Transportation in the Philippines has never been better. More airlines, and more international airports are being built in major cities. Public transport is also improving with the MRT, LRT 1 and 2, and more light-rail trains are planned to be built in the years to come. Cabs are newer and there are more reliable call-a-taxi services in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, Metro Davao, Iloilo, and other major cities.

When local travel was encouraged by the Department of Tourism, services of bus and boat companies also started getting better. Along came well-lighted, modern, and clean terminals, resembling that of airports.

More airlines

When before there was only Philippine Airlines, now there are about five airlines taking locals and tourists in, within, and out of the country.

• Philippine Airlines
• Cebu Pacific
• Air Philippines
• Asian Spirit
• SeaAir
• AirAsia

Aside from domestic airports in almost every major city, international airports are now being built outside the frenetic Metro Manila. Tourists and returning overseas Filipinos can now fly direct to the nearest international airport of their province or city.

Domestic airports

Luzon: Laoag (Ilocos Norte), Penablanca (Tuguegarao), Palanan (Isabela), Cauayan (Isabela), Baguio City (Baguio), Bagabag (Nueva Vizcaya), San Jose (Occidental Mindoro), Magsaysay (Occidental Mindoro), Santa Cruz (Marinduque), Talabas Island (Romblon), Puerto Princesa (Palawan), Daet (Camarines Norte), Naga (Camarines Sur), Virac (Catanduanes), Legaspi (Albay), Masbate, Caticlan (Aklan), Kalibo (Aklan), Roxas (Capiz), Sta. Barbara (Iloilo), Bacolod City (Bacolod), Dumaguete (Negros Oriental), Mactan (Cebu), Tagbilaran (Bohol), Catarman (Northern Samar), Calbayog (Samar), Palo (Leyte), Ormoc (Leyte), Tacloban (Leyte), Hilongos (Southern Leyte), Dipolog (Zamboanga del Norte), Pagadian (Zamboanga del Sur), Zamboanga City (Zamboanga), Cagayan de Oro City (Cagayan de Oro), Baloi (Lanao del Norte), Ozamis (Misamis Occidental), Davao City (Davao), Maguidanao (Maguindanao), Lebak (Sultan Kudarat), Butuan (Agusan del Norte), Surallah (South Cotabato), General Santos (South Cotabato), Surigao (Surigao del Norte), Tandag (Surigao del Sur), Bislig (Surigao del Sur)

More international airports

In Metro Manila, there are now two international airports---the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the Centennial Airport---with the third one to open soon.

In Luzon, there is also the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, also called Clark International Airport. It is the main airport serving the immediate vicinity of the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) and the general area of Angeles City in the Philippines. The airport is being developed to be the Premier Gateway Airport of the Philippines replacing Ninoy Aquino International Airport by year 2010. This international airport caters mostly to low-budget airlines servicing Manila, but definite plans to transfer full operations of NAIA to DMIA have been implemented. (Source: Wikipedia)

Farther north, is the Laoag International Airport, which is a popular charter destinations for tourists from mainland China.

In the Visayas, in addition to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, two more international airports opened -- the Iloilo International Airport and the Bacolod-Silay Airport.

In Mindanao, there's the new Davao International Airport, also called Francisco Bangoy International Airport, and another one is a work in progress. There'll be more to come as Mindanao gears up for more progress.

Pier or Boat Terminals

• WG&A
• Negros Navigation
• Sulpicio Lines
• Cebu Ferries
• Supercat (operated by WG&A)
• Montenegro Lines
• Cokaliong
• TransAsia

Jeepneys

The jeepney is a familiar icon of the Philippines. For the longest time, it is touted to be the "King of the Road." Its popularity is partly due to its being useful and affordable to most Filipinos and even tourists. The jeepney can ply even to narrow and rugged roads, and can carry about 25 people.

The jeepney also offers a cheaper---cheaper than the air-conditioned vans---alternative mode of transportation to groups of tourists. Tourists can rent a jeepney for the day to take them sightseeing. If you like to experience Philippine travel in the raw, then take the jeepney.

FX Taxis

Plying like jeepneys are the FX Taxis, Toyota FX Tamaraw Vans, only that they have a more fixed route. These FX taxis are more popular to working people who prefer to go their offices, still feeling and smelling fresh. Like the jeepney, tourists can also rent the FX for day/night trips.

Trains

There is only one operational line left of the government-funded Philippines National Railway (PNR). It runs from Manila to Bicol via Laguna and Naga.

Around Metro Manila, however, there are three lines of electric-powered light trains. The MRT that runs along EDSA, LRT 1 along Taft Avenue, and LRT 2 along Aurora Bouevard.