Travel

Airports

Moving around the Philippines by air, land and sea is easy with national highways connecting the major islands and an extensive public transportation system.

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is located to the south of the main city areas, approximately nine kilometers from Makati. It takes about 30 minutes by car to the major Makati or Roxas Boulevard hotels, except during peak hours (7.00am to 10.00am and 4.00pm to 7.00pm) where the trip may take one hour or more.

Ground transport

Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive, but use a reputable taxi company (check that the company name is on the door and that it has a meter – although it is common for the meter to be ‘broken’). In this case, agree on the fare before departure.

Avis and R&E Taxi are among the most reputable metered taxi services; both have stands at the airport and at hotels in Makati’s business district. Avoid the use of public buses and jeepneys.

Mobile ride sharing applications such as Uber and Grab are commonly used and considered good alternative to taxis.

Hotels

Corporate room rates may be available in some hotels for guests of the Australian Embassy or the Austrade Manila office, so you may want to make your bookings and reservations through the Embassy.

Note that Metro Manila is commonly used to refer to the National Capital Region (NCR), which is comprised of 16 cities and municipalities, including the city of Manila. When booking accommodations, some visitors mistakenly interpret Metro Manila as Manila and book hotels in this city, which is usually an hour or more away from the central business districts of Makati City, Taguig City, and Pasig City. In considering hotels, make sure to double check the meeting addresses and book an accommodation within or closest to the same city to avoid traffic.

Dining

Places to eat include five-star hotel restaurants, fast food restaurants, sidewalk cafes, delicatessens and food courts in shopping malls. Western, Asian and local cuisines are available. English is widely spoken in all establishments. Most dining spots offer free Wi-Fi and some restaurants have function rooms conducive for business meetings.

Tipping

Tipping is generally expected for any services provided and the standard practice is 10 per cent of the total bill.

Tourist attractions

As a major tourist destination, the Philippines provides a wide range of attractions for the visitor.

Find out more about tourist attractions in the Philippines .