. Which is painted on the side, each driver has a set route. Except for the roof, it is all open air. One of each side of the vehicle, the vehicle is open at the back for entry to the bed where there are two rows of benches. Army jeeps that were around after World War II. It is a vehicle designed like the surplus U.S. This is a form of transportation unique to the Philippines.

Hired Car - or Your Own Car

But don't think I would attempt this in Manila, i have had a car and driven myself in both Cebu and Mindanao, having said this. It is a hectic jungle on the busy streets as a driver. Which are simply ignored if the driver does not like them, they regard traffic rules as "suggestions". Forcing the other guy to slow down, one must push his way into the traffic. Not "defensive driving", so it is "offensive driving" which rules the day, they give the right of way to no one. They also love their horn. Their normal easygoing and polite ways seem to disappear when they get behind the wheel of a car. Filipino drivers are animals behind the wheel of a car. This is why many foreigners who own a car simply hire a full time driver. Due to the incessant traffic jams these days in just about every major and secondary city, many foreigners prefer not to drive.

These days I use a driver rather than deal with the stress of driving myself.