Baguio Insider

Merry Christmas to All!

I went down to Manila via the De Luxe Victory Liner bus on December 24th to spend Christmas with my family. And since Victory Liner refused to accept reservations for bus tickets for December 25th, insisting on a “first come first served” policy, I took a car and driver up to Baguio the next day because I did not relish spending any part of Christmas day standing around in the dinky Cubao terminal with the mass exodus of people, lined up to “beg” for a seat, not having a choice of which type of bus I was to ride up in.

So I was surprised to note that the toll fees for the North Luzon Expressway (NLE, sometimes NLEX) were reduced by 10% since December 20th, with a permanent reduced rate in the works starting January 2007. So for private cars, the whole length of the NLE is now at Php180 instead of Php203. See the government announcement regarding the reduction here.

Of course even the reduced rate is prohibitive for some folks — it used to be just Php41 before the NLE was redesigned and awarded to the Manila North Tollways Corporation — but the new NLE is wider, smoother and cuts expressway travel time considerably. I would say the Php180 is worth it as you do save in terms of time, fuel, and vehicle wear and tear. Those who want to save on toll fees can always pass McArthur Highway (enter from Kalookan City).

For more travel tips to Baguio, please check How to Get to Baguio.

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Comments (original location: Typepad)

Hi Lisa,

Great to read about your round-trip journey. Just wondering for your readers how much does a car trip that you did going back to Baguio cost (i.e tolls,gas,snack/lunch car/driver)in today’s peso/dollar amount. How much was the De Luxe Victory Liner bus ride to Cubao. Thanks in advance for future balikbayans and your readers. BTW, sent you some emails(thru gobaguio) last 12/21. Were they deleted or did they not require a response? Just wondering! TY, have a Happy New & Prosperous New Year.

Posted by: joe | 12/29/2006 at 01:01 PM

Hi Joe! Happy Holidays and I hope you’re keeping warm in Poughkeepsie!

Thanks for your emails! Baguio and Atenara House have just been so busy this season that I haven’t been able to keep up with emails, comments & submissions. I just had to post this “emergency” article on the NLE toll fees for the benefit of all the folks coming up for the Christmas break.

Baguio in January is way more relaxed and I’m sure I can get back to everyone by then.

FYI: Fuel is currently about Php2000 ($40) round trip for a regular sedan, driver at least Php500 ($10) per day, snacks variable (article on rest stops along the road to Baguio currently in the works), and everything else you need to know including bus rates, routes, detours, Kennon or Marcos available at How to Get to Baguio

ps. none of the photos in the emails you sent (forwarded from tommy cacal jr) would load I would appreciate it if you could resend them, so they can be included in the Baguio Photo Gallery that I am completing (to include past & current photos, as well as personal nostalgia shots from Baguio natives). thanks!

Posted by: lisa | 12/30/2006 at 10:01 AM

Hi lisa! Sorry, i got busy too these past few days trying to bond with some relatives from CA & Texas. Hence, the late reply on this topic. Anyway, thank you for the Info about how much a car trip would cost for vacationers planning to see Baguio. Did not realize arm and a leg was the cost to travel if you go alone. It’s good to see you though starting to work on this website this January. I shall try re-sending those photos from Tommy if i can by email. So long for now. YW!:)

Posted by: Joe | 01/04/2007 at 06:17 AM