The city of Manila has several distinctions: it is the capital of the Philippines, it is one of the oldest cities in the world, it is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, and it is a beautiful city in many ways. The impressive architecture from the Spanish colonial era is still standing, mixed with a few modern skyscrapers that tower over the city. If you are passing through Manila on your way to somewhere else, stop for a few days and enjoy this metropolis before continuing. Continuing the tour, you can go to many places in the Philippines, such as Tacloban, which was the capital of the country for a short time. It is said that the happiest people in the world live here, so you will surely receive a warm welcome. There are colonial buildings, parks and much more to discover. In addition, Tacloban is the gateway to Western Visayas where you will find many unique things to see and do. Read on to find out how to travel from Manila to Tacloban.
Travel options from Manila to Tacloban
The route from Manila to Tacloban is quite popular despite the distance between the two cities. Even if the journey is by plane, the distance in a straight line is 573 km, and several straits of water are overcome. It is possible to go by road, even though it is on different islands, because there is a ferry, which is considered part of the road network, and several bridges that save these water straits. This means that you can travel by bus, although it is a very long journey. Flights are much faster and not overly expensive. We’ll give you all the information below so you can decide.
Flights from Manila to Tacloban
Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Cebu Pacific on the runway © Rainier Martin Ampongan / Shutterstock.com
When covering such a long distance and overcoming several reservoirs, the plane seems to be the most reasonable solution. Flights are usually much more expensive than other transport options. For a trip like Manila to Tacloban, the plane is definitely a good option and surprisingly not much more expensive than traveling by bus.
There are three airlines that serve the Manila to Tacloban route: Cebu Pacific, Philippines AirAsia, and Philippine Airlines, which is always good for those interested in this route. With three companies competing for the business, prices are relatively low. All three airlines have multiple daily departures, so there are plenty of flight options to choose from from Manila to Tacloban. As you can see, air travel on this route is quite flexible and you should have no problem finding a flight that suits your travel plans.
The greatest advantage of an airplane is the speed at which it moves. The flight time is only 1.5 hours. Compared to the tiring bus journey discussed below, this is a great option to get to Tacloban in no time.
In Manila, flights depart from Ninoy Aquino International Airport. It’s not far from the city center, but with the inevitable traffic in Manila, it can take a while to get to the proper terminal. Therefore, it is good to have plenty of time to get to the airport. Despite this minor inconvenience, if you add a few hours to get to the airport, go through security, and then drive from Tacloban airport to the hotel, the journey will still be shorter than by bus.
Tacloban Airport is often known as Tacloban City Airport, although its official name is Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport. Jeepneys and taxis will be available to the city.
From Manila to Tacloban by bus
If you are still interested in taking the bus from Manila to Tacloban, keep reading. Technically, traveling by bus would save some money, but not much. If we compare the cheapest air ticket with the cheapest bus ticket, the savings will amount to no more than 10 euros. But if you have to count every euro you spend on your trip, you also need to consider that traveling by bus on this route saves you the cost of a hotel night. In addition, you can also save some money in Manila as the trip to the airport can be more expensive than the trip to the bus station. In Tacloban, the bus stops at more central locations, which can save you the cost of traveling into the city from the airport.
But do you really want to spend so many hours on the bus? Depending on the selected bus company and where you start and end your journey, the shortest scheduled journey time is 23 hours and 20 minutes. This means that you will basically spend at least one day on the bus. But for some companies, the journey can take up to 26 hours. Even though the buses stop and the journey includes the ferry crossing discussed above, the total duration still makes the bus a cumbersome option. The biggest disadvantage is that they are standard buses with normal seats, not buses with reclining seats or beds, which is important if you are considering this option.
If you’re still interested in taking the bus from Manila to Tacloban anyway, there are several bus companies you can book your ticket with. Check out the website 12Go.asiawhere tickets can be booked in advance with DLTBCo and Pintados. Pintados is usually a bit more expensive, but its buses are better equipped and have Wi-Fi.
It is possible to book tickets from Manila to Tacloban through 12Go, both by plane and by bus. On this page, you can compare prices and services for each option, and read reviews from other travelers before making your decision. Although you can see more landscapes by bus than by plane, traveling by car is tiring and since there is not much difference in price, we believe that flying is the best option.