The Philippines is known for its beautiful beaches and the tropical activities you can do all year round that we sometimes forget that the country is not just made of beaches and bodies of water. In fact, it also has mountain ranges and summits with an incredible view. If you are looking for a place to visit in the Philippines apart from the beach, Sagada is one of the most beautiful mountain towns that you can explore. Here’s how you can get from Manila to Sagada in different ways.
Related Read: How to Plan Your Trip to the Philippines : The Best Travel Guide
Where is Sagada?
Sagada is a town in the Mountain Province located approximately 387.6 kilometers away from Manila. It is in the northern part of the Philippines. It is one of the most popular destinations close to the city if people want a serene vacation. Usually, tourists from Baguio or Manila go all the way to Sagada to extend their vacation or vice-versa.
Did you know? Sagada was once hailed as one of the hidden gems in the North. However, with the rising popularity of this town, it is probably not that hidden anymore. There are now a lot of ways to get from Manila to Sagada by bus or private transportation and we have listed them all down below.
Don’t know where to stay in Sagada? Check cheap hotels here.
When to Visit Sagada?
Sagada is located in the Mountainous area of the Philippines and it is best visited during colder season. Sagada is famous for its hanging coffins, and many activities that people can do. You can either go trekking, exploring both caves and waterfalls, spelunking, bonfires, picnics, rappelling, visiting historical sites, nature hikes, and participating in tribal celebrations. The best time to visit Sagada is from November to February. It is when the weather is cool and dry with nice temperatures.
Manila to Sagada at a Glance
How do I get from Manila to Sagada?
You can get from Manila to Sagada by bus or by private car. You can book your tickets here.
Is Sagada worth visiting?
Yes, Sagada offers a combination of serenity and exciting mountain adventures.
What is Manila to Sagada travel time?
Manila to Sagada travel time is approximately 12 hours.
How much is the bus fare from Manila to Sagada?
A regular Manila to Sagada bus fare ranges from PHP800 to 1200.
How far is Sagada from Manila?
The road distance between Manila and Sagada is 387.6 kilometers.
Comparison of ways to get from Manila to Sagada
| Ways to get from Manila to Sagada | Price | Manila to Sagada bus schedule | Check Rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Codalines | PHP 907 (USD 19) | 9:00 PM 10:00 PM | BOOK HERE |
| Ohayami Trans | PHP 450 (USD 9) | 9:00 PM 10:00 PM | BOOK HERE |
| Victory Liner | PHP 485 (USD 10) | Buses are available 24/7 | Book Here |
| Private Car Rental | PHP 25000 (USD 520) | Flexible time | BOOK HERE |
Manila to Sagada by Bus
There are two Manila to Sagada bus companies that have direct trips to Sagada. They usually depart in the evening and arrive in Sagada early morning the next day. These are Codalines and Ohayami Trans. Regardless of which bus you’re taking, Manila to Sagada bus travel hours is approximately 12 hours. Check bus schedules here.
Direct Manila to Sagada bus (Codalines)
Codalines offers direct buses from Manila to Sagada. It has been operating for the past 30 years and its popular destinations are Sagada, Bontoc, and Banaue. Their Manila to Sagada bus schedule starts at 9:00 PM while its last trip is at 10:00 PM. Codalines’ Manila to Sagada bus fare depends on the type of bus you’re taking. A VIP Bus costs PHP 1099 or USD 23. Meanwhile, a cheaper option which is the Tourist bus starts at PHP 907 or USD 19. Book your ticket here and be sure to arrive at the terminal at least 30 minutes before departure.
This is one of the most convenient options if you want to arrive directly in Sagada. However, it is also one of the most in-demand ways that is why tickets run out very fast.
Where is the Codalines Bus terminal?
Codalines bus terminal is located in Quezon city, Manila.
How to go to Codalines Terminal?
The best way to go to Codalines Terminal is to take a taxi or Grab taxi.
Manila to Sagada bus via Banaue (Ohayami Trans)
Another Manila to Sagada bus option is by taking the Ohayami bus bound for Banaue. This bus company might sound like a Japanese company but in reality, it is just the family name of the owner that is spelled backward. Ohayami is one of the top if not the only company with Manila to Banaue bus routes.
