Once you are in the Philippines, do you think you will own a car? Most ex-pats here elect not to have a car, instead they rely on available local transportation. In my case, I choose to have a vehicle, because I like to travel around a lot, and not just in town. I go out of town almost weekly exploring the area, visiting new places, etc.
If you choose not to have a vehicle, though, there are still plenty of ways that you can get around! Let’s look at a few!
For short local trips around your immediate area, you can ride a tricycle, which is a motorcycle with a sidecar. The cost is very inexpensive to ride a tricycle. Expect to pay under P10 to ride almost anywhere you want to go in your immediate area. If you are a foreigner like most readers of this blog, you might pay a little extra, especially if you are big like me! In small towns, the tricycle will be the main method of transportation and will take you all over town! In bigger cities, like where I live, the tricycles can only travel on side streets and in residential areas.
For a cheap way to get all over town, or even go to neighboring towns and cities, the Jeepney is a staple in Philippine Travel! A trip on a jeepney varies in price depending on where you are going, but it is usually P7.50 and up. The P7.50 will take you a certain distance on the route, and there will be additional charges depending on how far you travel. It’s a cheap way to get around, you can bet on that. Jeepneys hold a lot of passengers. If you get out in a rural area, it’s not unusual to see people piled up, sitting on the roof, hood and anywhere that they can get a place! Around town, people just sit on the benches in the back of the jeepney, as there are always a lot more jeepneys on their way to pick up more passengers. I’ve ridden jeepneys a few times, and it’s kind of fun for a change.
The old stand by, most popular for most foreigners is to ride in a taxi. Most larger towns and cities have taxi service. Small towns probably will not have taxis though. Taxis are inexpensive too. Flag down rate is P30 with additional charges for additional distances. For the most part in places around the Philippines you can ride almost anywhere in town for less than $1 (P45) to $2 (P90). In Manila, it is a huge city, and traffic is very congested, so expect your fare to be higher.
Of course, if you don’t like any of these forms of transportation, you can always follow the local custom!
Bob,
I have never ridden on a tricycle. I have done the other 3. Yes even the carabao in my younger days.
I have always admired motorcycles even in the U.S. However I have never had one because I know I wouldn't feel secure riding it.
Also in one of your earlier articles about driving in the Philippines you said the following
1. Don’t get into an accident.
2. Whichever vehicle is bigger has the right of way.
🙂
Dan
Hi, Dan – I am like you, I've done three modes, but lack one. The one that I haven't done, though, is the Carabao! I am a big guy – not sure one of those animals would like it if I got on his back! I've ridden tricycles many times, though.
Hi bob you can tell me ( if you know) what taxi take from
air port manila what taxi is good and no have any problem
if delivery to me in bus station, or other place in manila.
Hi zois – I don't have a recommendation for a certain taxi. However, just make sure you use one of the airport accredited taxis, not some freelancer that just shows up. There will be people on the sidewalk offering taxi services, they have booths set up there. Use one of them. It's a little more expensive, but it is safe and hassle free.
Hi bob many thanks for your information
For a real authentic cultural experience, I'll vote for the carabao ride. Yes, sirs, please try it.
Hi Angie – That one is probably the most fun too! 😆
Hi Bob,
I tried it once just for the heck of it. For me it was more scary than fun. The carabao's back is broad. And then you got to drape your legs over it… now I don't want to be graphic so let me leave that part…
For some reason also, there were flies or insects swarming as the poor animal slowly trudged on to its destination. So there, native symphony included at no extra cost 😛
Plus, I was told to hold on to the rope to help navigate… What an experience! But you got to love those animals.
I don't care to ride again but I love looking at pictures of the countryside, esp. the animals…
Hi Angie – I haven't ridden a carabao before, but I have also heard that it is not a pleasant ride, if you are not used to it.
Hi Bob I go with caraBao the 1982 in san juan nearly vigan
for very good experience first time in my life I make around
with carabao 30 minutes same this philippino in the foto up
But the first minutes I tell you I am skirt the carabao but after
tell me the brother of my wife no skirt if you go up in carabao
no problem really the carabao it's very quite I enjoy my around
is good expierience for me.
How about the pedikab (pedicab) or the tri-sikad?
Hi Dex U. – For me the tricycle kind of fits the pedikab and tri-sikad. Those peddle modes of transportation are quickly being given over to motorcycle driven modes in most areas.
Some of us in the northern provinces enjoy riding in a calesa. No rush, no worry; just clip-clop along! 😎
Hi Paul,
The calesa (to me) is a nostalgic ride, reminiscent of Spanish times in the country. I think that was the prevalent mode of transportation then.
I tried the calesa… around the Fort Santiago area(?) where they have them for tourists and visitors. Or at least I remember that was where I experienced it. Might be getting my wires crossed here… But I have tried it and it's a surreal experience. It seemed like I was transported back in time and I imagined Rizal riding in one in his regal suit — my imagination is usually wild, anyway, when I'm trying out things for experience and not for necessity.
Have a wild ride thru life.
-Angie
Hi Angie – I'm sure you'd really enjoy the calesa in the oldest surviving Spanish colonial city in the Phils: Vigan, Ilocos Sur. You'd especially enjoy taking one from town plaza to and around the historic Mestizo district with all of the old colonial houses, shops, etc. It's worth the trip! 🙂
Hi Paul – They also have calesa down south! They are called Tartanilla down here, though. You find tartanilla in Cebu and Iligan City.
I will try the carabao.. hehehe that one must be fun. I love horse riding, tried it in Galapagos Island vacation and fell on the way back because of another loose horse( loose horse-tried to race the horses that were taken by tourist). That didn't deter me, I still love it.
Hi Angie & Paul,
I rode the calesa a lot when I was a kid in Zamboanga City. We rode it to go to Fort Pilar. I also remember riding it on Roxas Blvd. (Dewey Blvd. at that time) in Manila – oops, I guess I'm dating myself! 😆
Bob,
Have you heard of "skylab"? It's a motorcycle with a wooden plank put across the back seat, to seat up to 4-6 people at a time. This, I heard, is what is being used up in the mountains, where there's only a narrow trail to follow, not wide enough for a jeep or truck. It might be a good idea to take a picture of it. 😀
Hi Mahdy,
You've been to the Galapagos? I've been dreaming to go there, hopefully soon! Yeah, I've been on a carabao I guess when I was a little kid, I don't remember much of it. I remember getting on a horse here in the States (on a stud farm), the horse almost threw me off. I started riding on his back, but ended up on his side, holding on to him for dear life! Never again! 😆
Hi Tina – oh, yes, skylabs are very famous up in the mountains, or in rural areas. You see lots of them. You can't imagine how many people they can put on a skylab! 😆
Hi Mahdy – Yep, I think the carabao would be fun too. Angie was saying that it's too uncomfortable, though! 😀
Hi Bob!
How about in Davao airport, is there also an accredited taxes like in Manila?
Hi Luz – I think you mean taxis, right? Not taxes. The taxis that are allowed to pick up passengers at the airport here are tightly regulated. Unfortunately, some of them still try to rip off the passengers, though. 😳