Public Transportation: Getting Around Manila like a Local

Getting around Manila, with all its twists and turns, can be tricky. If you have your own car, you’ll be burdened by heavy traffic which trust me can be quite a bore. But if you don’t, you can get around like most Filipinos do and try commuting. Commuting can be a drag for some but an exciting experience to others! There are lots to see around Metro Manila and there is no better way to see and experience these exciting things than to be a part of it yourself. As the popular Original Pilipino Music (OPM) song goes, “There’s no place like Manila”. True enough, there’s nothing like commuting in Manila. From the sumptuous smell of street food being sold as you walk (not always recommended to be eaten though) to the sounds of the jeepney soaring by you as you wait for your ride, the use of Public Transportation in this place is a truly one of a kind experience.

Although commuting has its cons. You always need presence of mind no matter where you are and what you’re riding. It’s important to enjoy the ride yet not trust any strangers as you can never know what some of them are up to. Just sit back, relax yet know when you’ve reached your destination. Don’t sleep and as much as possible, don’t text. If you’re a lady be sure to have your back in front of you and hold it close to your chest, covering it doubly with your arm. This is to make sure no pickpockets can get anything from it while you enjoy the sites out of the window of let’s say, the train. If you are a man and have a backpack its best to wear your backpack from in front. I know it might look a little funny, but it’s better than losing your phone or wallet right?

There are various ways to get around Manila. It depends on your budget, where you’re going, and the comfort level you prefer. You may be going somewhere near yet want to get away from the scorching heat of the sun, then you can always take a taxi and pay a little bit more than the flag down. Short rides would usually cost you around fifty or sixty pesos while long rides go a hundred and up. Fare for example (roundtrip) from Makati and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) would cost Php 300. Always make sure the driver turns the meter on when you get in.

The Philippines’ most popular form of transportation would be the Jeepney. Exhilirating yet often time consuming, the jeepney still remains a must try form of public transportation when in Manila. Fares just got lower to Php 7.50 and there is a discount for students. All you have to say is estudyante which is Tagalog for student when paying your fare. There is a certain form of interaction when riding a jeepney that seems to show how helpful Filipinos are to each other when paying the jeepney driver. You could be at the far end of the jeep and your fare would reach him with the help of the other passengers. All you have to do is say “bayad po” first so the driver knows someone is about to pay, the follow with a kind “makikiabot po” then pass it to the next passenger. Now you just have to know where you’ll get down and riding the jeepney will be a breeze. If you don’t know what the place looks like and just know the name, sit behind the driver and kindly ask him to tell you when you’re there. Drivers are often happy to tell unsure passengers when they’ve reached your destination. Remember that not all jeeps go the way you’re supposed to so be careful to check the windshield before stopping one if the jeep’s destination is the same as yours or going the same way!

Last but not the least would be the Light Rail Transit or LRT and the Metro Rail Transit or MRT. They are both often used forms of transportation in Manila and are packed with people everyday morning to night. The LRT has 20 stations and connects Baclaran station to Roosevelt station. There are many popular stops along the way like Luneta Park and fares usually start at Php 20. The MRT on the other hand has 13 stops and fares start at Php 10. As we said earlier, these trains are packed with people most of the time so you should be extra cautious with your things.

Now with these tips and guides to commuting we’ve given you, you’re all set to explore the metro like a local! Just remember to have both fun and extra precaution and you’re good to go!

Article by: Carol Premacio