Philippines Guide
For Travelers, Expats and Pinoys
Samar Transportation
Planning to visit Samar? A trip to this province can always be worthwhile because of the various Samar transportation options available to you. It is best for travelers to consider a more convenient and most appropriate means of transportation for them. Bear in mind that when traveling, you need to consider the time of travel as well as the cost of each mode of transportation.
From Manila, there are a wide range of travel options at your disposal. There are no direct flights to Samar so the best alternative to book a flight to either Tacloban or Cebu. Although Masbate is nearer to Samar, the province has no airports.
By air, there are daily scheduled flights from Manila to Tacloban City. Travel time is an hour and thirty minutes. The cost for a one way trip is between PHP2,000 to PHP3,500. Try to find some promotional offers from various carriers to get some discounts. There are carriers that reduce costs below PHP2,000 during promotional offers. Once you reach Tacloban City, there are various land transportation options going to Samar. Buses, jeeps, or airconditioned vans will take you to the picturesque San Juanico Bridge going to Samar.
An alternative Samar transportation option is by taking a bus from Manila. There are bus terminals in Pasay City and Cubao that leave daily night and day. The travel time is a gruelling twelve hours to the island of Matnog in Sorsogon. From there, you will ride a ferry. As soon as the bus disembarks the ferry, it will take you to the terminal in Samar.
The bus trip will have a stop over every 3 to 4 hours at a restaurant or terminal along the route. This gives you a chance to do some stretching and feed your hungry stomach. Some of the bus lines that traverse this route include Victory Liner, CUL Transport, Philtranco, Silverstar, and Eaglestar.
When you arrive in Samar, you will find the usual modes of transportation such as buses, jeepneys, or airconditioned vans. Occasionally, there are motorbikes custom fitted with roofs traveling around the province and even crossing San Juanico Bridge.
If all flights going to Tacloban City are fully booked, your best option is to travel to Cebu and make your way from there. From Manila to Cebu, a one way ticket costs PHP2,500. Of course, this is the best route if you are coming from Cebu. The cost of flights going to Tacloban is around PHP2,000 with daily flights leaving the airport. Another transportation option from Cebu is to ride a passenger ship going to Leyte. From there, you can travel by land.
These are the different Samar transportation options that you can consider when planning a trip to this province. Always go for the option that gives you the best value for your money.
Dipolog Transportation
Overview
The provincial capital of the northern part of Zamboanga is one that has scenic rolling hills and calm blue seas that are truly among nature’s wonders. Despite the fact that Dipolog is highly industrialized, this part of Zamboanga has managed to retain the beauty of its many natural wonders and this is one of the many reasons that both tourists and businessmen flock here. Known as the Orchid City, if one is planning a trip to Dipolog, it will help a lot if one knew what modes of Dipolog transportation are available as options to see this magnificent city.
Getting to Dipolog
Going on a direct flight to Dipolog is indeed very convenient especially with the facilities of the Dipolog Airport and it’s not a surprise that many prefer this mode of Dipolog transportation to access the city. Today, there are 4 major airlines that offer flights to Dipolog City and these are Philippine Airlines, Asian Spirit, Cebu Pacific and Zest Air. During peak season, air fare to Dipolog is around Php3000 to Php5000 but during off peak season, these prices are slashed down to just around Php1000.
Getting to Dipolog is also possible via land with the increasing efficiency of national highways on which these types of Dipolog transportation traverse on. There are buses that leave Manila daily headed for Dipolog and although the trip could take over a day, this is the most affordable and one has the opportunity to see other provinces that the bus will pass through. This type of Dipolog transportation costs about Php1000 per head.
For those who want to travel by sea going to Dipolog this form of Dipolog transportation is also possible with major shipping companies making trips to this province in Zamboanga del Norte almost everyday of the week. Ocean Jet, GP Lines, Super Ferry WG&A are among the maritime vessels that can safely take one to Dipolog.
Getting Around Dipolog
When going around the city of Dipolog, there are various modes of Dipolog transportation that one can use with jeepneys being the most common and the cheapest. Tourists aren’t usually inclined to take jeepneys thinking they might get lost but here’s a tip, they travel a particular route. One can always ask the driver if it will pass by one’s destination or one can ask a local on what type of transportation to take. For short distances, it’s always the tricycle but for more comfortable rides, there are taxis in Dipolog City.
