How to get from Manila to Legazpi
Legazpi is the capital of Albay province, in the Bicol Region of the Philippines. It’s home to Mayon Volcano, which is famous for its “perfect cone.” It’s also known for adventure activities such as skydiving, zip-lining and water sports.
Around Legazpi are many beautiful beaches perfect for lounging after a long day of adrenaline rush. So whether you’re interested in more daring activities or just want to relax on the beach with a book, it’s worth including Legazpi in your Bicol itinerary.
COVID-19 Travel Advisory: As of May 2023, Legazpi is open to all tourists — both foreign and local, whether you’re vaccinated or not. For the latest info, you can visit the Legazpi Tourism Office’s Facebook page.
Are you taking a flight to the Philippines? International travellers must register on the eTravel website within 72 hours before arrival in the country.
Fully-vaccinated tourists aged 15 and older can enter the Philippines without COVID testing. If you’re not fully vaccinated, you will need to submit a negative laboratory-based antigen test. Unvaccinated children aged 14 and under will need to be tested if they are travelling with unvaccinated adults or on their own.
2 ways to get from Manila to Legazpi
If you want to travel the 500 km journey from Manila to Legazpi, you have 2 options. You can take a quick flight for 1 hour 10 minutes or hop on a bus for 13-14 hours. Rates start from 1,200 PHP ($21.00).
The flight is the quickest and most convenient option to get from Manila to Legazpi. This flight journey takes only a little over an hour. With airfares from 1,200 PHP ($21.00), taking a flight can be as cheap as a bus ride as long as you book your ticket months in advance.
With the bus, you have to travel for at least 13 hours from Manila to Legazpi. The good thing though is that buses travel by night so you don’t lose a lot of daytime on the journey and also save a night on accommodation. Rates for a bus seat start from 1,200 PHP ($21.00).
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Manila to Legazpi by Flight
Flying from Manila to Legazpi takes just over an hour. Cebu Pacific, CebGo and Philippine Airlines (PAL) offer multiple trips for this route on a daily basis. Fares range from 1,200 PHP ($21.00) to 2,300 PHP ($40.00) for a one-way ticket.
Note that rates can go higher during peak season and when you book near the travel date.
For this route, Cebu Pacific and CebGo depart from Manila Airport Terminal 3 and PAL departs from Terminal 2. All flights arrive at Bicol International Airport.
From the airport, you can take a tricycle or a jeepney to your next destination in the city. Trike fares start at 50 PHP ($0.80) and jeepney fares start at 9 PHP ($0.10).
Tip: Cebu Pacific and PAL offer many promotions annually. Keep an eye out for these promotions so you can book a cheaper flight from Manila to Legazpi!
Manila to Legazpi by Bus
There is not much price difference between taking a flight and taking the bus from Manila to Legazpi. But if you’re looking to save a night on accommodation and don’t mind sitting on a bus for 13-14 hours, then read on.
Departure and arrival station
All buses depart from Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), the main bus terminal in Metro Manila. Penafrancia Tours and Bicol Isarog, however, also pick up passengers in Alabang, a great alternative if you’re coming from southern Metro Manila.
All buses arrive at Grand Central Terminal in Legazpi City, near Ibalong Centrum for Recreation.
Bus schedule from Manila to Legazpi (from PITX)
Bus schedule from Manila to Legazpi (from Alabang)
Which bus to take from Manila to Legazpi?
All companies (DLTB, Penafrancia Tours, and Bicol Isarog) are trusted for this route, so it doesn’t really matter which one you choose.
For this route, it’s not about the company, but the type of bus you pick. There are 3 types of buses available for this route.
- Standard tourist: cheapest at 1,200 PHP ($21.00), but provides only regular seats that can be uncomfortable for the long journey.
- New normal: almost like a regular tourist bus, but with 2 aisles for social distancing. A ticket also costs 1,200 PHP ($21.00).
- Skybus: more spacious buses with toilet onboard. Rates start from 1,400 PHP ($24.50).
- Lazyboy: buses with reclining seats that make the journey more bearable. Fares are from 1,450 PHP ($25.00).
- Elite: also offers lazyboy seats, but even more spacious and luxurious. A seat costs 1,760 PHP ($30.50).
Our favourite places to stay in Legazpi
The choice of accommodation isn’t that great in Legazpi. There’s no point spending a lot of money as the standard simply won’t reach what you can get in other places in the Philippines.
Still, we recommend two great options, with one offering views of Mayon Volcano and the other in a very convenient location in town. Check them out below.
Hotel Sentro Legazpi - Mid Range
Area: Legazpi city centre
If you want to be at the centre of the action in Legazpi, you can’t get a much better location than this. The rooms are modern, clean and spacious, offering everything you could want during your stay.
And if you need anything the staff are super friendly and helpful here!
- Central location
- Modern and clean rooms
- Amazing staff
- Breakfast included
Double rooms cost $30-$50 per night
Balai Tinay Guesthouse - Budget Friendly
Area: Legazpi city centre
Balai Tinay Guesthouse is like a home away from home, except that you have views of Mayon Volcano from your backyard here. Waking up to this view every morning is pretty spectacular.
The rooms are clean and cosy. The best part? Every room has a TV with Netflix, so it really does feel like home. The common areas are beautifully designed with pops of colour and plants everywhere.
- Views of a volcano
- Cosy and clean rooms
- Great common areas
- Friendly hosts
Double rooms cost $15-$30 per night
Routes from Legazpi
Most popular routes in Philippines
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.
