Getting Around Valenzuela

Getting Around Valenzuela

Valenzuela sits in the northern part of Metro Manila, and getting around it is mostly a matter of jeepneys, pedicabs and tricycles, with buses handling the longer trips in and out of the city. There is no rail or tram network within Valenzuela itself, so visitors should plan on road-based transport for both arriving and moving between neighbourhoods.

Jeepneys

Jeepneys are the workhorse of local travel and can be found on both major and minor roads across the city. They run on fixed routes with fixed fares, much like buses, which makes them reasonably predictable once you know which route you need.

• Fares are fixed and inexpensive.
• Routes are fixed, so ask locally which jeepney serves your destination.
• If you are coming from the south, jeepneys around Manila run as far as Malanday, Valenzuela.
• If you are coming from the north, jeepneys ply from Malolos down to Malinta, Valenzuela.

Pedicabs and Tricycles

Pedicabs — also called trikes or side-cars — are the best option for short hops and for streets that jeepneys and buses do not cover. They can be found almost anywhere in the city except on the major highways, where they are not permitted.

• Use them for short trips and for reaching side streets off the main routes.
• They fill the gaps left by jeepney and bus routes.
• Agree on the fare with the driver before you set off.

Buses

Buses are the main option for longer journeys into and out of Valenzuela, and the city is served by a small number of city bus routes.

• The Balagtas–Monumento route runs between Caloocan and Balagtas in Bulacan via MacArthur Highway.
• The VGC–Cubao route runs from Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City, via Katipunan, Luzon, Congressional and Mindanao avenues and NLEX.

For provincial buses, the Valenzuela Gateway Complex (VGC) on Maysan Road in Paso de Blas, near the NLEX Paso de Blas exit, is the key terminal. Buses headed for the Malinta (Paso de Blas) area terminate here, and the terminal is expected to receive northbound provincial buses that currently terminate in Manila, Caloocan, Cubao or Pasay. If you are arriving from the provinces, the VGC is likely to be your entry point.

Taxis and Ride-Hailing

Taxis are widely available throughout Metro Manila and Bulacan, and you can simply tell the driver your destination. Fares depend on how far you are travelling, so there is no flat rate to rely on. Other public vehicles bound for Valenzuela, including pedicabs and tricycles, are available from any nearby city as well.

Walkability

Walking is practical for short distances within a neighbourhood, but Valenzuela is a road-based city and the practical way to cover any real distance is by jeepney, pedicab, tricycle or bus. For anything beyond a brief stroll, plan on taking a vehicle.

Getting In from the Airport

Valenzuela has no airport of its own, so visitors arrive via the airports serving Metro Manila and continue by road. Taxis are the most straightforward option: they can be found throughout Metro Manila and Bulacan, and you can take one directly to your destination in Valenzuela, with the fare depending on the distance travelled. Buses are the alternative — the city bus routes and the Valenzuela Gateway Complex connect the city to the wider Metro Manila road network, including Cubao and Caloocan, so you can link up with a bus route once you are in the city.