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Thanks for sharing your insights about the Philippines. Hopefully those in positions of leadership will take note of your suggestions!

Nice review regarding Real estate. I will use this for future references. Thanks for sharing your post.

Fantastic read! I’ve saved your site…..,

I lived in a rural area in the Leyte province for a year. I developed asthma there not from car pollution but from all the burning, cooking with firewood, burning garbage ( everything including plastic), rice fields burning and simply burning to get rid of mosquitos. When i went to cities i did not suffer bcs less burning there.... i left the Philippines a year ago but still suffer from the asthma.

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. I 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.

I am very happy to find a website like this. Well done and well said. Am a Canadian with my Filipino wife here living in the Philippines for 3 years. It is very discouraging to see the amount of smoke from vehicles and burning garbage. I cannot open my windows or going outside for a fresh air, not to forget 10 dogs per each house. I live in the province of Pangasinan. I can't wait to get out because of the smoke. It is such a beautiful country . I did bought a beach area but you still have to live with it, I mean going to the market and stores. It is impossible to avoid the smoke.

Hey Timo, I'm a Filipino and I enjoyed reading your articles. I agree with the first poster that your experiences and observations are pretty accurate. I admire your adventurous spirit that you are willing to let go of the comforts of your homeland to experience the "Filipino" way of life. I say comfort because I have tried staying in the US in a few of my business trips and I find the "American" life style to be comfortable in a general sense. It's easier for your country men to own a house, car and buy the basic necessities in life even at a minimum wage. I'm glad you haven't experienced any of the bad things that we see on the local news and I pray you will never will. I just would want to share that since the Philippines have so many local dialects it also entails that the culture may vary slightly from province to province. If you try living in the Baguio for example you will probably find that the police there may be more trustworthy as well as the taxis (they return you the exact change unlike in Manila) and even the people too. You may even find your self listening to country music in some establishments. So if you ever would want to experience the different "Filipino" life you may try living in different provinces. Now, that would be a really interesting blog, especially coming from an outsider point of view. Continue sharing. It's very helpful and entertaining at the same time.

I have come to live in the Philippines, beginning in 2008, and own a thriving business here -- i do find that my thought process parallels yours; namely the number of foreign immigrants (both workers, entrepreneurs, and retirees) would explode over the next few years if the air were simply clean (sure other infra is needed like better transportation, etc.) but I have been an American for 50+ years and know that many would flock here due to all the other factors, like economic opportunity, climate, activities, (girls), beaches, access to ASEAN market in an English speaking country! The problem is there are no "planners" here in government, they are just short term opportunists with no interest in the future of their children and grandchildren. It is hard to decide if they are just -- , selfish, or stuck in a culture (implanted by 333 years of colonial Spanish rule and servitude) that has taught them so well just survive today and get a P500 bribe for allowing the belchers to pass the emission test? Maybe its a combination of all? But it makes no sense because the oligarchs that control the political and economic structures here, do spend time here and are essentially harming themselves by breathing the air daily. Maybe they ----deserve their fate? My dilemma is how to escape the pollution while also being able to commute to my business, located in the City. I will either 1. move the business to a less polluted area - very expensive and entails hiring/training new workers. or 2. Sell the business and go back to the USA. 3. Hire an expensive/capable manager to run the business (most likely eventually into the ground) and go back to the USA. 4. ------ get them to implement the progressive plans that would benefit them as MUCH as me!!!!! For gods sake (they do claim to be god fearing here) why can't they figure out that an investment in cleaning up (taking off the road) roughly 5 to 10% of the vehicles (10% of the vehicles, in my view cause 80% of vehicle air pollution) would cost a lot of money but would be paid back 10 times over by, 1. A booming economy (it is said that 5 jobs are supported by each foreign retiree), 2. More productive workers (less COPD and sick time). The higher tax revenues from higher marginal economic growth could probably easily compensate for the low interest rate loans necessary to get all the Jeepneys and Polluting trucks off the road. Note: Surplus vehicles, many of them rejects retired from Japan and Korea are bought/imported into the Phils on the cheap because they are said to be the "only" affordable way to get a vehicle -- by purchasing poisonous belchers!--------------  Phils has a good credit rating, a good growth rate, and also boasts strong service economy (call centers, tourism, etc.) the financing would not be a problem, it is just about political will! All of these solutions are available, it really boils down to the political will, and leadership, --------, even with Noy Noy doing a far better ------ job than his predecessors!

