How to get from Manila to Vigan
There are two ways to travel to Vigan if you wish to experience the pre-colonial Philippines. From Manila, you can either get on a plane or board a bus. Located approximately 400 kilometres north of Manila via MacArthur Hwy/Manila N Rd., Vigan is only about 50 minutes away by air or about 10 hours by land. Expense-wise, you can expect the airfare to be between PHP4,000 to PHP8,500 while the bus fare can be as low as PHP600.
Flights from Manila to Vigan
At this time, only one airline operates the Manila-Vigan route. The country's flag carrier, Philippine Airlines, have daily flights to Laoag International airport with tickets costing on average PHP6,250. The good thing about Philippine Airlines is that even the budget economy tickets already include a light snack as well as a free 10-kilogram luggage allowance. Although not as frequently as budget airlines, they do run special deals from time to time so if you plan your trip well in advance and follow their social media accounts, you just might score a good deal.
Upon arriving at Laoag International Airport, you can either hire a tricycle or hail a jeepney to take you to the town of Laoag proper. From there board a bus bound for Vigan. Travel time should be about 2 hours depending on the traffic and tickets cost about PHP200. If you are arriving at night, you can hop onto a passing through night buses to either Baguio or Manila operated by Partas, Florida, RCJ, Maria De Leon, or Farinas and just get off at Vigan.
Buses from Manila to Vigan
Compared to flying, you have much more options when it comes to getting to Vigan from Manila directly by bus.
There are both air-conditioned or deluxe buses serving the route and the fare is usually between PHP600 to PHP1000.
If you are located near Pasay, you can go to Partas' station in Pasay Tramo Terminal between Aurora Ave. & Edang St. They have a first class bus that leaves at 6pm and 11pm. If you go to their main terminal in Cubao, they have three scheduled departures at 9am, 7pm, and 10pm.
Also departing from Cubao for Vigan there are daily Dominion buses. Their regular air-conditioned buses leave from 1.30am and every 2 hours till evening with their last trip of the day scheduled at 10.30pm.
Viron Transit is also stationed in Cubao. They have two trips in the morning, afternoon and evening. Buses leave at 2.30am and 9am in the morning, 1.30pm and 5.30pm in the afternoon, and 9pm and 10pm at night.
If you are coming from near Sampaloc though, Viron Transit is your best bet with buses leaving at 2am, 5.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm, and 10.30pm.
If for some reason you missed any of the aforementioned buses, you can take one of the buses from Manila to Laoag with Florida Bus, Viron Transit, and Partas. From Laoag, you can get on a bus bound for Vigan.
Bus travel tips
If you can, it is recommended that you get on one of the night buses. They travel faster due to less night traffic compared to daytime buses. If you are traveling on a budget, this also means saving on accommodation.
Bus types, onboard service and road conditions between Manila and Vigan
Some air-conditioned buses and deluxe buses are equipped with onboard toilets. Others just make scheduled 20-minute stops every couple of hours. You can use this time to grab some snack and use the public toilet.
The air-conditioning on these long-distance buses can be quite brutal though so we highly suggest wearing a light fleece jacket or something similar.