My boys and I had the chance to ride the MRT and LRT trains in Manila!
Where Manila has this transit to transport as an alternative to the worrying traffic going on in everyday lives of the commuters, I (being a Cebuano and been living in Cebu my whole life) didn’t know much of going here and there thru train, so with my boys, we decided to try and experience the LRT and MRT transits.
Together with my cheeky ones, decided to go for an adventure train ride!
For as low as Php 20 ( for just $.40 ) per ride, you can roam around to any part in Manila!
Help Desk is outstanding
THE WAITING TIME
There was no definite arriving time of the train, so while we wait for the train, I politely asked the staff when will be the exact time? I laughed at the response, ” Just wait and it will come anytime soon” was the abrupt/sarcastic answer. I was speechless and decided to never ask again and told my husband, he laughed also. Oh well, we are in the Philippines! I forgot! My bad 😀
THE RIDE EXPERIENCE
It wasn’t like a very bad ride, yes, there was kind of pushing and turning and overtaking but I think it was kinda similar to the Tokyo experience, people rush to go first and go home like that train will be the last! It can be handled, I thought.
From where we stayed (Ortigas) it was a few minutes MRT ride and transfer to LRT to go to different parts of the metro. You just have to note where you are going. Different routes for MRT and LRT is sometimes confusing.
Overall, our experience was to rate as satisfactory and the rush was really what I was expecting. Even though, it is still recommendable to go by train if you want to avoid the traffic.
Riding on a bus around the town is awesome. In my town, the local government is boosting city tourism by new buses. To ride we don’t need to pay with money, but with trash..
Wow really! That is exceptional and very nice, love the idea!
With overcrowding of major cities around the world, transport is becoming a challenge everywhere
True, and traffic wastes most of our time ehh
riding a bus around town is the best way to know the city! i always do that when i visit a new place
Yes, also agree to that 🙂
It’s great you had a good experience with the train, even if the staff were a little abrupt beforehand. I like transport that is quicker and easier than driving.
Same here 🙂
Most of the travel destinations should start looking into public transport like that. It makes life so easy. I have seen some big cities like New York or Delhi to implement it successfully. Glad to know that Manila also has some decent options.
Travelers like us also has the benefits to roam freely.
It’s nice to read your train experience in Manila. I love public transport as well. Thanks for the share.
Thank you also 🙂
What an article,i advise everyone to read it till the very end
I opened this article wondering why you had an entire post about riding the trains in Manila. Then I found out you’re from Cebu and yeah, it could be quite an experience I suppose. I think you didn’t experience the worst of it, thank god! I actually don’t recommend MRT or LRT to my foreign friends, just because I know how can it be nightmarish. But now that you mention it, maybe they should give it a try too, I just hope they won’t hate me for it hahaha… I do agree though that it is still the fastest way to get around the city given how bad the traffic is here.
It is tolerable, just bring water, lots of sweating while waiting lol
Train rides are always fun. Great post.
Hahahahahaha I find it amusing when someone actually loves something we really hate. MRT/LRT rides are so sickening for me but I glad you enjoyed it I think riding trains is not bad at all. Most likely I am just tired of the routine and the hustle and bustle of rush hour.
As someone whom is tolerating Manila for almost our lives, I can say that what the train employees is true about waiting for the train. There’s no definite time when will it come and sometime, it’s not coming.. lol. Anyway, great read. You being somehow satisfied with the ride, I commend you for being that patient.
LOL
Patience is my virtue I guess 😀
It was still fresh in mind when I went to Manila for the first time. I also tried riding in MRT and LRT, but it took me a while before I was able to familiarize about where to ride and where to get down. Just like you, it was another ride experience, since I’m from Cebu as well. Anyway, the situation in the MRT and LRT is quite fun sometimes, I love the crowd of passengers, especially during rush hour. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your boys.
Haha we really can’t grab it until we experience it right!
We don’t have public transportation where I live, but I think it’s such an asset and a great way to get around town and avoid traffic. And by the way, my cousin is married to a delightful woman from Manila. He’s visited there often and loves it! I’d like to go someday!
Wow, glad to hear! You can always do and experience the Philippines anytime. Thanks for the visit 🙂
Here the transport used to be good but now deteriorating due to overcrowding. But the transport company are really trying to maintain their standards. If you can best to avoid the rush hour here. . I will check out the trains in manila next time i visit….
Thanks Jada, wherever in the world, traffic is always the dilemma and can spoil the fun.
mrt and lrt glory days have gone and the govt is trying to revive and maintain the train system. to be honest, i really dont like riding the train here in the country due to numerous glitches i encountered while riding
I checked your blog and find out you are in Taiwan? As for us, the ride was not that we cannot handle. Thanks for the visit ❤️
I have always loved bus rides. Glad to have read about your experience.
I love bus too, it is relaxing and a pleasure to the eye. Thank you for visiting❤️
As a traveler, I find train rides extremely fascinating. Would love to explore Manila that way you did.
Yes and can be interesting ..or annoying lol. It depends on how well you handle unexpected situations in a place you are not familiar with..
Wow Manila looks like quite the experience. We don’t have a good bus system here. I think it’s always good to accomodate tourists etc with a good efficient bus or train system!
I agree with you on that!
Extremely informative post. New bloggers definitely miss such well explained tutorial articles. More posts from your side is expected from readers of your blog.
Thanks
Thank you for such kind words from you 🙂
Just seeing and watching the line of people who are waiting for MRT, it already made me sick (nauseous), lol. I’m not a big fan of MRT and I wouldn’t really recommend it because of the “me first” mentality of people.
Understand you on that 🙂
Ah..it sounds so similar to the train rides in most of Asia, including India where I live 🙂 Now I know what to expect if I ever take a train ride in Manila. Trains usually get a little delayed, and sometimes very much delayed. And when they arrive there’s always a rush to get in. How was the cleanliness though?
Hi Neha! Cleanliness is satisfactory I may say, and air conditioned works also even with the flux of people.