wonderful blog, most of the articles are darn accurate! =) I was surprised reading all of your articles, I wish I had read half of the things stated here back in 2002 when I first arrived here in the Philippines to finish my high school, migrating here to the Philippines from the middle east was real hard for me. there was a lot of things that I had to learn and learn real quick. one of the most important things for me to learn was how other people perceive deal with foreigners, cost of living, school and education, safe places to live/ rent, food to eat and what not to eat and so forth. yes my experience did help me open my eyes to a lot of things. 1. education YES it is way cheap to study here in the Philippines but you still have to consider if and when you graduate will the piece of paper you receive would hold value to jobs abroad. let me explain, back in the middle east they categorize you as where you have received your diploma, if you received your diploma from a list of countries in their list your pay is such. if you receive your diploma from a western country then your pay is such. no matter how great your experience is. and guess who gets paid top dollar. =) of course I don't agree with this kind of methodology because its not a paper who makes a person but his experiences and what he learns in his lifetime that determines if he/she is competent in a given situation. 2. safety here in the Philippines. GOD where can I start. thank GOD I have never been robbed by pickpockets or held at GUN point. but there's a lot to consider. basically I go with a set of rules. and keep telling my wife this. BTW she grew up here in the Philippines and in one of your posts regarding good K12 schools here you mentioned her school ;) when we go out we don't bring expensive things with us. we minimize the amount of cash we have in our wallets, and we bring our throw away cellphones. I call it that because if GOD forbid it gets stolen the robber would not benefit due to its low value. Other rules are, be very aware of the places you go to, if the place seems unsafe bring someone you work with or someone who is family that knows someone from that place. 1st hand experience. Think ahead of the criminal elements around you. and you would be fine. 3. food and water. I had to learn this the hard way. we buy our raw food in the super market now. no more wet market for us. and get our water at the grocery as well, its better safe then sorry. 4.THANK GOD you provided us with some ideas on real estate, and provided some good lawyers in your posts. I hope I can read more of your posts more power!

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This post will be expanded upon. Check back for more information about read the comments about this blog about living in the Philippines. Uploaded June 15, 2022.

Advertise Cars Here

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Three or more pictures of your car or other vehicle may be featured.

Advertise your vehicle FREE

on this site.

Many people visit this blog. Since it began in May 2012 people have viewed these articles over 892,100 times. My article about buying and the ones about selling cars have been viewed over 53,708 times (combined as of May 2, 2022). If you want excellent visibility for your vehicle get it featured on this site. Send a message to me. Include your name, email address and a brief description of your car or other vehicle. I will contact you to plan your ad. It can be online soon.

Check out my page about buying a used or second hand car in the Philippines.

Find more places to advertise your used car, secondhand car, van, motorcycle or motorbike in the Philippines. Just click here.

Read about driving in the Philippines from an expat's viewpoint.

Cheapest cars to maintain in the Philippines. 

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Trains In Philippines

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.

Click on map to enlarge this train route map for Metro Manila area.

See a large map of the LRTA rail system at the official site of the Light Rail Transit Authority.

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.

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 January 2024: 

Bicol PNR Naga-Legazpi train route: Schedules, fares, and more

From Naga to Legaspi

Update March 2024:

See PNR shutdown schedule.

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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Advertise your car FREE

Secondhand Car for Sale in the Philippines

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The car featured here is no longer available.

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FOR SALE

This is what an old car can look like when you finish restoring it.

Not 100,000 pesos not 70,000 pesos not 60,000 pesos not 50,000 pesos not 40,000 pesos.

It is For Sale for 35,000 Pesos or best offer. We are moving away. I have receipts for parts and restoration work that I have done, and receipts from the former owner. I have 70,000 pesos in this car already. The owner before me had spent about 25,000 pesos on new parts.

Fuel efficient engine runs fine, no overheating on highway or even in city traffic, great gas mileage. Stick shift. Good tires, brakes, steering, windows and mechanisms, newer Motolite battery (about 5 months old), good electrical and lights. No smoke belching. Registered in 2011.

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Read about an auto repair shop where you may get work done on your car.


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Read about buying a used or second hand car in the Philippines.

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Pedicabs in the Philippines.

