Whether you want to ride tricycles, jeepnies, taxis or just about anything in the middle, you can find it in the Philippines. The Philippines has so many public transportation options, it is hard to choose sometimes. Maybe the best way to make the right choice is to let your budget be the guide. You can literally go somewhere in the Philippines for so many different prices that it will boggle your mind. You can spend a few pesos up to a couple of hundred pesos to make the same trip depending on the mode of transport that you choose!
I have a friend who lives in a neighborhood here in Davao. When he steps outside his door he has several choices for public transport. He can jump on a Jeepney to go to the mall and the fare for that ride would be P8. Or, he can ride a taxi to the same mall for P120 or so. Taxi fares depend on traffic and such, so the P120 is just the normal fare. It might be a bit more than that. That’s a big difference, but in fact, there are some places where the difference can be double that amount. I can go from my house to another mall for about P250 in taxi fare, or pay P8 to ride the jeepney to the same place. I once figured out that I went to 3 or 4 places on the jeep one time, and it cost me 32 Pesos to make the full trip and get back home. There were 3 jeepney rides and a bit of walking involved. P32 spent. If I had taken a taxi to all of those places I would have easily spent P600!
Imagine, if that was my average day of going to different places, for one month my taxi fares would run P18,000, that’s about $400. But, if I took the jeepney instead, I would spend P960. That is a about $20 or so. Huge difference! Can you imagine!
There are other public transportation methods too. For example, there are tricycles, buses and here in Davao we even have water taxis!
In today’s podcast, I will explain the different public transportation options and the cost of each.
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Thanks again for listening, everybody!
Cool!
I like them, Byron. There is also a water bus! 🙂
I wondered about that. With so many islands, it makes total sense. I look forward to water transportation really soon!
Hi Bob – Thank you for an interesting podcast. I was wondering if you could give just a little more information about how the jeepney system works. When you mentioned that you might have to take 2 jeepney’s to arrive at your destination, it led me to believe that each jeepney has a specific route that they follow. How do you know what the route the jeepney is taking in the city, are the jeepney’s identifiable in some way so that you make sure you get on the correct one, and where would you go to find out information on the route a jeepney would be taking? Also is there a central location where the route of one jeepney ends and where you would wait to be picked up by the next jeepney.? Sorry for so many questions, but I would just like to know how the mechanics of how it all works together. Thank you for you answer.
Hi Richard. Every Jeepney has an assigned route and is not allowed to deviate from the route. You would know the route because there is a sign on the front and both sides of each Jeepney telling the route.
When you first start riding jeepnies it takes some time to learn all the routes, but once you are familiar with them the system and getting where you want to go is very easy. There is really no place you can go to find out the route, you just have to learn by doing, and ask other people or the driver.
Where do they sell those at?
I am not sure, Budrick. That is one of the water taxis that we have here in Davao.
That would make a good 4 man fishing boat.
Ha ha, yes, I think you are right.
Hi Bob
I’ve not seen the water taxis in Davao. Where do they operate from? Are there fixed prices? I can’t imagine our mayor allowing them a free reign to rip people off.
We could have used one of them a few years ago when going to Maxima. We went over there by my wife’s cousins fishing boat, took 2 hours, then we caved in and paid the owners extortionate fee for going back.
Cheers
AJ UK
Just answered my own question!!
http://www.davaowatertaxi.com/
Hi AJ – I can assure you, they are not ripping anybody off. They are as legitimate as any of the taxis and other services. Fixed price just like land taxis. They have been operating for 4 or 5 years now.
That’s what I meant Bob. If Mayor Duterte sanctions a business then things will be tightly controlled which is exactly the way I like it.
I was more curious about the prices as taxi meters don’t work too well on water LOL.
Their website is very clear, looks impressive. I like the fact that you can calculate the fair before booking. If you are taking a party to another island and don’t want to be constrained by things like the Pearl Farm ferry timetable it would be ideal.
Glad you found the info you were looking for I think it is a great service!
Thanks Bob for a timely article.
Just today my dates got finalized for heading there for a quick trip. This is the first time I have done this by myself instead of with my daughter and her mother.
They don’t know I am coming so I can’t ask too many questions about things that she dealt with for us.
I know you also had an article, I’m guessing a couple years ago, about expenses leaving the country and the related fees etc. I’m trying to locate it to refresh my memory. I also don’t remember if it applies to a US citizen or if it was to Philippine citizens leaving.
Thanks for the timely info.
Hi LeRoy! How are you doing? Headed to the Philippines? That’s great, I hope you have a great time! A big surprise for everybody, unless they read LiP too! 🙂
I am coming out in the next week or so with an updated article about the various things needed, and expenses for exiting the country.
Hi Bob
I will be heading to Manila next week by Ferry. Always taken the plane before, so it will be interesting and an experience.
Plane = circa 2500php 1.5 hours
Ferry = circa 1700php including meals 26 hours
Hopefully I don’t need to use the life jacket!
Have a great trip, Brenton!
Hi Bob
Cheers.
Such a long trip, I will have time to write a couple of articles!
I love jeepneys! True Filipino experience, Only real advantage I can think of for taking a taxi is Aircon. Unless your a wise Kano who knows his way aroung the area, more times than not the taxi has a “short cut” he knows… translating into higher fare than it would normally be. Jeepneys are great, quicker than taxis normally, and you get the opportunity to meet and interact with the people. My preferred method of traveling if not taking my own motor.
Don’t know if the taxi’s in Davao work that way, I hear Duterte has a good lock on most of the things in his city. I am speaking from other areas I have traveled in around the Philippines
Yeah, the taxi drivers in Davao are very honest. They will even give you a discount on the fare, less than the meter says! 🙂
Hi Chris – I am like you, I really enjoy riding the jeepney. I find it a great cultural experience, and even though I have lived here a long time, I feel that I learn more about life in the Philippines, and about the Filipino people when I ride the jeepney. It is a lot of fun!
Hi bob I’m like you if I not driving my car I catch a jeeprey or bus i hardly ever catch a taxi,
If we go to China town Manila I go on the LRT train, transport in the philippines is cheap if
You choose wisely,and the most important thing is you mix with the people
Hi Derek, I recently sold my car because I just never drove anymore. I catch a taxi from time to time, but usually I ride Jeepney.