GETTING AROUND MANILA

 8th - 10th Dec 2025

The Katipunan Revolutionary Monument in Intramuros, Rizal Park, featuring local hero, Andrés Bonifacio, revolutionary leader of the Katipunan revolutionaries who temporarily ousted the Spanish Government between 1896-98. 

I searched in vain for a useful Tourist Information Centre. I was after a) a paper map of the streets (like a London A-Z) and b) some postcards (I like sending them). The advertised tourist office in Intramuros, staffed by several disinterested young people eating sandwiches, was useless and the Central Tourist Office in Makati equally so. A polite gentleman there said there might be maps and postcards in one of the large National Bookstores. There weren't. As a solo traveller navigating around this traffic-jammed maze of a city is not easy. I had bought an e-SIM card for my iPhone which proved invaluable, indeed essential. Without access to Google Maps one would be permanently lost and, fortunately, the national internet provider 'ICT' worked well everywhere except up in the mountains. Indeed internet was remarkably good everywhere and in all hotels and bars.

To get from A to B there were several means of transport, but walking, as I like to do, posed an irritating problem. There are several 8-lane motorways, some on two levels, which criss-cross the city (below). You set off on foot, following your Google map directions on your phone, only to find your way blocked by one of these blasted motorways, or a fence, or a wall. It can be a long detour to get over, under or around, to the other side.

The most reliable and comfortable way to get around is to use the 'Grab' taxis for which I have the required 'app' on my phone. They are both efficient and relatively inexpensive, although you may have to wait some time for one to arrive during the ultra-busy traffic periods ie. between 8.00am and 10.00pm! I also discovered motorbike taxis on  the 'Move-it' app which were excellent and relatively quick. To get from Makati to Intramuros in the north by car, about 5km, could take anything up to 2 hours! (normally about 1hr 15mins)

Other intra-city transport consists of 'cowboy' taxis (I never touch them), motor-bikes with side-cars, tuk-tuks, the occasional horse and cart,  'Jeepneys' and the rather basic overhead 'Metro' (LRT and MRT) system.

Right: A typical 'Jeepney'. They are effectively based on a WW2 US jeep's chassis and have an elongated low passenger compartment. There seems to be competition as to who can produce the most extravagantly decorated version!  These only operated within their local districts. They wait at a pick-up point until full…and full means packed. It only costs 10 pesos for a ride (12p) of whatever distance. I tried them on a couple of occasions. Not being able to find out where they were going, I just got into one pointing in the direction I wanted to go and hoped for the best.

Left: Inside after being squeezed in, it was just a question of monitoring where I was on my phone and get out at one of the many stops before it turned in a different direction. Other passengers shouted something when they wanted to get off, but they knew where they were going. More were picked up en-route. An amusing form of transport but not entirely predictable.

There were lots of motorbikes with various forms of 'sidecar'. Some very basic and carried freight, or (right) old women.

Left: Others were more luxurious.

Right: The redoubtable tuk-tuks were in abundance. Again, these stuck to a local area.

Left: ….and one driven by a lady, which is a rare sight.

Right: A horse and cart. I think these were used by the well-heeled tourists on guided tours. More for pleasure than getting from one place to another. You may notice that it is raining in this photo. It did tend to rain or drizzle most afternoons and the roads, pavements and streets became quickly and annoyingly waterlogged. I'm not surprised there is chaos if and when it really pisses down! Drainage seems to be a problem.

Left: The overhead LRT (Light Rail Transit) Metro and MRT (Metro Rail Transit) operate on a few lines. I never quite discovered how to best to use them as the stations were difficult to find and the only route diagrams were at the stations. The useless tourist information offices could not provide one.

I did use them on a couple of occasions from 'near' Makati (Vito Cruz station) to the Central stop in Intramuros. Very cheap at 25p (UK equiv). Right: As with everything in this city, we were packed in like sardines.

There were always many motorbike, tuk-tuk drivers and others pestering you for business. Most irritating, as were the other hawkers trying to sell you stuff you didn't want (e.g. old ladies selling little bunches of flowers). I suppose it is a normal hassle in this part of the world. At least they are out there trying to earn a living unlike so many wasters in the UK lounging idly and comfortably at home on generous 'benefits'!

Left: Another exuberantly decorated Jeepney. I wonder who 'Sherryl' is?

I mentioned earlier of the need to find either bridges or underpasses to get across those blasted motorways. All of them seemed to house down-and-out homeless people (right) and there were many beggars of various descriptions on the streets. There is a rather squalid side to this city.

That will have to do for now and I haven't even started on the more interesting sights and experiences I encountered, let alone my trips outside Manila. I will get around to it one day!