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| Trains in the Philippines |
Trains in the greater Manila area
Fastest way to travel in Metro Manila. Clean and attractive rail cars. Polite passengers. Seats designated in each car for elderly, disabled and pregnant women.To use the train system one must be in good physical condition since there are many stairs to climb and descend. Number of stair flights differ at different stations. Some stations have elevators, (Libertad, Magallanes, and Ayala (possibly others).
The US State Department web site advises Americans not to ride trains, buses, jeepneys or tricycles.
I have ridden all of them many times in 5 years. Have never had a bad experience in the stations or on the trains.
Near the front of the train there are usually two cars for female passengers. They may be accompanied by a child or children and a male friend or relative. There is a guard at their boarding area on the platform.
The US State Department web site advises Americans not to ride trains, buses, jeepneys or tricycles.
I have ridden all of them many times in 5 years. Have never had a bad experience in the stations or on the trains.
Near the front of the train there are usually two cars for female passengers. They may be accompanied by a child or children and a male friend or relative. There is a guard at their boarding area on the platform.
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| Click on map to enlarge this train route map for Metro Manila area. |
See the LRTA fare schedule.
Visit the Facebook page of the Philippine National Railway for fare schedules, more information and pictures.
I plan to include video of a train approaching the Edsa station.
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| Near Taft Avenue MRT train station at Edsa in Metro Manila. Travel West on Edsa by bus or taxi from here to the Mall of Asia. Ask anyone where to stand to get a bus or taxi to Mall of Asia. |
According to an article in the news on Dec.29, 2013, it looks like the re-opening of the Bicol Express is delayed again. It runs from Manila to Legazpi.
Update from Wikipedia:
"As of September 2013, operations to the Bicol Region have been suspended.[1] This is primarily because of typhoon damage to bridges. The PNR hoped to reopen the Bicol Express Service by about September 2014;[16] however, as of April 2015 services had still not been resumed."
Update from Wikipedia:
"As of September 2013, operations to the Bicol Region have been suspended.[1] This is primarily because of typhoon damage to bridges. The PNR hoped to reopen the Bicol Express Service by about September 2014;[16] however, as of April 2015 services had still not been resumed."
Update January 2024:
Bicol PNR Naga-Legazpi train route: Schedules, fares, and more
Update March 2024:
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| Shutting down for 3 months in 2024. |
Update April 3, 2024
PNR trains on halted Metro line moving to S. Luzon, Bicol routes.
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The US State Department is just covering their ass in case something happens to you while riding on one of those modes of transportation. What other choice would you have to get around in Manila or anywhere in the Philippines really? A taxi? That would be worse in my opinion. So walking is all that's left. I also have taken jeepneys and tricycles without any problems in many cities in the Philippines. No buses yet, but not out of fear, just no reason to yet.
ReplyDeleteI have not had an opportunity to ride the rails in Manila yet, but my wife probably could not do all the walking you are talking about, so I may never get to do it. It's okay, I'll just hop in a few jeepney's and/or tricycles and put up with the traffic.
Thanks for your comment! I agree, unless you know someone with a car it will be necessary to travel by tricycle, jeepney, bus, taxi or train. Check out my page about riding in taxis. I have ridden in many taxis. But follow the advice in my article to be safer. Many cities have no taxis. In those cities one must use tricycles or jeepneys.
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