Ohayami’s Manila to Banaue bus schedule departs at 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM from the terminal and arrives at around 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM in Banaue. Once in Banaue, you can hail a van to Sagada. They are usually parked at the terminal near the Banaue Tourism Office and depart at 9:00 AM.
For this Manila to Sagada bus fare, it’ll cost a total of PHP 840 (USD 17) and there’s only one type of bus you can choose from. You can book your ticket here too.
Manila to Sagada bus fare via Banaue
| Bus to Banaue | PHP 800 |
| Van to Sagada | PHP 400 |
| TOTAL | PHP 1200 |
Manila to Sagada bus schedule via Banaue
- 9:00 PM
- 10:00 PM
Terminal: Cor. Fajardo St., Lacson Ave, Sampaloc, Manila
Manila to Sagada bus via Baguio
On the other hand, you can also take a bus to Sagada via Baguio but this also requires changing a bus and terminal when you reach Baguio City. There are a lot of bus companies with Manila to Baguio route but one of the most popular is Victory Liner because they have buses to Baguio all day. You can also choose among their Regular Aircon buses, First-class buses, and Deluxe buses. Check bus schedules here.
Once in Baguio, you will have to take a taxi or jeep from the Victory Liner Terminal to GL Liner Terminal or in Lizardo Transit Terminal. Either of these two, you can catch a bus to Sagada. Just be sure to arrive before lunch because the last trip to Sagada departs at 1 PM. It takes approximately 5 to 6 hours from Baguio to Sagada.
Victory Liner has terminals in Cubao, Pasay, Sampaloc, and Caloocan. You can book your Victory Liner bus tickets online now here.
Manila to Sagada by Car
If you are traveling in a group and you prefer to hire a private car to take you to Sagada, you can also book here. The advantage of this is that you can travel any time of the day. It is also more convenient to travel with a private service. If you hate long drives, you also don’t have to worry because most of these rental services already include a driver.
How to go back from Sagada to Manila
Going back from Sagada to Manila, you can take the same buses you took on your way there. If you want a direct trip to Manila, Codalines offer trips going to its terminal in NLET.
Direct bus from Sagada to Manila
This bus company is the most trusted when it comes to direct Manila to Sagada bus and vice versa. However, they only have few trips scheduled in the day so be sure to book with them in advance. They depart from Sagada Bus Terminal and arrive at 2 AM the next day in NLET.
Codalines bus schedule from Sagada to Manila
- 1:00 PM
On the other hand, you can also go to Banaue or Baguio and then take a bus to Manila.
Sagada to Manila via Baguio
You can take a GL Trans Bus or Lizardo Bus from Sagada to Baguio. These buses depart early in the morning until 1 PM. Once in Baguio, you can hail a cab to Victory Liner Terminal and take the bus to Manila.
Sagada to Baguio bus schedules
- 5:00 AM
- 7:00 AM
- 8:00 AM
- 9:00 AM
- 10:00 AM
- 11:30 AM
- 1:00 PM
Sagada to Manila via Banaue
You can also go to Banaue from Sagada and take the bus to Manila. You can even take this opportunity to do a side trip to Banaue or Bontoc. To get to Banaue, you need to take a 45-minute jeepney ride to Bontoc and then from Bontoc, you need to ride a van or bus to Banaue. The travel time takes around 3 hours from Bontoc to Banaue.
Ohayami bus schedule from Banaue to Manila
- 6:30 PM
- 6:45 PM
Time and schedule of these departures may change without prior notice. You can book online most of the tickets for those buses but make sure to monitor their travel restrictions too.
Do you have a place to stay in Sagada? Here’s our list of best accommodation and hotels to stay in Sagada.
Did we miss anything else? Let us know in the comments!
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Don’t know how to start planning your Philippines trip? You can start here.
You can also read more about travel guides to Banaue and Sagada here.
Traveling around the world one baby step at a time. On a normal week, I juggle the life of a Software Engineer and a small business owner. I also write stories about my experiences while traveling– the adventures and the misadventures.
