Getting Around Manila, Philippines

Globetrotter

03 Feb 2023 - 7 min read

The wonderful city of Manila is known and remembered by its vibrant business districts and bayside areas, lively markets and streets that show off the people’s cultural roots, and colonial remnants of its previous time under foreign occupation. Needless to say, the different vibes and atmospheres of the capital, along with their countless attractions, are a sight for sore eyes for any tourists who enjoy a variety of travel spots in one single trip. For those who want to discover rich history and religion but also want to enjoy fun strolls along the local streets, Philippines’ metropolis combines many styles of everything into an urban mix unlike any other city.

In terms of transportation, Manila is not too difficult to navigate for travelers due to its metro train systems. Other than that, most locals utilize the public buses and the unique and bright Jeepney buses to get where they want daily. Taxis and traysikels are definitely still an option if you don’t want all the hassle of finding directions. Take a look at these modes of transportation for your trip to the lovely city of Manila to get a rough sense of how to get around while you're traveling.

Transportation in Manila

The most common way to travel in Manila is via the Manila Light Rail Transit System (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT), with routes that reach mostly the inner city and also both sides of the bay. The two’s real difference is only the location of the stations, and that the LRT is slower but more extensive. To travel around the city however, it is likely that you will also need another mode of transportation to get directly to some destinations. Most citizens of Manila use the bus on a daily basis. There are also the colorful Jeepney buses that are special to the Philippines. For hired rides, you can always call a taxi or a traysikel, a type of three-wheel vehicle that looks quite similar to tuk tuks or remoks.

LRT and MRT

Fares, routes, schedules: The LRT consists of 2 lines (Green and Blue). The Green line (Line 1) of the LRT operates in Quezon City, Caloocan, Manila, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Bacoor, and Cavite, with cross-platform interchange at North Triangle station and Piog station (first and terminal stations). The Blue line (Line 2) of the LRT operates in Antipolo, Rizal, Marikina, Pasig, Quezon City, San Juan, and Manila. Fares range from ₱12 (0.21 USD) to ₱30 (0.60 USD).

Meanwhile, the MRT currently has 1 line (Yellow), operating in Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Makati, and Pasay. Fares range from ₱13 (0.23 USD) for one station to ₱28 (0.49 USD) for the entire route. You can check in advance via Moovit app or moovitapp.com to find out how to get to your destinations. For both of the train systems you can also get a Beep card for ₱30 (0.60 USD) to store money and pay cashless for rides of all 3 lines, but keep in mind that there might be fees applied when you add money. Since you can also top up at convenience stores and bus stops, that amount should be worth it. The trains operate from 05:00 to around 21:00-21:30 depending on the stations, and arrive every 3-8 minutes.

Advantages: The biggest advantage of traveling by train is that most attractions are along the routes and you can reach them quite easily while avoiding traffic. Getting accommodation near these train routes will also mean that you can go from travel spot to travel spot quickly and affordably. Other than that, due to the often dilapidated and old conditions of the stations and the crowds during busy times of the day, you might want to choose another type of transportation.

Tips: Train stations in Manila are generally built without accessibility for trolleys and wheelchairs, and facilities like elevators and escalators may not work properly. Therefore, you might want to look for other modes of transportation if you have heavy luggage or strollers. Getting a Beep card might help you travel more easily without having to find cash to exchange tickets, and the card can be used to pay in convenience stores as well.

Bus

Routes: There are 31 lines of buses which might sound a bit complicated, but good news is you can just ask the driver where they stop or look at the side of the bus. Alternatively, you can check in advance via navigation app to find out how to get to your destinations. The bus comes every 10-20 minutes.

Fares: Bus fares normally begin at ₱16 (0.28 USD) for city buses and ₱12 (0.21 USD) for provincial buses (as of 2019).

Tips: For bus riders, you should always keep some smaller bills with you and prepare to pay the exact amount in advance before you get off the bus. Manila’s city buses are always in a hurry and might be crowded, so you better act quickly when hopping on and off buses.

