Makati Transportation

1 more image

A cheap way to get around Manila is by Jeepney. Jeepney is a lorry like motorised public transport with the route of the jeepney written on the side of the metal body of the jeepney.

During a jeepney ride, you'll get to meet the locals and according to a local we met, though there is no clear signs where the jeepney stop is, the locals knows which corner of the road to wait..

It was an exciting & interesting experience for my friends and I when we were "stranded" at the Divisoria night market and there is no cab that will drive us back to Makati. It was an experience that we'll never forget.

4 more images

There are taxi lanes and it's better if you get your cabs there (not from hotels because there's a minimum rate of 300 pesos, which isn't bad in other currency, but expensive when it's just nearby) and let the security guards or dotc officials list the license plates...if you're just going to hire one from the street, be sure to ask if the taxi's metered or not...

You have to have a lot of coins or at least lower bills to ride a bus...there's the air cornditioned bus and there's the bus non fresco (hehhehe). I don't suggest you ride this vehicle during rush hour/s (from 7 to 10 in the morning and from 5 in afternoon to 8 in the evening) because you won't be able to breathe (and sadly to say, you might lose your things).

2 more images

As I mentioned in my Cubao page, it's actually an elevated train (but sometimes goes under)...I love riding this railway system except during rush hour/s (anywhere from 5PM to 8 in the evening) because there's practically no space to breathe. Thank goodness that there's a car most especially dedicated to the elderly, women and the handicapped.

From the Ayala Station to Boni,Shaw,Ortigas (11 pesos)
to Cubao (12 pesos)

=)

Be prepared to walk in this quite vast area of shopping and leisure establishments. Especially after office hours or any time during weekends, the streets here can get really crowded with both people and vehicles.

Lucky you if you have a driver, but if you are bringing your own vehicle, it would be best if you park it at the 6750 building's parking levels (the building with a Starbucks in the corner and right beside Shangri-La Manila). Normally, this building has available spaces even when all the other parking areas have none during peak hours. Also, it is easy to go from here to either side of the whole center - whether Glorietta or Greenbelt.

An alternative is Park Square 1, which is directly across Dusit Hotel. This also usually has available parking slots, but is a bit far if you are going to Greenbelt.

3 more images

Jeepneys the locals say it is a remnants of world war 2 army vehicles. Really !. Well this jeepneys are a common form of public transport for the locals. Any I mean everybody seems to be hoping in & out all the time. I can't tell exactly how much does a ride cost but I paid about 750peso for say a 5 minutes ride. If you want to relate jeepneys, relate it with Thailand's 'tuk-tuk' similiar i figure.

The MRT and LRT are now working pretty ok (LRT is still non-aircon) and waiting in line for the MRT and LRT will pretty much assure that u need to bring some spare clothes. Around rush hour you have to fight your way in but during rush hours its pretty ok.

Just make sure u watch your cell-phone and money cause when its realy packed u never sure of your belongings (anywhere in the world).

You will save a lot of time if you want to go to Quezon city by taking the MRT but from Makati to Manila is a bit a pain of the ass through LRT though still possible and sometimes faster (during rush hours).

Ok, the first thing you should know is that most taxi drivers are honest. The second thing you should know is that taxi drivers are dishonest. Yes, I know it sounds weird but let me explain. It pretty much depends on the time of day you want to get a taxi and where u want to go to. Recently, I haven't encountered too many difficulties, but normally when I get from the Airport they try to screw me over.

The flat rate is now 30 pesos (around 0.60 dollar) and depending on the place you want to go you end up paying max 150 if want to go to Quezon City or Manila (though if traffic is really bad you might pay more). You can just flag down any taxi and once they don't want to put on the meter just get out (if you can report the bastard) wait ten seconds and get a more honest guy.