A beautiful view from within central Vigan City-mobile

How to get from
Manila to Vigan City

Manila to Vigan City Trip Overview

Distance340 km (212.5 miles)
Price range$22-$557
Ride Duration Range5h-9h
Earliest Departure07:00
Latest Departure23:00

Find up-to-date information on departure times, schedules, and prices so you can easily compare and book your tickets.

Travel Schedule Options from Manila to Vigan City



























































































Taking a bus from Manila to Vigan City

Fastest bus: 7h

Cheapest bus: $22

The fastest: 7h

The cheapest: $22

POSSIBLE AMENITIES:

A/C

Wifi

TV

WC

English Speaking Staff

The fastest: 7h 30m

The cheapest: $557

POSSIBLE AMENITIES:

A/C

The fastest: 5h

The cheapest: $342

POSSIBLE AMENITIES:

A/C

English Speaking Staff

A beautiful view from within central Vigan City

Manila to Vigan City

Once you’ve had your fill of the chaos and hustle and bustle in Manila, it’s time to head to Vigan. It’s one of the most historically and culturally significant cities in the Philippines. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonder Cities.

After arriving in Vigan, the best thing to do is wander down Calle Crisologo. You’ll see the well-preserved Spanish influence and get a feel for what colonial life was like in the Philippines. 

Take a tour to learn all about the history of the area. Then, shop and eat as many Filipino delicacies as you can possibly stuff into your body in one afternoon. Pro Tip: Leave room for the empanadas. They’re to die for!

Another popular site is Pagburnayan. This is an old jar burning factory – a dying art in the Philippines. Seeing how these clay pots are made is truly fascinating. 

If you want views of Vigan City, you have to walk up the Bantay Church Bell Tower. This bell tower was a watch post for the Spanish during WWII. 

Vigan City is also home to several museums, such as the Crisologo Museum and the National Museum of the Philippines.

Now that this hidden gem has made it onto your travel bucket list, you may be wondering, How do I get from Manila to Vigan City? 

Just keep reading for all the answers.

 

About the ride from Manila to Vigan City

The distance from Manila to Vigan City is about 400 km (~248 miles). Even though tourist infrastructure isn’t great in the Philippines yet, there are a few options for transport from Manila to Vigan City. 

Vigan is a seven-hour drive north of the capital city, but it’s located on the same island. Great news: you can take a public bus or hire a car for all you ferry haters.

There is no direct flight from Manila to Vigan City, as the latter doesn’t have an airport. It’s possible to fly, though, if you are willing to fly into Laoag and take a bus. This only saves two hours, though, making a flight pretty impractical. 

In general, the trip from Manila to Vigan City is relatively smooth. Your best bet is to choose the option that fits within your travel budget.

 

How to get from Manila to Vigan City

When considering how to get from Manila to Vigan City, you should weigh up the pros and cons of traveling overland by bus or car versus flying.

Bus

Overall, the best way to get from Manila to Vigan City is by bus. It’s the most economical and convenient way to travel in the Philippines if you cannot take a direct flight. 

The tourist bus, operated by Partas Transportation Company, is a good option because the buses are relatively comfortable and have many amenities.

Buses have toilets and AC, and many have WiFi – subject to availability. Each seat reclines, and many newer buses have personal TV sets on the back of each chair, similar to an airplane.

It makes the seven-hour journey much more comfortable. 

Even with the toilet on board, drivers will make a few stops for bathroom breaks, and so you can stretch your legs. 

You can bring one large piece of luggage and a carry-on during this trip. The best part is that the bus from Manila to Vigan City only costs between $22-$27, a fraction of what you would pay for a private transfer or a plane ticket.

You can travel by day or night.  There is a 13:00 departure which arrives in Vigan by 20:00. 

The bus also has departures at 21:00 and 23:00, allowing you to travel overnight. So, if you are trying to save on a night’s accommodation and don’t mind getting to Vigan at 4:00 in the morning, this may be the bus for you.

Car

Another way to get from Manila to Vigan City is by private car. This is definitely the luxury option, and the price tag shows it.

You have the option of hiring standard, compact, or SUV cars. All cars come with professional, English-speaking drivers. They will pick you up and drop you off directly at your accommodation in Manila and Vigan City.

While it is incredibly pricey, there are definitely added perks to hiring a private car. You get to set your own schedule and stop for snacks, stretch breaks, and the bathroom whenever you want. The trip is also slightly shorter, taking only six hours.

Hiring a private car can cost between $200 and $600, though, so this would definitely be best if split between a group of people or if you wanted to splurge. 

After all, why not cover that long Manila to Vigan City distance in the lap of luxury?

Flight

When you think about how far from Manila to Vigan City you have to travel, flying sounds appealing. However, as mentioned, there is no airport in Vigan, so you’ll need to be prepared to take a bus or a taxi in addition to your flight.

One option is to fly from Manila to Laoag on a short hour and fifteen-minute flight. 

Once you arrive at the Laoag airport, take a short 10-minute taxi to the bus station. Buses depart Laoag for Bantay, the stop you’ll need, every hour. It will take about an hour and a half and cost about $4.

From the bus station in Bantay, you can easily grab a taxi to your accommodation. 

Another option is to fly to Tuguegarao, which is an hour and ten minutes from Manila. From there, take a taxi for the remaining 290 km (~180 miles) to Vigan. 

The taxi alone would cost $85-$100 and take approximately four and a half hours. As a suggestion, book your taxi ahead of time to guarantee you have a ride.

Flights can vary in price. However, you can get lucky and score great deals on internal flights in the Philippines. It’s possible to get tickets for under $100. If you think this is the option for you, set fare alerts and check flight prices to Tuguegarao frequently.

Because of the long taxi ride and uncertainty of how many cars may be available, this may not be the best option to get from Manila to Vigan City. 

Regardless of how you choose to arrive, there is no better place to learn about the history and culture of this beautiful and vibrant country. 

Companies Operating from Manila to Vigan City

Average time

5h - 7h

Average price

$365 - $489

Average time

7h 30m

Average price

$342 - $557

Average time

7h - 9h

Average price

$22

(5)

Popular stations and stops in Manila and Vigan City

Departure stations in Manila

Manila - Any hotel

Metro Manila - Any hotel

Partas Transportation Cubao

Arrival stations in Vigan City

Vigan - Any hotel

Cabugao

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