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Manila, getting there and around
Most tourists from overseas go to Manila by plane, arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport which has two terminals, the NAIA 1 or NAIA 2. The airport services 26 major airlines with international destinations. It also services charter planes coming from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and other foreign countries. The Philippine Airlines is based at the NAIA 2 and offers international as well as domestic flights. It has flights to 26 different cities in 19 foreign countries and 42 domestic flight destinations. The other international airlines use the NAIA 1 terminal. The airport has duty-free shops, car rental service, information centers for tourists, and chartered flight services. Tourists will have no difficulty traveling around the city. There are jeepneys everywhere for the ultimate Philippine experience. Keep in mind though that jeepneys have low ceilings which may pose some difficulty for really tall people. Taxi cabs can be rented but although affordable, the traffic in the city can be very annoying so this is not normally recommended. The heavy traffic is also the reason why driving around Manila is not advised, especially for people who are not familiar with the many side streets around the city. There are three simple, efficient, and very inexpensive trains to go around the city. The Light Rail Transit has two trains, the LRT 1 and LRT 2. LRT 1 runs from Baclaran to Caloocan, while LRT 2 runs from Santolan to Recto. Both trains have various train stops. The Metro Rail Transit (MRT) runs from Taft Avenue to Quezon City. Many bus companies operate air-conditioned buses featuring television programs and movies inside with different routes around the city. There are also minivans called FX which are shared vehicles like jeepneys but are with air conditioners, making them cheaper alternative to taxicabs. Tricycles are common in the city. These are affordable motorcycles with side cars and can accommodate two passengers inside, and another outside at the back of the driver. They can be found in areas without jeepneys. Passengers have the option of paying the full price or sharing a ride and splitting the fare with another passenger. |
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