Pedicabs in the Philippines

Riding in pedicabs in the Philippines

It is a fun thing to do. On a sunny day that is. On a rainy day it may very well be a bad experience.

In Chinatown in Manila, we rode in a pedicab. We did not ask the fare to go about 3 blocks. We were looking for a famous Chinese restaurant. It was raining and the street was flooded in places. At a deep spot the water rose to within about 4 inches of the top of the seat we were sitting on. What a mess. The operator indicated that the restaurant was near so we got out and asked the fare. "150 pesos" he answered. The ride was not worth more than about 25 pesos. We could have taken a taxi several miles for that price.

Pedicab in Manila on a rainy day. Like our experience.

My Filipino wife said, after arguing with him a little,  "just pay him, you never know what he might do. He might stab one of us." That wasn't our last pedicab ride but now we always ask the fare before getting in a pedicab.

In some areas they are the fastest way to get around. For example, in Divisoria, an area in Manila known for very good deals at very low prices. No other stores anywhere in the country compare. One may need to walk for several blocks to find the best deals on goods. Take a pedicab and relax while you ride between shops and vendors.

Check out riding in jeepneys, riding in tricycles, riding in buses, and riding in taxis in the Philippines.

Read more about living in the Philippines.

Want to share your experiences riding in pedicabs with other readers? Please comment below.

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This article will be expanded upon. Please check back to read more about pedicabs in the Philippines. Last updated June 4, 2022.

Taxis in the Philippines

Safe Taxis in the Philippines?

 Safety tips for riding in cabs.

These tips apply whatever country you are in.

1. Do not ride in taxis that do not have meters!
2. Always tell the driver you expect him to use the meter. If he won't then don't get in the cab.
3. Always make sure that the meter is reset before you depart. If he does not reset it, get out and get       another cab.
4. Never get in a Philippine taxi that has anyone else in it. Only ride in a taxi that has no other passengers. The others could be robbers.
5. Check and see if the cab number is painted on the interior window sills. If it is not, do not ride in that cab (text the company name and taxi number to a friend or relative as a safety precaution).
6. Check and see that there are inside handles on all doors and that there is a visible door lock knob.
7. Actually try locking and pulling the door handle as if opening it before getting in the cab. Then keep the windows up and doors locked. Ask the driver to lock the front doors.
8. If a driver suggest that he take a shortcut tell him no, unless you are familiar with the area.
9. If the driver drives like a maniac ask him to drive safely or tell him you want to go down at the next corner. Most taxis do not have seat belts for your safety. After one ride in a taxi I realized why it is so dangerous to ride on motorcycles in the Philippines. The driver was inches from one he passed and tailgated very close to another at high speed.
10. Look to see if there are seat belts for the rear seat. If not you may want to find a different taxi. Usually only the newest ones will have safety belts. Many times you may need to ride in taxis without seat belts or wait a long time to find one with them.
11. At bus stations there may be a car or two, parked inside the bus area, offering taxi service. I have been approached by drivers but the cars had no signs on them. I suggest you never get in one of them. Better to go out on the street and hail a taxi. There will be young guys who will offer to hail a cab for you. They will expect a small tip (maybe 20 pesos.) It is worth it. Then ask to be sure the driver will use the meter. If a driver asks if you can add an extra 30 to 50 pesos just say yes and give it to him when you pay. It's a hard job and I think they really earn it.

Some more advice about taxis

"Although most taxi services are safe and reliable, there have been extortion incidents from taxi drivers.  

To minimize your risks:

• avoid hailing a taxi on the street
• only enter metered taxis from a reliable company and insist the meter be turned on
• prefer hotel transportation, official airport taxis, or a ridesharing app
• never share taxis with strangers
• ask that the windows being rolled up and doors locked at all times
• record the taxi’s license plate number and give or send the information to a relative/friend" excerpt from travel.qc,ca

Taxis in the Philippines. We prefer MGE taxis.

MGE taxis are found in Metro Manila and Quezon City. I have not confirmed that the above phone numbers are current.

MGE and Yellow Cab are two companies which are permitted to pick up at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Yellow cab has an added fee plus higher rates no matter where your service starts. Jeepneys, tricycles and pedicabs are not permitted at the international airport If you want to ride a jeepney ask a guard if you can get on a jeepney by walking to the entrance to the airport.

Riding in an air conditioned taxi,

at sunset in Paranaque City, Metro Manila.

