Getting There & Getting About

International Airports

• Ninny Aquino (MNL): 12 km from Manila.
• Mactan (NOP) on Cebu Island: 45 km from the city.
• Full list of airports in Philippines with associated airport codes >

Internal Travel

The local air network connects the islands. A departure tax is payable for all internal flights from Manila. There are also inter-island ships connecting all major island ports.

Roads on the islands are in variable condition, with major highways on the Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon island group. Car hire is available in Manila and major cities. However, visitors should be aware that driving off the main highway at night is dangerous and should be avoided.

There is a railway on Luzon Island that stretches as far north as Meycauayan to Carmona and Cavite in the south.

Travel between towns may be carried out using bus services and jeepneys - shared taxis using jeep-derived vehicles equipped to carry up to 14 passengers on bench seats. Standard taxis may also be used; however, it is important to ensure that they are metered, as some drivers may set a very high, arbitrary rate.

Jeepneys and buses may also be used to travel within the cities; there are an estimated 30,000 jeepneys in Manila alone. Shorter distances may be covered more economically by pedicabs (bicycles with sidecars) and tricycles (motorbikes with sidecars). The Light Railway Transit in Manila runs from Baclaran terminal in the south to Caloocan terminal in the north, whilst the Metro Railway Transit (MTR) connects North Avenue in Quezon to Taft Avenue in Pasay City, travelling the length of Epifanio delos Santo Avenue (EDSA). Calseas (horse-drawn carriages) are popular with tourists and are a common sight in downtown Manila.