The only way to get there from major cities such as Clark and Manila is by overland express bus.

How to take an express bus…?

When can I make a reservation…?

Are there any buses at night? Is the waiting area safe…?

To answer these questions, we will explain how to ride and make reservations for the “Joy Bus”. This is an express bus that connects Baguio to various destinations.

This information is based on a late-night departure in June 2025, when we used this service to travel from Baguio to Manila Airport in the early morning.

If you’re thinking about flying to Clark Airport, check out this article.

What is Joy Bus?

Joy Bus is a bus operated by Genesis.

It is characterized by its bright blue buses and offers routes from Baguio to Manila Airport and Clark Airport.

The number of buses operates every hour. It is easy to make a schedule according to flight times.

However, details are frequently updated. For example, the terminal to go through, the grade of the bus, and other details other than the time are subject to change.

It is best to check directly at the bus terminal, as they are often not updated on the website.

Here is the map for the Joy Bus Terminal in Baguio.

If you can’t make it to the location, you may also check our Facebook page for information. Search for “joy bus baguio” on Facebook and sort by date. You should see the new timetable.

Timetable & Fees

Here is the latest Baguio to Manila Airport timetable for June 2025.

NAIA means Ninoy Aquino Airport, or Manila Airport. You can see that there are direct buses to each of Terminals 1, 2, and 3.

Here is the timetable posted at the bus terminal.

Quite a few flights are available from early morning to late at night.

This timetable may be easier to read because the information is scattered up and down, making it difficult to understand.

Also written next to the time is the grade of the bus.

“GENESIS DELUXE“ has three rows of seats and ”JOUBUS PREMIERE” has four rows of seats.

In the Philippines, some buses still don’t have air conditioning. But don’t worry, all of our buses have air conditioning.

How to take Joy Bus (Reservation)

From here, will explain how to use the Joy Bus by following the actual procedure.

I used it to go from Baguio to Manila airport to catch a flight to Japan.

Decide which bus to use

The first step is to decide on a bus.

What time should we book the bus in the first place?

I would recommend taking the bus 8 hours before your flight.

It takes about five hours to get from Baguio to Manila by bus. If you are flying abroad, most people think you should get to the airport three hours before your plane is due to leave.

To avoid any problems, it’s best to buy your plane ticket eight hours before you plan to leave.

In my case, I had an early morning flight at 8:00 a.m. so I decided to book a flight leaving at midnight.

But you can make small changes to it. You can book the bus several hours before you want to travel, in case you are not sure you will make it on time. You can also choose your preferred departure time.

Reserve a bus

It is said that bus reservations can be made two weeks prior to the boarding date.

There are two ways to make a reservation

• Online Booking
• Reservations at the bus terminal

Online Booking

You can also make a booking with Joybus online, which is unusual for the Philippines. You can also pay by credit card.

We are concerned about whether the reservations have been made properly because of where the Philippines is, but so far we have not received any reports of incomplete reservations, so it is probably safe to assume that they have been made.

IWant Seat (https://www.iwantseats.com/)

However, there is a possibility of trouble with payment due to the security of credit card companies on the Japanese side.

In that case, ask for help from the language school staff or make a reservation at the bus terminal counter in a mature manner.

Reservations at the bus terminal

For this trip, I booked at the local counter. The location is the bus terminal near SM Mall, which I told you about earlier.

It was a little after noon on Saturday when I visited. Since it was a holiday, there was a line of about 20 people at the counter.

I was in the queue for about 30 minutes. Customers were arriving one after another, so be prepared to wait this long if you are visiting on a holiday.

When it was my turn and I tried to inform them of my flight reservation, I was handed the following paper.

You will need to write the date and time of your reservation, and the name of the person making it, on this form.

I chose the “DELUXE” grade bus to Terminal 3 at midnight. The price was 740 pesos.

After I paid, I was given a receipt that also served as a boarding pass. To be honest, the handwriting is not very clear, but this completes the reservation.

