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Getting Around by Air
In addition to Philippine Airlines (PR) (website: www.philippineairlines.com), there are several other charter airlines, including Air Philippines (website: www.airphils.com), Asian Spirit (website: www.asianspirit.com), Cebu Pacific Air (website: www.cebupacificair.com) and Laoag International Airlines.
Departure Tax
Php200 for internal flights from Manila. Children under two years and passengers in transit remaining in the airport are exempt.
Getting Around by Water
Inter-island ships with first-class accommodation connect the major island ports. Local shipping lines include SuperFerry (tel: (2) 528 7979 or 7171 or 7000; website: www.superferry.com.ph).
Getting Around by Rail
The Metrotren is recommended for long journeys. The railway is on Luzon Island and stretches as far south as Carmona and Cavite to Meycauayan in the north.
Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. Roads spread among the islands, with highways on the Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon island groups. Further roads are currently being constructed. Driving off the main highway at night is dangerous and should be avoided.
Bus: There are bus services between towns and also widely available jeepneys. These are shared taxis using jeep-derived vehicles equipped to carry up to 14 passengers on bench seats. Fares are similar to buses.
Taxi: Taxis are available in cities and in many towns. Make sure meters are used, as some taxi drivers will set an exorbitant and arbitrary rate.
Car hire: Available in Manila and in major cities.
Regulations: The minimum driving age is 18. Seat belts are compulsory.
Emergency breakdown service: Automobile Association Philippines (tel: (02) 723 0808).
Documentation: International Driving Permit required, together with a national driving licence.
Bus: There are bus services between towns and also widely available jeepneys. These are shared taxis using jeep-derived vehicles equipped to carry up to 14 passengers on bench seats. Fares are similar to buses.
Taxi: Taxis are available in cities and in many towns. Make sure meters are used, as some taxi drivers will set an exorbitant and arbitrary rate.
Car hire: Available in Manila and in major cities.
Regulations: The minimum driving age is 18. Seat belts are compulsory.
Emergency breakdown service: Automobile Association Philippines (tel: (02) 723 0808).
Documentation: International Driving Permit required, together with a national driving licence.
Getting Around Towns and Cities
A number of bus routes are operated by Metro Manila Transport using conventional vehicles, including double-deckers. Most journeys, however, are made by jeepneys, of which there are an estimated 30,000 in Manila alone. 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). The Light Railway Transit (LRT), a light rail transit link, runs from Baclaran terminal in the south to Caloocan terminal in the north. Tricycles (motorbikes with sidecars) and pedicabs (bicycles with a sidecars) are a cheaper alternative for shorter distances around towns. Calseas (horse-drawn carriages) are popular with tourists and are a common sight in downtown Manila.
Journey Times
The following chart gives approximate journey times (in hours and minutes) from Manila to other major cities/towns in the Philippines.
| Air | Road | Sea | |
| Batangas | - | 2.00 | - |
| Cagayan de Oro | 1.25 | - | 48.00 |
| Laoag | 1.25 | 7.00 | - |
| Palawan | 1.10 | - | 24.00 |
