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How to Reach Philippines
Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from India to the Philippines. From India, you can reach the Philippines by flying via Singapore, Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur to reach Manila. You can catch a flight any day of the week and the journey (barring the stops) is largely smooth. If you’re looking for more affordable flight options, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata offer slightly lower prices, than Mumbai or Delhi (this is based on many factors though, especially when and where you are travelling to in the Philippines). For more affordable rates combine the offseason with a low-cost carrier and you’ll be able to manage a budgeted trip to the Philippines. Some of the carriers that travel from India to the Philippines are Singapore Airlines, Philippines Air Asia, Scoot, Malaysia Airlines and more.
If you are travelling during mid-to-late December, make sure you book your tickets in advance, as this is when expats from around the world come home to visit their families. The lead up to the Chinese New Year (late January-February) will also see a spike in ticket prices, if you book last minute.
If you’re travelling within the Philippines, look at carriers like Cebu Pacific, Jetstar, Philippine Airlines and Tigerair.
If you’d like to approach the Philippines through its sea-bound gateways, it’s best to travel from nearby Asian countries. These are economical and enjoyable trips, making it an ideal mode of transport. If you’re in Bitung, Indonesia, the ferry chugs its way to the Philippines twice a week. The journey is a silky, smooth 36 hours. Try and book a seat with the EPA Shipping Line, as it is the biggest ferry operator for this route. There are also ferries available from Malaysia. The Aleson Line departs from Zamboanga in the Philippines to Sandakan in Malaysia, twice a week, rippling through this route in 16 hours. If you’re in a rush, the trip via SRN Fastcrafts will get you to the same destination in a breezy 8 hours.
There are a couple of airports in the Philippines. Here are just some of them:
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila) is the busiest airport in the Philippines, with a majority of international flights landing here. Second only to the Manila airport is the Mactan Cebu International Airport (Mactan). This user-friendly airport is on Mactan island, at a 15-kilometre distance from Cebu city.
A two-hour bus ride away from Angeles is the Clark International Airport, a hub for low-cost carriers. However, these days many legacy Middle Eastern and Asian airlines are flying to this airport. These include, Cebu Pacific, Qatar Air, Air Asia and Tigerair.
If you’re looking to land at the Davao International Airport, catch a SilkAir flight from Singapore. Finally, catch a direct flight to the Kalibo International Airport (near Boracay) from Kunming, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore and Seoul.
Uber:
If you’re looking to travel in the densely populated region of Metro Manila, an Uber is a safe bet. This is a city filled with endless traffic jams, and a public taxi can mean a massive fare. Book a taxi via GrabCab or Uber so you can get a fixed rate, traffic or not.
Walk:
Okay, Manila is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, so it’s unrealistic to expect to walk everywhere. However, some parts of Manila invite you to walk their streets. The Old Manila area, in particular, gifts walkers with charming cobbled streets lined with vibrant brick walls. The walking tours offered by the city are extremely enjoyable. Even non-history buffs can simply enjoy the splendour served up for their eyes. If you find yourself in the Northern parts of the Philippines, a walk through the old city of Vigan is an absolute treat.
Jeepney:
Colourful and impossible to miss, the Jeepney is the most popular mode of transport in the Philippines. Fun fact: these vehicles were leftover by the US from World War II. Watch out, though, because these vehicles can get crowded quickly. However, if you’re hankering to see the Banaue Rice Terraces, caves and waterfalls, a jeepney ride is the way to go. For some of these excursions, you can ride “topload”, which means you’ll be sitting on top of the jeepney!
Buses:
Buses offered by top-rated companies like the Victory Liner are a great way to travel – particularly in the Northern part of the country. You’ll need to book your seat, slightly in advance, as seats are limited. The plus side of limited seating? Oodles of legroom, complimentary snacks, WiFi and great service. If you’re visiting on a tighter budget, there are non-AC buses that travel across the Philippines, north or south.
Ferries:
Interested in island hopping? Ferries are the way to go. These are nice, affordable ways to move between the different islands, if you’re not looking to fly. Do your research in advance as there are all kinds of ferry rides here – some more pleasant than others.
Tricycles:
Exploring the rural side of the Philippines? Then hop onto a tricycle. Similar to the Thailand tuk-tuk, these adorable cycles are actually powered by motorbikes. Each tricycle can fit 2 people at the back, and one behind the driver. Quick, speedy and affordable, this is your best means to roam the rural areas of the Philippines.
Excited by all the possibilities of the Philippines? Well, then click your way to our Philippines Tour packages, and let us handle the rest of the journey. Philippines tourism is absolutely amazing and there are many places to visit in Philippines too. Also check out the best time to visit Philippines.
