Travelling around the Philippines is great fun, there’s lots of different types of transport that you won’t find in many other places around the world. Our guide will explain the different modes of transport in the Philippines, as well as share the best way to travel if you’re backpacking on a budget or need to find the quickest, most convenient way.
While spending time in the Philippines you will no doubt want to explore a few of the 7000 islands, meaning you will need to travel between them via boat or plane and once you arrive navigate the many transport options available.
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How To Travel Within The Islands In The Philippines (Across Land)
Depending on where you are in the Philippines the most effective mode of transport may be different. In the Visayas you will be island hopping with planes and ferry’s, in Luzon we recommend a car and of course you must try the traditional methods of trikes and jeepneys.
Buses and Coaches
A popular form of transport, particularly inter-city, are the coach buses. We took one between Cebu City and Moalboal. The buses are used often around the island of Cebu, particularly if you’re heading down to Siquijor.
In Cebu City and Manila there are main bus terminals but normally you catch the bus at the side of the road, we recommend talking to locals to make sure you’re in the right place.
Travelling from Moalboal to Siquijor?
Shuttle Vans
A popular mode of transport and a fan favourite amongst the travellers in the Philippines are the shuttle vans. Shared vans are used for popular routes such as Puerto Princesa to El Nido, cost a fraction of a private car and are more reliable than buses. They’re a great middle ground for backpackers not in a big group.
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On our way, we created a Google Pinned Map with all the places we visited in The Philippines. Grab your Pinned Map today and start planning your adventure!
Private Car, Grab and Taxis
Taxis are all around the Philippines and sometimes the most convenient option, especially in the larger cities such as Manila and Cebu City. Just be aware of scams, make sure you have a taxi with a metre or our favourite way of getting a car is to use the Grab app. Grab is great as it will give you an upfront cost on the app, plus you can track your journey to stay safe.
Tricycle (Trike)
A Filipino right of passage is to own a tricycle, every family has one and they’re used as local taxis for short distances. We loved using trikes, it’s an experience in itself but make sure you agree on a price before you get in, they should be cheap and remember they’ll always charge tourists more than locals.
Scooter
Our favourite and the most budget friendly way to explore when you’ve arrived at an island. For as little as £4 a day you can adventure on your own terms. Of course make sure you always wear a helmet and are covered by your Travel Insurance, we recommended SafetyWing. Other things to note are to make sure you have an international drivers licence, and check your licence before hiring, most people can drive up to 125cc.
Jeepneys
Old military jeeps have been transformed into colourful buses called jeepneys and you see them everywhere in the Philippines. They’re notoriously cheap (around 25p a journey) but are an experience in themselves, often cramped and tricky to catch. These private buses are sure to add to your true Filipino experience.
Habal-Habal
A mode of transport that we didn’t try and perhaps we don’t recommend is the habal-habal. A motorbike that has been modified and extended to carry multiple people, sometimes upwards of 6! We also heard ‘normal’ motorbike taxis being referred to as habal-habals as well. We did catch a few motorbike taxis during our time in the Philippines but it was just one person and the driver!
Hire a car
Hiring a car is a great option if you plan to do a longer road trip on a larger island such as Luzon. We had a car for ten days which allowed us to visit the remote mountain province of Sagada where we made some of our favourite memories in the Philippines. A car really gives you the freedom to explore.
Note: There are minimal trains in the Philippines, there is a light rail in Manila (MRT).
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How To Get Around The Philippines Islands (Island Hopping)
While in the Philippines you’re most likely going to be visiting different islands. There are two ways you can move across the islands, flights and ferries.
Ferry
Often the cheaper option ferries can be useful for smaller journeys, for example from Cebu to Siquijor and Siquijor to Bohol.
We also found out that you can find overnight ferries for longer journeys such as between Cebu and Siargao. Of course they take longer but if you’re on a budget this is a great way to save money.
We recommend using 12Go to book Ferries & Busses, also Rome2Rio for all of your travel planning needs in Asia.
Flights
If you’re on a time crunch, flights are often the most efficient way for longer journeys but of course will be more expensive. For internal flights airlines include: Philippines airlines, Cebu Pacific airlines and AirAsia.
Getting Around The Philippines FAQ
How To Get To The Philippines
Most people will need to book a flight to get to the Philippines. Book flights in advance as they can become expensive if you leave it last minute and check your luggage allowance to skip expensive check in fees at the airport. Don’t forget your Apple Airtags to track your bags
- Long haul – Europe/US to Asia £250 to £600 per person ($330-790 / €300-700)
- Internal in Asia – £50 to £100 per person ($65-130 / €60-120)
Interested in the cost of travelling? Find out how much we spent in the Philippines
How To Get Around Manila
The easiest way to get around cities is via Grab, you get a fixed price and can track your journey. You could also use a tricycle or a jeepney but these may be more complicated in the hustle and bustle.
Is It Cheap? What Is The Cheapest Way To Get Around The Philippines Islands?
Island hopping is what makes the Philippines more expensive to travel than other SE Asia countries. However you can keep costs down by using ferries where possible. It is also important to note other transport methods like shuttle vans and tricycles are cheap compared to the other countries such as the UK and US.
Should I Book Transport And Tickets In Advance?
Mostly you won’t need to book transport in advance, we actually made the mistake of booking a ferry in advance and ended up getting a different one wasting our money.
However, you will need to book flights in advance and any overly popular routes such as El Nido to Coron especially if you visit in high season.
Essential Items for Backpacking
Allowing you to fill up water whenever and wherever with peace of mind, plus you’re helping the environment
The week sprays will not work! Make sure to bring a high DEET percentage spray made for the tropics. We also use Mosquito Wipes.
Water Shoes – Lightweight with Protection
Stay protected from sea urchins with these shoes. Also useful for trekking to waterfalls and snorkelling. We also love our microfibre towel and dry bag.
Life while travelling will never be the same again! Charge multiple devices all at once in any country… game changer.
Top Tips For Travelling The Philippines
If you’re visiting the Philippines here are our top travel tips:
- Book flights in advance – they can become expensive if you leave it last minute… oh and check your luggage allowance to skip expensive check in fees at the airport. Don’t forget your Apple Airtags to track your bags
- Agree on taxi prices upfront – when getting into a tuk-tuk, tricycle or taxi, make sure you agree on a price or they have a meter, so many tourists get ripped off with a huge price tag at the end of the ride.
- Take it slow – don’t feel the need to see all the islands, we recommend picking a few and doing them properly. See the island in full, find some locals and sing Karaoke..
- Embrace the chaos and get stuck in, the locals are friendly and love to help and share information about their home!
- For a checklist of what’s needed to pack for your trip, read: How to Pack for Backpacking to South East Asia: Backpacking Essentials and Accessories
