Philippines have a good international and domestic air networks. The country has as many as 255 airports and 2 heliports (2004) including 2 international airports - the Ninoy Aquino Manila and Mactan International Airport, Cebu Island. The Philippine Airlines is the national airline, connecting all the important tourist destinations in the country. Other major domestic airlines operating in Philippines include Air Ads, Asian Spirit, Cebu Pacific Air, Laoag International Airlines, Mindanao Express and See-air and Voyager.

Rail transport is a growing means of transportation for passengers and cargo in the country.. There are trains that travel from manila to north of San Fernando, and south of Legaspi, and also runs between Panay Island of Iloilo and Roxas. Both are for commuting use but it is not recommendable for public tourist. Three trains run daily to and from Manila on this network.

Manila Light Rail Transit System

Rail transport is a growing means of transportation for passengers and cargo in the country.. There are trains that travel from manila to north of San Fernando, and south of Legaspi, and also runs between Panay Island of Iloilo and Roxas. Both are for commuting use but it is not recommendable for public tourist. Three trains run daily to and from Manila on this network.

The Yellow Line consists of eighteen stations in a general north-south direction over 15 kilometers of fully elevated track. The line commences at Baclaran and ends in Monumento.

The Yellow Line has two different fare structures: one for single-journey ticket holders and one for stored-value ticket holders. Commuters in possession of single-journey tickets are charged 12 pesos for the first four stations and 15 pesos for subsequent stations. For stored-value ticket holders, commuters are charged 12 pesos for the first four stations, 13 pesos for five to eight stations, 14 pesos for nine to twelve stations and 15 pesos for more than twelve stations or the entire line.

The Purple Line consists of eleven stations in a general east-west direction over 13.8 kilometers of mostly elevated track, with Katipunan station lying underground. The line commences at Recto and ends in Santolan. The Purple Line, on the other hand, has only one fare structure for single-journey and stored-value ticket holders. Commuters are charged 12 pesos for the first three stations, 13 pesos for four to six stations, 14 pesos for seven to nine stations and 15 pesos for more than nine stations or the entire line.

The Manila Metro Rail Transit System, popularly known as the MRT, is part of the metropolitan rail system in the Metro Manila. It has a single line, MRT-3 or the Blue Line. The line commences at Taft Avenue (Taft on the map) and ends at North Avenue, serving the cities that EDSA passes through: Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City, and San Juan. The MRT only uses one fare structure for both single-journey and stored-value ticket holders. Commuters who ride the MRT are charged 10 pesos for the first three stations, 11 pesos for 4–5 stations, 12 pesos for 6–8 stations, 14 pesos for 9–11 stations and 15 pesos for 12 stations or the entire line.

Availing of ticket differs per train stations; you can get it through vending machine or in a window by the station. During rush hour the line to buy tickets tends to go long, better to ride the train where there are only few people.

Taxi

Taxicabs of the Philippines are one of the modes of transportation in the country. Most taxicabs have yellow colored license plates, taxi signs, LTFRB Registration number, and taximeter, which is mandatory in every cab.

If you are a tourist, the most commonly use is taxi, it is a per meter system payment the first 350m is 30 pesos and additional 2 pesos each for every 250m. There are taxis that don’t use the pay by meter system instead they do rate negotiation due to reasons of traffic jam and so on. If you are caught in a situation that you cannot refuse the negotiation and would go for the market price of “Meter +30 pesos”, as much as possible try to get a taxi where there is a police station nearby or the use of call taxi is recommendable. Though the coupon system in international airport/ domestic airport is a bit expensive, it is better since the rate is already fixed for the target destination.

While traveling in a regular taxi alone in Philippine it should be noted that the meter is right. Payment should be made according to the meter or else the drivers may charge a high price.

Fx

It is a transportation which composes of 10 passengers and it is most commonly known as “FX”. The fare varies on the distance. The minimum fare is 10 pesos. The destination is displayed in the front glass. The same with the taxi, just raise your hand and it will let you in. When you want to get off just say “para” and it will stop. As the same as anywhere else, always be careful in carrying your bag and wallets make sure it will not be stolen by the snatchers. 

Jeepney

Jeepneys are the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines. This is the typical vehicle of the Philippines because the fare is cheap. And said to be the “foot of the nation” and being used as sort of taxi of many passengers.

Jeepneys are quite popular in Philippine as they are available all the time and are pocket friendly as the cost gets divided among the passengers. Initially made out of deserted military jeeps, the Jeepneys are spacious and are available to accommodate around 14to 15 people or more at a time.  It can stop and you can get in when you raise your hand, it will stop and you can get off anywhere when you say “para”.

Due to recent fuel price increases the Metro Manila fixed fare has increased from 7.50 pesos to 8.00 pesos (currently about 10 to fifteen cents American.). The destination is displayed in the front glass. It doesn’t mean that riding is comfortable because there are neither window nor air condition.

Calesa

A Calesa looks like an inclined cart. It has two round wheels on each side and two rows of seats that can accommodate four persons. The driver sits on a block of wood located at the front of the cart near the horse. The calesa, a more elegant means of traveling in most major cities, is more commonly offered as a “fun ride” in many public parks across the country.

Calesas can also be found in Intramuros and Binondo in the city of Manila and also in Iligan City, which has a street where decorated kalesas can be taken for a ride.As in ages past, they will take you where you want to go, slowly but surely. Due to its low speed, the calesa is a favored mode for sightseeing in selected tourist destinations.

Tricycle

The most common transportation that plays an active role in downtown and other areas is tricycle. The tricycle is very usable for areas where cars can’t get easily get through, for narrow roads, or places that is hard for walking. Usually two persons in the seat and one at the back of the driver. It would be hard to ride in it since it could easily get “shake”.  When you are riding with someone else the price usually start from minimum of 7 pesos, but if you want to take special trip it could go for 20 pesos to 30 pesos depending on the distance.

The Pedicab is a three wheeled bicycle with a covered rear seat for customers. Like a bicycle rickshaw, this form of transportation is powered by human pedal power. Pedicabs are particularly welcomed on a hot day when the jeepney drops you blocks from your destination. The least expensive form of transportation in the islands, pedicab fares range from 3 peso to 5 pesos.

The best means of short distance travel is the trike: the motorized version is called a tricycle, and the pedal-powered one is called a Pedi cab. Trike terminals are often found near a “palengke” or marketplace.

Bus

The Manila bus service ply in the oft traveled routes like the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue is the major route that cuts through the metropolis and connects important points from the Monumento in the north and Alabang in the south.

Manila bus service would take you wherever you want to go in the Philippine islands. Some will even transport you on ferries. The bus service in Manila includes both the normal and the air-conditioned buses. The basic fare for an ordinary bus is now P9, and for an air-conditioned bus, P11.50.

The normal routine in the Manila bus travel is that the conductor would collect the fare and one needs to tell where he or she would like to travel. Another common scene during the Manila bus travel is people getting on and off in odd places. In other words the buses load and unload in the middle of the road not caring about the traffic.