Car or Taxi (or Bike?)

0POSTS

5 years ago

Hi All

I'm going to be moving to the Philippines shortly and will be here for 2-4 years on a work contract. The office is in Makati and I'm planning on renting somewhere near by. My question is what will be the best option for me to get around?

One option I've looked into is getting a car on a full maintenance lease. Toyota's Kinto One can give me a brand new Fortuner (which I currently drive in Johannesburg) for P45k pm, but I'd probably opt for something smaller given that I'm single and probably won't have the same need for/opportunity to use a 4x4 as I do here. What I like about this option:

1) Fixed monthly rate including maintenance and insurance.
2) Flexibility in how and when I can use the vehicle.
3) At the end of my contract I can just return the vehicle and leave.

My concerns however:

1) The cost is much higher than just ordering a Grab (~P6k to P10k pm) without even considering fuel etc.
2) Apparently it's a nightmare to drive in Manila

Ordering a taxi each morning might be the more financially sensible option but apparently it is difficult to get a ride during rush hour?

Other option could be to bike to work (exercise!), but I have no idea what the cycle lanes are like in Makati.

What are other expats doing for transport, especially in Makati?

Thanks in advance!

See also

Obtaining a Philippines driving licence - Guide
Taxi services in the Philippines - Business
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Car Rental Manilla - 4 Replies
Manila Taxi rules - 31 Replies
Looking For Scooter/Motor Bike Rentals - 15 Replies
Used car parts for restoring car here - 11 Replies

GoDees Serial expat

224POSTS

5 years ago

Hello Bazatt.聽 I feel owning a car of any sorts is not a good idea in Manilla, you have traffic, parking both work and home, driving conditions etc. I have found taxis most often work out cheaper than Grab. A push bicycle would be a one way ticket to suicide, there are no bike paths and indeed no rules followed on the roads here. All I can say is "Good Luck".聽聽聽
regards聽 Bruce

2 members reacted to this post

pnwcyclist Philippines Expert

1489POSTS

5 years ago

Echo what Bruce said. Traffic congestion unbearable in Manila. Light rail packed. Bicycle is dangerous, plus the air is bad.聽 I would live close enough to walk if possible. If not, then buy a scooter.

4 members reacted to this post

FortuneFavorsTheBold Banned

736POSTS

5 years ago

Walk.

2 members reacted to this post

Cynthiavilla Serial expat

291POSTS

5 years ago

Still better to have your own transportation but to drive on your own maybe after a year being here; just be care in getting drivers! Keep safe

blacksheepjuno Contributor

115POSTS

5 years ago

I lived in makati for a year, renting a condo in the Rada Regency. Renting there is much cheaper than most of the other high rises in the area. Street parking is hard to find. My high rise did have an interior parking area. I rented a space for a few months, paid 3000 a month for the space and 16500 for the condo. (2014/15). Traffic is extreme during rush hours, and difficult most other times. However, I could walk to the central business district in ten minutes. If you鈥檙e workplace is in the CBD,聽 and you live in Legaspi or Salcedo village, I recommend walking, or grabbing a taxi when it鈥檚 raining. I had a motorcycle, easier to manage traffic, but inherently more dangerous. For traveling outside Makati, you can stick with taxis or grab. Leaving the metro, you can use provincial bus or UV express. I鈥檝e ridden the MRT before Covid, and it鈥檚 like being a sardine in a can, lol. Hope this helps

4 members reacted to this post

Enzyte Bob ViP

4301POSTS

5 years ago

Beam me up Scotty

FortuneFavorsTheBold Banned

736POSTS

5 years ago

EXCELLENT advice Black Sheep!!!

GuestPoster1402 Guest

0POSTS

5 years ago

Hi All

Thanks for the advice, seems walking/taxi is the way to go. I'll have to think carefully about where to get an apartment.

1 member reacted to this post

pnwcyclist Philippines Expert

1489POSTS

5 years ago

#10

Good move. There are lots of nice condos in Makati, and large malls to explore and eat at. No sense in spending hours a day commuting or putting your life in danger.