Zamboanga is famous for having many names from the City of Flowers to Asia’s Latin City because of the many different variants of beautiful orchids that grow here, and the unique mix of Spanish, Filipino and Cebuano which has formed a part of its dialect. The culture of Zamboanga is truly rich and it has many tourist attractions that one can visit when here. If one is planning a budgeted trip to Zamboanga or just want to experience what living is like in this thriving province, it’s a good idea to know about Zamboanga transportation, how to get there and what’s available once in the city.
Zamboanga is found in Mindanao and being in the southern part of the Philippines, there are several travel options available to visitors when it comes to Zamboanga transportation. For those who want to travel by air, Zamboanga does have an airport that accommodates commercial and private flights. During peak season, this form of Zamboanga transportation costs around Php5000 but during off peak and when promotional offers are at an all time high between competing airlines, it could go down to as low as Php1000.
Getting to Zamboanga by land is also an option although this takes about 3 days from Manila. For those who are not in a hurry to get to Zamboanga and enjoy road trips, this is an interesting way to get to the province.
Zamboanga has one of the busiest ports in the country so one should not be surprised that another form of Zamboanga transportation is via sea. In fact there are many maritime vessels that travel to Zamboanga about 5 times a week and among the major shipping lines that do so are Super Ferry, WG&A, Negros Navigation and Sulpicio Lines. Depending on the type of onboard accommodation that one opted for, rates could vary from Php3000 to Php5000. The ferries dock at Pagadian City and from these seaports, the city of Zamboanga is immediately accessible.
Once in Zamboanga, all the towns in it are accessible by land thanks to the province’s comprehensive and well planned out Zamboanga transportation system. Common types of Zamboanga transportation within the city itself are tricycles, jeepneys and buses but there aren’t that many taxis. There are a few independent operators when it comes to taxis so this mode of transportation is still an option. If it’s just to travel short distances though, the more affordable options are the tricycles, jeepneys and buses.
The beautiful city of Laoag is a great place to visit because of the many tourist attractions in this northernmost province of the Philippines. Ilocos Norte is being recognized as the best tourist destination in the north and the efforts of the local government in making sure their history is preserved is paying off. Another reason why the capital of Laoag is a favorite tourist destination is because of the accessible Laoag transportation that even visitors will feel safe and comfortable taking.
Traveling by land, although could take a couple of hours is the main mode of Laoag transportation available to those coming from the southern part of the Philippines including Metro Manila. This form of Laoag transportation is frequently used by those coming from the capital of the Philippines and Pampanga. Aside from being affordable, the bus ride although long, is comfortable with air conditioned buses making at least 2 trips everyday. Choose from big names such as Philippine Rabbit, RCJ Trans, Victory Liner and GV Florida to help one get to Laoag safely. The trip should take 15 hours at most.
One can also rent a private vehicle to get to Laoag or use one’s own car and although this is the most comfortable mode of Laoag transportation via land, prepare to spend a little over Php1000 in gasoline, maybe more for high end luxury cars. If traveling with a group though and everyone wants to make frequent stops along the way, this could be a fun adventure for everyone.
For those in a hurry to get to Laoag, one can also travel by air with Philippine Airlines and other domestic carries making the trip to Ilocos Norte’s capital at least once a day. The plane ride is less than an hour and if one is coming from abroad, it’s a matter of finding a flight that lands directly in Laoag.
The local government of Ilocos Norte has made sure that their progressive city provides ample modes of Laoag transportation to every individual regardless of whether such individual is a resident or a visitor. There is a wide range of Laoag transportation options available once in the city itself and it includes jeepneys, tricycles and mini vans. The most commonly used is the jeepney though and this has a fixed route. For shorter distances, a tricycle can be ridden or a mini-van for a more comfortable trip.
The economic powerhouse of Western Visayas is well known for its massive sugar haciendas, its proximity to Boracay, beautiful white sand beaches and the warmest people. Visiting Western Visayas endows an individual with the richest experience so it’s not a surprise that many people recommend this province for vacations. If one is visiting Iloilo though, it helps to know a little about Iloilo transportation to help one maximize one’s stay here.
To get to Iloilo faster, it’s best to take a plane especially if coming from Manila and land directly at Iloilo International Airport. This airport was inaugurated fairly recently, only in 2007, and although it acquired the facility of the former airport that served this city for over 70 years, it is now bigger and better. This mode of Iloilo transportation takes less than an hour. What’s good about this airport is that it is connected to the city proper via train and from the city, everything is accessible.
Another way to get to Iloilo is via sea and there are major shipping lines that make trips to Iloilo everyday. Take for instance Super Ferry, WG&A and Negros Navigation. If one is going to avail of this type of Iloilo transportation, one should check out the promotional offers that these shipping lines over t o get the cheapest possible rates.
To one’s surprise, it’s also possible to get to this province via land although be prepared to throw a little over half a day when it comes to travel time. This mode of Iloilo transportation can be availed of if one is working on a budget and there are no promotional offers when it comes to air travel or that done by sea.
If one arrived in Iloilo from the airport, aside from the train, there are also shuttle services that will get one to the city. The other modes of Iloilo transportation available to the visitor are jeepneys, tricycles, taxis and buses. The taxi costs about Php170 if one is traveling from the airport to the city. If one has been to Iloilo before and knows where to find a particular place, then the jeepney or the tricycle for short distances is an affordable option. For those who have never been here before but are looking for adventure, then by all means try out the public Iloilo transportation and because the locals are very friendly and accommodating, it’s not a problem to ask about routes.