Manila to La Union in 5-6 hours (2026) – Bus & Private Transport

2 ways to travel from Manila to La Union

There are two ways to travel from Manila to La Union. The journey takes 5h–6h and the quickest way is by private transport. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $11 (640 PHP).

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There are two operators offering direct routes from Manila to La Union: Viron Transit and Partas Transportation Company.

Partas is available for online booking via BookAway. They offer three classes: Luxury, Super Deluxe and Deluxe buses. There's not much difference among these classes — you can expect good legroom and reclining seats whichever bus you take.

You can also book Viron Transit online, directly through its own website.

For this journey from Manila to La Union, we suggest taking a late-night trip. This way, you can avoid heavy traffic during the day and sleep through the trip.

Ticket prices start from $11 (640 PHP) for a journey of 6h - 7h 25m.

Bus schedule from Manila to La Union

6hViron TransitRegularViron Transit Terminal CubaoSan Fernando La Union02:3004:3006:0007:3008:1508:45+12$11640 PHPTickets

7h4mPartas Transportation CompanySuper DeluxePartas Transportation CubaoSan Fernando Partas Bus Terminal21:0022:0023:00From $14830 PHPTickets

7h18mPartas Transportation CompanyDeluxePartas Transportation PasaySan Fernando Partas Bus Terminal09:0013:0016:0019:0020:0022:00+2From $14830 PHPTickets

6hPartas Transportation CompanyDeluxePartas Transportation PasaySan Juan La Union09:0013:0016:0019:0020:0022:00+2From $14860 PHPTickets

7h25mPartas Transportation CompanyDeluxePartas Transportation PasaySebay09:0013:0016:0019:0020:0022:00+2From $14860 PHPTickets

Show all 10 companies

7hPartas Transportation CompanySuper DeluxePartas Transportation CubaoSan Juan La Union21:0022:0023:00From $14870 PHPTickets

7h11mPartas Transportation CompanySuper DeluxePartas Transportation CubaoSebay21:0022:0023:00From $14870 PHPTickets

7h4mPartas Transportation CompanyLuxuryPartas Transportation CubaoSan Fernando Partas Bus Terminal08:0023:55From $171,000 PHPTickets

7h11mPartas Transportation CompanyLuxuryPartas Transportation CubaoSebay08:0023:55From $171,060 PHPTickets

7h12mPartas Transportation CompanyLuxuryPartas Transportation CubaoSan Juan La Union08:0023:55From $171,060 PHPTickets

Bus tickets are available on Bookaway and Viron.

Departure Stations

Buses depart from different terminals, depending on the company of your choice.

Makati is the most popular area in Metro Manila for tourists to stay in, and all bus stations are accessible by Grab or taxi from anywhere in Metro Manila. Fares start from $4.10 (250 PHP).

Partas Transportation Company

Pasay City (5 km from Makati)
Cubao, Quezon City (11 km from Makati)

Viron Transit

EDSA Cubao, Quezon City (12 km from Makati)

Arrival Stations

All buses drop off passengers in San Juan, La Union. You can ask the conductor to drop you off at the San Juan Bus Stop, in front of the municipal hall, about a 5-minute drive from the popular San Juan Beach. If you miss this stop, you can also take a jeepney or a tricycle back to the beach area.

Each bus company also has its own station in La Union.

Partas Transportation Company

Partas buses stop at their station in Partas Bus Terminal in San Fernando, La Union.

Viron Transit

Viron buses park at Viron Transit Terminal in San Fernando, La Union.

If you arrive at any station in San Fernando, you can take a 10 to 15-minute jeepney or tricycle ride to San Juan Beach, the main surfing beach in the area. Fares start from $0.20 (13 PHP) for a jeepney and $3.30 (200 PHP) for a private tricycle ride.

If you arrive at the bus station without reserving a ticket in advance and miss your bus or find it fully booked, don’t worry — you still have some alternative options.

You can take a bus bound for Ilocos or Abra, which will pass La Union on the way. Just let the driver or conductor know you’re getting off at La Union so they can make a brief stop for you.

Besides Partas and Viron Transit, Maria De Leon also operates buses from Manila to Laoag, Ilocos Norte, with fares starting from $9.10 (550 PHP). Tickets can be bought at the respective ticket counter at the bus station.

Travel time is about the same as buses going directly from Manila to La Union, about 6 - 7 hours. The only difference is that these buses continue their journey north after dropping off passengers in La Union.