Hailing A Taxi

Try to hail a cab in the city center of Manila, they will NOT stop. Near the Ayala train station where Glorietta Mall, Landmark Department Store and SM Ayala Mall are, you MUST wait in line at taxi stands, without exception, and in the evening when many are leaving the malls you may wait up to 45 minutes for your turn to get in a cab. These taxi stands are monitored by security guards, they will note the ID number of the taxi on a slip of paper and hand it to you. This is for your security, you can call a trusted friend and notify them which cab you are in so in the event you are hijacked they can report it to the authorities. And it probably discourages drivers from trying anything funny.

The taxi ID letters and numbers should be painted on window sills inside all doors.
If the ID is not visible do not ride in that cab. Whenever you ride in a taxi be sure to text someone you know with the ID and tell them where you are riding from and to.

MGE and Yellow cabs are probably the newest and best cabs to ride in. And, they are the ones most likely to have seat belts.
However, we have ridden in cabs of many different companies.

About taxi drivers in the Philippines

It is best that you approach a taxi where the driver is seated inside, either in a bus station or on the street. There are drivers who may approach you who are driving unmarked "taxis." Do not use these.

If a driver tries to charge you a flat fee for a trip just say "no" or if you are already seated inside, get out and get another cab. The flat fee will always be higher than a metered fare.

It is common for driver's to ask foreigners to include 50 pesos extra. When I was new to the Philippines I refused. But, after some time there I began to realize just how hard it is to make a living as a taxi driver, so I started agreeing to the extra fee.

If you get a driver who has a nice newer taxi it might be a good idea to get his cell phone number and call 1/2 hour ahead of time whenever you need a taxi ride. Be sure to ask what days he works this week. He will pick you up. We had an MGE driver who would take us to the hospital and pick us up when we were ready to leave. He also waited for us as we shopped along a street and moved the cab to be near us as we walked down the street.  He then helped us load things we had purchased. It is great to have a personal "driver." Our driver, who said he was a former police officer, told us that MGE tests its drivers regularly for drug use.

TIRED TAXI DRIVERS

Driver's work 24 hour shifts and have days off. They sleep on and off in the cab during their shift.

Once we rode in the next Yellow Cab that was in line at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
I was told by the "dispatcher" at the taxi booth that our driver would be wide awake because he would have been sleeping in his cab until he got in the taxi line near the terminal doors.
Well, he was not very 'wide awake.' We left the airport at about 11 p.m. to go to Angeles City. During the 40 kilometer trip on the NLEX (an expressway) the driver showed signs of being tired. Several times he took both hands off the wheel, removed his eyeglasses and rubbed his eyes with one hand while holding his glasses in the other. Not something that inspires confidence in the Yellow Cab company or any company whose drivers work 24-hour shifts. Fortunately, the speed limit is only 100 km per hour or about 62 miles per hour for cars and jeepneys on the Expressway between the airport and Angeles City. The speed limit for trucks and buses is 80 kph or about 50 mph. However, I have been in many buses which have been driven faster than the cars. Some bus drivers drive like they are in sports cars. They get paid by how many passengers they have carried during their shifts.

I advise you, if you will be traveling far, to stay in a hotel and travel by taxi in the daytime. The same advise applies to traveling by bus.

Driver's must pay a "boundary"; in a sense they rent the cab and then try to make enough money to pay their boundary and still make a day's living. The last I heard the taxi boundary was about 1,500 pesos for a 24 hour period of time. They often sleep in their cab between fares.

A taxi as seen from our taxi
on bridge in Cagayan de Oro,
on the island of Mindanao.

If you are considering renting a car or a motorcycle, think twice. As far as I have learned, there is no collision insurance available. If the vehicle you rent gets damaged, YOU will pay for the damages. However, you may be able to buy good coverage if you buy a young or new car in the Philippines. As for motorcycles, due to the reckless habits of many drivers, it is far more dangerous to ride a motorcycle in the Philippines than in the USA. See my article about driving in the Philippines.

Another factor about driving as a foreigner in the Philippines is that you may be a target of some. You are perceived as being "rich" here. Pedestrians and other drivers may see you as an opportunity to make money. If you are involved in an "accident" it is very possible that you will end up paying much more than would a Filipino. Many foreigners hire a driver or, if married, will let their Filipino spouse drive.

