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Davao Transport
By Air
Davao is possibly the third most important Philippine city after
Manila and Cebu. As such most if not all domestic airlines fly
multiple times per day to Davao from Manila, Cebu and other major
cities in Visayas and Mindanao. Davao is served by the Davao
International Airport (more properly named as the Francisco Bangoy
International Airport), which receives both local and foreign
traffic to Davao. Completed only in 2003, DIA is said to be much
better than its counterpart NAIA in Manila. Silk Air, the regional
airline of Singapore Airlines, is currently the only international
connection directly servicing Davao from Singapore. If you have
Davao as your main destination in the Philippines, you might want to
consider coming in through Singapore as this might be the most
hassle-free way to enter.
By sea
Davao is also served by a bustling sea port with
significant cargo and passenger traffic. Following is a listing of
ferry companies that serve Davao:
WG&A Superferry - twice weekly ferries from Manila to Davao, trip
takes more than 2 days in total
Sulpicio Lines - twice weekly ferries from Manila, usually via Cebu
Getting around
The simplest way to get around is by hopping on a
taxi. A typical trip can cost about 60-70 pesos or slightly more
than a U.S. dollar if one goes by the meter. Drivers in Davao do not
normally bargain if they notice that you are a tourist, hence the
cost of the trip is the same in price as a regular. Also, they are
part of the increasingly rare breed of taxi drivers who carry coins
and will give you the exact change instead of rounding your fare up.
If you know the name of the building, establishment, area or street
you wish you reach, this is still the fastest way to get to your
destination. You can also call the cab company directly to have a
cab driver pick you up. or just simply hire a van or car for your
convenient and hassle free and stroll the hot spot places in Davao.
Alternatively, if you opt for more adventure, then do as the locals
and catch a colorful jeepney. Simply ask around for which route to
take. They are available 24 hours and cover most of the nooks and
crannies of the city. This is the cheapest option for getting around
as a typical fare cost about 5-7 pesos.
Another alternative ride aside from the jeepneys and taxis, is to
rent a car. There are many cars for rent. If you don't know the
routes you can hire drivers by asking the attendant of the rental
company. Local companies tend to be cheaper than the national ones.
Buses are also available but these tend to ply exclusively along the
north-south route and going out and in the city area.
The normal cost for a jeepney ride is 7.00 pesos. Taxis go from Php
26.00 and will add Php 1.00 per few hundred meters (not sure with
the exact measurement) with a non-airconditioned taxi.
Airconditioned taxis start at 30 pesos and will add 2.50 pesos per
few hundred meters.
Taking a taxi from the city center (Roxas and Claveria) to the
airport should cost no more than PHP 130.
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