← Part of the Philippines money guide
Philippineschecked Jul 2026A catch or twoGetting around the Philippines: Grab and jeepneys
Short answer: use Grab in the cities, carry coins and small bills for jeepneys and tricycles, and be firm about the meter with taxis. Here is how each works and what it costs.
At a glance
Ride apps
Grab (no Uber)
Local
Jeepneys, tricycles (cash)
Taxis
Insist on the meter
Islands
Ferries and flights
In the cities, use Grab, the region's ride app (there is no Uber), which sets the fare and removes haggling. Jeepneys and tricycles are the cheap local transport, and both are cash-only, so carry small bills and coins. Ordinary taxis should run the meter: insist on it, and avoid the airport touts by taking Grab or the official rank. Between islands, you will use ferries and domestic flights.
The official route
Background on getting around and safety in the Philippines. Confirm current fares and conditions locally.
US State Department: Philippines local travel and safety(opens in a new tab) we earn nothing
Grab first in the cities
Grab is the ride app across Metro Manila, Cebu and other cities, covering cars and sometimes motorbikes. It shows the fare up front and lets you pay by card in-app or in cash, which sidesteps meter disputes. It needs a data connection, so keep your eSIM topped up.
Regular taxis are metered and cheap, but some drivers quote a flat rate to visitors. Insist on the meter, and if a driver refuses, use Grab instead.
Jeepneys, tricycles and the airport
Jeepneys (the flamboyant shared jeeps) and tricycles (motorbike sidecars) are how locals get around short distances, for very little, and both are cash-only, so keep small bills and coins. Fares are low and often fixed by route; for tricycles, agree the fare first.
At the airport, take Grab or an official metered taxi from the marshalled rank, not a driver who approaches you inside the terminal, where fixed special rates are a markup.
Between the islands
With more than seven thousand islands, longer trips mean ferries and domestic flights (Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, AirAsia). Book flights ahead for the best fares, and note that baggage and terminal details vary by island airport.
For how to carry cash, ATM limits and tipping drivers, see the Philippines money guide.
Common questions
Quick answers.
Is there Uber in the Philippines?
No, but Grab does the same job and is the main ride app in Metro Manila, Cebu and other cities. It shows the fare up front and lets you pay in the app or in cash, which avoids meter haggling. For it to work you need a data connection, so an eSIM or local SIM is worth setting up.
Are taxis in the Philippines metered?
Ordinary city taxis are metered and cheap, but some drivers try to quote a flat rate to visitors, especially at airports. Insist on the meter, and if a driver refuses, walk away and use Grab. At the airport, take Grab or an official metered taxi from the marshalled rank rather than a tout inside the terminal.
How do I pay for a jeepney or tricycle?
Cash only, in small bills and coins. Jeepneys (shared jeeps) and tricycles (motorbike sidecars) are the cheap local transport for short trips, and neither takes cards. Jeepney fares are low and fixed by route; for tricycles, agree the fare before you set off, as visitors are sometimes quoted more.
How do I get between islands in the Philippines?
By ferry or domestic flight. With thousands of islands, longer journeys use ferries or budget airlines like Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines and AirAsia. Book flights in advance for the best prices, carry cash for smaller island terminals and fees, and allow buffer time, since island weather and schedules can shift.
More on Philippines
The little money things nobody warns you about.
- Tipping in the PhilippinesThe Philippines tips more than most of Asia, closer to the US: about 10% is customary and appreciated. The one thing to check is the service charge already on many bills. Here is what you actually owe.
- Do I need cash in the Philippines, or can I use cards?Short answer: carry cash, and use cards only where they are taken. Here is where each works, how to handle the low ATM limits, and the one habit that saves you money.
- Do US citizens need a visa for the Philippines?Short answer: no visa for a normal visit, but there is a free form you must do before you fly, and scam sites try to charge for it. Here is exactly what you need.
Sources, and how this was checked
Last checkedJul 2026
- US State DepartmentPhilippines local travel and road safety
Our own readApp coverage, taxi practice and island transport are our read from recent traveler reports, not an official transport table, so check current fares and conditions locally. Checked July 2026.
How we checkHow every guide is researched, checked and dated