If you are visiting the Philippines and want to see some of the best places in the country, you will certainly start your journey in the capital, Manila. Overflowing with colonial influences, this wonderful city is always crowded and can keep you busy for weeks. But if you want to get out of the city, do you know where to go? One of the most popular tourist destinations easily accessible from Manila is Batangas Province. Here you will find fantastic beaches and diving spots, as well as a unique landscape with the Taal Volcano and the nearby Taal Heritage Town. With this combination of beaches, small islands, scenery and culture, it’s no wonder Batangas is such a popular destination. Read on to find out how to get from Manila to Batangas.
Manila Traffic © aldarinho / Shutterstock.com
Travel options from Manila to Batangas
Batangas province is located near the city of Manila, so the provincial border can be reached in a short time from the capital. But you will definitely go to the same city of Batangas, which is located in the south of the province. It is an important seaside and port city. The distance from the center of Manila to the city of Batangas is 110 kilometers. Wherever you go in Batangas, you’ll find it’s not too far from Manila. Buses and taxis are the two most popular ways to travel from Manila to Batangas. Buses have the advantage of being cheaper, but taxis are much faster. We tell you the details of the two options.
From Manila to Batangas by bus
The cheapest option to travel from Manila to Batangas is ideal if you want to save money. Without a doubt, the bus is the cheapest option, especially when compared to taxis. If you are used to traveling by bus in other Southeast Asian countries, bus prices in the Philippines may surprise you. Buses offer very basic services, so don’t expect fancy seats or special services. But traveling by bus in the Philippines is more expensive than, for example, in countries such as Thailand.
So why choose a bus from Manila to Batangas? Even though it is more expensive than other countries, traveling by bus is still much cheaper than the other alternative, i.e. a taxi, so you can save some money. Depending on where you start your trip in Manila and where you go in Batangas, it will take approximately 2.5 hours to cover the route. Therefore, although it is not particularly comfortable, it is enough for such an expedition.
You can book tickets with a private bus company online 12Go.asia. Here you can find tickets for travel with Pintados, a company offering one daily departure from Manila to Batangas. The bus departs at 10:00 AM from EDSA Cubao, a major transportation terminal east of Manila City, and arrives at Tanauan City at 12:30 PM. Tanauan is a good place to stop as it’s close to Taal Lake and the volcano, so it’s the perfect place to explore this area of Batangas.
This is a practical option as it is a direct service. Still, if you want to take a look at other alternatives that will also save you money, find out about public bus services. These buses do not depart directly from Manila, but to catch them you need to go to Gil Puyat LRT, go to the Jam Liner Buendia bus terminal and take the bus from there. These buses go to the city of Batangas, although it is possible to get off at previous stops.
From Manila to Batangas by Taxi
View from the passenger seat of a Manila taxi © Spectral-Design / Shutterstock.com
We know that taxis are more expensive than buses. However, if you want to take advantage of the benefits of speed and comfort they offer, taxis are the perfect option. The biggest advantage of a taxi is that it can offer a door-to-door service. They can pick you up from anywhere in Manila and drive you to your hotel in Batangas or anywhere in the province.
Schedules also make taxis much more convenient to get from Manila to Batangas as you can choose exactly what time to leave Manila. This way you can organize a trip without having to follow bus schedules.
You can book private taxis through 12Go. When looking for options to get from Manila to Batangas, you’ll see results for taxis and buses, so you can compare the two services and their prices. You can book a taxi to take you from Manila Airport or from your hotel in the city, as well as to Batangas City or any other destination in the region.
We recommend booking a private taxi from Manila to Batangas with taxi company Anis Trans Service through 12Go. You will be able to choose from two different vehicle options. If there are only two people, an economy taxi will suffice. However, if you are traveling with a group, you can book a van for nine passengers. This way, by dividing the total cost among all travelers, the price per person will be quite affordable.
Taking a taxi saves some time compared to the bus. Depending on where you start and end your journey, the drive time from Manila to Batangas will be between 2 and 2.5 hours. In addition, by taking a taxi you will avoid having to walk to the train station or bus stop. As you can see, traveling by taxi saves you a lot of time and inconvenience. Ultimately, the decision you make will have to do with your budget. The bus is cheaper, but if you go with friends or family and book a taxi for several passengers, the price per person can be cheaper than a bus ticket.