Most taxis do not have seat belts. There is a good chance the newest taxis will have seat belts. Yellow cab and MGE often have seat belts. I use Yellow Cab or MGE when I arrive at the airport.


See information about tipping in the Philippines.
It is from an article "A Guide To Tipping Around The World" at Conde Nast Traveler. Here it is...

PHILIPPINES

At Restaurants: Check the bill–a 10 percent service 

charge may be included, in which case you might 

leave an extra $1 or $2. If it's not included, leave a 10 percent tip or a bit more.

At Hotels: A 10 percent service charge is usually 

included, but you should still give porters 50 cents to 

$1 per bag. Tip cleaning staff only if you see them or if you leave it in a clearly marked envelope, says Filipino-American Alex Clemente of San Francisco's Rajah Tours. "Filipinos are not going to pick up money that's left behind," he says. If a concierge goes out of his way to secure you good tickets or reservations, tip him $4 to $5.

Guides and Drivers: Guides get $20 to $50 a day, 

says Clemente, and drivers about $4 to $5. Tip taxi 

drivers about 10 percent.

Dollars Accepted? Yes! "If you tip in dollars, they 

will love you forever," says Clemente, "because it's 

considered better-quality money" than the Filipino 

peso.

P.S. "If you get stopped by the police, stick 200 pesos 

(about $4) in your I.D.," says Clemente–and he is only 

half joking. Men in blue uniforms who often help you 

park your car should get 10 to 20 pesos–about 20 to 50 

cents."

For foreigners and especially for Filipino taxi riders;

report bad experiences you have in taxis to the authorities.

Use this International Taxi Fare Calculator or

use this Manila Taxi Fare Calculator. Select your own currency then enter your departure point and destination and you can view the fare in your own currency. I have preset it to the U.S. dollar. I advise you to read comments below the calculator.

If you have bad experiences riding in taxicabs in the Philippines please share with other readers by commenting below.

Riding in trains in the Philippines.

Are considering buying a car in the Philippines?

If you are considering buying real estate in the Philippines

Meet Filipinas

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This article will be expanded upon. It is not an endorsement of MGE taxi service. Check back to read more about taxi fares, taxis, taxicabs, or cabs in the Philippines. Last updated June 18, 2022.

Jeepneys Philippines. Riding in jeepneys.

Jeepneys in Philippines

Advantages and Disadvantages of Riding in Jeepneys in the Philippines

The first time I was at the main immigration office in Manila I spoke with a clerk who advised me not to drive in the Philippines. The man told me "driving here is very different than driving in the USA." He suggested that if I did buy a car that it would be best to hire a driver. I took his advise and did not drive during my first 3 years in the Philippines.

Driving in the Philippines is VERY different than in the US. Someone has said that traffic laws and signs are considered merely suggestions here. One of the habits that amuses me here is that often two vehicles will pass a car at the same time. That's right three abreast and two of them are in the oncoming traffic lane! The two that are passing the other must fight to get back in the right lane before colliding with the oncoming vehicles. Talk about risking everything just to save a few minutes of travel time. I just read in the news (on July 5, 2012) that there had been over 20,000 traffic accidents in Metro Manila in the past 3 months.

I actually enjoyed not driving. My first few months in country I used taxis a lot. Taxis were not expensive and I liked being driven around in air conditioned luxury. But, there are many times that a taxi is not readily available. So, transportation choices then are to ride a bus, a tricycle or a jeepney.

A jeepney terminal

Seems that the most frequent and the cheapest mode of travel is a jeepney. There are very few air conditioned jeepneys in the Philippines. Most have open air rear passenger compartments. There is usually roll down clear plastic sheeting to put down in event of rain. If rain is coming in, the driver will stop and lower the plastic coverings. There are no seatbelts in jeepneys, but they seldom travel very fast. Have never seen a jeepney accident.

As to travel time in a jeepney. It will take a little longer to get between two locations via jeepney than it will take in a taxi or a car. The jeepney stops for passengers along the way. When the driver sees someone nod or raise a hand he will stop to pick them up. I estimate that it would take about 15 minutes longer to travel from Magalang to SM City Clark by jeepney than it would take by car. Motorcycles are able to get there faster because they weave in and out of traffic and pass on the left OR right (although this is very dangerous).

