Because of its proximity to Metro Manila, Zambales is undoubtedly one of the choice weekend and summer destinations for metropolitan dwellers, especially beach lovers and sun chasers. Located in the Central Luzon region, its western border is the West Philippine Sea, blessing most of its towns, including its capital Iba, with sandy shores and clear waters.
San Antonio is popular for its stunning coves like Anawangin and Nagsasa. Tourists embark on an island hopping tour to get to some of these beautiful coves and islands. Neighboring towns San Felipe and San Narciso offer surfing spots for both beginners and advanced wave riders.
For those staying overnight or for a few days, the resort towns of Zambales not only provide beachfront and unique lodgings but also lure beach campers and “glampers”.
Already itching to explore the province? Whether riding a private vehicle or taking public transportation, the travel time from Manila to Zambales is 4-5 hours, depending on the traffic and road conditions.
For those traveling via public transportation, here are the bus schedules for Manila to Zambales route. Note that this covers buses bound for Olongapo, Iba, and Santa Cruz. Although governed independently from the province, Olongapo is still geographically located in Zambales. If you are specifically headed to Subic, you can check out our MANILA to SUBIC Bus Schedules & Fares article.
WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE?
Victory Liner
As one of the biggest bus companies in the Philippines, Victory Liner has a wide network of bus routes servicing Northern and Central Luzon areas. Its terminals in Manila are located in Pasay, Sampaloc, Cubao, Kamias, and Caloocan. Its Zambales Line has terminals in Olongapo, Iba, and Santa Cruz.
Here are the bus schedules of Victory Liner from Manila to Zambales via Olongapo, Iba, and Santa Cruz.
Note: This schedule may change without prior notice. It’s best to check Victory Liner’s Official Facebook page for the updated schedule. You can also book your tickets in advance online through Victory Liner official website.
If you’re a foreign tourist traveling around the Philippines and you haven’t figured out your internet situation yet, let us help! You can either rent a pocket WiFi or purchase a local SIM card or an eSIM. Both of these options are available at the airport and can be picked up upon your arrival.
From Victory Liner Pasay Terminal
Pasay to Olongapo
Inner Cities (Aircon Bus)
- 02:30 AM
- 03:30 AM
- 04:30 AM
- 05:30 AM
- 06:00 AM
- 07:00 AM
- 07:30 AM
- 08:30 AM
- 09:30 AM
- 10:30 AM
- 11:00 AM
- 12:00 PM
- 01:00 PM
- 02:00 PM
- 03:00 PM
- 03:30 PM
- 04:30 PM
- 05:00 PM
- 06:00 PM
- 07:00 PM
- 07:30 PM
- 08:00 PM
- 08:30 PM
- 09:00 PM
- 10:30 PM
As of: 24 April 2024
Fare: P230-380
Note: These buses usually make a stop at the San Fernando terminal and/or Dau transportation hub in Pampanga.
Pasay to Iba
Express (Aircon Bus)
- 05:00 AM
- 08:00 AM
- 10:00 AM
- 12:30 PM
- 01:30 PM
- 02:30 PM
- 05:30 PM
- 11:30 PM
As of: 24 April 2024
Fare: P590
Note: If you are taking the bus with a stop at San Fernando terminal in Pampanga, the fare is P490-500.
Pasay to Santa Cruz
Express (Aircon Bus)
- 12:30 AM
- 04:00 AM
- 06:30 AM
- 09:00 AM
- 11:30 AM
As of: 24 April 2024
Fare: P640-745
Note: Some of these buses travel directly to Victory Liner terminal in Santa Cruz via San Fernando.
From Victory Liner Cubao Terminal
Cubao to Olongapo
Express (Aircon Bus)
- 08:00 AM
- 10:00 AM
- 12:00 PM
As of: 24 April 2024
Fare: P375-385
Note: These buses usually take the SCTEX via Dau in Pampanga to get to Victory Liner terminal in Olongapo.
Inner Cities (Aircon Bus)
- 01:00 AM
- 04:30 AM
- 05:30 AM
- 06:00 AM
- 06:30 AM
- 07:30 AM
- 08:30 AM
- 09:30 AM
- 10:30 AM
- 11:30 AM
- 12:30 PM
- 01:30 PM
- 02:00 PM
- 03:00 PM
- 04:00 PM
- 05:30 PM
- 06:00 PM
- 06:30 PM
- 07:30 PM
- 08:00 PM
- 08:30 PM
As of: 24 April 2024
Fare: P285-290
Note: These buses usually make a stop at the San Fernando terminal in Pampanga.
Cubao to Iba
Express Bus
- 05:00 AM – Regular Aircon
- 07:00 AM – Regular Aircon
- 09:00 AM – Regular Aircon
- 11:00 AM – Deluxe
- 01:00 PM – Regular Aircon
- 02:30 PM – Deluxe
- 03:30 PM – Regular Aircon
- 05:30 PM – Regular Aircon
- 07:00 PM – Regular Aircon
- 09:00 PM – Regular Aircon
As of: 24 April 2024
Fare: P575-580 (Regular Aircon) | P615 (Deluxe)
Note: The regular aircon express buses will take the SCTEX via Dau in Pampanga to get to Victory Liner terminal in Iba.
Inner Cities (Aircon Bus)
- 11:30 PM
As of: 24 April 2024
Fare: P475-480
Note: These buses usually make a stop at the San Fernando terminal in Pampanga.
