If you’re planning a visit to the Philippines, your journey will likely start in the bustling capital, Manila. It is one of the oldest and most densely populated cities in the world. Manila surprises at every turn with colonial architecture combined with modern skyscrapers. It is a city that attracts lovers of history and culture, but also has a lot to offer families. South of Manila, there are many other cities to explore. If you are looking for a city connected with nature, don’t miss Legazpi. Known as the city of fun and adventure, Legazpi is the gateway to the impressive Mayón Volcano National Park. The volcano can be seen from almost anywhere in the city, but the best way to admire it is on a walking tour. In addition, the city also has a lot to see, such as Japanese tunnels, several beautiful churches and a pleasant promenade. Read on to find out how to get from Manila to Legazpi.
Manila Traffic © aldarinho / Shutterstock.com
Travel options from Manila to Legazpi
In a straight line southeast from Manila to Legazpi, there is a distance of 340 kilometers. It doesn’t seem like a long journey, but the only way to get there in a straight line is by plane. Flights are available from several airlines that offer a daily direct service from Manila to Legazpi. There are many options and while it is the fastest way to travel between the two cities, it is also usually the most expensive. Another viable option is to travel by bus. The road route from Manila to Legazpi is much longer and slower. The bus travels around 490 kilometers, but it’s a cheaper mode of transport than the plane, so it’s worth considering to save money. A more complicated solution would be to take the train, because it does not go to Legazpi, but you have to get off at a certain place to change buses. Since this option is neither cheaper nor faster, we do not recommend choosing this alternative.
Flights from Manila to Legazpi
Passengers boarding a Cebu Pacific flight to Manila at Legazpi Airport © N8Allen / Shutterstock.com
Air travel in some countries can be very expensive, but in the Philippines, a flight from Manila to Legazpi is quite affordable as long as tickets are booked in advance. During our searches, we’ve noticed that if you book weeks in advance, you can find tickets for twice as much as a bus ticket, making flying a viable option even if you’re traveling on a budget.
Three airlines serve this route: Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Cebgo. They all offer several flights a day, so you’ll have at least eight to choose from. Scheduled flight times vary from 1 hour to 1 hour and 25 minutes, but the truth is that they all take about an hour to go from Manila to Legazpi. You can book online with any of these airlines through their travel website 12Go.asia. On this page you will see the results of all available flights and compare prices and schedules. When you book this way, you get instant confirmation.
The main thing to consider if you decide to fly is the extra time it takes to get to the airport and then into the city, as well as safety and waiting. Still, as Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport is a short distance from the city, getting there is quite quick and easy, either by bus or jeepney. When you arrive at Legazpi Airport, you will also be close to the city. Being a small airport, it is located a few kilometers from the center, which makes transport to the hotel easy.
From Manila to Legazpi by bus
Although a plane ticket from Manila to Legazpi is not very expensive, it is true that it costs about twice as much as a bus ticket, although it also depends on the type of bus you are traveling on. Therefore, if you need to save money when traveling to the Philippines, traveling by bus may be a good option. The problem with traveling by bus is that it takes much longer to get to your destination. Seen in this way, money that is not spent on the bus could be a false economy when you consider the hours lost on vacation. But traveling by bus has one more advantage, namely that on the road you can admire the landscape of the Philippines in peace, which would be missing on the plane.
Another advantage of traveling by bus is that there are many companies that operate this route with several trips per day. While there are plenty of options, we recommend booking in advance, especially if you’re planning to travel during peak season. But we know that’s not always possible, especially if you’re traveling planning a trip. In this case, traveling by bus makes more sense than traveling by plane, as flight prices tend to skyrocket as the departure date approaches. On the other hand, the bus allows you to book a ticket for the same price, even if you buy it on the same day of travel. You just have to make sure there are seats available or you’ll have to be more flexible with departure times and dates.
Different bus companies have different departure points on the Manila-Legazpi route, which can be a deciding factor when booking. As Manila is a very large and busy city, it is recommended that you get off at a stop close to where you are. In this way, you will avoid having to drive miles around the city before starting your journey.
The advantage is that if you search and book tickets through 12Go, you will be able to see all the options available from the different bus companies. This makes it possible to compare timetables, prices and departure points to make the best decision. Companies operating the Manila to Legazpi bus route include Penafrancia Tours, Isarog Line, Legaspi St Jude Transport Lines and DLTBCo. Check what type of bus each operates, as they offer very different levels of comfort. You’ll find buses ranging from economy non-air-conditioned buses to standard air-conditioned buses, passing through elite buses and sleeper buses. You will be able to see all the details while searching in 12Go.
If you’re short on time and want to get from Manila to Legazpi as soon as possible, it’s better to go by plane and try to book your tickets a few weeks in advance to find good prices. But if you’re in no rush and don’t mind spending 13-15 hours on the bus, you can save money and enjoy the scenery by traveling by road. Of course, check the types of buses you travel on if comfort is an important factor for you.