Albay Travel Guide
Home to the breathtaking and world-famous Mayon Volcano, the province of Albay is one of the most sought-after provinces in the Bicol Region. Since my first visit here in 2013, a lot has changed about the landscape of Albay but the province’s warmth remains the same. Tara! Let me tell you how to explore the home of spicy adventures.
Albay Province Overview
Located in the southeastern tip of Luzon, Albay Province is the center of the Bicol Region (Region 5). The province is known to be the home of the Mayon Volcano, the Bicol Express (a famous Bicolano dish), and Pili Nuts (an abundant fruit found in the region). The province is named after Miguel Lopez de Legazpi who annexed the Philippines as a territory of Spain.
Read also: What to see and do in Albay Province
Best time to go to Albay
The Philippines predominantly has only 2 seasons (wet and dry). The best months to visit Albay are January to March when the Northeast monsoon (Amihan) is still the prevalent weather system. The average temperature range in Albay is 25.4°C – 32.9°C (77.8°F – 91.3°F)
How to get to Albay
Albay is strategically located in the southeastern part of Luzon Island, making it easier to travel to. Here are some options for you to reach Albay.
By Land
There are numerous bus lines that service the province of Albay. Road trip approximately is at 12 to 13 hours, depending on road traffic conditions. Here are the bus schedules below:
- From Cubao
There are several bus lines that ply the Cubao – Legazpi route. They are stationed near Aurora Boulevard. The fare is approximately ₱ 950.00 – 1250.00 per way.
- From Buendia
DLTB Bus Lines usually service the Buendia – Legazpi route. They are stationed near LRT Gil Puyat Station. ₱ 956.00 – 1200.00 per way
| 0815 H | 2×2 Regular Aircon | Legazpi City |
| 1830 H | Tabaco City | |
| 2030 H | Legazpi City | |
| 2045 H | Legazpi City |
- From PITX
There are several bus lines that service the PITX – Albay route. Here are their schedules and the bus lines that travel the route. Trip schedules to Albay usually start at 0600 H until 2100 H. Fares range from ₱ 800.00 – 1300.00. (Schedules and fare ranges are subject to change without prior notice!)
| 1430 / 1700 / 1930 H | C Bragais Liner | Bacacay |
| 1430 / 1700 / 1930 H | C Bragais Liner | Guinobatan |
| 1700 / 1900 / 2000 H | Alps Bus | Legazpi City |
| 1630 H | Antonina Line | Legazpi City |
| 1700 / 1800 H | Bicol Isarog | Legazpi City |
| 1930 H | C Bragais Liner | Legazpi City |
| 1930 H | Cagsawa | Legazpi City |
| 1930 H | DLTB | Legazpi City |
| 2030 H | DLTB | Legazpi City |
| 1900 / 2030 H | Peñafrancia | Legazpi City |
| 1900 / 2030 H | Peñafrancia | Legazpi City |
| 0600 / 1930 H | Raymond Trans | Legazpi City |
| 1930 H | Raymond Trans | Legazpi City |
| 1430 / 1700 / 1930 H | C Bragais Liner | Ligao City |
| 1430 / 1700 / 1930 H | C Bragais Liner | Oas |
| 1430 / 1700 / 1930 H | C Bragais Liner | Polangui |
| 1700 / 1900 H | Alps Bus | Tabaco City |
| 1530 / 1630 / 1800 / 2100 H | Amihan | Tabaco City |
| 0930 / 1430 / 1630 / 1730 / 1830 / 2000 H | Antonina Line | Tabaco City |
| 1530 / 1800 / 2030 / 2045 H | Bobis Liner | Tabaco City |
| 1430 / 1700 H | C Bragais Liner | Tabaco City |
| 1630 / 1730 / 1830 / 1900 / 1930 H | Cagsawa | Tabaco City |
| 1900 H | DLTB | Tabaco City |
| 1800 H | Legazpi St. Jude | Tabaco City |
| 0800 / 1130 H | Mark Eve’s Transit | Tabaco City |
| 1930 H | Philtranco | Tabaco City |
| 0400 / 0600 / 1830 / 2000 H | Raymond Trans | Tabaco City |
| 0400 / 0600 / 1830 / 2000 H | Raymond Trans | Tabaco City |
| 1900 / 2100 H | RMB Transport | Tabaco City |
| 0700 / 1030 / 1600 / 1700 / 1930 H | RU Diaz Trans | Tabaco City |
| 1730 / 1830 H | Antonina Line | Tiwi |
- Marikina City
The Amihan Bus Lines operated by PhilTranco operates the route daily from the Marikina Bus Port and is priced at ₱ 1000.00 – 1300.00 per way. The bus configurations vary from 2×1 or 2×2.