Here’s For a More Enjoyable Philippine Travel
Traveling around cities in the Philippines can often have lots of hassles, in private or public vehicles. But travels can be made daily pleasant experiences if the following tips below are observed.
Never go out the house without informing somebody of one’s travel destination. Even with mobile phones around, it’s still advisable to let people at home know one’s travel plans and options, special or everyday travels. With mobile phones in hand, it’s good to inform a guy or two about travel status, at least every two hours.
Keep informed beforehand of the latest road lane travel policies of a locality. One-way or two-way lane policies can sometimes change over night. Traffic updates on TV or in the radio give helpful travel tips on this at times. Or better, watch out for road signs or posts.
In Metro Manila, always be aware of car plate number policies. They are called number or color coding regulated by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). Each day of the week is regulated by a specific MMDA number or color coding. If a car’s plate number falls under a specified coding for the day, it’s banned from travel in highways and streets. The travel ban is on for specific travel hours of the day.
In special group trips, make sure rented public vehicles are not overloaded and necessary travel permits are secured. In any case, no children are permitted to ride in front of any vehicle. Make sure seat belts are always strapped to the driver and passengers, and drivers are not allowed to call or text messages via cell phones. This is not just a safety travel precaution but also to avoid travel hassles. Authorities on field work are hot over erring vehicles on the road. To avoid delays and travel hassles, pay attention to these rules.
For travels on foot, never ever forget to use pedestrian overpasses and lanes. Some cities are very particular about jay walking. Some people ignore it simply due to laziness. Jaywalking can prove to be a terrible travel hassle. That’s not just about the fine. Think of the humiliation and waste of travel time waiting at a police or MMDA precinct.
Make every travel activity pleasant by learning to go by the rules. Everyone has the right to travel, but everyone is also obligated to observe travel rules. In cars or out on the streets, travel will be a joy if we know how to travel in style and in propriety.
Absolutely No Traffic Travel Tip
How about a metro travel from Manila to Laguna, going through 6 cities in a little over an hour, absolutely free from traffic? Impossible? Not with this new travel option which was inaugurated last February 14, 2007. MRT? MRT is fast all right, but it’s not MRT. It’s the Pasig River Ferry Service.
But Pasig smells awful. They tried ferry travel before and it didn’t work—passengers complained of catching the Pasig River’s smell after a ride. Well, accordingly, this new ferry service, launched into operation by President Gloria Arroyo herself, solves the smell debacle by having the catamaran-type ferries fully air conditioned. This ensures a cool, refreshing, and fast travel option from Manila Bay to Laguna Bay, 27 kilometers in all, within an hour or so.
Pasig Ferry Service is a river travel option with some 9 ferries plying the Pasig River route. To get from Manila to Laguna, instead of a traditional travel route taking EDSA and the South Luzon Expressway or the coastal road, this new river travel option bypasses all major routes and their choke points by circumscribing them. The river route passes 14 river stations, 4 of which have been recently built.
Newly built river ferry stations of this travel option are in Sta. Ana and in Lambingan, Manila; one in Baranagy Hulo, Mandaluyong; and on in Guadalupe, Makati. The rest are Escolta, Mexico Plaza, one near Quezon Bridge, one at Polytechnic University of the Philippines, another in Valenzuela in Makati, one each in Sta. Elena and Marcos Bridge in Marikina, one each in San Joaquin and Caniogan both in Pasig City and finally in Napindan in Taguig.
Okay, so we’re safe from Pasig River stench inside the ferry. How about the stations? Reportedly, the stations are air conditioned also to seal off any odor leak. So there should be no more travel worries, this time around, about any disgusting reek attaching onto clothes. It is a travel option with smooth sailing in cool and fresh-smelling circulating air.
The Pasig River ferry travel passes through different urban scenes of the metropolis and gradually eases out to the slightly rural scenes of Cavite and Laguna. This travel option is an attraction, not only for those who want to skip traffic especially in rush hours, but for curious commuters who have never seen how Metro Manila looks like from the Pasig river beds.
