Vigan Transportation Tips by joiwatani

Vigan transportation to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

You have to catch a bus in Vigan to Laoag City then board another bus in Laoag City enroute to Claveria, Cagayan. Mostly buses that are independently operated are usually standing by in Laoag City waiting for their passengers to go to Claveria, Cagayan.

I don't think there is a direct bus that goes directly from Pagudpud from Vigan.

Mode: TO,AROUND

Type: Bus

Buses going to Vigan from Baguio City

There are many transportation going to Vigan from Baguio City. You can take Partas and or Viron. These are the buses that directly bring you to Vigan City.

You can also take buses that are bound only to San Fernando or Bauang, La Union. Then from Bauang, you can catch more buses to Vigan (those buses coming from Manila: Farinas, Partas, Viron, etc.

Mode: TO,AROUND

Type: Other

Partas is my choice of bus going to Ilocos region

When I went home to Ilocos Sur last year, I took the Partas bus from Cubao. They have newer fleet and they stop at excellent restaurants with cleaner bathrooms!

First of all, the Partas Bus Line have different prices depending on which bus you are going to take. There is the deluxe airconditioned bus and their is also the regular bus. Either way, it's up to you to decide which one to take. But before you choose, remember how long it will take you to get to Vigan. The buses have many stops. They basically stop in every city or town that they have a bus station.

Second of all, there is one reason why I like Partas. It's not about the price or the service. It's the connection of the owner of Partas! Partas is owned by Chavit Singson, a kingpin of the Ilocos region. When a Partas breaks down on the way, you know that you can hop in to the next bus because they have the most numbers of fleet going to the Ilocos Region.

Also,for safety reason. The bus stations of Partas are heavily guarded especially in Manila (sometimes not in uniform) and you know that you and your luggages are safe. You won't hear any complaints of a lost luggage. Nobody would dare to mess up with the Singson's.

Mode: TO,AROUND

Type: Bus

Riding the caritela

In front of the Divine Word College in Vigan or in front of the Vigan Hotel, there are caritelas or horseback ridden carriages. These guys are waiting for tourists or local visitors to go inside the Villa Hernandina (that part of Vigan where the roads are made of bricks). As per City Ordinance, the caritelas are the only once allowed to get into the brick roads! Tricycles (motorcycles with cabs or the local transport) are not allowed to go there including other vehicles).

The caritela drivers charges 150 pesos per trip to go around the brick road but this fee does not include if you ask them to wait for you while you shop at the souvenir stores.

You should make a deal/contract with the caritela drivers first before you hop in. During low season (not a lot of visitors (rainy season May, June, July, August, Sept, Oct), not a lot of visitors come visit Vigan, so you can bargain to the drivers. Sometimes, I was told, that they don't have passengers in so many hours. These caritela drivers wait in line to get their own customers!

For us, I bargained for 75 pesos "just to look around" and gave the driver a tip for waiting for us while shopping!

Mode: TO,AROUND

Type: Other

Jeepneys, tricycles and caritelas

It is best to take the tricycle when you don't have a car. If you have a lot of time, then it is best to ride on a caritela (carriers pulled by horses). Make sure to deal with the driver first and ask how much the fare cost before boarding. Bargain if you can! There are no fix prices so have fun in bargaining the price!

Mode: AROUND

Type: Other