How to Get to Baguio City

Visiting Baguio City

No city in the far northern region of the Philippines is more popular among tourists than Baguio City, the country’s undisputed Summer Capital. It is so popular as a holiday destination that even the head of the country, the President, has her official summer home in the city. Want to know how to get to Baguio City? Read on!

Baguio City is the capital of Benguet Province, about 240 kilometers north of Manila. It is the gateway to the Cordillera region, known for its wondrous mountains, valleys and hills.

Main Highways to Baguio

There are different ways to reach Baguio City, depending on where you will be coming from. First, there are the major highways leading to the city:

Rosario, La Union: Kennon Road (where unfortunately there have been many accidents)

Rosario / Agoo, La Union: Marcos Highway (named after the former dictator Ferdinand Marcos)

Bauang, La Union: Quirino Highway

Benguet to Mountain Province and Ifugao: Halsema Road

How to Get to Baguio from Manila

If you are coming from Manila, first take the North Luzon Expressway (nicknamed N-Lex). Head for Balintawak. Keep going through Bulacan Province up to Santa Ines, Pampanga. Then turn right to Mabalacat, still in Pampanga, and a second right to McArthur Highway. Go straight past the provinces of Tarlac and Pangasinan. Stop at Rosario, La Union. Finally turn immediately right to Kennon Road or go farther and turn right at Marcos Highway instead.

Other Ways to Baguio

If you want to avoid traffic, you can make a left turn upon exiting North Luzon Expressway and head for Magalang-Concepcion Road. It will take you to Concepcion-Capas Junction which is also where you go in the usual route through Tarlac. When you reach Pangasinan, ignore detour signs no matter what. You can easily get lost. Keep going north as Baguio is straight up north.

How to Get to Baguio Safely

Kennon Road is the shortest way to Baguio. Unfortunately a long history of mining in the area has made the road vulnerable. It is dangerous to travel along Kennon Road especially during the rainy season. There have been many accidents in the area. So if you do not mind the extra time on the road, it may be safer to take Marcos Highway. Marcos Highway is wider and longer than Kennon Road, and safe to use all-year round. It also has a nice view of the South China Sea that you can admire as you drive along.