A travel option that arouses curiosity is the Pasig River Ferry Service. It quickly snakes through 6 cities bypassing road traffic and city pollution.
Manila Transportation
Manila transportation takes you not only to the major thoroughfares of the city but also to anywhere in the country. Land, air, or sea, one would surely find a mode of transportation that would take them to their target destination. Here we will look at the various transportation options that are available in Manila.
As one of the major cities in the Philippines, Manila has several modes of transportation to boast of. One of the most popular public transportation in the city is the jeepney. Used since after the post-World War II years, jeepneys showcase the artistry and creativity of Filipinos. The minimum fare is P7.00 for the first 4 kilometers and an additional 50 centavos for the succeeding kilometers.
Taxi cabs are also regular fixtures in Manila transportation. This mode of transport has two kinds, the regular metered cab and FX taxis. The former will take you anywhere in the city while the latter has a limited route just like buses and jeepneys. Aside from that, regular cabs have a flag down rate of 25 pesos while FX cabs have a minimum fare of 30 pesos and can take up to 12 passengers, including the driver.
If you are looking for a really quick means to get to your destination, the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) is the best option. The LRT plies two routes – Monumento to Baclaran and Divisoria to Cainta. The MRT, on the other hand, traverses EDSA from North Avenue to Taft Avenue bypassing two important commercial centers in Ortigas and Ayala Avenue. The trains are suspended 20 – 25 feet above the major roads ensuring a traffic-free trip. However, things could get messy during the rush hours.
In some districts in Manila, one could still see horse-drawn carts plying the interiors of the city. In the old city of Intramuros, for instance, calesas can take passengers to a trip to some of the country’s historical places for a minimum of P100. Another mode of transportation used in traveling to inner roads or streets is the tricycle, a motorcycle with sidecar capable of carrying up to 3 passengers. A fourth passenger can sit in the driver’s seat.
Aside from public modes of transport, Manila transportation likewise offers air and sea options going to other cities and provinces. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport serves as the main entry and exit point going to domestic as well as international locations. The North and South Harbor provides maritime transportation to other parts of the archipelago.
Manila transportation is very convenient with all these options available at your disposal.
Jeepneys: Only in the Philippines
Jeepneys are one of the Philippines’ most loved genuine attractions. All over the world, they only can be found and run on Philippine soil. But do not underestimate its capabilities, because it can bring you wherever you want to go, that is by land of course, and foreigners are enchanted by its prowess and uniqueness.
Jeepneys go hand in hand with Filipino ingenuity and craftiness. Philippines’ glorious history has a role in its origin. From the remains of the World War II American vehicles, Filipinos created a smart and illustrious way to enjoy them; that was how jeepneys came to being.
Started as a six-seater vehicle, through the years, the design and the capacity has improved to many variants and builds, but nonetheless, still very Filipino in nature. Even a single jeepney has a unique quality over others, thanks to its owner who contributed his own personality to make it one of a kind.
Philippine transportation, that is as we can say, transportation by land has been conquered and ruled by jeepneys. They are the “Kings of the Road”, as most people say. With a much improved engine and power nowadays, they can outrun some branded car models. And they still remain the main mode of transportation all over the country.
You can not find a place or town in this country, where you can not see a jeepney.
The Philippines is a nation divided by seas, since it is an archipelago, but is majestically united by its fondness of jeepneys.
Almost every Filipino has dreamed, or at least has once dreamed of having or owning a jeepney. It is a status symbol, especially in the countryside. A family who owns one has a reputation of being well-off and financially stable, though it is not very prevalent in urban areas. Elders would say that you can raise and support a family if you own one.
Jeepney drivers are well known in the society as well. There is even a tag line for them, they used to say that “every jeepney driver is a sweet lover”, and this naturally give smiles to every ones’ faces; especially their wives!
Filipinos’ loving and caring nature can be seen and felt in how they manage and maintain their jeepneys through all these years. In Metro Manila alone, you can still find a jeepney which was assembled thirty years ago, and still in running condition, giving income to its owner. And this is all about maintenance and hard work of its owner because engine or other troubles would mean less income. That is why they love their jeepneys so much.
