Getting Around in Baguio City

Go Baguio! Your Complete Guide to Baguio City, Philippines

Getting Around in Baguio City

Exploring Baguio by car or partially on foot has never been easier with transportation readily available all hours of the day and night.

There are four ways of getting around -- via private transport, by taxi, by jeepney, or on foot. With Baguio so small, and all major attractions close to each other, it's not really very hard. Public utility vehicles are the same as those in other cities of the Philippines, with more or less the same inexpensive rates.

To places of interest outside the Central Business District, yes!

To Camp John Hay, yes!

To PMA, yes!

To the malls, yes!

To the Market, no!

To Session Road, no!

The "yes" places have ample parking, you see. Otherwise you waste so much valuable time just looking for a spot.

For Camp John Hay, it is most necessary because the taxis are restricted from going in and out. So you will have to walk miles to the exits and hail a cab outside.

4. On Foot - Ahh. This is my preferred mode of exploration. But not COMPLETELY on foot, of course. I park the car some place convenient, then explore on foot. Usually, I take my dogs with me (the huskies love the exercise). You will see folks strolling in our beautiful Parks & Gardens. It is most romantic and a healthy way to go.

You can try my favorite combo:

1. Park your car at the Baguio Cathedral or SM City Baguio

(both are at the top of Session Road on either side and have

ample parking - cost php25).

2. Make your way down Session Road on foot, crisscrossing to

each side via strategically located pedestrian lanes so you don't

miss anything. Keep going downhill until you reach the Baguio

City Market.

3. When you're done with the market take a cab back to where

you parked your car (cost php25 or $.50).

Car or Van Rentals

in Baguio

There are a number of vehicles for hire for trips within the city or for short out-of-town sojourns

Car rental companies are listed in the local Telephone Yellow Pages and the Baguio Directory. These come in 'self drive' or 'with driver' options

There are many private rentals advertised in our weekly newspaper, the Baguio Midland Courier Classified Ads section.

1. Taking a cab - Taxis are plentiful here. Currently, the rate flags down at Php25.00 for the first 500 meters, with Php1.50/100 meters increments thereafter. All Baguio taxi cabs are painted white and have the propert identification markings on them.

Advantage 1: There's an oversupply of taxis just wanting your business and they

prefer getting hired for the day to tour instead of waiting for fare (about Php200/hour

for 4 persons).

Advantage 2: Riding a cab is cheaper that 'gassing up' and finding parking in town.

Advantage 3: The drivers give you the exact change!

Advantage 4: Many taxi drivers work nights.

2. Riding a jeep - Not recommended, really, because it's slow and cumbersome. There's a lot of wasted time riding the famous Philippine jeepney. But if you would like to experience riding in one, know that the rate starts at just Php7.50/person.

Disadvantages: Too many routes so it can get quite confusing. They all just go

downtown and back. You have to wait for it to get filled up. Not much cheaper

than a cab when there are four (4) of you riding one. Jeepneys ply their routes

only until the early evening.

Advantages: But if you are a group of 10 or more, you can also hire a jeepney for

the day to take you around (about $20 for 10-20 persons, within Baguio City). They

can even be hired to take you on a day trip out-of-town to the beach, which should

be fun, too.

3. Taking your car - If you have young children with you, or if you are bringing a driver, take your car everywhere. But if you are all teenagers and adults:

Number Coding Scheme

Vehicles are restricted

from passing the Central Business District on weekdays, based on the last digit of the car plate.

Taking a Taxi

From Loakan Airport

Taxis are available right outside the airport. They are to charge you the regular fare. Do not accept a 'contracted rate.'

In case your cab driver insists on a contracted rate, please report him to the local authorities.