How to take Joy Bus (How to ride)

Well, let’s visit the bus terminal again when the date and time for boarding the bus is approaching. There are about 30 waiting seats next to the ticket counter.

This is the scene before midnight.

As you can see, there are many people and the lights are bright, so the security situation seems to be safe. You will be able to wait in peace until your bus arrives.

There should be several buses parked at the terminal. There are two key points to identify the bus you will board.

• Check the bus number
• Check destination guidance

Check the bus number

A whiteboard near the waiting area lists the bus numbers.

For a bus departing at 0:00, you can see that you should take the bus with the number “8707”.

Remember that the number here is for the car body, not the license plate.

In this case, the last four digits of the vehicle body numbers match, so we know it is correct.

Check destination guidance

There is also a way to check the destination of a stopped bus to see if it is the bus you will be on. Here is a point to look at.

NAIA is the name of the airport in Manila. Find the right bus and show your ticket to the staff. They will stow large luggage in the luggage compartment and tell you to wait inside.

It seemed that the bus I was boarding had already arrived at the terminal 30 minutes earlier.

Joy Bus Use Report

I will now describe what the car condition was.

From boarding to departure

The bus I used this time was the DELUXE (4-row seats) departing at midnight on weekdays to Manila Airport. There were about 50 seats and it was almost full.

The bus seating area and space is as follows. It was a standard grade bus, but the seating area was cleaner than I expected.

There is no free service of water or snacks, which is common overseas. There are no restroom breaks along the way, and we are heading to Manila at once.

Departure

The bus left at the scheduled time.

Soon after we started driving, the lights went out and it was dark inside the car. The car was quiet inside, so it was a good place to have a sleep.

Also, the temperature inside the car is fine.

Buses in the Philippines can get very cold because the air conditioner is set very strong. This time, however, the bus kept the temperature just right until the end of the trip.

Arriving in Manila

There were no problems or passengers getting on and off along the way, and we headed smoothly to Manila. The first point of arrival was CUBAO.

I arrived here at 3:40 a.m. I was in Manila in less than four hours.

It was a late-night flight, so there was no traffic, which made it go well.

There was a 15 minute wait at this CUBAO. Maybe they had a specific time to enter the airport and were adjusting the timing.

I arrived at Manila Terminal 3 at 4:15 a.m. Still, it was much earlier than I had expected.

Inside Manila Airport to Departure

Joy Bus arrives at the Arrival Area of Terminal 3.

In the past, visitors had to go through security checks just to enter the airport, but now they can come and go as they want.

There is also a currency exchange at the arrival area.

It was open even early in the morning, so if you have a large amount of money left over, you can use it to settle your pesos.

After taking the escalator up about two levels, you will see a depature area with airline counters.

As the sign in the back says “Non-passengers are not allowed in this area,” you need to prove that you are a passenger at the airport on the same day to enter this area.

Show your e-ticket for the day, etc.

Then, check in at the respective airline counters.

It was early in the morning, but there was a huge line at the Cebu Pacific counter. I guess it is better to have enough time.

On the other hand, the AirAsia counter was scrambled because it was more than 3 hours before the flight. I arrived too early, but it was better than waiting in line for a long time.

After baggage check-in, baggage inspection, and passport control, you are ready to leave the country.

If you are returning to Japan and have not yet registered for Visit Japan, use the time you have to wait to do so.

Summary

I have provided information on how to use Joy Bus (Joy Bus) as of June 2025.

Can you get an idea of how to get from Baguio to Manila airport and how to take a bus?

International students do not have much to think about once they arrive in the Philippines, as most use the school’s pick-up van.

But you will have to make your own plans for the way back, which I hope you will do with this example.

Please note that if there is a holiday on the same day, Joy Bus may not be able to make a reservation for you.

In that case, use another bus company, Victory Liner.