Legazpi Transportation
Overview
Knowing how to get to the province of Legazpi and learning how to get around the city using public modes of transportation is an exciting adventure. Aside from the fact that Legazpi transportation is safe, this is also an opportunity for one to experience the culture of the province and explore the tourist attractions in the most affordable manner.
Getting to Legazpi
There are three ways to get to the province and these types of Legazpi transportation can be by air, land or sea. For those who want to get to Legazpi in the soonest possible time, the best mode of Legazpi transportation is by air and a direct flight will take one to Legazpi airport right in the hustle and bustle of the city. Legazpi has a moderately sized airport, with a runway that is about 2,500 kilometers long. The Legazpi airport is open to both domestic and international flights so if one is coming from abroad, all one has to do is to find a flight that goes straight here. Once at the airport, getting around the city is no problem with public Legazpi transportation waiting right outside and consists of jeepneys, buses and tricycles for short distances.
Another way to get to Legazpi is by land and although this is longer, expect the drive to be scenic. Whether one opts to ride the bus or a private vehicle, this mode of Legazpi transportation will give one a tour of the nearby provinces and the landscapes to be seen are picturesque. From the capital of the Philippines to Legazpi, the drive should take at most 14 hours.
The final option to get to Legazpi is by sea and this is usually the mode of Legazpi transportation taken by visitors coming from other provinces such as Cebu. There are many maritime vessels that can take one to Legazpi including WG & A, Negros Navigation, Super Ferry and Trans-Asia. All these vessels go to Legazpi City and pass through Masbate.
Getting Around Legazpi
Once in the city itself, Legazpi transportation is easy and there are many options to choose from. Public utility vehicles such as jeepneys, tricycles, buses and even taxis will get the visitors to their destination. The cheapest mode of Legazpi transportation though is the jeepney and although these are not air conditioned, one will not mind the drive because of the cool Legazpi breeze that constantly blows in one’s face.
C-5, A Fast Route to Novaliches
What’s a fast route or an easy metro travel option to North Quezon City, or Novaliches and Fairview?
Going to Novaliches can be a very arduous task coming from south of Metro Manila via the Kamachile intersection where the highway splits into North Luzon Express(NLEX) and Quirino Avenue. Traffic can sometimes be a bottleneck experience even at Balintawak, EDSA. The same can be true coming from Manila via A. Bonifacio Avenue. So what can be the wisest metro travel advice or a really fast route to north of Quezon City?
A really fast route is taking Circumferential 5 or fondly called C-5 by metro motorists. At times new drivers ask where C-5 begins. Well, one can hardly tell. It’s a big circle traversing Metro Manila, and circles are known to have no beginning, no end. A good place to start coming from south of Metro Manila is to take the Villamor Exit going to FTI-Tenement.
This metro travel will end up at the C-5 Paranaque entry point. From there, it will be a long but fairly smooth sailing, passing portions of Taguig, Pasig, and the famous Eastwood district. These places afford interesting scenic sites like the Heritage Memorial, a hilly army training camp, a view of The Fort, Market Market Mall, Tiensesitas, and the classy fast food and business district of Eastwood.
After Eastwood is the long Aurora Flyover that offers a sweeping view of Marikina, Cainta, and the hills of Antipolo, landing on Katipunan Avenue, passing Ateneo de Manila and Merriam College. This fast route takes us into the UP Diliman Campus and out Philcoa area and into Quezon Memorial Circle. Then the metro travel turns right on Visayas Avenue, left on Congressional Avenue and right on Mindanao Avenue. Finally the fast route turns right on Quirino Avenue past Splash Manufacturing Company.
On Quirino the last stretch of this metro travel leads easily to Novaliches or Fairview. Together this fast route from Paranaque to Novaliches takes only one and half to two hours, compared to the traditional EDSA through NLEX route that can last from three to three and half hours.
South to north metro travel using the traditional EDSA through NLEX route can often be grueling, to say the least. But an alternative fast route can be a wise option especially in rush hour traffic. The ride not only becomes a lot faster but the sights and sounds more pleasurable and relaxing, reducing the stress of a typical metro travel.
