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The two main roads in and out of Metro Manila are NLEX (North Luzon Expressway) and SLEX (South Luzon Expressway), both of which are toll operated. NLEX leads to Bulacan, Pampanga (Mt Pinatubo), Angeles (Clark Field) and Baguio City. SLEX leads to Laguna, Tagaytay, Batangas, Quezon Province and Legazpi City (Mayon Volcano).
Drivers are relatively better behaved on these expressways, especially on NLEX. NLEX is better maintained and secured, and patrolled regularly by traffic police. SLEX is currently being widened, causing heavy traffic at rush hour. Repairs are expected to be completed by late 2008.
Traffic drives on the right and the minimum driving age is 18 years. Signs are in English but some roads lack proper signage.
In the city, the speed limit is 60-80kph (37-50mph), but traffic slows down anyway during rush hour. The speed limit on expressways is 80-100kph (50-62mph). There are laws on drink driving and wearing seat belts.
Foreign and international driving licences are valid for 90 days from arrival in the country but it is unlikely that you will be asked for your licence once the vehicle is hired. No other documentation is needed apart from your passport.
The Automobile Association of the Philippines, 683 Aurora Boulevard, Quezon City (tel: (02) 723 0808; website: www.aaphilippines.org) operates a 24-hour emergency breakdown and towing service that covers Metro Manila and neighbouring provinces (for an extra fee).
Emergency breakdown service: Automobile Association Philippines (tel: (02) 723 0808).
Routes to the city: EDSA (Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue) is the main road in Metro Manila. It spans north to south of the metropolis, allowing access to the major cities and the airport. EDSA begins in the south, along Manila Bay, and ends in the north at Monumento, Caloocan City.
EDSA intersects the following roads from south to north: Ayala Avenue (Makati City), Shaw Boulevard in the mid-section (Pasig City and Ortigas Centre) and Quezon Acentrevenue (Quezon City) in the north. The latter two roads stretch from east to west of Metro Manila and provide access to the Malate district and Intramuros, both located in the western portion of Manila.
Approximate driving times to Manila: From City of San Fernando, Pampanga - 45 minutes; Angeles - 70 minutes; Baguio - 5 hours; Laguna - 60 minutes; Batangas - 2 hours; Quezon - 6 hours; Legazpi - 12 hours.
Coach services: Major coach operators Philtranco (tel: (02) 832 2456; website: www.philtranco.com.ph) and Victory Liner (tel: (02) 833 0293; website: www.victoryliner.com) offer good coaches with air conditioning, audiovisual entertainment and snacks.
Philtranco runs a service south to Legazpi, Sorosogon, Davao on Mindanao Island and Tacloban on Leyte. Victory Liner operates services north to Baguio, Alaminos, Tuguegarao, Olongapo, Iba and Dagupan. There is no central bus terminal in Manila and bus companies maintain their own locations around the city - Philtranco and Victory Liner have terminals in Quezon City and Pasay City.
Drivers are relatively better behaved on these expressways, especially on NLEX. NLEX is better maintained and secured, and patrolled regularly by traffic police. SLEX is currently being widened, causing heavy traffic at rush hour. Repairs are expected to be completed by late 2008.
Traffic drives on the right and the minimum driving age is 18 years. Signs are in English but some roads lack proper signage.
In the city, the speed limit is 60-80kph (37-50mph), but traffic slows down anyway during rush hour. The speed limit on expressways is 80-100kph (50-62mph). There are laws on drink driving and wearing seat belts.
Foreign and international driving licences are valid for 90 days from arrival in the country but it is unlikely that you will be asked for your licence once the vehicle is hired. No other documentation is needed apart from your passport.
The Automobile Association of the Philippines, 683 Aurora Boulevard, Quezon City (tel: (02) 723 0808; website: www.aaphilippines.org) operates a 24-hour emergency breakdown and towing service that covers Metro Manila and neighbouring provinces (for an extra fee).
Emergency breakdown service: Automobile Association Philippines (tel: (02) 723 0808).
Routes to the city: EDSA (Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue) is the main road in Metro Manila. It spans north to south of the metropolis, allowing access to the major cities and the airport. EDSA begins in the south, along Manila Bay, and ends in the north at Monumento, Caloocan City.
EDSA intersects the following roads from south to north: Ayala Avenue (Makati City), Shaw Boulevard in the mid-section (Pasig City and Ortigas Centre) and Quezon Acentrevenue (Quezon City) in the north. The latter two roads stretch from east to west of Metro Manila and provide access to the Malate district and Intramuros, both located in the western portion of Manila.
Approximate driving times to Manila: From City of San Fernando, Pampanga - 45 minutes; Angeles - 70 minutes; Baguio - 5 hours; Laguna - 60 minutes; Batangas - 2 hours; Quezon - 6 hours; Legazpi - 12 hours.
Coach services: Major coach operators Philtranco (tel: (02) 832 2456; website: www.philtranco.com.ph) and Victory Liner (tel: (02) 833 0293; website: www.victoryliner.com) offer good coaches with air conditioning, audiovisual entertainment and snacks.
Philtranco runs a service south to Legazpi, Sorosogon, Davao on Mindanao Island and Tacloban on Leyte. Victory Liner operates services north to Baguio, Alaminos, Tuguegarao, Olongapo, Iba and Dagupan. There is no central bus terminal in Manila and bus companies maintain their own locations around the city - Philtranco and Victory Liner have terminals in Quezon City and Pasay City.
View Our Airport Guides for Manila:
(Manila) Ninoy Aquino International Airport
