Baguio Transportation

Since all air links to Baguio has been terminated the only way you can get to the summer capital is via land using a car or a bus. From Manila you can try taking a bus from stations in Cubao or Pasay with journey time totaling around 6 hours depending on stops. If you are taking a car you need to pass by the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and/or the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). Passing through provinces such as Tarlac, Pampanga, La Union you get to Baguio using either the Kennon Road which was built by the Americans when the Philippines was their colony or the Marcos Highway.

Please contact RIGOR at 09087217354. He will gladly tour you in Baguio City and some sites around Benguet. He will be your driver, tourist guide and at the same time photographer in the whole duration of the excursion. Take note that he does take good pictures too. We met him during our October 2010 trip and was recommended by MR. CESAR (09274957399) of the Mabuhay Post, a DOT accredited information center, wherein tourists are assisted, if needed, upon arrival at the bus station.

Our trip was a pleasant one because of him and we felt bad after not being able to give him a tip for his service. He was even kind enough to carry our shopping bags, and also insists on closing the doors of the car for us even if we contended he need not to, instead he will always say, "Ito po and trabaho namin, Maam."

busses are not allowed in the kennon road. If you have private transport, kennon road is the shortest and less hassle with regards traffic and vehicle stress. The big earthquake of 1991 however have made major cracks on the mountain side that landslides or rockfalls may be problem during exceptionally heavy downpour.

Marcos highway is usually all weather, and safer when its raining. But its long upward gradient is a punishment for the vehicles using it. Since all trucks and buses from the south are forced to use Marcos highway, its a pain to overtake them in the upward climb towards Baguio. Most of the major bus companies plying this route have reliable busses, so its not much of a problem. Victory liner almost have a 24 hr on the hour trips between Baguio and manila, and are generally reliable. They do need reservation for their aircon trips.

You wouldn't worry riding taxis in Baguio. Aside from the fact that the fare is a lot cheaper, drivers don't take advantage of the tourists. They only ask for the exact fare and will really give your change no matter how small it is. Who said nobody is trustworthy anymore?

The Victory Bus Liner Station is in Upper Session Road, Brgy. Marcoville, Baguio. There is a trip to Cubao and Pasay every 30 minutes. Fare from Baguio to Cubao is P449.

The Victory buses we took to and from baguio were both new and in good condition. There are about 2-3 stops each way.

from the towns of La Union there are 3 roads leading to Baguio City

1st - Kennon Road (nearer if youre from Aringay or Rosario). take it if you want to see the water falls, and the nice view of mountain sides. but this road is very risky during rainy season. do not to take it when there is heavy rain. rocks, stones will fall down the road.

2nd - Marcos Highway (nearer if youre from Rosario or Agoo). take it if you want to see the sundown, there's a place in this road where the seaview is magnificent. perfect for a photoshoot. i remember the head of Marcos being put up as a structure near this road and anyone passing can see his face. but it was destroyed, i dont know what the reasons are. anyways, this road provides a smooth ride for the passenger and for the auto.

3rd - Naguilian Road (nearer if youre from San Fernando or Bauang). this road is nearest to San Fernando. this road stood the earthquake test (hahahha!) i remember it was the only open road from baguio leading to places out of baguio.

generally, all roads will take around less than 2 hours (at most) to reach Baguio.

Baguio to Asin Hotspring

merong route ng jeep going in and out of asin. i am not pretty sure where the terminal is, but you can always ask folks around, the town's folk i mean, and not the tourists (since there are many in baguio).

the previous terminal, believe, is near the market. it is at the back of city hall, there's a road leading to the market. i dont know if it is still there.

take the jeepney ride since it is cheaper and you get to experience the ride. the people won't eat anyway. =) so enjoy your trip.

along the way to Asin, you will see lots and lots of shops of wood carvings. the folks there can speak english and iloco. they are not pretty trained to speak tagalog but they will understand you.

before leaving the jeepney going to the hotspring, you better ask the driver what time is the last trip going back to Baguio (remember, you are in Asin, Benguet ... =) if you prefer to go home before the day ends...

Victory liner bus co is one of the top bus company in the metro that takes passenger from Cubao (aurora ave) to Baguio City. They even have the express bus which guarantees 5 hours travel time from Manila to Baguio (normal travel time takes about 7-8 hours depending on the traffic).