In a country that is made up of 7,641 islands and islets, Philippine travel has a lot to do with transportation. Rest assured that options are endless for getting around, some typical and others unique.
By air
Manila, Cebu, Davao, Clark, Subic, and Laoag are the international gateways, with the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila as the premier gateway. It is served by more than 30 airlines, which fly to different cities around the world. The Mactan International Airport (MIA) in Cebu handles regular flights from Japan, Singapore, and Australia as well as chartered flights from Hong Kong, the United States, and other major travel capitals. Davao International Airport handles regular flights from Indonesia and Singapore. The Diosdado Macapagal International Airport and Subic Airfield in Central Luzon service both chartered and cargo planes. Laoag International Airport in Ilocos Norte services regular flights from Taiwan and Macau.
Philippine Airlines (PAL), the national flag carrier and considered “Asia’s First Airline,” remains the country’s biggest airline company. It has the largest number of international flights to the Philippines as well as domestic flights. PAL links Manila to 14 cities in 8 countries and flies regularly to 41 domestic destinations outside Manila.
Other airlines that presently fly the Philippine skies are Air Philippines, South East Asian Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Laoag International Airlines, and Asian Spirit Airlines – each serving popular tourist destinations at pocket-easy prices. For a more personal experience, chartered flights are available via small air companies.
By Sea
As the Philippines is separated by different bodies of water, the sea plays an integral part in travel. A range of seafarers are available, from huge cargo ships to small ferry boats; take long trips that last for a day or two with regular ship lines or take shorter ones with ferries. Major cruise liners call on the port of Manila.
Most ferry companies operate on a per-destination basis. With only a couple of big companies plying most ports. Scheduling here is highly volatile because of the weather and the availability of passengers, especially for the smaller companies.
By Land
Moving around the country by land is easy with national highways connecting the major islands and an extensive public transportation system, which includes the exotic Philippine jeepney. Trains, taxis, buses, jeepneys, and trikes are the main modes of public transportation. The calesa, a more elegant means of traveling in most major cities, is more commonly offered as a “fun ride” in many public parks across the country.
A land railway system operated by the Philippine National Railways called the Metrotren, is recommended for long-distance traveling. It reaches as far south as Carmona and Cavite, or as far north as Meycauayan, Bulacan but it already stopped its operation last March 28, 2024.