You may want to travel by bus in the Philippines. Many buses are air conditioned. Buses cost a little more but usually take longer to reach one's destination because they stop for longer periods of time at their bus stops in order to take on the most passengers possible. Jeepneys seat only about 20 passengers so they tend to fill up faster. Advantages of buses are that one sits higher and thus above the thickest vehicle pollution. But, bus routes are usually only on the most heavily trafficked roadways. Jeepneys can be found on almost all roads. In Metro Manila there are more buses. Between provinces buses usually only ply the major highways linking the provinces.

One of my most memorable moments was when I exited the rear of a jeepney in a rural are outside of Angeles City.. Several students were seated near the rear door. One young lady said to me, "We are glad you're in the Philippines!" I said, "Thank you!"

When one is staying a long time in country it seems more feasible to travel like the locals. And, most of the locals ride in jeepneys. Travel by jeepney is the cheapest way to travel in the Philippines. One may travel a mile to several miles for 8  to 12  pesos (18 to 28 cents USA money). Here is a trick, instead of hiring a taxi to take you someplace it will probably be a lot cheaper to hire a jeepney. Just ask jeepney drivers if they will do a "private service" to wherever you need to go. For example, from SM City Clark in Angeles City you might hire a jeepney to take you and some new furniture back to your apartment for about 150 to 300 pesos. Or, in our case, we hired a "private jeepney" to take us and our luggage to the bus terminal for about 300 pesos. A taxi would charge about 600 to 900 pesos (it would need to travel round trip, from SM City Clark.). Or, if you need a ride to a hospital a jeepney will be cheaper and easier to find than a taxi. Just approach an empty jeepney at a jeepney terminal or on the street. You could ride a tricycle but a jeepney is a lot safer.

Compare that to the cost of bus fares in Florida, USA. A bus ride will cost $2.00 US or about 86 pesos (at the current exchange rate at the time of this writing on May 30, 2012.)

There are NO jeepneys in Florida, USA. In fact, I have never seen a jeepney anywhere in the USA. Maybe because of seat belt laws in the US.
It would be nice if there were jeepneys in the USA.

In the Philippines jeepneys can go where buses cannot go. They are everywhere! One never has to wait for a jeepney for more than a couple of minutes.

In the USA, one must walk to a bus stop, which may be a long distance from one's home or place of work. Then wait about 20 minutes for the next bus.

There are no seat belts in jeepneys. But, they usually travel at such slow speeds there are hardly ever any accidents resulting in injuries to passengers, as far as I know. I have never seen one in all the time I have been riding jeepneys.
There are "jeepney terminals" in downtown areas and at malls. At jeepney terminals many jeepneys wait their turn to carry passengers to surrounding areas. Drivers sleep while waiting their turn.

Entering the rear of a traditional jeepney

in Baretto Township near Subic Bay, Philippines

Most jeepneys carry about 22 passengers. Two benches in the rear, one on each side, 10 passengers on each bench and 2 more in the front seat. The seats have thin foam and a vinyl cover. Sometimes the bench covers are made from old vinyl signs.

Watch your head when boarding jeepneys!

Warning: be very careful when entering the rear of a jeepney. I have banged my head many times when pulling myself up in to the rear passenger compartment. Once, I almost knocked myself out. My head hit a steel bar so hard it made a loud bang noise. Two guys sitting near the door reached out to save me from falling back out onto the street. Fortunately it did not knock me out but it came close. I was still able to support myself.

Another hazard is light fixtures fastened to the center of the ceiling of many jeepneys. I have scratched or cut my head probably 30 times on these. Some jeepney ceilings are so low it is almost impossible for one to avoid the chrome steel fixtures.  It can be hard to remember to duck down far enough, so, if you will wear a hat it will afford some protection.

Take a few moments to look at the top of the door opening and at the lights that may be fastened to the ceiling. Then pull yourself up slowly and climb into the jeepney. Move slowly and keep your head low to avoid hitting the light fixtures or screws or other things that may be protruding from the ceiling.

It is necessary to bend way over forward to "walk" to an open spot on a bench to sit down. Bending over in public is very foreign to North Americans. I felt very self-conscious for the first few months. But bending way over is good exercise and will help to keep one in good physical shape. It has worked for me.

