Transportation

Ohayami Trans: Bus from Manila to Banaue, Ifugao

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Advance Booking

Booking the bus from Manila to Banaue, Ifugao was one of the challenges in our trip for Batad-Hungduan-Banaue since we were booking on a long weekend. Very challenging that it went to a point that we almost backed out of the whole trip. Thankfully, with a lot of adjustments and persistence we were able to proceed with the trip.

We found out that Ohayami Trans had an e-mail booking last June 6, 2015. So we decided to try the e-mail booking and when they replied we will be able to transfer the amount immediately to their bank account. Unfortunately, they replied with this.

Screenshot from 2015-07-29 13:26:41Since the option to do e-mail booking is no longer available, we decided right away that we would visit their station the next day and book directly with Ohayami Trans in Sampaloc, Manila for the night of June 11, 2015. This is what was written in their ticketing office when we arrived.

Ohayami Trans: Fully Booked

NOOOO!!! But not yet. I really want us to go. I asked the lady on the other side of the counter if we could book going to Lagawe, then we will just ride a jeep from Lagawe to Banaue. I’ve done it before, I could do it again. And she answered “Sorry, fully booked na rin po kami papuntang Lagawe.” (Sorry, we are also fully booked going to Lagawe.) This is what we get from being tardy with advance booking of a bus that is scheduled to leave on a long weekend. (June 12 is Independence Day here in the Philippines.)

NOOOO!!! I travelled from Palawan to Manila just to do this trip again and I could not go because the buses are fully booked. I called my brother and told him of the unfortunate situation. We also presented alternative places that we can go to, but none of them were appealing to the traveler in us. We were too focused in going to Banaue and visiting the Rice Terraces that alternatives were no longer a choice.

I asked my brother that night at home if he was open to the idea if we move our trip from June 11-15 to June 12-16. He thought about it, eventually he agreed that we could travel on those dates, he just needs to adjust his office schedule. And we had to rebook some flights going back.

Yes, it was expensive to rebook the flights. But this is a planned trip that involves us blocking our busy schedule and paying for flights. We have invested time and effort for this trip. It would definitely be more expensive if we did not push thru. Rebooking of flights and adjusting our schedule is way more cheaper than for us to go back to our respective places and plan the whole trip again.

Cherry Bus: Night bus from El Nido to Puerto Princesa, Palawan

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What happened before?

Last year (2014), I had a flight departure at 7:20 AM from Puerto Princesa to Manila. My plan was simple, ride the RORO Night Bus from El Nido that leaves at 10PM. Arrive at Puerto Princesa at 3AM and wait for the check-in time at the airport at 5:20 AM. Fly at 7:20 AM. Simple plan but the small details were the ones that made that night miserable.

Cherry Bus: Night bus from El Nido to Puerto Princesa, Palawan

Inside Cherry Bus

Here’s what really happened. I rode the bus. The bus arrives at Puerto Princesa around 3AM. Tricycle drivers fought for my attention. Rode an overpriced tricycle ride to Chowking. Spent the remaining time drinking coffee because I was alone in a public place and I am afraid that my bags would be stolen. 5AM rode a tricycle to the airport. Check-in for my flight. Went on a coffee drinking spree again at the predeparture area for me not to sleep so I would not miss my boarding announcement. Personally experienced that coffee is a diuretic 30,000 feet above sea level.

I told myself that I would never ride the night bus again, unless I really need to.

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What happened with Cherry Bus?

Last June 6, I had a flight from Puerto Princesa with the same departure time, 7:20 AM. And since I was really enjoying my time with friends I decided to just catch the night bus of Cherry Bus which leaves at 9PM and do what I did again. The benefit of having quality time with your friends really outweighs the risk of taking in liquids that enhances the movement of body fluids. Right? Right?

My mind was ready and I was hoping my bladder was ready too.

Boats from El Nido to Coron and Vice Versa

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Since the fastcraft from El Nido to Coron, Palawan is no longer available, here are some options you can take for transportation when you want to go from El Nido to Coron and back.

09 Small Lagoon Entrance

Entranace to Small Lagoon

El Nido to Coron

Monday MBCA Overcomer
Tuesday M/BCA Jessabel, Ride the Joe
Wednesday Princess Welia, MBCA Overcomer
Thursday MBCA Overcomer, Ride the Joe
Friday M/BCA Jessabel
Saturday Princess Welia
Sunday M/BCA Jessabel, Ride the Joe

Coron to El Nido

Monday M/BCA Jessabel,Ride the Joe
Tuesday MBCA Overcomer
Wednesday M/BCA Jessabel,Ride the Joe
Thursday Princess Welia
Friday MBCA Overcomer, Ride the Joe
Saturday M/BCA Jessabel
Sunday Princess Welia

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Boat Companies Serving the El Nido to Coron and Vice Versa Route

M/BCA Jessabel

Price: 1,500 Local. 1,800 Foreigner.
Travel Time: 8 hours in good weather

Contact Information
Mobile: 0907-674-1918, 0908-562-0916

Schedule
El Nido to Coron: Tuesday, Friday, Sunday (7:30AM)
Coron to El Nido: Wednesday, Saturday, Monday (7:30AM)

How to get to Banaue, Ifugao

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Bus direct to Banaue from Manila

Ohayami Trans Bus leaving from Manila to Banaue

For clarification purposes, Florida Bus Lines and Autobus no longer does the Manila-Banaue Route.

Ohayami Trans offers direct buses from Manila to Banaue, Ifugao.

Travel Time: 8-9 hours

Fare: 450 Pesos per person – one-way

Schedule to Banaue:

Description Estimated Time of Departure Estimated Time of Arrival
Regular Schedule 9:00 PM 6:00 AM
Regular Schedule 10:00 PM 7:00 AM
Extra Bus 9:30 PM 6:30 AM
Extra Bus 10:15 PM 7:15 AM

Ohayami Trans Schedule Board

Extra Buses are only available on peak-season where there are a lot of passengers.

If you want to know how you can reserve via bank deposit then check their reservation process here.

Bus Station Location: Corner J.Fajardo, A.H. Lacson, Sampaloc

Getting to Port Barton from the Poblacion of San Vicente, Palawan

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After our trip to Boayan Island we planned to move to Port Barton next. There are no direct roads that links the two barangays. We have 2 options either we take the van going to Roxas then ride the jeep there or wait for the boat coming from Port Barton to arrive and wait again for it to go back to Port Barton.

Port of Poblacion, San Vicente

It was already 10:30AM when we arrived at the Poblacion from Boayan Island. The jeep leaves to Port Barton from Roxas at around 11AM and Roxas is still a good 2 hours away. Facing facts, it’s not possible if we do that route. So all we had to do was wait for more than 4 hours until the boat going to Port Barton leaves. It was a long wait, but we decided to eat the waiting away. Below are instructions on how to get to Port Barton from Poblacion of San Vicente and vice versa. If you’re staying in Port Barton and you want to visit the Longest Beach in the Philippines for a day trip, this post may help you. Port Barton to Poblacion By Boat There’s a boat that leaves around 9AM from Port Barton that will head to the Poblacion of San Vicente. The schedule is not that clear so it would be better if you coordinate with the Tourist Assitance Center to know the schedule. The name of the boat is Magdalena. Fare is 100 Pesos per person for locals and 150 Pesos per person for foreigners. Travel time is approximately 1 hour.

The Magdalena at Poblacion of San Vicente

If the schedule is not fit for your schedule you can hire a boat with the boatmans under the Tourist Assistance Center. Usual price is 1,500 Pesos for 4 pax but prices are negotiable. Travel time is approximately 1 hour.