Trains, jeepneys and getting between islands
A beep card costs 100 PHP and covers LRT-1, LRT-2, MRT-3 and most city buses; MRT-3 fares run 13 to 35 PHP. Jeepneys start around 13 PHP, motorcycle taxis beat the traffic, and island hops mean a domestic flight or a 2GO or OceanJet ferry.
- Metro Manila traffic is the constraint that shapes every other decision. Plan around the rail lines rather than around distance on a map.
- A beep card costs 100 PHP and works on LRT-1, LRT-2, MRT-3, most city buses and selected modern jeepneys - it removes the single-ticket queue, which is the slowest part of a peak-hour trip.
- MRT-3 is the line that matters for visitors, running along EDSA past Makati and Ortigas at 13 to 35 PHP by distance, roughly 05:00 to 22:00.
- App-based motorcycle taxis genuinely defeat Manila traffic - a 45-minute car trip can take 15 - though not with luggage or in the rain.
- Island hops mean a flight or a ferry: Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia fly the gateways, 2GO runs the long hauls and OceanJet the fast Visayas hops. Book ahead over Holy Week.
Metro Manila traffic is the constraint that shapes every other decision, so plan around the rail lines rather than around distance on a map. The table above covers which apps to install; this is how the transport itself works.
Trains and the beep card
- The beep card is reloadable stored value valid on LRT-1, LRT-2, MRT-3, most city buses and selected modern jeepneys. Buy one at any station for 100 PHP and load 200 to 500 PHP at a time. It removes the single-journey ticket queue, which at peak hours is the slowest part of the trip.
- MRT-3 is the line that matters for visitors, running north to south along EDSA from Taft Avenue in Pasay to North Avenue in Quezon City, past Makati, Ortigas and the stations nearest BGC.
- Fares 13 to 35 PHP by distance, trains roughly 05:00 to 22:00.
- Avoid 07:00–09:00 and 17:00–20:00 with luggage - carriages are extremely crowded.
Jeepneys, and when to take a motorbike instead
- The jeepney is the cheapest way to move, from around 13 PHP, on fixed routes signposted on the body of the vehicle. Pay by passing your fare up the aisle to the driver. The routes are not intuitive for a newcomer, which is what a journey planner is for.
- App-based motorcycle taxis genuinely defeat Manila traffic - a 45-minute car trip can take 15 minutes. One passenger, helmet provided, and not the choice with luggage or in the rain.
Between islands
The Philippines is over 7,000 islands, so intercity travel usually means flying or sailing rather than driving.
- Domestic flights - Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia Philippines link the major cities and tourist gateways. Beyond a neighbouring island this is normally faster, and often no dearer than a ferry.
- Ferries - 2GO Travel runs the long-haul routes out of Manila to Cebu, Bohol, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro and Puerto Princesa, bookable online. OceanJet covers the fast short hops in the Visayas, notably Cebu to Bohol.
- Book ahead over public holidays and Holy Week, when flights and ferries both sell out well in advance.
Apps that actually work
Which travel apps genuinely work in the Philippines, whether they accept a foreign card and whether they need a local number. Grab is the one to install first; Uber is not a usable option for local rides.
- Grab is the app to install first, right after completing eTravel and getting a data connection - it covers taxis, cars and food across the country.
- Grab accepts a foreign card but may add a 3% fee on foreign payment methods, and you can sign up with an international number.
- Angkas is the motorcycle taxi app, covering Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Cagayan de Oro - keep cash ready, since foreign card support is not clearly confirmed.
- Sakay.ph handles public transport routing in Metro Manila and needs no registration for basic use.
- Uber is not a usable option for local rides here. Use Grab instead.
| App | What it does | Where it works | Foreign card | Local number needed | Language | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grab | taxi / car / food / basic super-app | Philippines generally; NAIA has an official airport pickup page | yes, but Grab PH notes a possible 3% foreign payment fee on foreign payment methods | not necessarily; Grab officially allows signup with an international number | English yes | Web, NAIA pickup, Apple App Store, Google Play |
| Angkas | moto taxi / delivery | Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, Cagayan de Oro | the official FAQ does not clearly confirm foreign card support; keep cash / a local method ready as backup | the official FAQ does not clearly confirm foreign-number support; verify at signup | English / Filipino | Web, Service areas, FAQ, Apple, Google Play |
| Sakay.ph | public transport journey planning | mainly Metro Manila | not a payment app; it handles routing | not for the web version; app registration is not essential for basic use | English yes | Web, Apple, Google Play |
| Uber | ride-hailing | not a relevant consumer service for local rides in the Philippines; use Grab instead | - | - | - | not a recommendation for PH |
Grab is clearly the app to install first, right after completing eTravel and getting a data connection. Its official help confirms that you can sign up with an international number and that foreign payment methods in the Philippines may carry a surcharge.
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