1- Is there any public transport between Manila International Airport and downtown Manila? I dont know where I will stay. Very probably will go to Ermita area and check one of the hotels (in 1000 Php range) mentioned in other posts. I will be arriving at 5:30 am. Or should I stick to a taxi? How much should I expect to pay in such a case?
2- Cebu to Bohol-Chocolate Hills doable in one day? I read that there are many ferries that travel between these islands and it takes about two hours one way. Can I leave Cebu in the morning, visit Chocolate Hills and return to Cebu in the evening? And are the Chocolate Hills worth it? I know it depends very much on personal taste but just would like to know different opinions.
3- Can I travel directly from Banaue to Angeles City/Clark? Or do I have to come to Manila and then travel to Clark?
Many Thanks in advance
1 - one option is just walk right outside of airport, along the road with cars and temp. parking and you-ll reach a crossing street. there catch a jeepney to Baclaran.
Once in baclaran you can take the LRT to Pedro Gil, Malata-Ermita area.
The Banaue-Manila bus does not pass Clark. You don't have to go to Manila though, just get off in Gapan (or at Cabanatuan bus terminal) and look for a ride going to Angeles.
Cebu to Bohol - Chocolate Hills is doable in one day! Take the Supercat fast ferry (similar to those fast crafts in Hong Kong to Macau) or Ocean Jet (smaller fast craft). Check their schedules. Also you should already have a van ready to pick you up and bring you to the Chocolate Hills. I took a van and left early (8am) in the morning and passed by some spots before reaching Chocolate Hills around noon time. By the way, bring your own food! The cafeteria in the Chocolate Hills viewing area is not sufficient to accommodate diners.
Chocolate Hills worth it? Yes. It is the main landmark of Bohol. I have also seen it from the air and is quite amazing. You would wonder how these small hills where made.
If you're arriving in M.I.A. Terminal 1 then exit onto the walkway outside and turn right. Walk along this path until your out in the sun and no longer under the roadway for the arrivals lanes above. On the right-side you'll see a waiting shed, this is the Terminal bus and jeepney stop (or just ask anyone where this stop is). Many buses and jeeps pass by at all hours. If you wish to go to Ermita/Malate it is eaisier if you take a bus (almost all buses from M.I.A. go to E.D.S.A. then beyond) to Coastal Mall (10pesos). Get off here and catch a FX taxi (white Toyota Tamaraw's that operate like a small jeepney; runs a route and stops to let passengers off & on at will) marked "Sucat/Lawton for10pesos. These FX's go along Roxas Blvd all the way up past U.S. Embassy and at Luneta Park turn right and end near the Main Post office in Lawton. If your going to a place in Malate/Ermita then you can get off the FX anywhere from the Malate Church up to the US. Embassy and walk to the right (with the bay to your back) and find you a room from the many hotel/pension options.
If your on a bus from Bagio to Manila you will stop in Dau which has a very large bus terminal. From here you can catch a trike/jeepney to the Clark Airfield's maingate. I don't know exacty where the Banaue bus travels to, but most all buses travel the main highway north from Manila or south into Manila.
Cheers, rodeorowdy
Or - when its your round in OZ pretend you've got the runs and with the money you save get a taxi from the airport coupon taxi counter to ermita for about 450 pesos - a meter taxi in the opposite direction will be about 150 pesos. Or borrow US $10 from a smoker and give them 4 packets of cigs in return ( in the Philippines marlboro are 70 US cents a pack
You can get a bus from Sagada to Bagio and then a manila bound bus to Dau
Get the tricycle to SM mall at Clark - next to the main gate and a taxi from there to the airport is about 250 pesos - no bus/ jeepney to the terminal |( the ride is about 3 miles)
Those trike drivers in Angeles are robbing bast*rds!
Get a coupon taxi at NAIA as #5 suggested.
Crop, i find the trike drivers in Angeles, on the whole, to be an ok bunch. The guys who drive the white taxis from the main gate at Clark...now they ARE robbing bast*rds!
OP, unless you've been to Manila previously, and if you have anything other than hand luggage, I would advise use the coupon taxi to Ermita...don't know where you are staying but there are quire a few hotels on M H Del Pilar in your price range...Southern Cross, Slouch Hat, Iseya, Amazonia for starters...
Manila-Banaue bus service is offered by Florida bus in Cubao area and Autobus from their terminal nearl St. Thomas university. From Clark however, take the local bus up to Tarlac City's terminal, about an hour ride. Then take another local bus to Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija province. Cabanatuan is on the eastern highway and a much better route to Banaue than is the road via Baguio. From Cabanautan there are many buses going north on the road to Tuguegarao. See www.NativeVillageInn.com for maps.
Steve..
Well, I couldn't get a trike to take me from SM to my hotel next to the petron station for less than 70 pesos which i find extortionate for such a small distance and the fact it is a provincial town... it would be a quick walk if there wasn't a bloody fence stopping you from crossing straight across, instead you have to walk in the other direction first, very badly planned. or perhaps its to give more work to the trikes. Thats just one example. Anyway, the jeepneys are good if they go where you want to.
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