Getting Around Naga
Naga is a compact, easy-going city to navigate, and most visitors find they can get where they need to go without much planning. The city's public transport is dominated by small, informal vehicles rather than a large formal network, and the practical approach is simply to flag down whatever is passing and pay the driver directly.
Public Transport: Pedicabs, Jeepneys and Tricycles
Public transportation in Naga is provided by pedicabs, jeepneys and tricycles — motorcycles with a sidecar. These are the workhorses of local movement and the modes you will use most often for short hops around the city.
- Pedicabs are human-powered and best suited to short trips in and around the centre.
- Jeepneys run along the main routes and are the usual choice for slightly longer journeys across town.
- Tricycles are motorcycle-and-sidecar combinations that can be hired for point-to-point trips and are handy when you want to go directly to a specific address.
Fares are typically paid in cash to the driver, and there is no citywide ticket or pass system to worry about — you simply pay per ride.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are available in Naga, so if you prefer a metered or pre-arranged car journey, that option exists alongside the smaller vehicles. For most everyday movement, though, the pedicab, jeepney and tricycle network covers the ground well.
Rail
Naga has a Philippine National Railways (PNR) station on PNR Road. Rail service here is limited and geared toward nearby towns rather than a dense urban metro: PNR runs a small number of daily trips to towns to the northwest, plus a service to Legazpi. There is no metro or tram network in the city. If you want to use the train, treat it as a way to reach neighbouring areas rather than as a way to get around Naga itself.
Buses and Long-Distance Connections
For travel into and out of the region, Naga's bus station — the Bicol Central Terminal (also called the Naga City Central Bus Terminal) on Ninoy and Cory Avenue, near SM City Naga — is the main hub. It is the largest and busiest bus station in the region and stays open around the clock.
- Stalls at the terminal sell local food, and signage directs you to the correct bay for your destination — for example, buses headed to Manila or to Daet.
- Buses run between Naga and Metro Manila via Lucena, a long journey of roughly eight to ten hours.
UV Express Vans
UV Express vans are a useful middle ground between buses and local transport, connecting Naga with nearby cities. They arrive at and depart from two dedicated terminals:
- Eastbound Van and Multicab Terminal (Waling-Waling St, Naga City Subd, Triangulo), open 5AM–6PM, serves destinations in Partido, the Rinconada District and Albay.
- Westbound Van Terminal (Felix Plazo St, Sabang, near LCC Mall), open 5AM–6PM, serves destinations in northwest Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte.
Sample UV Express connections include Legazpi, Daet and Tabaco. Fares are paid directly, and the vans are a convenient option if your plans take you beyond the city.
Ferries and Island Connections
Naga itself is not a ferry port, but it is a useful jumping-off point for Catanduanes Island. To reach Virac, take a minivan from the Naga van terminal to Tabaco, then catch the fast ferry from Tabaco port, which departs daily at noon. Tabaco Port is on Ligao-Tabaco Road and is open 24 hours.
Walkability
Naga is a manageable city on foot for short distances in the centre, but the practical way to cover ground is to combine walking with the local pedicab, jeepney and tricycle network. Because these vehicles are plentiful and inexpensive, you rarely need to walk far to reach the next stage of your journey.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Naga's airport — the only one in Camarines Sur — is actually located in Pili, some distance from the city centre. There is no direct terminal-to-downtown shuttle, so the transfer works in two steps:
- From the airport, walk a short distance to the main highway.
- At the highway, flag down a jeepney or bus for the ride into the downtown area; the journey takes around half an hour.
Airlines serving the airport include Cebgo, with flights to and from Cebu-Mactan Airport and Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport, and Sunlight Air, with flights to and from Manila-Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Arriving by Car
If you are driving yourself, Naga is straightforward to navigate by car and sits along Asian Highway 26. The city is a long road journey from Manila, so most visitors arriving by land come via the bus terminal or UV Express vans rather than driving the whole way.