Philippines: First Class (De Luxe) Bus from Cubao to Baguio City and back

Travel time from Cubao, Quezon City to Baguio City will now take only four to five hours if you take the non-stop First Class (aka De Luxe) bus of VICTORY LINER from Cubao.

Why take this bus?

• Free use of the First class air-conditioned waiting lounge at the terminal (Cubao) with flat TV and free coffee
• Shorter travel time as it is non-stop and uses the NLEX, SCTEX and TPLEX
• cleaner, wider, more legroom and reclining seats
• Bus stewardess on board
• video/ movie screening 
• Free wifi for the duration of your travel
• Most seats are equipped with electrical outlets to charge your devices if needed
• free snacks (biscuit or cupcake, chocolate candy and mineral water)
• There is a small comfort room/ toilet inside the bus which you can use anytime. Toilet with provided with running water and toilet paper 

Cubao VL Schedule to Baguio  - 12:15 am, 10:15 am, 12:20 pm, 2:15 pm, 8:15 pm, 11:15 pm

Baguio VL Schedule to Cubao  - 12:10 am, 2:10 am, 9:10am, 10:10 am, 1:10pm, 10:10 pm

Fare Schedule - One-way fare per person is Php750 (regular standard aircon bus is Php 455). Senior discount rate is given at Php 600. Unfortunately, there is no student discounts.

Bus Terminal Address and Telephone Numbers:

1. Cubao Terminal: 638 EDSA Cubao, Quezon City.  Tels (02) 727-4688, (02) 410-8986, (02) 727-4534; Cellphone 09985915054. (Note: take Denver Street parallel to EDSA to go to and from the VL Station because loading and unloading of passengers through EDSA is not allowed)
2. Baguio Terminal:  Governor Pack Road, Baguio City; Tels (074) 442-5708, (074) 442-5708, (074) 619-0000; Mobile 09985915100

Baguio Terminal Ticketing Counters

Souvenir shops and eateries at the VL waiting area in Baguio

Hotel at the VL Terminal in Baguio
There is a Microtel Hotel adjacent to the Baguio VL Terminal. Hotel number is (074) 619 3333. Hotel is strategically located and is a walking distance to SM Baguio.

Practical Travel Tips

1. It is best to purchase your bus tickets in advance. Tickets are not sold on-line. One has to purchase his/her ticket directly at the VL Station in Cubao. 
2. Round-trip tickets cannot be purchased from Cubao.  Return tickets must be purchased from Baguio upon your arrival (Note: if you have relatives or friends in Baguio, ask them to purchase your return ticket ahead)
3. There are solo seat available if you are traveling alone. Ask the ticketing officer for these seats.
4. Don't forget to bring your jacket or sweater as it tends to be very cold inside the bus.
5. The bus provides token snack and a bottle of mineral each to passengers.  You might want to bring additional snack or food items with you as the trip is non-stop. There are several variety stores, including Mister Donut, at terminal in Cubao.
6. There are accredited porters at the terminal in Cubao who can help you with your luggage.  Upon arrival, ask a porter at the terminal entrance to bring you to the First Class Lounge and indicate to him the departure time of your bus.  Ask the same porter to return and  take you to the bus once your designated  bus arrives. Porter will assist you in checking-in your luggage with the bus conductor (Baguio issues claim stubs).  Once completed, you can give a good tip to the porter (Php 50 to 100 is reasonable depending on your load). (Note: always take note of the number of the porter appearing in his shirt; if none, don't hesitate to ask for his name).
7. Upon arrival at the VL Terninal in Baguio, you can take a metered taxi lined-up just outside the main entrance of the terminal.  Most taxi in Baguio are SUV type so there should be no problem is you gave some bulky loads.  (Note: make sure the taxi driver uses the meter)
8. At the Baguio VL Terminal:
1. There are very few porters to help you with your luggage.
2. There is no first class waiting lounge.  However, you can go to the second floor (where you find the ticketing counters).  The public waiting area there is huge. You can take the elevator if you have a load. 
3. There are a number of souvenir shops and eateries in this waiting area. You may want to purchase you snack for your travel from here. 
4. There is free wifi in the area but quite slow.
5. There are toilets at each floor of this terminal. I suggest you use the one at the second floor as it tends to be cleaner and less crowded.  You may also want to walk to Microtel for cleaner toilets.  The walkway to the hotel from the waiting area is covered.
9. Other options - In the event that there are no available seats for you to Baguio and back, you might wish to check on the JOY BUS (operated by Genesis Bus Company)  which operates similarly like the VL De Luxe buses  (my friends tell me that buses of this company are newer and better and rates are the same).