Get in

Makati City has some of the strictest traffic rules in Metro Manila. Traffic marshalls actively enforce rules. This means that you can't tell your bus to let you on or off anywhere within its route except at designated stops. Moreover, the colour coding scheme is active all day unlike in other neighbouring cities when they are only enforced during rush hour.

By train

The Metro Rail Transit (MRT) elevated train has four stations along the main thoroughfare Epifanio De los Santos Avenue (commonly abbreviated as EDSA). These are the Guadalupe, Buendia, Ayala and Magallanes stations. Getting off at the Ayala Station will set you in the middle of the Ayala Centre, a complex of shopping malls and restaurants.

The MRT is a quick and inexpensive way to get into the city. The cost of an MRT ticket ranges from 11 to 14 pesos.

The Manila Train Guide is a useful app that has a map and tips on how to use the train system.

By car

Two of Metro Manila's main arteries pass through Makati. The Epifanio De los Santos Avenue (EDSA) passes along the southeast part of Makati and connects the city with Mandaluyong City and Pasay City. The South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) runs through the western part of Makati and connects the city with Manila to the north and with southern Metro Manila. The Skyway, an elevated highway built on top of SLEX, provides residents coming from southern Metro Manila a fast way to reach Makati. SLEX and EDSA intersect at the Magallanes Interchange, which is the most complex system of elevated roadways in Metro Manila.

Other major roads in Makati include Buendia Avenue (Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue), which connects with EDSA and SLEX in the north; Ayala Avenue, an important street that runs through the Central Business District; and Makati Avenue, which connects Ayala Avenue with Buendia Avenue and also extends north to cross the Pasig River to Mandaluyong City.

By bus

Buses plying the Epifanio De los Santos Avenue (EDSA) route from Baclaran in Paranaque to Quezon City and Caloocan City pass through the Central Business District daily. As mentioned above, you can't load or unload just anywhere, you have to wait or go to the designated stops. There are separate loading and unloading zones which you must observe.

By river ferry

The Pasig River Ferry [57] service is back, with the Guadalupe terminal in Makati currently operational. Though it may not be exactly in a convenient spot for tourists, it's a great alternative route to Makati—especially to the Rockwell area—from other riverside districts such as Intramuros in Manila.

Get around

One can easily walk around the Central Business District by way of the sidewalks or the new pedestrian underpasses. Driving around the city is also possible. Some areas in the Central Business District are connected with overpasses where pedestrians can walk above the streets.

Taxis are also abundant. The flat rate is 40 pesos and a ride across town ranges from 100 to 150 pesos; to Ermita, 200 to about 250 pesos; to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, 200 to about 300 pesos.

Airport taxis fall in two categories: Metered and Flat-Fee.