How to get from Sagada to Banaue

Why visit Banaue?

Banaue is a popular tourist destination in the Philippines’ Cordillera mountain range. It’s famous for the Banaue Rice Terraces — built over 2,000 years ago and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Home to the Ifugao people, a visit to Banaue gives one a glimpse of their unique customs, beliefs and traditions.

Plenty of activities are on offer for tourists to experience the Ifugao’s way of life first-hand. But we think the touristy town centre doesn’t really give them justice. We recommend exploring other villages like that of Cambulao and Pula to better appreciate the Ifugao culture in Banaue.

There are 4 ways to travel the 85 kilometers (53 miles) from Sagada to Banaue. You can choose between the bus, van, private transfer and Jeepney + van/bus. The journey takes 3 hours and the quickest way is by bus. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by jeepney + van/bus with tickets starting at 200 PHP ($3.60) - 350 PHP ($6.20).

If you want more adventure, you can also take a jeepney to Bontoc first, where you can have a side trip and check out Mt. Kupapey and Maligcong Rice Terraces.

Step 1: Sagada to Bontoc by Jeepney

Bontoc is located 32 km from Sagada. Jeepneys bound for Bontoc are parked near the Sagada Municipal Hall. You can get a seat for 50 PHP ($0.90). Jeepneys are available from 6:30 to 13:00 and the journey takes about 1 hour.

Step 2: Bontoc to Banaue by Van/Bus

Once you’ve had your fill of Bontoc, you can take a van or bus to Banaue. Vans depart from the Municipal Tourism Center several times a day from 08:00 to 13:00. Van schedules can change, though, so we recommend confirming their departure times at the tourism office beforehand.

The van fare is about 150 PHP ($2.70) per person, and the trip takes 2 hours. Vans will drop you off in Banaue’s town centre.

There are also two buses operating from Bontoc to Banaue for 300 PHP ($5.30). These depart from the Coda Lines pickup point near Bontoc Municipal Hall at 14:45 and 15:45.

Direct vans are available from Sagada to Banaue. You can get a seat starting a 300 PHP ($5.30). The van journey takes around 3 hours.

The vans are parked near the Municipal Tourism Center in Sagada. These are normally available from 9:00 to late afternoon, but we recommend checking with your hotel for the latest van schedules.

The drop-off point in Banaue is in front of the Tourism Office in the town centre.

The bus is a cheap and direct option when travelling from Sagada to Banaue. CODA Lines operates two buses on this route daily. These depart at 14:00 and 15:00 and arrive in Banaue after 3 hours.

A bus ticket costs 350 PHP ($6.20).

You can buy your tickets on the bus or you can try reserving online through the Coda Lines Facebook page.

A private transfer is a good way to travel to Banaue from Sagada at your own pace. Air-conditioned cars and vans are available for hire in Sagada. Rates start at 4,500 PHP ($80) for a 4-seater car.

Travel time by private transfer takes around 3 hours but depends on how many stops you make along the way. Expect a lot of jaw-dropping viewpoints on this route!

Where to get a private transfer from Sagada to Banaue

We recommend asking for your hotel’s assistance when looking for private transfers from Sagada to Banaue. They may already know a trusted driver or they may be able to help you haggle for the best rates.

Alternatively, you can ask your tour guide if they also provide private transfers to Banaue. A tour guide is required when exploring Sagada and the tourism office imposes a fixed rate on tours. Hopefully, this applies to private transfers, too!

Keep in mind the reasonable rate we mentioned above and agree on a price before going on your way.