Jeepneys

What are Jeepneys: Jeepney is a unique type of bus native to the Philippines, with loud colors and lively decorations that speaks of local art, they are the major method of transportation among people of the Philippines. In terms of travel, they are not much different from normal public buses, operating wide and going pretty much anywhere in the city. The only real difference is that they do not stop at clear spots and will pick up and drop off anyone along the way like a big shared ride. Another difference is that they are not air-conditioned and have wide breezy windows you can wave out of. (Some do have plastic sheets to prevent the rain, though)

Advantages: As the cheapest way to travel, you can save a lot of money traveling via the Jeepneys. Another advantage is that the drivers will pick passengers up from anywhere and drop them anywhere as long as that place is in the route. If you want to join the ride, just wave for one. And if you’re unsure of where the Jeepney is going, just ask! Most of the time, though, the route and the destination will be written clear on the side of the Jeepney.

Routes and fares: Fares for Jeepneys start from just about ₱8 (0.14)!

Tips: Say “para” or “para po” to inform the driver that you’re about to go down the jeepney. If you’re seated near the driver, help other commuters hand over their fares to the driver. Pay in coins or smaller bills as much as possible.

Traysikel

What is a Traysikel: Traysikel is a type of colorful modified motorcycle with a sidecar that has a low roof attached to the bike. This allows for a few passengers to ride at the same time and for the motorcycle to ride stably. Traysikels are unique to the Philippines and are a must-try for tourists!

Advantages: It costs less than taxis and can give you a fun experience unlike any other modes of transportation.

Where to go with traysikel: It’s best to use tricycles only for short distances from point A to point B within the city areas; they are not especially comfortable or quick compared to other modes of transportation.

Fares: Just like tuk tuks, remoks, and similar types of open-air taxis in Southeast Asia, these traysikels require some negotiation skills. Ask the driver and if the price is right, firmly agree on it before hopping in.

Tips: There are two ways to ride the tricycle – pay a standard fare and join a group of commuters inside the vehicle or opt to rent the vehicle all to yourself. Make sure to have small bills with you so you can pay the exact amount. Pay for the agreed-upon price you haggled before riding.

Taxi

How to identify taxis in Manila: Taxis in Manila are usually marked by the words 'taxi' on the sides of sedan cars, and are usually entirely white with yellow plates and a clear taxi sign on top.

Fares: Manila taxis have a predetermined flag down rate of ₱40 (0.70 USD) (as of September 2022) and additional charges per kilometer, distance, and waiting time on the road. For rides from ride-hailing apps, the price will be more expensive and there might be calling fees for each booking.

Advantages: Obviously, taxis are the most convenient way to travel in Manila if you don’t mind the traffic. With the hot and humid climate, taxis are your answer if you’re traveling for long rides. The main downside is that you might encounter some drivers who want to haggle you and ask for a flat fare. Ride only if they use the meter.

Tips and tricks: Be prepared with the name of your destination, a rough map with landmarks and an estimate of the fare before attempting to board a taxi on Manila roads. To avoid being scammed, remind drivers to turn on the meter if you’ve noticed that it’s not yet running. Apps to book rides are also available in Manila if you want to avoid this hassle.

Did that make planning your transportation for your Manila trip a bit easier? While the city has infrastructure built in since the war era, traveling in this wonderful city can still be tricky sometimes. With all the sights and sounds and memorable attractions, we promise it will be worth it to try different modes of transport out. To conclude, it is recommended for tourists to make use of the LRT and MRT train systems in order to get to attractions and avoid traffic jams. However, it is not suitable for those traveling with a lot of baggage or those who need to avoid steep stairs.

Other choices include the bus or Jeepneys which travel in certain routes, with the bus having clear stops while the Jeepney without. For both, you can check the routes beforehand via navigation apps. You can also hire a traysikel for a cheap price, although uncertain, or opt for private taxis for more comfort.