Departure and arrival stations

Maria De Leon buses leave from Avenida (10 km from Makati) and stop at Bataan Transit Bus Terminal in San Fernando.

La Union

A private transfer from Manila to La Union is the most convenient option. The journey takes about 5h, and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation — no need to worry about extra transfers.

For long-distance trips like this, we don’t recommend hailing just any taxi from the streets.

There are many companies operating private transfers from Manila to pretty much any Province in Luzon. You can ask your hotel for referrals or check out Facebook groups dedicated for private transfers from Manila to La Union.

A private transfer from Manila to La Union costs around $99 (6,000 PHP) for a 4-seater sedan. If you're travelling with a bigger group, an 8-seater van usually costs around $165 (10,000 PHP).

The thing about booking your private ride through Facebook is that it's difficult to find a trusted driver.

You might be able to get more peace of mind with booking platforms like BookAway or Klook, although their rates are a bit more expensive. If you book via BookAway, prices for a private transfer start at $265 (16,000 PHP) for a 3-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about $89 (5,400 PHP) each.

For this particular route, you might find lower prices on Klook (starting from $230 (14,000 PHP)), so it’s worth comparing before you book!

Manila

Klook Private Transport

3 PAX

$230 (14,000 PHP)

$77 (4,650 PHP) per person

Tickets

Anis Transport

Standard Car 3 PAX

$280 (17,200 PHP)

$94 (5,700 PHP) per person

Tickets

Anis Transport

Standard Car 5 PAX

$355 (21,800 PHP)

$71 (4,350 PHP) per person

Tickets

Available atBookaway Klook

La Union

Why Visit La Union?

Looking for a nice beach to chill, surf or have a little party? La Union is a little surfer town located on the island of Luzon, the same as the capital city, Manila. Only a 5 to 8-hour ride from Manila, it's an ideal spot to visit for a few days.

The region is known for longboarding, but occasionally you also find some bigger waves that are perfect for intermediates. And if you're not an avid surfer, La Union is still a laidback spot to escape the chaos of the city.

Rounding it up

That's the full picture for getting from Manila to La Union, roughly 220 kilometres (137 miles) apart. In all, there are 2 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $11 (640 PHP). The quickest trip takes 5h.

Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the distance from Manila to La Union?

The distance from Manila to La Union is 220 kilometres (137 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from Manila to La Union?

The fastest way to get from Manila to La Union is by private transport and takes 5h.

What is the cheapest way to get from Manila to La Union?

The cheapest way to get from Manila to La Union is by bus with ticket costs starting from 640 PHP.

How do I commute from Manila to La Union?

You can take a bus from Manila to La Union. Buses depart from three terminals in Metro Manila: Avenida, Pasay and Cubao. Bus fares range from $9.50 (580 PHP) to $16 (1,000 PHP).

How long is the trip from Manila to La Union?

When travelling by bus from Manila to La Union, the journey takes 6-8 hours. Driving your own car is faster (around 4 hours) because you can take a series of expressways: the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), and the Tarlac-Pampanga-La Union Expressway (TPLEx).

Which is better San Juan or San Fernando La Union?

Both San Juan and San Fernando in La Union have their own unique attractions and offer different experiences.

San Juan is known for its surf spots — Urbiztondo Beach and Bacnotan Beach — making it a popular destination for surfers and beach-goers. San Fernando, on the other hand, is the capital city of La Union province. It offers a more diverse range of attractions, like Pindangan Ruins, the Poro Point Lighthouse, and the La Union Botanical and Zoological Garden.

Why should I go to La Union?

If you're looking for a quick beach getaway from Metro Manila, La Union is one of the best options. You'll find here scenic beaches, good waves (from October to April), a wide array of accommodations (from budget-friendly guesthouses to luxurious resorts), and a long list of restaurants and cafes (which makes it a popular food trip destination, too!).

Head to El Union Coffee for your caffeine boost and Tagpuan sa San Juan for affordable yet tasty Filipino rice bowls.

Do I need a negative RT-PCR test to enter La Union?

You don't need a test, a vaccination card or a QR code to travel to La Union. Those rules were dropped years ago, so you can book your seat and go.

About the Authors

Abegail

Travel Writer

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.

ElaReviewer

Senior Travel Writer

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.

FayeReviewer

Travel Writer

A writer and full-time mom who loves planning beach trips. London is her favourite destination.

How to Get From Manila to La Union

Distance from Manila to La Union