Victory Liner has more flights, and it’s easier to change the time. But remember that it is not directly connected to the airport. When you arrive at the bus terminal in Manila, you will need to get a taxi.

Unlike Baguio, Manila has some concerns about security and dealing with rip-offs.

If you are a little concerned about safety, it is better to use the Joy Bus, which is directly connected to the airport, even if you have to move the date and time.

About Clark Airport

Clark Airport is located in the city of Angeles, 170 km south of Baguio. The Ninoy Aquino Airport in Manila, which many people use, is another 90 km south of Baguio, and is by far the easier airport to use in terms of travel distance from Baguio.

Access to the airport from the city is relatively easy, and it is only a 20-minute cab ride from the lodging area and long-distance bus drop-off points. There are many ways to get to the airport, including cabs, tricycles, and buses, but using Grab to take a cab is the easiest way. The cab fare was about 380 pesos (about 988 yen) at 4:00 a.m.

Clark Airport is not a major airport for Japanese visitors. There are still very few direct flights between Japanese airports and Clark. The day I used the airport was Saturday, and there were only 10 or so flights a day. On the other hand, there are major flights to Korea, so Korean students often use them.

In terms of LCCs, as of February 2024, Cebu Pacific Airlines only offers flights between Narita and Clark to Japan. Therefore, if you choose Air Asia or Zip Air, you will have to go to Manila.

Inside Clark Airport (before passing the baggage check point)

The airport itself is small, as you can see from the number of daily flights, but overall it is quite clean. The design is warm and wood-like, and the high ceilings give it a very open feeling. This time, being early in the morning at 4:00 a.m., there are quite a few people.

Cebu Pacific counter 2 hours and 30 minutes before departure.

There is a cafe in front of the baggage checkpoint where you can order snacks. Waffles and sandwiches cost about 300-400 pesos…. Well, that’s the price at the airport.

There is also a 7-Eleven. Breads, snacks, beverages, side dishes, etc. are sold at almost the same price. The aisles are filled with products, which is a pity….

Next is the food court, but it was not open early in the morning at 4 am. In addition to Wendy’s, you have a chicken shop and a steak shop lined up. It is quite a heavy lineup.

There are also two other currency exchange shops lined up next to each other in the airport. The rate is 0.3700, which is not a bad number considering how much it has dropped in the past few days.

The restrooms are also kept clean.

Inside Clark Airport (after passing through baggage check)

After passing through the baggage check, there is still a wide open departure lobby. In addition to the hard, inorganic chairs often seen in airports, there are soft, well-designed chairs where you can take a break.

Inside, there are three restaurants: a Japanese/Korean restaurant, a café, and a rice/noodle restaurant. It is nice to see that the restaurant is open even in the early morning.

This is a Japanese/Korean restaurant.

This is the menu of the rice and noodle restaurant.

The menu of the café. I bought a bottle of water to bring on board here, and it cost 80 pesos for 500 ml. In town, it costs about 25 pesos at most.

Duty free store was closed. Because it was early in the morning.

Wifi speed in the airport. I guess it is fast enough for working and watching videos. There is no such thing as registration or authentication to connect, just access and you are connected.

Access to Clark Airport

The most common way to get to Clark Airport from Baguio is by bus. There are two bus companies, Joy Bus and Victory Liner, which I used.

I did not use Joy Bus because of the bus schedule. Above is the schedule at the bus ticket booth in Baguio. There are not many buses. My flight was at 7:00 a.m., so I had too much time on my hands.

Moreover, I checked with the staff at the ticket counter and they told me that it is not possible to make a reservation for the bus between Baguio and Clark. The fare is 480 pesos and is given to the driver after boarding on the day. I could make a reservation for the bus to Manila airport…. Furthermore, I was even told that the last flight at 5:30pm may or may not come on the same day….

Thus, I chose Victory Liner. There are quite a few flights available here, from early morning to late at night. However, there are no flights directly to Clark Airport. Basically, you take a bus heading to Manila and make a stopover in an area called DAU in Angeles.

