The Marco Polo Hotel sits right in the heart of Manila’s Malate district, just a short walk from Manila Bay. This centrally-located hotel is a favourite for business travellers and tourists alike, especially those who want to be close to the city’s historic Intramuros, the vibrant nightlife of Malate and Roxas Boulevard, and the shopping districts of Makati.
Renting a car from Marco Polo Hotel is one of the smartest moves you can make in Manila. The city is massive and traffic can be absolutely brutal — relying on public transport or ride-hailing apps during rush hour (which is basically always in Metro Manila) will eat up your time fast. With your own wheels, you control your schedule, you can escape the city for day trips, and you won’t be at the mercy of surge pricing. The hotel has partnerships with several rental companies, and many offer complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off, making the process genuinely convenient.
Picking Up Your Rental Car at Marco Polo Hotel
Most rental companies don’t have a desk inside the Marco Polo Hotel itself, but that’s okay — they’ll pick you up at the hotel entrance on M. Adriatico Street. When you book, make sure to select “hotel pickup” and confirm your flight arrival time if you’re coming from the airport.
Your rental company driver will meet you in the hotel’s drop-off zone (look for the covered area near the main entrance). Have your confirmation email ready on your phone — they’ll often ask to see it. The transfer to their nearby office usually takes 10-15 minutes, where you’ll complete the paperwork, inspect the car, and sign the contract.
If you’re arriving at NAIA Terminals 1, 2, 3, or 4, the hotel is about 20-30 minutes away depending on traffic. Terminal 3 is the busiest and can take longer. Pro tip: if you land early morning or late evening, traffic is lighter and you might be at the hotel within 15 minutes.
Where to Go from Marco Polo Hotel
Once you’ve got your keys, here’s where you can realistically get to:
Makati (Greenbelt, Glorietta): About 20 minutes via EDSA and Gil Puyat Avenue. Watch for the chaotic intersection at Gil Puyat — expect heavy traffic during morning (7-9am) and evening (5-8pm) rush. Parking at Greenbelt costs around 40-60 pesos per hour.
Tagaytay (Taal Volcano viewpoint): This is a popular weekend escape. Take SLEX (South Luzon Expressway) south, then exit at Tagaytay. It’s roughly 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours without traffic. On a Saturday morning, budget 2.5 hours due to the weekend crowd. The scenic drive along Taal Lake is worth it.
Corregidor Island: Take the Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) toward Cavite City, then catch the ferry from Manila. The drive is about 1.5 hours to the ferry terminal. Book your ferry in advance — ferries run on a schedule.
Clark International Airport (CRK): About 1.5 to 2 hours via NLEX (North Luzon Expressway). This is a good option if you’re flying out of Clark instead of NAIA. Toll fees are around 200-300 pesos each way.
Bataan (Mount Samat, Dinalupihan): About 2 to 2.5 hours via NLEX and the Bataan Peninsula. The drive is scenic but the roads are narrower once you leave the expressway.
Tips for Driving in Philippines
Driving in the Philippines isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s absolutely doable if you keep a few things in mind. First: patience. Honking is normal — it’s not aggressive, it’s just how people communicate on the road. Second: expect the unexpected. Jeepneys, tricycles, and motorcycles will weave in and out of traffic, and pedestrians cross wherever they please.
Speed limits are 60 km/h in Metro Manila, 80 km/h on provincial roads, and 100 km/h on expressways like SLEX and NLEX. Speed cameras are active on the expressways, so don’t risk it — fines are steep. Speaking of expressways, you MUST pay tolls in cash or use an Easy Trip RFID. Keep some small bills (20s and 50s) for toll booths.
Fuel stations are easy to find in Metro Manila and along major highways. Unleaded gasoline (95 and 98 octane) is widely available. Diesel is cheaper if you’re in a larger vehicle. Parking in Manila can be tricky — always park in secured lots, especially at malls. Street parking in Malate is risky due to parking attendants who may or may not give you a proper ticket.
Finally: keep your documents on you at all times. Police checkpoints are common, especially when leaving Metro Manila. You’ll need your driver’s license (international driving permit is required if your license isn’t in English) and the rental agreement.
Ready to explore Manila and beyond at your own pace? Browse available cars below and book your rental today — with free hotel pickup, you’ve got nothing to worry about.