How to get from Manila to Sagada
Why visit Sagada?
Sagada is a famed tourist destination in the Philippines’ Mountain Province. Popular among locals for its sea of clouds and romantic laidback vibe, group tours and motorbike road trips to Sagada are common on weekends. We recommend visiting on a weekday if it fits your schedule.
The hanging coffins are probably the most iconic attraction in Sagada. But adventurers will also love its lush landscape, limestone caves, and refreshing waterfalls. Interestingly, this small town boasts a wide range of cuisine. Don’t leave without tasting its lemon pie, best paired with Sagada coffee!
What are the 3 ways to travel from Manila to Sagada?
There are 3 ways to travel the 390 kilometre (242 miles) distance from Manila to Sagada. You can choose between the bus, private transport and flight via Tuguegarao. The journey takes 6 hours 40 minutes to 11 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by flight via Tuguegarao. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 1,310 PHP ($21.50).
Manila to Sagada by Bus
When going from Manila to Sagada, the most straightforward option is by bus. You have the option to take a direct bus from Manila to Sagada or to travel via Baguio.
We think the 11-hour journey is already long enough so we will only explain the direct route.
Tourist vs VIP bus
Buses operating on the Manila to Sagada route are classified as either semi-deluxe (tourist) or super deluxe (VIP). The VIP buses only have 35 seats while the tourist buses have 45. We recommend the VIP bus, especially for taller passengers, because they provide more legroom.
During peak season, book your ticket at least a week before via BookAway for a higher chance of securing a seat on your desired date.
Departure station
The most popular bus company on this route is Coda Lines, offering daily night trips from Coda Lines Terminal in Cubao, about 10 km north of Makati.
A taxi from Makati to Cubao costs around 250 PHP ($4.10) and takes about 30 minutes. You can also take the MRT to Araneta Center-Cubao Station — it’s just a 10-minute walk from there to the bus terminal.
Note: You should arrive at the terminal at least 30 minutes prior to departure.
Bus Schedule from Manila to Sagada
Arrival station
The bus will make a stopover in Banaue and then continue to Sagada. You will be dropped off at Sagada Bus Stop, near Sagada Municipal Hall in the town centre. Depending on where you’re staying in Sagada, you may have to take a local transfer to reach your hotel.
Manila to Sagada by Flight via Tuguegarao
To avoid the 11-hour bus ride, you can book a flight from Manila to Tuguegarao Airport (TUG) or Cauayan Airport (CYZ). The distance from Tuguegarao Airport to Sagada is 185 km while Cauayan Airport is 210 km to Sagada.
Flight times are pretty much the same from both airports, so it really comes down to cost and convenience. Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:
Flight via Tuguegarao: Flying from Manila to Tuguegarao usually costs around 1,640 PHP ($27). From Tuguegarao Airport, you can take a taxi to Sagada for about 3,000 PHP ($49.50). The total journey takes around 6 hours 40 minutes to 8 hours 10 minutes.
Flight via Cauayan: Flights from Manila to Cauayan are slightly more expensive, at around 1,750 PHP ($29). From Cauayan Airport, a taxi to Sagada will cost about 3,500 PHP ($58). The total travel time takes roughly 6 hours 20 minutes to 8 hours 5 minutes.
Flying via Tuguegarao is the more common route. Below, we’ll guide you through how to travel from Manila to Sagada via Tuguegarao.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: Manila City Centre to Manila Airport
The easiest way to get to Manila Airport from anywhere in Metro Manila is by Grab car. Rates start from 230 PHP ($3.80) to Terminal 3 and 370 PHP ($6.10) to Terminal 2, depending on where you’re coming from. You can also hail a taxi from the street. Just make sure the driver turns on the meter!
If you want to pre-book your transfer, Klook offers private rides with prices from 1,170 PHP ($19.30) for a 4-seater.
Alternatively, UBE Express operates point-to-point buses to several locations across Metro Manila to Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Here are the ticket prices:
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- 150 PHP ($2.50) – from Pasay, Parañaque and Robinsons Manila
- 200 PHP ($3.30) – from Araneta City and Alabang
Check out our guide for Manila Airport for more details.
Step 2: Manila to Tuguegarao by Flight
Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines (PAL) operate four daily flights from Manila to Tuguegarao Airport (TUG).
The flights depart from Manila Airport Terminal 2 and 3 at 06:15, 08:20, 10:20 and 12:45. Flight time is 1h 10m.
If you book early, one-way flights can go for as low as 1,640 PHP ($27). You might score an even cheaper fare during seat sales.
Step 3: Tuguegarao to Sagada by Taxi
Once you arrive at Tuguegarao Airport, you can take a taxi to get directly to Sagada. It’s not cheap, but you’re assured of a comfortable 5h-6h car ride. A taxi to Sagada costs about 3,000 PHP ($49.50) . If there are other travellers to share this cost with, that would be a bonus and save you money!
You can also take a bus but it doesn’t go all the way to Sagada. The bus only takes you to the junction in Banaue. From Banaue, you have to hop on a van to Sagada. Note that this indirect option might take about 6 hours. Read how to go from Banaue to Sagada for more info.
Manila to Sagada by Private Transport
A private transport is the easiest and most convenient option when travelling in a group from Manila to Sagada. The journey takes 9 hours, and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation — no need to worry about extra transfers.
Prices for private transfer start at 22,000 PHP ($355) for a 3-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about 7,200 PHP ($120) each.
Private Transport options from Manila to Sagada
You can also rent a car if you don’t mind driving through the mountain province, but bear in mind that it can be quite dangerous. Roads are not well-lit at night and have a lot of bends.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Manila to Sagada. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Frequently Asked Questions about Manila to Sagada
What is the distance from Manila to Sagada?
The distance from Manila to Sagada is 390 kilometre (242 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Manila to Sagada?
The fastest way to get from Manila to Sagada is by flight via Tuguegarao and takes 6 hours 40 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Manila to Sagada?
The cheapest way to get from Manila to Sagada is by bus with ticket costs starting from 1,310 PHP ($21.50).
Abby is a writer who finds joy in mountains, beaches, and road trips. She considers her solo backpacking trip to the rice terraces of Bontoc one of the most fulfilling moments in her life. She’s loyal to the islands of her home country, the Philippines, but Thailand’s beaches also have a special place in her heart.
Faye is a writer and full-time mom. She loves planning trips to the beach, tasting new cuisines and discovering gems in the Philippines. But if she had to choose, London is her favourite place in the world and she can't wait to travel there again with her hubby and baby!
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
