Northern Luzon is one of the most visited areas in the Philippines. The western side of the Ilocos region features the historic streets of Vigan, Ilocos Sur, the iconic churches of Paoay and Bantay, the Marcos stronghold of Batac and the famous beaches of Pagudpud.
I was on holiday in Pagudpud when I had the urge to go back to Sagada. It’s not an easy trip to Sagada, but here’s what you have to do if you feel like making the most out of your trip up north.
From Pagudpud, you would need to take a bus that would get you to the Partas station at Laoag City. The fare will me minimal (less than 100). You may wait along the highway for passing buses from Cagayan Valley. Bear in mind though that most of the buses are probably full and you will have to stand the rest of the way (around 90 minutes).
Upon reaching the Partas station, you may buy tickets for Baguio. The company has an annoying policy of not allowing advance bookings and they only open the ticketing office 15 minutes before the bus leaves. This creates a mad dash to the ticket booths once the trip schedule is announced. The fare from Laoag to Baguio is 382 pesos. The bus would make two stops (one in Vigan). The trip is a staggering 6.5 hours.
From Baguio, you may take the Lizardo Buses at Dangwa station (again, it’s at 220 pesos) every hour from 6AM to 1PM. 
It was pretty hard, but I still made it to Sagada! Travel safely!
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Hi Benj,
Wow, it’s good to know that you had time to tour North with your busy schedule. Now, i have an idea how to do this route going to Sagada. I hope i get to meet you someday.
Comment by Cherry A — April 28, 2009 @ 10:37 am
hi,
what if the plan ist from manila to the north with stop overs:
manila to zambales
zambales to baguio
baguio to sagada
and sagada to laoag
laoag to pagudpud
and then by plane going back to manila via laoag airport
Comment by iran — October 15, 2009 @ 5:55 pm
I really love this place. I will continue to come back time & again. I think I’ll keep note of this route. I haven’t seen Ilocos yet. I have an article about a culinary tour within the region then perhaps finish it off with some hiking & caving through Sagada.
Anyone knows of a cheap place to stay in these areas? If with a stove, so much the better so I can cook….Thanks a lot!
Comment by Mao — October 20, 2009 @ 10:20 am
any suggestions on the easiest route to sagada by plane..thanks a lot!
Comment by kathy — November 1, 2009 @ 6:13 am
can you tell me the easiest and shortest route to sagada by plane..please..plenty thanks..email me please
Comment by kathy — November 1, 2009 @ 6:18 am
hi! i also really would like to travel up north. my plan is to fly to laoag and from there go to pagudpod then back to vigan then ilocos sur – to launion – to baguo then to sagada. then roadtrip back to manila na. im thinking i’ll stay a day or 2 in each places. i’m planning 15 days for this trip. can you please give me tips? thanks! =)
Comment by shEn — January 16, 2010 @ 8:21 pm
hi benj! i also really would like to travel upnorth. backpacker style. i’m thinking of flying to laog then roadtrip back to manila. i want to tour iloco norte, ilocus sur, launion, baguio then my last stop will be sagada. then roadtrip back to manila. i will be travelling alone. any tips?
Comment by tsen — January 16, 2010 @ 8:24 pm