How to Get to Ilocos Norte

There are ten flights (Airbus 150 service) to Laoag every week--PAL every day, and Cebu Pacific on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Fare fluctuates from around P1,000 one way to more than P4,000 for business class seats. Cebu Pacific is generally cheaper, but PAL also has budget fares, they're probably just a little more difficult to come by.

There are no taxis or other public utility vehicles at the Laoag Airport. Visitors are advised to arrange transport with the hotels or resorts they book in the province. There are occasional tricycles and jeepneys, but the fares quoted will usually be jacked up. Best to take the jeep, and haggle to P30-P50 per head for the short ride from the airport to Laoag City center. (The drivers will quote anywhere from P50 to P150.) Discussions are underway to resolve this problem, but for the meantime, enjoy the haggling.

Farinas Trans, Partas, Maria de Leon and other provincial bus lines ply the 500 kilometer route between Manila and Laoag, using air conditioned buses. Some have De Luxe buses that seat only 28 passengers--but these are often limited to two buses per day.

Within the city center, tricycle rides are usually P7 per person, but people usually pay P8 to P10. Calesa rides are also at P7 per person, but again, people give P10 per head, or P20 if riding alone (the calesa usually seats maximum of four). Visitors may also rent hourly or half-day. Remember to haggle and bargain.

From Laoag, visitors can choose to head north for the beaches and mountains; the east for Sarrat church and the valleys, rivers; or south for Batac, Paoay, Badoc and other points of interest.