Getting Around Philippines

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If you wish to fly from any point of Luzon (Metro Manila, Makati City, etc) to Visayas (Cebu City) or Mindanao (Davao), you can choose to ride a ship, airplane or a bus.
The most common is by airplane since it saves time, convenient but the cost is a little pricey. You can book online for airlines locally and internationally through www.cebupacificair.com and www.philippineairlines.com.

for local flights and cheaper air fares at www.zestair.com or www.airphilexpress.com.
You won't have a hard time to book since the websites are in English language and credit cards are accepted as mode of payment.

for cheap airfares- local and international flights can be purchased in www.cebupacificair.com since it's an airbus. Also, the Philippine Airlines (PAL) just got an airbus and you can book for a Fiesta deal for a cheaper fare. Business Class and 1st class are also available in Philippine Airlines. another local airline providing cheap airfares is the airphilexpress, the sister company of the Philippine Airlines.

Most of the airlines in the Philippines give lots and lots of promo fares but on an advanced travel date, like for example today is 11-November-2011, they will give a promo of 200Php within the travel periods of Feb. 1-Mar. 2012 only. This is how they attract customers, so plan ahead your itinerary, save more money and book online for convenience.

Please remember that Philippines travel tax (for those who'll be flying through Cebu Pacific for international flights) not included in the airfare. You have to pay separately for this one, passengers from Metro Manila, travel tax is 1620Php and boarding pass of 750Php.

Usually, Philippine airlines' includes the travel tax in the airfare which I find more convenient.
For all international flights from Metro Manila, boarding pass must be paid for 750Php while for domestic flights 200Php.

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If you ride a motorbike for any length of time in the Philippines, sooner or later you will get a puncture, all the local riders tell me that. I know of one guy who managed five on a 200 km. ru. OK, that is exceptional but it is going to happen, especially if you ride off road a bit. This, then is your lifeline. Just about anywhere, including the ridiculously remote location shown in the second image here on Negros Island, you will see a sign for "vulcanizing" usually on a tyre in the manner of an old European tradesman's signs in the days of limited literacy.

A simple puncture repair will run you about 50 pesos, depending on where you are, and they do seem to do a good job. They will also do car tyres for you.

It's only a small point but it may just assist you.

Jeepney is our local transportation in getting around the city and in all of the provinces in the country, due to its cheap fare, 8.50Php being the minimum fare for 5-10 km. It’s also a practical way to spend money especially if the distance you need to reach is just a few blocks away.

When you wish to ride a jeepney, you just have to wave your hand to be noticed by the jeepney driver. There are sign boards infront of the jeepney that will give a summary of a few places of its route; from the sign boards it will tell you if that is the appropriate jeepney route you need to take.

Passengers in a jeepney sit side by side and the fare is being passed on to the nearest person behind the driver. Sometimes, people used to say "Makikisuyo lang po" or "please/kindly give my fare to the driver" in English. The same thing happens when the driver gives back the change of the passenger. When you have reached your destination, you just have to shout "para" or "sa tabi lang po".

In a busy district like here in Manila, with the high hot temperature, riding a jeepney is not the preferred transportation by most of the people going to work, or the people who doesn’t want to look haggard before going in the office or to any of their appointments.

Personally, I enjoy riding the jeepney when I go to the province. The cool wind that brushes your hair will definitely give you a relaxing feeling.

Pedicab is a 3 wheeled public vehicle that’s more commonly seen on the streets of Manila and in the provinces. It's like the manual version of a tricycle that goes around only for a short distance.
Maximum capacity: 3 pax

The fares vary in locations. In Taft Avenue, Manila, pedicab fare ranges from 10-20Php per pax while in the provinces like in Bantayan Island, Cebu 20-25Php. Just beware of the pedicabs around Metro Manila especially in Chinatown and Divisoria Market, don’t get fooled. They overcharge their passengers.. as in exaggerated overcharged!!! They’re more expensive than taking a cab.

The airport taxis, yellow colored ones, has an initial flag rate of 70Php which is very far from the regular flag down rate of ordinary taxis, 40Php.

If you’re on a budget, you can take a taxi from the airport- NAIA terminal 2, up in the upper level of the arrival area, ordinary taxis are available there (ordinary taxis available 630am-8pm).

from NAIA terminal 3, you can take the airport shuttle bus, fare’s 25Php, the ride’s up to Pasay Terminal station (Available 7am-11pm).

From NAIA terminal 1, for a long way back home, you can take a the airport taxi and tell the driver to take you to Mall of Asia or anywhere as long as you exit the airport road. Remember, airport taxis starts the meter at 70Php,.. just think of how much it will cost you when your destination is 50km away from the airport.

Please remember these things when taking taxis:
1. Always ask for the taxi meter on.
2. Always ask for your change. All of us work so we need money too.

People usually take a cab especially if they're late going to work, meetings, or appointments and sometimes when they aren't sure of the road to take to go in a certain place.
Flag down rate starts at 40Php.

But this isn't the practical way get around the city especially on rush hours (7-10am, 5-8pm), you'll just get yourself stuck in traffic.

Please remember these things when taking the taxi:

1. Always ask for the taxi meter on.

2. Always ask for your change. All of us work so we need money too.

3. If you’re around the City, if you can walk or bear taking the local transportation, that will be better.

I have flown Air Phil Express tiwce and they got me to where i wanted for a very decent price and that is of course the most important.
I must say though that when i compare them to SEAIR and Cebu Pacific then they were not nearly as good.
First of all they were delayed without end and i can see from my expreince that they schedule way more planes than they tend to fly and then just cancel some of them and stow all the people in to a couple of planes instead of 5-6 planes.
So be prepared for delays and cancellations if you fly them.
If you are a backpacker on a tight budget with plenty of time then they are fine, but if you have a schedule to keep then fly other airlines.
I would like to finish saying that the cabin crew on board Air Phil Express were very nice and friendly and they certainly help improving the image of the airline.

Private Driver--
If you can afford it then hire a private driver that knows the local history. Also, they'll go off the beaten path. Gets you out of the tourist traps. You create the schedule. You outlay the perimeters of what you care to do and go.

Walking--
Do it. Get the feel for the city. Try it both afternoon and evening. This is a busy city with both auto and human traffic that bottles up.

Taxis--
Find someone other that on-duty taxi drivers. You can go bust with these guys. Keep in mind that some of the tend to be always trying to squeeze that extra $dollar$ / peso / €uro out of you. Hey, it is to be expected, n'est-pas. Good news is that the taxi guys are nice.

Public tranist--
Buses. Rail. Jeepnies!!