BY AIR

Fly within the country on our local airlines. You’ll find information on flight schedules, destinations, booking, and on-line ticketing on their websites:

Cebu Pacific – www.cebupacificair.com

Interisland Airlines – www.interislandairlines.com

Philippine Airlines (PAL) – www.philippineairlines.com

Air Philippines – www.airphils.com

SEA Air – http://flyseair.com/

Zest Airlines – www.zestair.com.ph

You can also take a chartered flight to major domestic destinations and island resorts.

BY SEA

If you prefer traveling by boat, try the roll-on-roll-off (RORO) ships between Manila and the country’s major ports. To and from smaller islands, take fast sea crafts and other ferry services. Resorts also offer island hopping by banca (small, local boat), or fishermen and other locals offer their boats for hire.

The Visayas region in particular, has a robust network of inter-island boats. For commercial options, tickets are available through ticketing and travel agents. Schedules are published in dailies and the Buy & Sell publication. You can also start your search through these websites -

Two major shipping lines: http://www.2go.com.ph/ or http://www.montenegrolines.com.ph/

A helpful blog: http://cebuboattrips.com/

BY LAND

It is possible to travel by air-conditioned bus from Manila to nearly all major destinations in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

There is also a National Railway, that, sadly, only really transects Southern Luzon. Some of the trains have recently been replaced or refurbished though, so if you’re not in a hurry, it’s a viable way to get from Manila to Legazpi.

Within Metropolitan Manila, take the Light Railway Transit (LRT). It’s the fastest and most economical way to travel throughout the metropolis:

LRT Line 1 – to go to and from the Roosevelt in the north to Baclaran in the south.

LRT Line 2 – to go to and from Recto Avenue to Santolan St. in the eastern part of the metropolis.

The Metro Rail Transport (MRT) Line 3 – to go through Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), Metro Manila’s main circumferential road. Stations are located at major intersections of Makati City, Ortigas, and Cubao.

If there are no LRT lines where you’re going, take a bus or metered taxi. You’ll find taxis in Manila and major parts of Metro Manila, and they can usually be flagged down right where you’re standing.

For short distances within the city, try taking a public utility jeepney (PUJ) or a tricycle.

For more info on the Philippine National Railway – http://www.pnr.gov.ph/
The Light Railway Transit (LRT) – http://www.lrta.gov.ph/
The Metrotren (MRT) – http://www.dotcmrt3.gov.ph/

Some helpful blogs for getting around Manila -
http://www.ph-commute.com/
http://www.metromaniladirections.com/
http://www.parasatabi.com/

Better yet, ask a local for directions. It’ll be fun!

DRIVING

If you’d like to try our roads, an international driver’s license is valid for up to three months.

There are car rental services available in major cities, just ask your hotel to assist you. It might be easier to go around with a local driver, so you won’t have to worry about navigation and local traffic rules.

Off-roading is popular in the Philippines though, so if you’re into that, there are local 4WD groups in most adventure destinations.

Underbone motorcycles are also available for rent in most of the cities. If your hotel can’t help you and you don’t spot a “Motorcycle for rent” sign anywhere, just approach any tricycle driver for a lead.

Tours

Want to know more about our 7,107 islands? Join a tour. Day trips to five-day programs will help you discover as much about the country as you want.

Go scuba diving, snorkeling, whitewater rafting, trekking, spelunking, or game fishing.

Whether it’s a safari or a round of golf you’re into, you can do it here.

In one day, you can hike through a valley of volcanic ash to jump into a crater-turned-lake in a volcano (Mt.Pinatubo).

In three days, you can learn to dive and drop in on world-class reefs (Puerto Galera or Anilao).

In five, you can go from tribe to tribe along the longest mountain range intersecting the Philippines’ largest land mass (Sierra Madre-Kalinga).

There are a variety of itineraries to fill your days! And subsequent visits!

For information on tours you may contact:

Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA)

PTAA Secretariat

12-1G EGI Rufino Plaza

Taft corner Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue

Pasay City, Philippines

Tel No:  (632) 5520026 to 29

Fax No: (632) 5520030

ptaa@pldtdsl.net

http://www.ptaa.org.ph

Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA)

1717 Cityland 10 Tower 1

H.V. dela Costa Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City

Tel No: (632) 8124513

Fax No: (632) 8174608

philtoagroup@yahoo.com or info@philtoa.org

http://www.philtoa.org