Manila Traffic: How to Beat Southeast Asia’s Busiest Streets

Whenever you ask a local in the Philippines for travel advice, one common suggestion is to avoid Manila layovers. It’s almost become doublespeak for what they really mean - avoid the traffic at all costs!

To be clear, a trip to the Philippines is widely acknowledged as a great idea, being that it has been a tourist paradise for decades.

But getting stuck in Manila traffic is one of the worst things that can happen to a time-constrained traveler. And if Manila is on the itinerary, you will need to map your way like a local if you want to make the most of your trip.

You will need to know exactly what are the best times to travel, the traffic regulations, the cheats sheets, and all that jazz.

Should you find yourself dealing with a terribly congested road in Manila, here are some ways you can navigate your way around.

Save your money by commuting

Being behind the wheel may not be the best option for you if you aren’t familiar with Manila yet. Its traffic schemes may be overwhelming if you are none the wiser. There are number-coding systems, rerouting, the newly implemented traffic regulations that you would have to deal with.

Commuting is the best way to spend your transportation budget wisely. Just a fair warning — it may be time-consuming (with some 5 km rides taking up to 50 mins!).

Book a Grab

Ride-sharing apps such as Grab have fixed rates, so you wouldn’t have to worry about being cheated on. It would be advisable to buy a sim card if you want to be able to use the app. Booking a ride on the go will be much easier if you have mobile data handy.

Any local will encourage you to book a Grab instead of riding a cab. As comfortable taxis are, they don’t exactly have the cleanest records when it comes to charging fares.

The best time to book a ride is either before noon or in the middle of the afternoon. Vehicles don’t move around much during these times since most people are at work or in school.

Prices will hike during rush hour too, so you might want to avoid booking a Grab unless you have somewhere important to go.

Trains

There are 3 light rail systems in Manila — LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3.

You can choose to buy a single-use card or a stored-value card. After paying for the ticket at the counter, you would be able to enter the station. It’s not as advanced as most train stations in the country, but it works all the same.

Your fare would depend on where you are stopping, but it normally ranges from $0.26 to $0.60.

Rush hour normally falls between 7 AM to 9 Am and 5 PM to 9 PM. Taking rides between these hours would often mean long lines and crowded rides. So unless your destination is close to the station, it would be best to leave trains as a second option.

Jeepneys

This colorful vehicle is considered the hallmark of Filipino ingenuity and culture.

Each jeep has its assigned route and destination. The fare usually ranges from $0.20 to $0.40 depending on where you’re going to stop. If you’re unsure whether they’re going to pass by your destination, ask a local for guidance.

Prepare some loose change — large bills aren’t very appreciated by drivers. To pay your bill, you simply have to say “bayad po” and hand it over to the passenger beside you. Don't worry, they will relay your fare for you.

Once you’ve arrived at your destination, shout “para po” and the jeepney driver stops for you.

An important thing to keep in mind is that while there are designated jeepney stops, drivers and passengers alike are rather liberal when it comes to where they get on and off.

Driving your way around Manila

Driving around Manila can be stressful, but at least you have the advantage of going your own route and being in a comfortable vehicle, presumably. If that is your choice of transportation, then here are a few things that you should take note of:

Number Coding

The number coding system prohibits specific ending plate numbers to drive on certain days. Here’s as it follows:

• Mondays: vehicles with plate numbers ending in 1 and 2 aren’t allowed
• Tuesdays: vehicles with plate numbers ending in 3 and 4 aren’t allowed
• Wednesdays: vehicles with plate numbers ending in 5 and 6 aren’t allowed
• Thursdays: vehicles with plate numbers ending in 7 and 8 aren’t allowed
• Fridays: vehicles with plate numbers ending in 9 and 0 aren’t allowed

The only vehicles exempt from this rule are motorcycles.

There are some roads where the coding scheme doesn’t apply at all. There are also “window hours” where prohibited vehicles are allowed to travel, but you would have to ask locals about that since they aren’t fixed.

Rush Hour

The worst time to drive in the morning is from 7 AM to 9 AM, while in the afternoon it’s laborious to travel from 5 Pm to 9 PM.

Getting caught up in the chaotic streets of Manila during traffic will consume at least a full hour of your day. It’s important that you leave before at least an hour or more when you go out — otherwise, you’ll fall behind on your travel plans.

Download Waze

Almost every driver in Manila has Waze on their phone. So far, Waze is the most accurate traffic and navigation app when it comes to real-time road traffic. They also help by giving you alternate routes if ever there’s heavy traffic up ahead.

Make sure you have mobile data credits when using Waze. This will surely be your best friend when navigating your way around Manila.

Beware of jeepneys

It’s one thing to ride in a jeepney. It’s a totally different thing to drive on a road with jeepneys. The problem with jeepneys is that they stop and go whenever and wherever they want. You might accidentally bump into one if you aren’t cautious.

It’s best to avoid using the right lane as much as possible. Most jeepneys often go for this lane because of how convenient it is to pick up and drop off passengers.

Extra tips

Have a local guide to help you out with the transportation. If you can, rent a chauffeured vehicle. The drivers are likely to assist you with your escapading needs.

Stay safe and enjoy your trip!