From Victory Liner Sampaloc Terminal
Sampaloc to Olongapo
Inner Cities (Aircon Bus)
- 05:00 AM
- 09:00 AM
- 12:00 PM
- 03:00 PM
- 05:00 PM
- 07:00 PM
As of: 25 March 2024
Fare: P285-290
Note: These buses usually make a stop at the San Fernando terminal in Pampanga.
Sampaloc to Iba
Inner Cities (Aircon Bus)
- 04:00 AM
- 01:00 PM
- 06:00 PM
- 08:00 PM
As of: 25 March 2024
Fare: P480-485
Note: These buses usually make a stop at the San Fernando terminal in Pampanga.
Sampaloc to Santa Cruz
Express (Aircon Bus)
- 11:00 AM
- 02:30 PM
- 11:00 PM
As of: 25 March 2024
Fare: P725-730
Note: These buses depart from Sampaloc terminal and travel directly to Victory Liner terminal in Santa Cruz.
Inner Cities (Aircon Bus)
- 06:00 AM
- 04:20 PM
As of: 25 March 2024
Fare: P630-635
Note: These buses usually make a stop at the San Fernando terminal in Pampanga.
From Victory Liner Caloocan Terminal
Caloocan to Olongapo
Express (Aircon Bus)
- 07:40 AM
- 10:40 AM
- 04:40 PM
As of: 24 April 2024
Fare: P375-380
Note: These buses usually take the SCTEX via Dau in Pampanga to get to Victory Liner terminal in Olongapo.
Inner Cities (Aircon Bus)
- 03:00 AM
- 05:30 AM
- 08:40 AM
- 09:40 AM
- 11:30 AM
- 12:40 PM
- 01:40 PM
- 02:15 PM
- 03:15 PM
- 04:15 PM
- 05:15 PM
- 07:15 PM
- 08:40 PM
- 09:00 PM
- 10:00 PM
As of: 24 April 2024
Fare: P280-285
Note: These buses usually make a stop at the San Fernando terminal in Pampanga.
Caloocan to Iba
Inner Cities (Aircon Bus)
- 05:00 AM
- 06:00 AM
- 07:00 AM
- 08:00 AM
- 09:00 AM
- 10:00 AM
- 11:00 AM
- 12:00 PM
- 01:00 PM
- 02:00 PM
- 02:30 PM
- 03:30 PM
- 04:00 PM
- 04:30 PM
- 05:00 PM
- 06:00 PM
- 07:00 PM
- 11:00 PM
As of: 24 April 2024
Fare: P280-285
Note: These buses usually make a stop at the San Fernando terminal and/or Dau transportation hub in Pampanga.
Caloocan to Santa Cruz
Express (Aircon Bus)
- 03:00 PM
As of: 24 April 2024
Fare: P720-725
Note: These buses usually take the SCTEX via Dau in Pampanga to get to Victory Liner terminal in Santa Cruz.
Inner Cities (Aircon Bus)
- 04:00 AM
- 07:20 AM
- 08:20 AM
- 09:20 AM
- 10:20 AM
- 11:20 AM
- 12:20 PM
- 01:20 PM
- 05:30 PM
- 08:00 PM
- 11:55 PM
As of: 24 April 2024
Fare: P620-625
Note: These buses usually make a stop at the San Fernando terminal in Pampanga.
Cisco Bus Co.
Cisco Bus Co. operates daily trips from Manila to Zambales, Nueva Ecija, and Pangasinan. The company shares a terminal with Five Star Bus in Cubao and Pasay. Buses bound for Santa Cruz in Zambales are stationed at the Pasay terminal at #2240 Aurora Boulevard in Malibay. Look for the Five Star Bus terminal. By the way, these buses also stop at Alaminos before proceeding to Santa Cruz.
Here’s the trip schedule of Cisco Bus from Manila to Zambales via Santa Cruz.
Note: This schedule may change without prior notice. It’s best to check Cisco’s Official Facebook page for the updated schedule.
Pasay to Alaminos/Santa Cruz
- 05:00 AM
- 06:00 AM
- 08:00 AM
- 09:30 AM
- 12:00 PM
- 02:00 PM
- 03:00 PM
- 05:30 PM
- 09:00 PM
As of: 02 May 2024
Fare: P695-700
Note: This route includes a stopover at the bus terminal in Alaminos, Pangasinan.
Where to Stay in Zambales
Olongapo is ideal for those who want to stay near Subic Bay and the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. If you want to stay in one of the beach towns, San Antonio, San Narciso, and San Felipe are dotted with accommodation options — camping, glamping, homestays, resorts, and hotels. You may also opt to stay in Iba if the provincial capital is your next destination. Santa Cruz is a border town, which is perfect for those who want to explore both Zambales and Pangasinan.
Remember to book your hotel in advance, especially during peak season. Here are some of the top accommodations as rated by online users.
Top Hotels on Agoda
- CRYSTAL BEACH RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - YOUHAN BEACH RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - THE PENTA BEACH RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - FUNTASEA HOTEL AND BEACH RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - BOM DIA HOSTEL
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here!
Top Hotels on Booking.com
- WHITE CASTLE BEACH RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - MEGANS PARADISIO BEACH RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - PLAYA ALBA BEACH FRONT AND RESORT
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - THE PALMS RESORT & BAR
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here! - BAKASYUNAN RESORT AND CONFERENCE CENTER
✅ Check Rates & Availability Here!
If you want more suggestions with more details about each hotel, you can also check our Top 10 Beach Resorts in Zambales article.
Find more Zambales Hotels!
Updates Log
2024.05.10 – First uploaded
Related Article: How to Get to Zambales
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