Hiring a car in Philippines

To be on the right side, I would try to get an International drivers Licence, or use taxis while there, cheaper and safer in many ways..

It has happened in the past, that some locals to tend to have open season on foreign drivers, for the obvious compensation...

No problem hiring with just your UK licence, I have done it twice, however I would advise that it is a pretty scary place to drive and for me at least it was the first time I had driven on the wrong side, luckily I hired over an Easter weekend when Manila is dead so it was not so bad, finding parking anywhere in Manila is not easy and if you are driving you are a target for everyone, Police will stop you for the slightest thing and if you have not got your licence and passport on you they might haul you off to the jail, there is also the well known sport of the sacrificial family member who might take a deliberate injury just to get the compensation.

You injure someone over there and it is like you just instantly married their entire family you will be responsible for everything, how good is the insurance over there well I don't know but I would like to know.

Many people advise that a foreigner renting a car should also rent a driver and I am not sure I would ever hire over there again without doing exactly that.

You should be fine then but really always expect the unexpected

Proof that it can be done without ever needing the international licence.



I would advise you to photograph the car from every angle during the inspection when you pick it up, they are not always in great condition note the dents and marks below, and try to include at least one employee and the background of the pickup area as proof of condition when you pick up the car.

I would also advise getting an automatic as it is one less thing to think about on your first time driving on the right, although if you are not used to automatics that too can be a problem

Also worth having the shaded dark glass windows, never advertise that a westerner is driving if you don't have to, problem at night but fine during the day.

Sorry, to me it ain't worth the hassle...............

Several times I hired car and driver for the day for less than a tenner + fuel and the odd Jollybee....

I suppose that the prices may have gone up by now, but the safety and security factors, for me and family, override any perceived financial savings...

I tend to agree Dom, you got a good deal at 1000 peso or so, in Manila it would cost 2000 a day or more even back in 2007 last time I rented a car.

The experience was worth it for me, even with the KFR threat in Laguna 2007, (KFR kidnap for ransom mostly because I was a westerner with family and a car) and even also the time I was stopped by the police for hesitation at a junction when we were going to the hospital with James and Ana had to bribe them 500 peso to get us on our way.

But I agree I would not do it again, I would only use a car again myself if I were living there full time.

Yeah I can understand that, obviously although auto's are available the controls are the same way round as here in the UK it is only the gear change that is different and I really don't fancy trying a right hand gear movement.

Buses in the UK should be as cheap as Jeepney's, but that day will never be seen again. Saying that long distance buses in the UK are incredible value.