| 0500 H | 2×2 with Comfort Room | Legazpi City |
| 0800 H | 2×2 with Comfort Room | Tabaco City |
| 1330 H | 2×2 Regular Aircon | Tabaco City |
| 1530 H | 2×2 with Comfort Room | Tabaco City |
| 1700 H | 2×2 with Comfort Room | Legazpi City |
| 1745 H | 2×2 with Comfort Room | Tabaco City |
| 1900 H | 2×2 with Comfort Room | Legazpi City |
| 1900 H | 2×2 with Comfort Room | Tabaco City |
- Pasay City
PhilTranco operates and passes by Albay from Pasay City. Although almost all of the buses just pass through the province, just tell the bus conductor that you will alight in Albay so they will know where to drop you off. The fare usually starts from ₱ 800.00.
| 0700 / 1000 / 1700 / 1945 H | 2×2 Regular Aircon | Camalig, Albay |
| 0700 / 1000 / 1600 / 1700 / 1945 H | Daraga, Albay | |
| 0700 / 1000 / 1700 / 1945 H | Guinobatan, Albay | |
| 1000 / 1945 H | Legazpi, Albay | |
| 0700 / 1000 / 1700 / 1945 H | Ligao, Albay | |
| 0700 / 1000 / 1700 / 1945 H | Oas, Albay | |
| 0700 / 1000 / 1700 / 1945 H | Polangui, Albay | |
| 1000 / 1945 H | Tabaco City, Albay | |
| 0700 / 1000 / 1400 H | Calbayog, Samar | |
| 1200 H | 2×3 Ordinary Bus | Calbayog, Samar |
| 1430 H | 2×2 Regular Aircon | Pio Duran, Albay |
| 1600 H | 2×3 Ordinary Bus | Pio Duran, Albay |
| 1600 H | Libon, Albay |
By Air
This is the easiest way to reach the province of Albay. Two major carriers ply the Manila – Legazpi – Manila (MNL – DRP) and Cebu – Legazpi – Cebu (CEB – DRP). Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific service the Bicol International Airport in its new location in Daraga town.
- Philippine Airlines
| Manila – Legazpi (Daraga) | |
| 0445 H | 0555 H |
| 0950 H | 1055 H |
| 1610 H | 1725 H |
| Legazpi (Daraga) – Manila | |
| 1135 H | 1235 H |
| 1745 H | 1850 H |
- Cebu Pacific
| Manila – Legazpi (Daraga) | |
| 0335 H | 0505 H |
| 0500 H | 0615 H |
| 0850 H | 1005 H |
| 1520 H | 1645 H |
| 1600 H | 1725 H |
| 2045 H – 2220 H (MNL – CEB) | 0505 – 0620 H (CEB – DRP) |
| 2145 – 2320 H (MNL – CEB) | 0505 – 0620 H (CEB – DRP) |
| 2215 – 0015 H (MNL – CEB) | 0505 – 0620 H (CEB – DRP) |
| 2335 – 0135 H (MNL – CEB) | 0505 – 0620 H (CEB – DRP) |
| Legazpi (Daraga) – Manila | |
| 0540 – 0715 H | |
| 1710 – 1840 H | |
| 1750 – 1920 H | |
| 0640 – 0800 H (DRP – CEB) | 1230 – 1400 H (CEB – MNL) |
| 0640 – 0800 H (DRP – CEB) | 1425 – 1555 H (CEB – MNL) |
| 0640 – 0800 H (DRP – CEB) | 1435 – 1605 H (CEB – MNL) |
| Cebu – Legazpi (Daraga) | |
| 0505 H | 0620 H |
| Legazpi (Daraga) – Cebu | |
| 0640 H | 0800 H |
*Schedules may change without prior notice!
By Water
You can also reach Albay via boat through its major port, Legazpi. The province also has minor ports in Tabaco City and Pio Duran.
Things to know about when visiting Albay
The Province of Albay has a land area of 2,575.77 km² and consists of 14.61 % of the whole Bicol Region. The predominantly spoken dialect in Albay is Bikol and some parts also speak “Bisakol” which is a fusion of the Bisaya and Bikol dialects. Cellular Signal in Albay is mainly great (in central business districts) and fair to poor in rural areas. Globe, Smart, and Dito have a signal in the province. Albay also commonly uses/have Type A (two flat parallel pins), Type B (two flat parallel and grounding pins), and Type C (two round pins) sockets in accommodations and establishments. The main mode of payment in Albay is still cash. Although Online transfers (e.g., Maya / GCash) and Wire or Bank transfers (Debit / Credit) are also common in middle to high-end establishments. The currency used in Albay is the Philippine Peso (₱).
Exploring in and out of Albay Province
The main modes of transportation in Albay are tricycles and jeepneys (traditional and modern). The minimum fare for jeepneys is pegged at ₱ 12.00 (as of writing) and tricycle fare ranges from ₱ 12 – 75.00. Traffic conditions throughout the day are moderate to heavy traffic, especially during rush hours (0700 – 0800 H and 1700 – 1900 H). Road conditions are mainly paved.
Click HERE if you want to know where I have been in Albay (and suggestions where to go, too!)
*Note that the places, prices, and information written as of publication date and time are true and are given best during my visit. Changes may occur without prior notice. If you notice any changes to the information above, e-mail me here so we can dish things up!*
We’re born to travel!
About Aldrick 'chiki' Agpaoa
