How to Get to Vigan, Ilocos Sur?

Ilocos Sur is far north from Metro Manila and it takes up to 8-9 hours drive to get to Vigan, one of the oldest city in the Philippines and the center of business of the province. I know a lot of people that want to go there but they just can't take the long travel. Although there's a flight there daily, it's kind of expensive compare to commuting.

My friend drove when we went there, but I've done some research on how commute to get there, see below.

PLANE

There's only one airport in Ilocos and it's located in Laoag, Ilocos Norte.

1. If you have a budget and does not want to take the long drive, book a ticket via Philipine Airlines or Cebu Pacific from Manila to Laoag. You can also get there via air from Davao, Cebu or Iloilo. 

2. There are tricycles outside the airport, take one and ask the driver to to take you to the highway. From anywhere there, you can ride a bus going to Vigan.

3. If you don't want to take the bus at the highway, then ask the tricycle driver to bring you to Farinas or Florida Bus Terminal for air-conditioned bus. Or if you want to go to Laoag town proper, take the Partas Bus located at Paco Roman Street corner P. Zamora Street.

What I'm thankful for with our transportation here in the Philippines is the availability of the tricycle almost anywhere. And tricycle drivers are very helpful and will assist you if you just ask. I miss this when we were commuting in Brunei, where public vehicles are limited and we have to hitch hike.

BUS

If you are up for an adventure and commuting is not a problem, you can take a bus from Manila to Vigan. You can take these buses, depending on where you're coming from in Manila.

From Manila:
Option 1: Philippine Rabbit Bus Lines
Address: Claro M. Recto corner Rizal Ave, Santa Cruz, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
Phone#: +63(2)734-9836
1. From anywhere in Manila, take a jeepney, LRT or taxi to get to the Philippine Rabbit Bus Terminal located at back of the Odeon Terminal Mall in Recto.

2. If you are going to take the LRT Line 1, get off at Doroteo Jose station and walk via footbridge to the mall and walk your way out to the terminal.

3. If you're going to take the LRT Line 2, get off at Recto Station and walk through the connecting foot bridge toward the Odeon Terminal mall and walk your way out to the terminal.

4. If via jeepney, make sure to take the jeepney with signboard Divisoria/Cubao and ask the driver to drop you off in Avenida near the Odeon Terminal Mall. Then walk your way to the bus terminal.

Option 2: Maria de Leon Transit
Address: Dapitan corner Gelinos Street, Manila
Phone#: +63(02)731-49071. Take a jeepney or taxi to Maria de Leon Bus Station located at the back of UST in Dapitan corner Gelinos Street. Same travel time as the first option.

Option 3: RCJ Bus LinesAddress: 1558 España, Sampaloc, Manila
Phone#: +63(2)741-2994
1. Take  a jeepney with signboard Quiapo/Cubao via Espana, and ask the driver to drop you off near the bus terminal.

2. Tide a bus bound for Cagayan via Laoag and ask the conductor if the bus will pass by Vigan.

Option 4: Partas Transportation Co., Inc.
Address: 1716 Vicente Cruz St Cor Laon Laan St, Bgy 488, Zone 048 Sampaloc, Manila
Phone#: +63(2)743-3242
Website: http://www.phbus.com/partas-bus/
1. Take the LRT Line 1 and get off at Tayuman Station. From there walk for about 12 minutes to the Bus Terminal. Or you can just take a tricycle to bring you there.

From Quezon City:Option 1:  Dominion Bus Line
Address: 832 Epifanio de los Santos Ave, Immaculate Conception, Quezon City, 1111 Metro Manila, Philippines
Phone#: +63(2)727-2350
1. Take a taxi, bus or MRT to Dominion Bus Terminal in EDSA. If via bus, make sure to take the one with signboard Malanday, Novaliches, Sta. Maria-Bulacan, Cubao-Kamuning or better yet, ask the conductor if the will pass by the bus terminal which is just along the highway so the conductor won't miss it.

2. If via MRT, get off at Araneta-Cubao Station and walk or take city bus to the bus terminal.

Option 2: Philippine Rabbit Bus Lines
Address: 1111 Epifanio de los Santos Ave, Balintawak, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Phone#: +63(02)734-9836
1. If via MRT, get off at North Avenue Station and take a bus with signboard Sta. Maria-Bulacan and ask the conductor to drop you off at Kaingin Road. From there, walk for about 5 minutes to the bus terminal.

2. If via bus, just ride the one with signboard Malanday, Novaliches, Sta. Maria-Bulacan, Cubao-Kamuning or better yet, ask the conductor if the will pass by the bus terminal. It's also along the highway so the conductor won't miss it.

Option 3: Partas Transportation Co., Inc.

Address: 816 Aurora Boulevard, Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines
Phone#: +63(2)727-8278

1. Take the LRT Line 2 to Araneta Center-Cubao station. Take the South Exit, turn and walk about 3 blocks along Aurora Boulevard, past Gateway Mall, Gen. Araneta, Gen. Santos Ave., and EDSA, until you get to Pinatubo.

2. Take the MRT to Cubao station. Walk 1 block along EDSA the way you came, past Farmers Plaza and Arayat, until you get to EDSA. Turn left at Aurora Boulevard, and walk 1 block until you get to Pinatubo.

3. From Aurora Boulevard, ride a jeep to Cubao, and get off at Aurora Boulevard corner EDSA. Walk 1 block the way you came until you get to Pinatubo.

From Pasay City
Option 1: Partas Transportation Co., Inc.
Pasay City, Bus Terminal
Aurora Boulevard (Tramo) Corner Edang St. San Roque,Pasay City, Philippines
Phone#: +63(2)852-8194
1. Take MRT and get off at the last station, Pasay Station. From there, walk for about 11 minutes to the bus terminal.

Standard travel time is 8 to 9 hours, and advisable to leave early in the morning to avoid traffic.

Please note that the schedules and routes might change without prior notice.And please do ask for help from jeepney, taxi & bus drivers. And don't forget to be smart on street! You can't blame others for whatever happens to you on the street. :)