Travel and transport agencies Southern Luzon

Philtranco is a bus and coach company founded in 1914. It operates in the Bicol region of the Philippines. The company has undergone several changes of ownership over the years. In 1958, it passed into the hands of the Tuason family, then in 1971, it was bought by the Mantrade group and renamed Pantranco South Express, Inc. Despite financial difficulties in the 1980s, the company managed to recover thanks to restructuring in 1974. In 1979, it extended its services to the Eastern Visayas region and began offering ferry crossings in the San Bernardino Strait. Philtranco offers clean, comfortable buses, equipped with wifi, toilets and an on-board entertainment system.

The PNR train from Manila to Bicol was not in service at the end of 2010. After closing in 2006, the line reopened at the end of 2009, but a typhoon again damaged it. It appears that it will be operational mid -2011, even though many of the world doubts. The cars would be new or almost, but the rails are still in poor condition. To follow…

Minibus station located in front of the huge SM City shopping mall. The vans serve the towns of the Bicol region (Naga, Donsol, Pilar, Tabaco...) and leave when they are full (about 12-15 people). Sometimes you can wait a long time, that's part of the experience. Anyway, don't hesitate to announce yourself to any driver of the terminal and tell him where you are going, sometimes a bus going to another city will pass by your destination. Count for example about 1h30 from Legazpi to Donsol (120 PHP).

A serious local travel agency to help you organize all your excursions around Legazpi and the Bicol region. They offer day trips such as a trek to the Mayon volcano (weather permitting) or a visit to Legazpi as well as multi-day trips to see whale sharks in Donsol, dive in Ticao or explore the Caramoan Islands. Rates are on a sliding scale depending on the number of people and they are quite responsive by email. Remember to book in advance.