Best Apps for Philippines Travel at a Glance
Having the best apps for Philippines travel on your phone makes hopping between tropical islands a breeze. Here are the top tools to download before you fly.
| Category | Our Recommendation |
|---|---|
|
Entry & Immigration Pass |
eGov PH |
|
Ride-Hailing & Cabs |
Grab |
|
Metro Transit Routing |
Sakay.ph |
|
Inter-Island Ferries |
Barkota |
|
Dining Deals & Menus |
Booky |
|
Luggage Storage |
Bounce |
|
Weather & Storm Safety |
UP NOAH |
1. eGov PH
eGov PH is the official government app for completing the QR code required before arriving at Ninoy Aquino International Airport or other international ports of entry. Both arriving visitors and departing foreign tourists must complete the eTravel declaration via the app before passing through immigration at Philippine ports of entry.
- Traveler Registration: Saves your passport details and flight info so you can submit your form in seconds.
- Pass Generation: Creates a clear QR code on your screen for immigration officers to scan.
- Health Form: Lets you quickly answer standard health questions before your flight lands.
2. Grab
Grab is one of the essential travel apps for Philippines because it provides ride-hailing services with upfront pricing and cashless payments in major cities. It shows your fare before you confirm the booking.
- Upfront Pricing: Locks in your exact trip cost before you hit confirm.
- Card Charges: Pays your driver automatically using your linked international credit or debit card.
- Live Location Tracking: Follows your driver's route on the map so you know when they are arriving.
3. Sakay.ph
Sakay.ph is a useful transit-planning tool for getting around Metro Manila, combining public transportation routes such as trains and jeepneys. It mixes elevated trains, commuter vans, and traditional jeepneys into one easy-to-follow route, showing where to board and how much the trip costs.
- Multi-Modal Paths: Combines trains, jeepneys, and express vans into one seamless trip plan.
- Fare Calculator: Shows you the exact cash amount you need for your ride.
- Step-by-Step Directions: Leads you right to the specific street corner where local rides stop.
4. Barkota
Barkota stands out among Philippines travel apps by pulling together schedules from major shipping companies, letting you compare ferry times and lock in e-tickets for inter-island trips. It helps you avoid waiting in long ticket lines at ferry terminals.
- Vessel Search: Compares sailing times and routes across primary commercial ferry operators.
- Ticket Booking: Confirms your ferry seats and sends e-ticket reservation codes straight to your device.
- Schedule Updates: Displays real-time departure timetables for coastal routes.
Fast local data, zero roaming surprises. Order your SimCorner eSIM or SIM card before you fly.
5. Booky
Booky is a dining app focused on restaurant discovery and deals in Metro Manila, helping travelers find local dining spots and discounts at participating restaurants.
- Bill Savings: Offers discounts of up to fifty percent at participating restaurants when you pay your bill.
- Restaurant Discovery: Helps you find restaurants, view restaurant information, and discover available deals and promotions.
- Location Finder: Shows participating restaurants and cafés near your location on an easy-to-use map.
6. Bounce
Bounce connects you with vetted local hotels and retail shops where you can store your heavy bags near busy transit hubs. Because public luggage lockers are not widely available at many transport hubs, it allows you to store your bags safely while you explore hands-free.
- Vetted Locations: Finds verified shops and hotels offering luggage storage near major transit points.
- Simple Check-In: Uses a quick code scan to drop off and retrieve your luggage.
- Bag Protection: Provides baseline guarantee coverage for your stored items.
7. UP NOAH
UP NOAH provides live rain radar, flood warnings, and storm surge updates, making it one of the most useful apps to use in Philippines coastal regions during the tropical wet season.
- Rainfall Radar: Displays live rainfall activity across different parts of the country.
- Flood Hazards: Identifies flood-prone areas during periods of heavy rainfall.
- Storm Tracking: Monitors active typhoons so you can plan your travel safely.
BONUS RECOMMENDATION
Power Your Apps for Philippines Travel with SimCorner
SimCorner provides prepaid mobile data through physical SIM cards and eSIMs for use in the Philippines.
- Prepaid Data Allowances: Pick high-speed data packages built for your trip duration without worrying about hidden roaming bills.
- Dual Format Access: Choose between physical SIM cards or instant electronic eSIMs depending on your phone.
- Local Network Access: Connect to available mobile networks such as Globe and Smart, depending on the plan.
- Simple Top-Ups: Easily add extra high-speed data to your active eSIM if you decide to extend your stay.
To keep all your travel apps running across every beach and city, buy a SimCorner plan before your trip. Set up your physical SIM or eSIM before you leave, activate your data when you arrive, or buy top-up data directly from the official website.
