Transportation in Cebu

The beautiful city of Cebu is easily competing withthe city as a whole.
the Philippines' capital of Manila, as a thrivingTaxis are another easier albeit more expensive
metropolitan center, and a growing hubbub ofoption, allowing you to travel in and around the city
commercial complexes and businesses. Fast becomingand go almost anywhere. The only downside to this
modern with less of the pollution normallyis that you can be charged from anywhere as low as
encountered in busy cities, Cebu has become aP60 or P70 to ashigh as P130. Regardless, most taxi
favorite tourist destination spot for foreigners, bothdrivers are fairly knowledgeable about the area, and,
businessmen and visitors alike.like most Filipinos, are best known for their hospitality.
To have a better idea of how to get to Cebu andMost will be more than willing to point out the best
how to explore it's growing and fascinating lifestylesights around Cebu for no extra charge and may
and culture, it is always a good idea to learn how toeven engage you in friendly conversation as they
commute in and out of the city, as well as knowdrive. Most tend to charge higher if they are aware
how to explore using the host of public and privatethat you are a tourist though, so always keep an
transportation available.eye on the taxi meter and pay only what you owe.
For starters, the best way to reach the island ofPerhaps the best and most aesthetic public utility
Cebu is via air. Most airlines including Phililppine Airlines,found not only in Cebu, but in almost all parts of the
and Cebu Pacific offer daily flights to Cebu, althoughPhilippines, are jeepneys. Beginning as an American
foreigners can skip Manila and fly directly to the citymeans of military transport during the World War,
with some airlines, although going through Manila ismost jeepneys today now sport colorful aesthetic
always the fastest, although sometimes the noisiest,designs and are also one of the most popular means
route. Going by sea, and taking a passenger ferry isof transport. Most jeepneys typically go through
also another option. Cebu also has several ferriesimportant routes from the South Bus Terminal to
making daily rounds from other cities to Cebu andColon, or Lahug or Ayala to Gudalupe, and can cost
back. Larger ferries with 2,000 upwards of 4,000as low as P6 a ride. Taking jeepneys can become
passengers tend to travel longer routes, while smallconfusing however, particularly because street names
boats concentrate on ferrying people from nearbycan sometimes change, although jeepney drivers are
islands.aware of both old and new names. It is always a
To date, a universal metro railway system has yet tosafe bet to familiarize yourself with where you want
be implemented, mainly in part because of the highto go and plan the route before actually taking a
costs such a system will be on the current budget,jeepney, or bring along a friend or guide with more
though plans to set one up may be forthcoming inexperience.
the future. To date, traveling around Cebu consistsYou can also make use of the more specialized
mainly of buses. A metro bus system has beenpedi-cabs - bicycles or motorcycles with a covered
created called the Bus System Transit (or BST),passenger seat. These pedicabs do not always go as
allowing for both residents and visitors an easierfar as a typical jeepney would, but they tend to go
option of exploring the city without spending toothrough small routes that jeepneys normally wouldn't,
much on travel. Simpler, faster, and more effective,and charges roughly the same as a jeepney ride.
these buses will follow set routes at appointed hours,Cebus is always an excellent place to spend your
making waiting for the bus a much more pleasantholidays, or even take up residence, but it is
experience. These buses are also carefully tracked byimportant to consider ways by which you can travel
a monitoring system to ensure that they do not fallaround and enjoy the sights, to maximize your
off schedule, making rushing for appointments orsightseeing pleasure.
meetings all the more easier, and cost-effective for