Transport

Grab Taxi

For the average foreign tourist, Grab Taxi is the best and most convenient way to get around Manila. 

It is pretty much the same business model as Uber and Lyft whereby private drivers use their own cars to provide a taxi service.  But whereas Uber and Lyft and others specialise in western countries.  Grab has taken over most of the countries in Asia and especially the Philippines.

You will need the Grab app which you can download from Google Play.  Then you will proceed to sign up for an account.  Once you have an account you can link your foreign credit/debit card to the app to use for payment, or just choose "Cash" when you're booking your ride.

The system is very efficient, fairly cheap and at least you are unlikely to get lost or get scammed.

Motorbike Taxi (Joyride, Angkas, Move It)

For those of you who are really on a tight budget and do not have a family in tow, there is another option.

There are 3 companies which instead of a car will pick you up on a motorcycle.  Similar to the Grab model, but you'll get a helmet, you'll be able to cut through some of the heavy traffic, and as a bonus you could get completely soaked in the rain.

This service is extremely popular with the locals because of the traffic benefits and of course its around half the cost of a Grab taxi.

Regular Taxi

These can be hailed on the side of the road. They're usually white and they run on a traditional meter system.   

If you get a good honest taxi driver you shouldn't have too much trouble and it might even work out cheaper than Grab.  But you never know what taxi you're getting in, you won't know their route, and you certainly won't have a fixed price.

Jeepney

For the real adventurous, there are the army jeeps turned bus vehicles that the locals use.  They take routes which you'll have a hard time discovering but the fares are super super cheap.

Unless you have a friendly guide accompanying you, its probably not recommended in Manila as there is quite a bit of petty crime on these vehicles and you may end up losing something.  Its probably worth spending a few more pesos to get a safer and more comfortable ride.  

Tricycle

At least on a tricycle you'll have the vehicle to yourself like a taxi, but you'll probably end up paying a similar cost to the Grab if you're not careful as prices vary wildly.

However they can be a worthwhile option on heavy rain days when you just exited the supermarket and there is not a Grab or regular taxi to be found,