Puerto Princesa Transportation
Overview
The capital of the Philippines’ ecotourism is none other than Puerto Princesa and this vacation destination is known all over the world for its pristine white sand beaches, luxury hotels, excellent restaurants and exceptional hospitality. If one is planning to visit Puerto Princesa, it’s a good idea to read up on what are one’s available options when it comes to Puerto Princesa transportation.
Getting to Puerto Princesa
Because Palawan is an island, this is not accessible via land travel alone and the quickest Puerto Princesa transportation to get here would be to ride a plane. From Manila, one can take an hour and a half flight and land at the Puerto Princesa airport. This airport not only caters to domestic flights but also international ones. Seair, Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines are the biggest carriers that land in Puerto Princesa. During peak season, be prepared to spend around Php5000 to php8000 but when this season dies, promotional offers left and right could bring the air fares down significantly. A reminder if one taking this Puerto Princesa transportation is to make sure to reconfirm one’s flight bookings at least a day prior to departure.
If one is coming from a neighboring country of the Philippines such as Malaysia or Indonesia, it is possible to get to Puerto Princesa via boat. This mode of Puerto Princesa transportation can be significantly lengthy as compared to travelling by air but if one wants to see other islands before docking at Palawan’s capital, this is a good option. Travel time could take up to 26 hours.
Getting Around Puerto Princesa
In terms of Puerto Princesa transportation within the city itself, there are so many options and this can be attributed to the fact that this island caters to a significant number of tourists especially during peak season. To get to the other islands in Palawan, a good choice of Puerto Princesa transportation would be chartered boats and the more people take this option, the cheaper the per head rate becomes.
To get to destinations within the city though, there are jeepneys, buses, tricycles and multi-cabs. These are really all you need to get to just about anywhere in Puerto Princesa. If going to the town proper, there are several buses there that leave every hour to other areas outside Puerto Princesa or to drop by famous tourist sights within the city, a tricycle is a good option. What’s particularly good about the different types of Puerto Princesa transportation is that the drivers are conversant in both Filipino and English, and they are extremely accommodating.
Ormoc Transportation
Overview
When it comes to traveling options, there are several forms of Ormoc City transportation that one can use to get to and to get around this high class city in the province of Leyte. What brings a lot of visitors to Ormoc City is not just the beautiful white sand beaches and the warm residents, but also how easy it is to take Ormoc City transportation to get to one’s destination.
Getting to Ormoc City
The fastest and the first option that one should consider is to take a plane to Ormoc City. This type of Ormoc City transportation can be availed of for about Php1000 if one chances upon promotional offers from domestic airline companies such as Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Zest Airways. Promotional offers are usually done during off peak season, around June to September. Any other time, flying to Ormoc City could cost about Php3000 if it’s a direct flight. However, one can get cheaper airfare if coming from Manila by flying to Tacloban and from there take a bus to Ormoc City. The bus ride takes about two hours.
For those coming from Cebu, chances of getting a direct flight are slimmer. However, one can fly to Manila and then book a connecting flight to Ormoc City from there. This type of Ormoc City transportation should take about 2-3 hours at most.
Getting to Ormoc City can be done by combination of a plane ride and bus. For instance if one is coming from Angeles City, it’s sometimes necessary to first drive to Manila and from there take a connecting flight to Ormoc City.
Another way to get to Ormoc City is via ferry and this is a mode of Ormoc City transportation that is available to everyone regardless of whether one’s starting point is Ormoc City or Manila. Be prepared to spend around Php2000 when availing of this option.
Getting Around Ormoc City
Once in the beautiful Ormoc City, the most common modes of Ormoc City transportation are jeepneys and tricycles. For short distances and if one wants to avoid frequent stops, a tricycle might just be able to get one to one’s destination faster. Jeepneys on the other hand have designated routes and riding one is recommended for those who are familiar with Ormoc City or if one is simply feeling adventurous. Wherever one might be headed in Ormoc City, there is definitely an Ormoc City transportation that can be ridden to get to one’s destination in the soonest possible time.
