How to get from Manila to 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.
Keep in mind that many locals head to La Union from Friday to Sunday and during holidays. This means buses can get fully booked. We suggest booking your bus ticket at least a week in advance to secure a seat. Alternatively, you can take a private transfer for a more convenient trip.
What are the 2 ways to travel from Manila to La Union?
There are 2 ways to travel the 265 kilometre (165 miles) distance from Manila to La Union. You can choose between the bus and private transport. The journey takes 5 hours to 7 hours 25 minutes and the quickest way is by private transport. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 640 PHP ($10.80).
Manila to La Union by Bus
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 640 PHP ($10.80) for a journey of 6 hours to 7 hours 25 minutes.
When departing from Manila in the evening, around 20:00-22:00, let your accommodation know beforehand that you’ll arrive in the middle of the night. With fewer pickups and drop-offs at night, the bus journey could take as little as 5 hours. There’s a high chance everything will be closed when you arrive in La Union.
Bus Schedule from Manila to La Union
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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 250 PHP ($4.20).
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 13 PHP ($0.20) for a jeepney and 200 PHP ($3.40) for a private tricycle ride.
Alternative bus route from Manila to La Union
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 555 PHP ($9.30). 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.
Manila to La Union by Private Transport
A private transfer from Manila to La Union is the most convenient option. The journey takes about 5 hours, 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 6,000 PHP ($100) for a 4-seater sedan. If you’re travelling with a bigger group, an 8-seater van usually costs around 10,000 PHP ($170).
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 16,000 PHP ($270) for a 3-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about 5,400 PHP ($91) each.
For this particular route, you might find lower prices on Klook (starting from 14,000 PHP ($235)), so it’s worth comparing before you book!
Private Transport options from Manila to La Union
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Manila to La Union. 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 La Union
How do I commute from Manila to La Union?
How long is the trip from Manila to La Union?
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!).
PRO TIP: 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?
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.
