How to Find Your Way Around Manila

If you visit the bustling city of Manila, you will find that it is not difficult to make your way around the city, as you will find several modes of transport available. Depending on how quickly you wish to get to your destination and how much you are prepared to pay, there will be several options for getting about Manila; these include by way of taxi, monorail, bus, rental car, jeepney and tricycle.

By taxi

For travelling quickly and comfortably to your desired destination, taking a taxi would be a good option. You will find that standard taxis in Manila are air-conditioned, which means that you will be able to travel within a pleasant environment. Taxis will also have a meter so that fares charged should be on a standard basis. However, sometimes drivers will forget to activate the meter, in which case you should remind them to do so. Tourists should be wary of sometimes being overcharged if the meter is not working and it would be prudent to carry plenty of small denomination notes to provide the exact taxi fare. Additionally, ride-hailing apps such as Grab are also available in the city.

By bus and monorail

The cheapest way of getting about in Manila would be by bus. Alternatively, a rapid way of travelling through the city would be by using the monorails; these include the MRT (Metro Rail Transit) and LRT (Light Rail Transit), both of which are quick and affordable options. However, taking the monorails may not be very advisable during rush hours on weekdays when these services can become crowded. On the other hand, during off-peak periods, the monorails would be a great way to get to your city destination rapidly. You will also have the opportunity to avail yourself of single journey cards or tickets as well as reloadable cards in which you can store credit.

By rental car

You will also be able to rent a car, with or without a driver, to get around in Manila. As you might expect, this will be costlier than using public transport but will provide you with the benefits of comfort and quick transport to your destination. Naturally, hiring a driver will be more expensive, but you will have the advantage that your driver will possess experience of the local driving conditions as well as a knowledge of alternate routes and shortcuts. You will be able to secure a rental car at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport as well as at various locations around the city. An accommodation choice to consider which you could easily reach by rental car is Citadines Millennium Ortigas Manila which may be regarded as a conveniently located Ortigas condotel that has parking facilities as well.

By jeepney

Travelling by jeepney would also be a good way to get around in Manila. Jeepneys are modified vehicles based on American military jeeps brought over during World War II. Jeepneys may be regarded as iconic symbols of the Philippines and its distinctive culture and travelling on them will be an appealing experience for the visitor. Typically, these vehicles may be hailed anywhere on most roads in Manila, but there can also be designated stations for loading as well as unloading. Keep in mind, payments for jeepney travel should be given directly to the driver.

By tricycle

You will find that motorised tricycles happen to be the local version of the tuk-tuks commonly found in some other Asian nations. These vehicles generally follow established routes along inner roads; they may be hired in the same manner as taxis along the routes that they follow. Tricycles constructed in various styles can be seen, but most are locally made by attaching a sidecar to a motorcycle. Typically, two to four passengers can be accommodated on one of these vehicles.