Some people are just too tall or too large to fit into jeepneys or tricycles. Some jeepney passenger compartments are narrower than others. In a narrow jeepney it is very difficult to avoid stepping on other passengers' feet when entering and departing. If you cannot fit in the rear of the jeepney there may be a vacant seat next to the driver. You may try to fit into it. But, if you cannot then just wait for a larger jeepney or hail a tricycle or a taxi.

Drivers will usually understand English in the major metropolitan areas. Be sure to ask the driver to let you know when you have reached your destination. This is very important because it is virtually impossible to see out the side "windows" while riding. If you are over 5 feet tall you will be able to see the sidewalks but not buildings, signs or  landmarks. If you bend down low you may be able to get an idea of where you are by looking out the front window. Try to sit in the front seat near the driver or if you are in the rear passenger compartment try to sit near the driver or move there when others exit the vehicle.

Jeepneys are color coded. For example, blue ones travel back and forth between two points via certain routes while yellow ones travel different routes to different destinations.

Manners and what to say in a jeepney

Manners dictate some unique actions when riding in a jeepney. If someone is entering the passenger compartment with a suitcase, package or other large items, be helpful. Often they will need assistance while going to an empty seat space or when departing the jeepney. Do like the Filipinos and help the package along to the seat or to the exit.

If you are sitting by the rear door opening and you see someone who needs a hand to board the jeepney then extend your hand.

If a family boards try to move or make room so they can sit together.

Pass fare coins from other passengers forward to the driver. Just give the coins to the passenger next to you.

Try to have exact change for your own fare. If you pay more than exact fare you may or may not get change back. If you do not know the Filipino words to use to request your change it is easiest to just consider it a tip (which I am sure the driver's family probably needs and will appreciate.)

Some Filipino words to use when riding a jeepney

Ask a nearby passenger "mekano po" or "what is the fare to Sun Valley" to find out the cost of the fare.
When handing your fare to the driver say "bayad po" which means "here is the fare."
If you are near the rear door say "bayad" and pass your coins to a passenger near you, who will in turn pass it on to other passengers until it reaches the driver's hand.
The first time I paid the driver for my girlfriend and me I pronounced it wrong. I said, "bayag po, dalawa." All of a sudden a lot of giggling and smiles from the other passengers. It seems that bayag means "balls" in Tagalog. Po is the polite way to address a person and dalawa means "two." So, I had said "two balls, po." I smiled too, but I never said "bayag po" again. So, be careful to pronounce words correctly if you try to speak the language.

If you are going to Sun Valley subdivision, for example, tell the driver "I need to 'go down' at Sun Valley." Or, listen to what other passengers tell the driver.
When a passenger who requested "Sun Valley" gets off then you just follow him or her.

Or, when you want the driver to stop so you can get off, say "para po" (which means "stop".)

If the driver starts to step on the gas before you get off say "para, po" loud enough for him to hear you.

To learn more about what to say and do when riding in a jeepney go to this Wikipedia article and scroll down to the "Practices, Etiquette and Parlance" heading.

Be VERY cautious when getting out of a jeepney

When exiting the rear of the jeepney you will be facing the ground. Have faith that the drivers of the vehicles behind you will stop! Pray.

Leaving Diosado Macapagal International Airport,
in the Clark Freeport Zone, in a Toyota Tamaraw FX (a type of van.)

Look both ways several times when exiting jeepneys in traffic, before crossing the street. Remember, motorcycles can appear out of nowhere. Also, remember, motorcycles and bicycles may pass in the tight area between the jeepney and the curb. Be very cautious!

Other information about riding in jeepneys

Pickpockets in Jeepneys

Read about my experiences with pickpockets while riding in jeepneys. On two occasions I have been the intended victim. Click on my "Pickpockets in the Philippines" article and see how I dealt with them.

Read an example of what happens to people who use weapons to rob jeepney passengers. They may be dealt with swiftly.

If you are interested in buying a jeepney visit this site to see a jeepney manufacturers in the Philippines. You may also want to visit my article about Buying a Used Car in the Philippines.

Jeepneys in the USA. I read an article about a couple who did bring a jeepney to the USA and are carrying passengers, in a city where there are many Filipinos, in California. I imagine it must have been modified to meet US vehicle regulations.

Compare riding in jeepneys to riding in tricycles or riding in taxicabs.

If you are considering buying real estate in the Philippines.

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This article will be updated. Check back to read more about jeepney travel. This page last updated June 4, 2022.