The fare to DAU is 423 pesos, and this bus company allows advance reservations and payment in advance. Credit cards are accepted. I chose to take the bus to an area in Manila called Caloocan, get off on the way, stay overnight, and then head to Clark Airport.

Baguio-Angeles Victory Liner Ride Report

The Victory Liner terminal is newly renovated and clean, and there are food and drink stalls inside and a Jollibee nearby, so it is easy to kill some time. It is easy to pass the time.

If you have reserved a ticket, your seat will be reserved for you, and you can simply hand your reservation slip to the fare clerk on board the bus as it starts running. However, since most of the people who buy bus tickets are tourists or foreigners, there may be people already seated in the bus. In that case, show them your ticket and ask them to take your place.

Now it is time to depart, but there is something you must keep in mind. In Japan, long-distance buses usually stop nonstop to the destination after loading passengers. Here in the Philippines, however, buses pick up passengers at the side of the road and drop them off where they want to go.

That is why it takes 5 hours for a trip of only 170 km. I left Baguio at 11:20am and arrived at DAU at 4:00pm. I think there were 15 times about people getting on and off during that time. It was rather stressful and mentally tough to have to stop every time.

The ride out of Baguio was quite slow as we had to go through several crowded towns. However, the right side of the two stretches of road is like a so-called highway, and we were able to proceed quite lightly.

Regarding the interior facilities and environment, the chairs are simple and, well, at least they don’t hurt my back. The air conditioning was adjustable to some extent, and although I often hear that the air conditioning was too cold, this time it was just right. As is often the case in the Philippines, it is one’s luck that one can be listening to video without worrying about one’s surroundings.

On the way, there are two 15-minute breaks after riding for 1 hour and 30 minutes and 2 hours and 30 minutes, respectively. You can shop for bread and skewers to eat on board.

The Victory Liner bus terminal at DAU is in this area. It is easy to get around as tricycles are stationed at the entrance and Grab cabs can be easily found.

Best way to get to Clark Airport (unconfirmed information)

This time, I chose to stay overnight in Ángeles. The reasons are as follows.

(1) I was not sure if I would be able to catch a cab when I arrived at 3:00 a.m.

(2) Because there was a possibility of sudden time change because of LCC.

(3) Because we wanted to minimize the impact of bus delays.

When it was over, I was glad that I did not have to stay overnight because everything went as planned without a hitch. The total amount I spent was 1,893 pesos: 423 pesos from Baguio to DAU, 1,100 pesos for the hotel, and 370 pesos from the hotel to the airport.

Actually, there is another option. The Joy Bus, as mentioned above, has a limited bus schedule, but it probably goes directly to the airport and does not load people on the way. However, this is just a guess and has not been confirmed yet.

How to get to the Hundred Islands (Alaminos)

The Visayas Islands in the southern part of the Philippines, where Cebu is located, are famous for marine activities, bu

haveto blog

The van charter is priced around 6,000 pesos, which is 600 pesos if divided by 10 people, so it is the least burdensome option since it can go directly to the airport. If you are able to gather a good number of people, this option is also available.

Baguio is a long way away, and therefore, it is difficult to get around, but it is a very satisfying place to spend time. We hope that many people will overcome this obstacle and come to Baguio.

My lifestyle and what I spent the most money on

My lifestyle is relatively frugal. I choose inexpensive stores to buy processed foods and fruits. When I buy mangoes, if they are overripe and inexpensive, I buy them. I spend my money sparingly when I do something special away from my daily life, such as when I go on a trip.

However, I am not good at traveling long distances, so I don’t do it that often. I have taken one big overnight trip and four day trips such as hiking.

I try my best to go on trips and out for drinks when I am invited, rather than inviting myself to go. I am a person with a sense of values who thinks that a weekend spent studying is not so bad. I live with the flow.

