The Philippines is a stunning archipelago of over 7,000 islands offering pristine beaches, world-class diving, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality. From the powdery white sands of Boracay to the dramatic limestone cliffs of Palawan, this tropical paradise combines Spanish colonial heritage with Southeast Asian charm.
- Public
- Jeepneys and city buses are very cheap but routes are confusing for visitors. LRT/MRT metro in Manila covers key routes but is often overcrowded. Tricycles fill the last-mile gap in smaller areas.
- Taxi
- Grab app is the gold standard for safe, metered rides — use it exclusively over hailing street taxis. Available in Manila, Cebu, Davao, and other major cities.
- Rental
- Car rental practical outside Manila for provincial exploration. In Manila, traffic is so extreme that rental is not recommended — use Grab instead.
- Walking
- City centers like Intramuros, BGC, and Poblacion are walkable but Manila's urban sprawl and heat make extensive walking impractical. Boracay and El Nido are very walkable.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Airport taxi - $10-15 to city center (metered)
- Shuttle
- Grab/taxi app - $8-12
- Bus
- Airport shuttle bus - $2-3
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Jeepneys are iconic Filipino minibuses serving fixed routes. Tell driver your destination and pay before exiting. Public buses available for longer city routes. Provincial buses connect major cities.
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare, tricycle, habal_habal
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- $1.20 base fare
- Apps
- Grab (most popular), Angkas (motorcycle taxi), JoyRide (carpooling)
- App Names
- Grab (most popular), Angkas (motorcycle taxi), JoyRide (carpooling)
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Primary intercity transport. Companies: Victory Liner, Philippine Rabbit, Ceres, Philtranco. Luxury buses have A/C, WiFi, reclining seats. Book online or at terminals. Popular routes: Manila-Baguio ($8-12, 6hrs), Manila-Bicol ($15-20, 10hrs).
Cost: $5-25 depending on distance, luxury vs standard
Flights
Major carriers: Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, AirAsia Philippines. Essential for island hopping. Book 2-3 months ahead for best prices. Popular routes: Manila-Cebu ($40-80), Manila-Palawan ($50-100), Manila-Boracay ($60-120).
Cost: $30-150 depending on route and advance booking
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Ninoy Aquino International Airport
From centre: 7 km from Manila city center
Options: Airport taxi - $10-15 to city center (metered); Grab/taxi app - $8-12; Airport shuttle bus - $2-3; Premium airport transfer - $20-30
Mactan-Cebu International Airport
From centre: 10 km from Cebu City
Options: Airport taxi - $8-12 to city center; Grab - $6-10; MyBus airport shuttle - $1.50; Hotel transfers - $15-25
Clark International Airport
From centre: 80 km north of Manila
Options: P2P bus to Manila - $8-10 (2 hours); Private transfer - $60-80; Grab to Angeles City - $5-8
Caticlan Airport (for Boracay)
From centre: 10 minutes from Boracay jetty port
Options: Tricycle to jetty port - $2-3; Van transfer packages - $5-8 (includes boat); Boat to Boracay - $2 (15 minutes)
Puerto Princesa International Airport
From centre: 2 km from city center
Options: Tricycle - $2-3; Van rental - $15-20; Hotel shuttle - $5-10
Kalibo International Airport
From centre: 2 hours from Boracay
Options: Bus + boat package to Boracay - $10-15; Private van - $40-60; Shared shuttle - $8-12
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Grab
The primary ride-hailing app covering all major Philippine cities. Safer and more reliable than street taxis with fixed pricing. Also offers GrabFood delivery.
Angkas
Motorcycle taxi app for beating Manila traffic. Faster than cars in gridlock, helmets provided. Operates in Metro Manila and Cebu. Popular for short city trips.
Move It
Another motorcycle taxi alternative to Angkas. Available in Metro Manila with similar pricing. Useful for 1-person short trips when Grab has surge pricing.
2GO / OceanJet
Ferry booking apps for inter-island travel. 2GO covers long-haul routes (Manila to Cebu, Davao); OceanJet handles fast ferries in the Visayas.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download the Grab app before arriving — it's safer than street taxis and works like Uber with transparent pricing. Works in Manila, Cebu, Davao, and major cities.
Jeepneys are iconic but routes are confusing without local knowledge — ask your accommodation to write your destination in Filipino for the driver
Book domestic flights 2-3 months ahead on Cebu Pacific or AirAsia Philippines for the best fares. Last-minute flights can be 3-5x more expensive.
For Boracay: take tricycle from White Beach to terminals (negotiate PHP 150-200 per tricycle, not per person). E-trikes are also available.
Manila traffic is extreme during rush hours (7-10 AM and 5-9 PM) — factor an extra 1-2 hours and consider avoiding EDSA during these times entirely
For inter-island travel, 2GO Travel ferries are the most economical option — book online in advance especially for holiday travel