Traveling to Baguio Made Easy: How to Book Your Bus Tickets Online
Commuters and frequent visitors of Baguio rejoice! There is now a way to book your bus tickets online.
You no longer have to queue in crowded bus terminals to reserve your seats and purchase tickets for your upcoming trip to Baguio. This online booking system eliminates the need to personally go to the terminal of your choice to fall in line for hours without the certainty of actually booking your trip.
In this guide we specifically talk about booking your bus tickets to Baguio via an online booking platform and via the bus operator, JoyBus.
Booking Your Bus Ticket to Baguio
To book your bus tickets to Baguio online, simply follow these steps:
1. Go to iWantSeats.com and sign up for an account. You need this to input your personal details when you confirm your booking.
2. Once logged-in, go back to iWantSeats homepage then input your travel details. Choose your terminal of choice from the drop-down followed by the destination, travel dates, and number of passengers the click Search.
3. You will be redirected to the trip selection page. The page lists the available trips based on the destination and departure date that you selected. It also shows the ticket cost. Choose a trip that you prefer by clicking on Book Seats then click Continue.
4. In the next step you are required to enter the name and other personal details of the passenger. You can also pick your seat.
5. Continue to payment and select your preferred mode of payment. Read the instructions for your chosen mode of payment carefully.
Remember to keep the receipt once you made the payment. You need to take a photo of it then email it to iWantSeats for verification.
Related: Moving to Baguio City? Find the Best Location and Accommodation For You
Communicating with iWantSeats
Based on experience, the staff of iWantSeats do reply to inquiries immediately. Once you email them your payment receipt, they can confirm within a few hours. If not, just email them again.
Reaching them on mobile is also convenient because somebody actually replies. Sometimes they even call you if your questions elicit a lengthy reply.
How early should you be at the terminal?
At least 30 minutes before your scheduled trip. You have to show your e-ticket at the counter before boarding the bus.
Do they leave on-time?
Yes. There was one time that we left the terminal 5 minutes late because we waited for one passenger that was late but that was it.
Should you print your e-ticket?
No need to print it just show your e-ticket at the terminal when you arrive.
How much does it cost to book in iWantSeats?
A JoyBus Premier ticket ranges from Php700 – Php900. iWantSeats charges a minimal convenience booking fee of Php30. (Rates can change from the date of publication of this post.) It is best to check the iWantSeats site for up-to-date rates.
Pros of booking
- There are no stopovers.
- Travel in comfort and luxury. There are only 30 seats or less in each bus.
- Premier buses have tablets and wi-fi. Although the wi-fi is unreliable but their tablets have movies, music, books, and games installed. You just need to use your own headset.
- Recharge your device via the USB port in the tablet.
- The bus has its own toilet.
- They provide a free snack, bottled water, and a fleece blanket.
- The staff that we’ve encountered in all our trips so far were all presentable and pleasant.
My preferred bus is always the Joybus Premiere. The buses are roomy, they have a 2×1 column seating arrangement which gives perfect option for solo travelers to sit by themselves. The buses are also equipped with its own comfort room.
Trips to Baguio is typically about 6 hours. But it depends on the traffic in Metro Manila and weather conditions in Baguio. Under favorable weather and light traffic, you can easily arrive in Baguio within 5 hours.
There you have it. Booking your bus tickets to Baguio online should be a breeze.
Related: Moving to Baguio City? Find the Best Location and Accommodation For You