I am not a person who keeps a household budget, so I am not going to give you a rough idea of my expenses. The biggest expense I have ever spent was 4,000 pesos for a one-night trip, followed by a few drinks.

I also had a Brazilian wax once for about 1,000 pesos (about ³). Fortunately, I have not had any serious illnesses, so I have no other major expenses.

Amount paid before leaving the country

First, the total amount I paid to the agent was 1,191,000 yen. This was for a 6-month course of 8 lessons and a single room in a condo type room. This amount is almost constant and does not vary from agent to agent.

The breakdown is as follows: entrance fee is 12,000 yen, and tuition (including lodging and breakfast) is 1,179,000 yen. It varies depending on the school, class, and other conditions, just for reference here. What you should pay attention to is the amount to be paid locally, which is written in the remarks column below, and will be described in detail later.

After that, I needed to pay for the airfare. A one-way ticket from Narita Airport to Manila Airport cost 15,513 yen (including checked luggage up to 20 kg), and since it is an LCC, entertainment facilities such as movies and meals are optional, which I did not add.

The rest is what is called a “throw away ticket”: if you are going to stay for more than 30 days, you need to have an exit ticket from the Philippines in advance, whether you use it or not. Actually I was not asked to present it, but I prepared it just in case.

The ticket to Taipei was 4,190 yen. Therefore, I needed 1,210,703 yen before leaving Japan.

Amount paid locally to the school

In conclusion, the amount I paid locally was 59,440 pesos (about 154,544 yen). The bill came in as estimated because the 3,000 peso airport pick-up fee was added to the amount written on the estimate in Japan.

The details are as we were informed in advance and there is no problem if we follow the agent’s instructions. Also, regarding the water and electricity bills, we were announced in advance that there might be additional charges if we used too much in the room we were staying in, but so far, after 3 months, that has not been the case.

I say easily about 60,000 pesos, but it is quite a pain to prepare it on the first day. Our school has recently established a yen↔peso exchange service, so we don’t have any difficulty, but if you want to exchange money at a place with a good rate, you may need a little more time.

Also, as for overseas travel insurance, we chose the one attached to our credit card, so we do not think it cost us anything.

Calculating living expenses from the amount of money exchanged

The rest will be the various living expenses paid in the area. I have not kept track of how much I spent, but I have exchanged 297,612 yen worth of pesos. Subtracting the 154,544 yen that we paid on the first day, we spent 143,068 yen in three months.

Since lunch and dinner are optional at our school, the cost of meals is included in this amount, which may be more expensive than at other schools. However, I don’t eat at school, but go to local restaurants.

If I were to assume that I ate at the school cafeteria every day for 90 days at 170 pesos per meal, the cost would be 30,600 pesos (about 79,560 yen). I am confident that I can keep the cost of meals lower than this amount, so I would spend about 90,000 yen for travel, shopping, dry cleaning, and miscellaneous expenses.

Summary

Although this is a rough estimate, I have introduced the amount of money I spent during my 3-month stay. Our school charges for food separately, so it may be a little unusual, but I hope it will be of some help.

As a small side note, let me verify how much difference there would be if I had exchanged all of the approximately 300,000 yen I exchanged on days with good and bad exchange rates since my arrival.

両替所 VS クレジットカードキャッシング

物価の安いフィリピンへ留学するといっても、どうせなら高レートの両替所を選びたいものです。今回は、数ある両替所の中でどこがレートが良さそうなのか、クレカのキャッシングと比較してみた検証記事になります。

はふたぶろぐ | バギオの情報リアルタイム発信

10,000 yen = 3,894 pesos (August 31, 2023), 10,000 yen = 3,696 pesos (November 11, 2023)
(3,894-3,696) x 30 = 5,940 yen

This is a rather large amount of money, isn’t it? You want to exchange money at an exchange center with a good rate anyway. Please refer to my previous article on rate efficiency!