How To Get To Sagada from Baguio & Manila Via Bus
- Kate Colliety
- Mar 23
- 6 min read
Updated: 18 hours ago
Sagada, a northern town in the Philippines nestled high in the mountains, feels like a scene straight out of a fairytale, and it quickly became one of our favourite destinations. If you like to hike, this is the best place in the country. Pine trees line the roads, clouds form in the valleys and thunder cracks while you sit in front of a roaring fire after a day hiking through history.
Now, Sagada isn’t the easiest town to get to, it’s located off the normal tourist route on the island of Luzon but we think it’s worth the journey. The easiest way to get to Sagada is via car, if you choose to hire a car we recommend the more adventurous Besang Pass Route however if you’re backpacking then the only way to get to Sagada is via the bus through Baguio.
Below, we share the bus routes from Baguio to Sagada, as well as options from Manila to Sagada, to help you plan your trip.
How To Get To Sagada
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Sagada Top Things To Do Map!
On our way, we created a Google Pinned Map with all the places we visited in Sagada. Grab your Pinned Map today and start planning your adventure! Don’t miss out...click here to view for free!
Manila To Sagada Bus (Direct)
Backpackers on a budget might be wondering how to get to Sagada by bus? Luckily from Manila there is now a direct bus operated by Coda Lines making this journey simple and more plausible for travellers wanting to experience the magic of Sagada.
The bus leaves from Cubao Bus Station, Manila and travels overnight via Banaue. You can choose between semi deluxe, no toilet (₽760) and super deluxe buses, with a toilet (₽980), both make stops along the way.
We recommend booking your bus with 12Go, the direct buses from Manila to Sagada all leave in the evening, the timings are 8pm, 9pm, 10pm and 10:30pm.
Manila To Sagada Via Baguio
The second option to get to Sagada from Manila is to catch a bus to Baguio then get a connecting bus to Sagada.
More bus companies run the route to Baguio meaning there are more buses available plus you can go from a different terminal. Two of the most popular bus companies are Victory Liner and Pangasinan Solid North Transit
The bus to Baguio takes 4 hours however the bus to Sagada departs from a different bus station to where you will be dropped off at. You will need to hire a taxi (₽80) to the GL Trans Terminal where you can catch a bus to Sagada (₽220) which takes 6 hours. Please note the last bus of the day leaves at 1pm.
Catch the bus from Manila To Baguio
Take a taxi to the GL Trans Terminal
Catch a bus to Sagada (See Below For The Timetable)
Note: You will need to arrive in Baguio early to secure your bus ticket to Sagada. Tickets can not be booked in advance and the buses do get fully booked. Do not worry if you miss your bus, spend the day exploring Baguio and hop on the bus to Sagada the next day.
Baguio To Sagada Bus
The Baguio to Sagada bus is direct and takes approximately 6 hours. The most popular bus company is GL Trans and they leave from the GL Trans Terminal in Baguio.
Tickets are bought directly at the counter for 220 php, you can’t book these in advance and the buses do get booked up so we recommend arriving early, the ticket office opens at 5am each day. You want to get off the bus at Sagada Town then make your way to your accommodation.
The schedule for GL Trans Buses from Baguio To Sagada*
1st Trip 5:30am
2nd Trip 9:00am
3rd Trip 11am
Last Trip 1:00pm
How to get from Sagada to Baguio?
To get back from Sagada to Baguio you want to catch the GL Trans bus from the GL Trans Corp (Sagada to Baguio).
The schedule for GL Trans Buses from Sagada To Baguio*
1st Trip 5:30am
2nd Trip 9:00am
3rd Trip 11:00am
Last Trip 1:00pm
*These are updated times from GL Trans Corp on Facebook and are subject to change
Driving To Sagada
The final option is to drive yourself to Sagada, whether with a hire car or your own. When driving to Sagada there are a few things to consider, the roads are extremely steep mountain passes with the chance of rockfalls and unpredictable weather, however you will have the freedom to stop and explore whenever you like.
There are two main routes, the first is via Baguio and the second via the Bessang Pass. We chose to drive via the pass after visiting La Union and weren’t quite aware of what we were getting ourselves into! This route is definitely for the more adventurous and confident drivers, you can read more about our experience of the Bessang Pass here!
The Route We Recommend & Our Experience
We were kindly given the use of a friend's car to explore northern Luzon on a roadtrip and honestly this was one of the best experiences we had! Interacting with locals, driving crazy roads and breaking down were all part of the adventure… However, the best way to get from Manila to Sagada or Baguio to Sagada is via bus.
If you're only visiting the Mountain Province, the direct Manila to Sagada bus is the easiest and most affordable option. However, if you also want to explore Baguio, consider taking the direct bus one way and the connecting bus the other, for example Sagada to Baguio. This way, you can stop in the city and explore for a couple of days before continuing your journey.
Best Places To Stay Sagada
Sagada Mountain Province holds a special place in our hearts. We truly found a home away from home here and loved our time spent in the mountains and above the clouds. There are lots of accommodation options and we recommend you find somewhere that is walkable to the tourist information centre in Sagada Town where you’ll register and sort tours. One of the rules is you have to use their local transport to get to Sagada's attractions meaning a local hotel or hostel is vital.
We use Booking.com, Agoda and HostelWorld for all of our stays in The Philippines!
Below is a list of top accommodations we recommend for Sagada Mountain Province:
Best Places To Eat In Sagada
Lemon Pie House - The best place to try a Lemon Pie in Sagada!
Yoghurt House - Famous for its homemade yogurt and cosy vibe, this spot offers a mix of local and Western dishes.
Gaia Cafe & Crafts - Located on a hill with stunning views, Gaia Cafe is known for its vegetarian and organic menu.
Sagada Brew - This café is popular for its coffee and comfort food. You can enjoy their breakfast meals, pastas, and sweet treats like cakes and pastries. Their brewed coffee, made from Sagada's Arabica beans, is a highlight.
Best Sagada Tour Packages
As Sagada has their own tour providers there aren’t many packages available to pre-book before you go. However when visiting the UNESCO world heritage site of Banaue Rice Terraces you can book ahead to have peace of mind.
Tips For Visiting Sagada
Below we share our favourite tips for travelling to Sagada:
Pack for the weather, Sagada is located in the mountains making it cooler than other parts of the Philippines. Bring a lightweight raincoat and fleece.
Respect local customs. Sagada has a rich culture and the community has deep respect for the traditions, make sure to follow their tourism guidelines.
Don't miss the sunrise! Make the effort to get up early and hike Marlboro Hill to experience the sea of clouds.
Use an E-sim like Airalo to stay connected and remove the hassle of a physical SIM, but remember mobile phone signal can be spotty in Sagada making it the perfect time to unplug.
Travel Tools To Help You Plan
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Thank you for reading and enjoy your Philippine adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!
For our Filipino friends: Maraming salamat sa pag babasa, hangang sa susunod nating pag kikita, mamimiss namin kayo, mabuhay ang pilipinas! Salamat
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