Transportation Travel Guide: Going Around Metro Manila

While in Metro Manila, you must be able to familiarize yourself with the available transportation systems in place to know how to go around the city.

Taxi Service


The Philippines has one the cheapest taxi rates in the whole world. With flag down rate of 30 Philippine pesos (60 US cents) and additional metered rate of 2.50 pesos for every kilometer or so, it is very inexpensive to use taxi service to go on short distance city trips, to transfer between hotels, restaurants or malls.

Airport taxi however are not cheap with defined rate per destination location comparable to taxi rates of other cities in the west. Most reputable hotels provide transportation transfer to and from their hotels to the airport anyway.



Rail System.

Through the years, modern railway system has been put up to reduce traffic congestion of busy roads around Metro Manila. However, due to continuous influx of commuters, steady rise in the number of private vehicles and the extended use of old public transportation buses and jeepneys, Metro Manila traffic has become one of the worst among developing countries. Still, it is worthy to note the importance of the existing rail system in going around Metro Manila.

There are currently 5 existing rail systems that run across Metro Manila. Although yet to be implemented, the color coded naming scheme was developed to unify the existing systems. Interconnection between railway systems are to be built and a unified fare system similar to Hongkong's Octopus card and Singapore's E-Z Link card are to be used. The existing fare rate for Metro Manila's rail systems are distance-based and generally lower compared to those of similar systems of its neighboring countries.

Current line name	New line name
LRT Line 1 (LRT-1)	Yellow Line
MRT Line 2 (MRT-2)	Purple Line
MRT Line 3 (MRT-3)	Blue Line
PNR Northrail	Green Line
PNR Southrail	Orange Line

The LRT line 1, also called Metrorail, connects Caloocan City in the north to Manila and Pasay in the south. Caloocan City is Metro Manila's gateway to Northern Luzon, where most of the bus stations going to the provinces in the north are located. In the same way, Pasay City is where most of the buses serving South Luzon and nearby islands, are stationed. The LRT Line 1, passes along busy districts of Manila, where stations are accessible to the city's commercial districts, the Port of Manila, Intramuros, and some of Manila's educational institutions.

MRT Line 2, on the other hand, connects the western part of Metro Manila to the east, from commercial district of Manila to Marikina and Pasig City.

MRT Line 3, which probably serves the most commuters, runs along EDSA, Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue, connecting major business districts of Metro Manila. It starts at Pasay, in the south, and connects the business district of Makati to Ortigas and Quezon City business districts, making it the busiest railway in Metro Manila.

The PNR Northrail is currently closed, while PNR Southrail runs through Caloocan City, Manila, Makati, Taguig, Paranaque and Muntinlupa Cities.


Buses

City buses are also common, some of which even serve nearby towns and cities surrounding Metro Manila. Most of the lines these buses serve uses EDSA as the main road which connects the major business districts of Metro Manila.



Jeepneys

Jeepneys are the main transportation link around Metro Manila. These are converted military jeep, which started after the World War II to serve commuters on short distant trips. It has become a symbol of Philippine culture with its flamboyant decorations and popularity. It is inexpensive to ride a jeepney with separate fixed lines that serve almost all parts of Metro Manila. The traditional jeepney however faces a serious threat of phase out due to environmental and economic factors. Jeepneys due to immense popularity has clogged most roads while cruising with empty seats, burning unnecessary fuels. New generation of eJeepneys (electric powered) were already launched in Makati and are expected to replace aging jeepneys in the future.


How about Car Hire?

Of course, as a traveler you may consider rent-a-car or car hire service, but if you're not familiar going through the labyrinth network of Metro Manila roads, the traffic system, and driving culture in the Philippines that decision can be fatal. It is best to hire your driver as well, which can cost you more but if you'll be able to build a good rapport, he can also act as your guide and interpreter to local language. Although most Filipinos speak and understand English, trading in local language, Pilipino, is still the way to get the best deal out of almost everything. Furthermore, most Filipinos, driver's included are very social people and would treat their customers well, making them your best travel guide around Metro Manila afterall.