As someone who travels back and forth from Manila to Naga to visit folks based there, I’ve had a chance to ride different types of buses to visit my hometown. I’ve tried everything from buses with regular seats where you sit stiffly cramped next to strangers, to the more luxurious buses with cushioned La-Z-Boy seats where you can recline and stretch your legs on the 10- to 12-hour overnight journey.
I’m a fan of sleeper buses and trains in other countries, so when I heard that bus line Bicol Isarog had new Ultimate Sleeper Buses traveling between Metro Manila and the Bicol Region, similar to those used on long-haul routes in Vietnam, I had to try it. While this bus line has an older type of sleeper bus that’s been around for years, the new Ultimate Sleeper Buses offer upgraded, premium double-decker coaches with wider, capsule-style private berths and modern amenities compared with the older buses.
PHOTO BY Kara Santos
PHOTO BY Bicol Isarog Transport Inc.
With limited (and often canceled) flights from the Clark International Airport to Naga and the expense and longer travel time from the Bicol International Airport in Legazpi to Naga, most locals just opt to take the bus. So it’s good to know that a more comfortable option is now available.
If you’re planning to travel by land from Manila to Bicol, here’s what I can share.
ALSO READ:
A guide to aftermarket motorcycle exhausts: What exactly do they do?
NAIA Inter-Terminal Shuttle guide: Route, schedules, and more
The luxury, long-distance sleeper buses make use of THACO Mobihome S 125-23 units manufactured in Vietnam. Bunks are configured in a 1x1 double-deck bed arrangement with around 22 to 23 berths per bus.
PHOTO BY Kara Santos
Each ‘seat,’ which resembles a capsule bed, has individual privacy curtains, a foldable tray, cup/bottle holders, a shoe holder, reading and mood lights, and adjustable air-conditioning systems. There’s a USB charging port and cellphone holder to the side of the window. The bus also has one on-board restroom at the back of the bus and is equipped with CCTV cameras for added safety.
PHOTO BY Kara Santos
Where is the bus terminal located in Manila?The Bicol Isarog Bus Station in Cubao is located along EDSA Cubao near Farmer’s. The bus station is a short walk from the MRT-3 Cubao station and the LRT-2 Araneta Cubao station. You can grab something to eat in Gateway or Farmer’s before proceeding to the bus station.
While there’s room for improvement in their cramped waiting area, this station recently opened a new air-conditioned VIP lounge, free for passengers taking the Ultimate Sleeper, Elite, and Premium Buses (an additional P200 fee applies for regular passengers who want to use the lounge). The VIP lounge is more spacious, air-conditioned, has WiFi, and has cleaner restrooms.
PHOTO BY Kara Santos
It’s also possible to ride from the Arcovia Transport Hub in Pasig, which I recommend for those with private transport coming from areas like Pasig, Mandaluyong, Makati, or Taguig. This is a small but lesser-known transport hub with a clean waiting area, a convenience store, and multiple dining options nearby. For those based in the south, the bus line also makes use of PITX.
PHOTO BY Kara Santos
How long is the travel time on the Ultimate Sleeper Bus?For this trip, I rode from Arcovia in Metro Manila to the Naga CBD in Camarines Sur. The bus departed at 8:30pm and arrived in Naga before 6am. Coming back, it departed Naga at 8:30pm and arrived at Arcovia at 5:40am. Average travel time is roughly 9.5 to 10 hours. The same Ultimate Sleeper Bus that goes to Arcovia also picks up passengers an hour earlier at the EDSA Cubao Terminal.
What are the routes available?Based on their online booking page, this Ultimate Sleeper Bus is offered on select Naga, Daraga (Albay), and Sorsogon routes. For full schedules, routes, and availability, check their website.
What’s it like riding the Ultimate Sleeper bus?I found riding the Ultimate Sleeper Bus very comfortable. Since the buses are clean and new, it felt like a novelty compared to the older provincial buses I’ve gotten used to.
Each berth has small rungs so passengers can climb to the top decks. The aisle is pretty narrow, with space for just one person to walk through at a time.
PHOTO BY Kara Santos
I picked the upper bunk, since I don’t have problems climbing up, but my senior parents both picked lower bunks across from each other for easier entry and exit. If you have trouble climbing, you might want to stick to the lower bunks.
The seat is angled at a default so you can sit up while stretching your legs. By pulling the latch on the side, you can fully recline the seat flat so it turns into a bed. While I could fully stretch my legs even with bags by my feet, taller people might not find it as comfortable as I did. I just traveled with a backpack, but passengers can store bigger bags and suitcases in the storage compartment.
PHOTO BY Kara Santos
Blankets and pillows are not provided, so you might want to bring your own. At the very least, wear a jacket, comfortable pants, socks, and shoes that are easy to take on and off. Another thing I appreciated is how the conductors provided plastic bags for shoes to keep the bus clean, similar to what I experienced on a long-haul bus from Hanoi to Sapa in Vietnam. There’s a small compartment where you can stash your shoes.
This Manila to Naga route usually makes one stopover at midnight at McDonald’s Pagbilao for a restroom break and midnight snack.
Compared to some previous rides on other bus types, I was able to sleep properly throughout the night. It was great to shut the curtains and doomscroll in privacy without having to listen to the endless chatter of fellow bus passengers.
PHOTO BY Kara Santos
While I don’t mind taking the newer buses with La-Z-Boy or Elite Seats, the Ultimate Sleeper Bus offers an extra level of comfort, especially if you’re traveling alone and don’t want to be seated next to strangers. It’s still a matter of preference, as some passengers don’t like lying down on moving vehicles, so you can just choose which you prefer.
How much does it cost to ride the Ultimate Sleeper Bus?At the time of my booking (August 2026), the Arcovia Pasig to Naga ticket on the Ultimate Sleeper cost P1,900 one-way. There’s an additional online convenience fee of P114.80 if you book online, for a total of P2,019.80.
Depending on your end-trip destination, other routes like Cubao to Sorsogon (SITEX / Gubat) can go up to P2,700.
This bus type tends to be more in demand during peak season, like fiestas, long weekends, and holidays, so plan ahead if you want to try it. However, with the fuel crisis and recent fare hikes, ticket prices could increase without prior notice.