What to expect when visiting 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!
4 ways to get from Banaue to Sagada
There are four ways to travel the distance of 85 km (53 miles) from Banaue to Sagada: by bus (3 hours), private transfer (3 hours), van (3 hours) and jeepney (4 hours). The journey takes between 3-4 hours and the quickest way is by bus. The lowest priced tickets start from 300 PHP ($5.00) for the van.Banaue to Sagada by Van
You should be able to find vans departing for Sagada from the Banaue Tourism Office every morning. These vans often depart between 08:00 in the morning to 12:00 noon.
There are no specific schedules, which is why we recommend that you talk to the van drivers beforehand, at least a day before your desired departure. If you spend time in the town centre or around the public market, chances are there will be a van driver who will approach you to offer a ride at least once.
Reserve a seat if you can, or ask the driver for a specific time of departure. Make sure it’s a shared van and not a private van, which will most probably be 10x more expensive.
A shared van ride from Banaue to Sagada costs around 300 PHP ($5.00). This van journey takes about 3 hours, including one or two stops at a tourist spot along the way.
Ela’s insider tip: Vans in the Philippines don’t have much legroom and can be a bit cramped for taller passengers. If you’re looking for more comfort, we recommend taking the bus instead.
Departure and arrival station
Vans are parked near the Municipal Tourism Center in Banaue town centre.
Same as the buses, you will also be dropped off at the bus stop in Sagada’s town centre.
Alternative: Van + Jeep from Banaue to Sagada via Bontoc
Banaue and Sagada are definitely the two more popular destinations in the Philippines’ northern region. Often forgotten is the nearby town of Bontoc, the capital of the Mountain Province, and home to natural wonders like Mt. Kupapey and Maligcong Rice Terraces.
If you miss the direct van from Banaue to Sagada or you just want to make a stop in the more laid-back town of Bontoc, then you can also take a combined van and jeepney ride.
Bontoc is 60 km away from Banaue. You can catch a van to Bontoc in Banaue’s town centre for only 150 PHP ($2.60). The trip takes about 2 hours.
When you’re ready to go to Sagada, you can take a jeepney like a local. Jeepneys are parked in Bontoc’s town centre, and locals can easily point you in the right direction. The jeepney ride takes 1 hour and costs 50 PHP ($0.80).
Jeepneys from Bontoc to Sagada are available from 06:30 to 13:00, sometimes up to 17:00. Also here, there are no fixed schedules. It’s best to ask the jeepney drivers for the latest departure times before exploring Bontoc, so you don’t miss the last trip.
Travel time by combined van and jeepney takes around 3 hours, excluding the transfer time in Bontoc. Fares start at 200 PHP ($3.50).
Another way to get from Bontoc to Sagada is by bus, but there is only one bus available daily. The bus departs from Bontoc town centre at 12:00 and a ticket costs 120 PHP ($2.10).
Banaue to Sagada by Bus
The bus is spacious and convenient, but there are only early morning departures from Banaue to Sagada. Travel time is around 3 hours and bus ticket prices start from 350 PHP ($6.00).
Coda Lines is the sole bus operator for the Banaue-Sagada route. The bus departs from Manila, makes a short stop in Banaue, and continues on to Sagada.
There are two buses from Manila that make a stop in Banaue daily, both between 06:00 to 06:30 in the morning. It’s best to arrive at the bus stop before 06:00 so you don’t miss your ride.
Departure and arrival station
Buses depart from the Banaue Tourism Center.
From here, the buses continue to Sagada Bus Stop right in the town centre. This bus stop is within walking distance from the Municipal Tourism Center of Sagada.
Bus schedule from Banaue to Sagada
You can book your tickets by sending a message via the Coda Lines Facebook page, where they’re very responsive. The schedule has been changing quite a lot during the pandemic, so we suggest double-checking the schedule on their page.
Banaue to Sagada by Jeepney
There is one jeepney trip operating daily from Banaue to Sagada. This jeep departs from the Banaue Tourism Office every day at 08:00 in the morning. Its departure time can change without prior notice, so we recommend confirming the latest schedule at the tourism office the day before you depart for Sagada.
You can get a jeepney seat for 250 PHP ($4.40).
As the cheapest direct mode of transport between the two mountainous towns, this is also the option preferred by locals. It’s best to arrive at the tourism centre 30 minutes before departure time for a better chance of getting a seat.
The jeepney ride from Banaue to Sagada takes about 4 hours.
Alternative: Banaue to Sagada by Private Jeepney
Are you travelling in a big group? Or perhaps, you’ve already made a lot of friends in Banaue? Most jeepney drivers will agree to take you to Sagada from Banaue for a fixed price. That’s around 4,000 PHP ($70.00) for the entire jeep.
If you can get at least 10 passengers, then that’s only 400 PHP ($7.00) per person.
The jeepney is the traditional mode of transport in the Philippines. This open-air vehicle is actually an exciting way to go around the breezy mountains in the region. Because this is a private ride, the jeepney driver often indulges passengers with a stop at a local restaurant or the best viewpoint along the way.
Banaue to Sagada by Private Transfer
If budget is not a problem, you can take an air-conditioned private transfer from Banaue to Sagada. Prices start from 4,500 PHP ($80.00) for a 4-seater car.
The advantage of hiring your own ride is that you can have a flexible schedule. You won’t have to depart from Banaue early in the morning — because most buses, vans and jeepneys leave for Sagada before noon.
Also, with a private car, you can make short stops along the way. It’s a scenic ride from Banaue to Sagada, and you’ll most probably want to stop for photos more than once!
Where to get a private transfer from Banaue to Sagada
When looking for a private transfer, we suggest asking for assistance from your accommodation in Banaue or Sagada. They should be able to recommend trusted drivers.
Compare prices and don’t be afraid to haggle. Some local operators try to overcharge foreign tourists here. So if their prices are way beyond 4,500 PHP ($80.00) for a private car, you are being ripped off.
Frequently Asked Questions about Banaue to Sagada
What is the distance from Banaue to Sagada?
The distance from Banaue to Sagada is 85 km (53 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Banaue to Sagada?
The fastest way to get from Banaue to Sagada is by bus and takes 3 hours.
What is the cheapest way to get from Banaue to Sagada?
The cheapest way to get from Banaue to Sagada is by van with ticket costs starting from 300 PHP ($5.00).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Banaue 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!
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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.
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.
How easy is it to find van drivers?
Hi! Finding a van driver in Banaue is quite easy. Vans are parked outside the Banaue Public Market every morning, and drivers will likely approach you around this area to offer you a ride. See the van rates in our article to get an idea of the van prices. If you prefer a more reliable option that you can book in advance, we recommend informing the Banaue Tourism Center or your hotel. Safe travels!