Getting Around Bacolod City
Bacolod is a major transport hub, with an international airport, a busy ferry port, and good road connections to the rest of Negros and beyond. Within the city, most visitors get around by jeepney, taxi, tricycle, or ride-hailing app, and the downtown core is compact enough to explore on foot if you're comfortable with busy, sometimes uneven streets.
Is There a Rail, Metro, or Tram Network?
No. Bacolod has no rail, metro, or tram system, and none is described in the source material. Getting around the city relies entirely on road-based transport — jeepneys, tricycles, taxis, ride-hailing cars, buses, and private or rental vehicles — plus ferries for inter-island travel. Plan your trips accordingly; there is no train or light rail option to fall back on.
Jeepneys: The Backbone of Local Transport
Jeepneys are the most common way to get around Bacolod, and the vehicles here differ from the ones you'll see in Manila. Fares start at ₱14 for the first 4 km and rise by ₱2 for each additional kilometre.
- There are over 18 routes, and they converge on Bacolod's two major public markets: Central Market and Libertad Public Market.
- One useful route for visitors is Central Market – Shopping, which runs between downtown and Bacolod's Chinatown in barangay Villamonte.
- Jeepneys from nearby cities such as Silay and Talisay also serve Bacolod. They are more affordable than taxis and private cars, though less comfortable.
Tricycles
Tricycles are another alternative to taxis and are common around the downtown area. Fares depend on the distance travelled, so it's worth confirming the price before you set off.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Getting around by ride-hailing service (namely Grab), private car, or taxi is quick and affordable. Note that taxis are described as expensive and prone to ripping off foreigners — Grab is generally the safer bet for visitors.
- Grab is the main ride-hailing option in the city.
- Car rental is available if you'd rather drive yourself; operators include Meca Rent-A-Car (☏ +63 34-4440795) and BASIA Transport Service (☏ +63 923-6804847).
Buses and Bus Terminals
Bacolod has two major bus terminals, both operated by Ceres, which runs daily services to and from destinations across Negros and beyond — including Escalante, Sagay, San Carlos, Hinoba-an, Don Salvador Benedicto, Canlaon, Culipapa, Bayawan, Binalbagan, Toledo City, Zamboanga City, Cebu City, Dumaguete, Kabankalan, and Cadiz, among others.
- Ceres Southbound Terminal (☏ +63 34-4460681 / +63 34-4460686): buses to and from Dumaguete (via Mabinay) and Cebu City (via Dumaguete).
- Ceres Northbound Terminal (☏ +63 34 433 4993): buses to and from Bayawan (via Cauayan and Sipalay) and Kanlaon City (via La Carlota, La Castellana, Moises Padilla).
Arriving by bus from elsewhere on Negros is easy, as the roads see little congestion. Buses from other islands are also possible, using RORO (roll-on, roll-off) ferries. During Holy Week, Christmas, and New Year, buses are often cramped and overbooked, so it's advisable to avoid bus travel in peak season.
Ferries
Bacolod Seaport handles inter-regional trips from major destinations such as Manila, Cagayan de Oro, and Iloilo City. The Iloilo–Bacolod route is served by several operators:
- Ocean Jet — tourist class, one way, ₱550.
- Weesam Express — economy, one way, ₱620.
- Montenegro Lines — regular class, one way, ₱550.
- 2Go Travel — ferries to and from Metro Manila and Cagayan de Oro.
Short ferry trips also connect to Iloilo City across the Guimaras Strait, giving access to Panay, Guimaras, and Boracay. For Cebu Province, the usual route is a bus to San Carlos that rides a ferry to Cebu Island and continues by road to Cebu City; an alternate route to Cebu — and the usual route to Bohol — is a bus across Negros to Dumaguete, then a ferry.
Walking Around Bacolod
The streets of Bacolod are generally not great for walking: sidewalks are full of illegally parked vehicles and street vendors, and surfaces can be uneven. That said, the city is certainly walkable if you're used to navigating these sorts of environments.
- Jaywalking is illegal in Bacolod and enforcement is strict.
- Pedestrian crossings are hard to spot, even downtown — take extra care when crossing.
- The downtown core follows a rough grid, but streets become less orderly farther out.
Traffic has increased with the city's growth and is common during rush hour, especially in the early evening as commuters head home. Congestion is typically worse during the Christmas and New Year period and during the MassKara Festival.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Bacolod's main airport, Bacolod-Silay International Airport (BCD), is not located within the city — it sits up north in the city of Silay, part of the Metro Bacolod area. Airlines serving it include Philippine Airlines and PAL Express (Manila and Cebu), Cebu Pacific and Cebgo (Manila, Cebu, and Davao), and AirAsia (Manila).
On arrival, the Department of Tourism has a desk in the arrivals area where you can ask questions and pick up free maps. Hotels, resorts, and car rental companies also have kiosks in the arrival areas, so you can book a room and head straight to your hotel without hassle.
For the trip into Bacolod itself, you have a few options:
- Minivans leave the airport for SM City Bacolod, Bacolod Provincial Hospital, the Old Bacolod Airport, and Victoria Arcade/Lopues East/Savemore Supermarket.
- Grab ride-hailing is the recommended alternative to taxis, which are described as expensive and prone to ripping off foreigners. A Grab into the city should cost around ₱500–₱800.
- Hotel-arranged vans are a convenient option for the return trip: most places to stay in downtown Bacolod can book a van for you, at ₱150 per person from hotel to airport. If you board the van from outside SM, the fare is ₱100 per person.
Practical Tips
- Keep small bills and coins handy for jeepney and tricycle fares.
- Use Grab rather than hailing taxis off the street, especially as a foreign visitor.
- Ask your hotel to arrange airport transfers in advance — it's often the simplest option.
- Build extra time into your plans during rush hour, the Christmas and New Year period, and the MassKara Festival.
- If you plan to travel onward by bus during Holy Week, Christmas, or New Year, book ahead or travel outside peak season.