Tagaytay
How to get to Tagaytay from Manila: bus, van and fares
Photo: Ralff Nestor Nacor, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Tagaytay is close enough to Manila that two bus operators and a UV Express van all cover it, from a handful of terminals on the south side of the city.
How the route connects
- ManilaDLTB from PITX or Buendia; UV Express also from Lawton or CubaoBus or UV Express van · 1.5–3 hr
- Tagaytayaround the Rotunda
Stops, modes and times are from this guide.
By bus: DLTB and Jam Transit
Scroll across for the rest of the columns.
| Operator | Terminal | Fare | Travel time |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLTB | PITX or Buendia | ₱110-170 | About 2 hours, more in heavy traffic |
| Jam Transit (Jam Liner) | Taft Ave corner Gil Puyat Ave, Pasay (near Buendia LRT) | ₱80-90 | Similar range to DLTB |
DLTB runs from either the PITX terminal or the Buendia terminal in Pasay. Jam Transit covers the same route from its own terminal near the Buendia LRT station, with frequent departures roughly every 30 minutes between 4am and 10pm, a wider and more frequent schedule than DLTB’s fixed departure times.
Sources: bustickets.ph, DLTB Manila to Tagaytay bus; rome2rio.com, Jam Liner Buendia Bus Terminal to Tagaytay, both checked 12 October 2026.
By van: UV Express
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| Terminal | Fare | Travel time |
|---|---|---|
| PITX, Buendia, Lawton or Cubao | ₱180-250 | 1.5-3 hours |
| Alabang (near Festival Mall) to Olivarez Terminal | ₱120 | Service runs roughly 5am-7pm |
The Alabang route is the cheapest, but only useful if you’re already on that side of Metro Manila. The other van terminals run a similar range to the bus, so the choice is mostly about which part of the city is easiest for you to reach.
Source: riverpark.ph, travelling to and from Tagaytay by bus, checked 12 October 2026.
By car: SLEX and CALAX tolls
Scroll across for the rest of the columns.
| Tollway | Section | Fare (Class 1 car) | RFID |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLEX | Magallanes to Greenfield/ABI | ₱207 | Autosweep |
| CALAX | Greenfield to Sta. Rosa/Tagaytay exit | ₱44 | Easytrip |
Driving yourself runs about ₱251 in tolls one-way, split between two separate RFID systems since SLEX and CALAX aren’t on the same tag network unless you’re enrolled in the unified One RFID programme. Cash lanes are no longer available at most plazas on this route, so top up before you leave. Tagaytay covers a long ridge, so confirm which part of it you’re headed to before setting off, the Rotunda area isn’t the only arrival point.
Source: expressway.ph, Manila to Tagaytay route guide, checked 12 October 2026.
Arriving in Tagaytay
Both bus and van routes drop near the main strip around the Tagaytay Rotunda, within reach of most hotels and the viewpoints over Taal Lake.
Before you book
Pick your area in Tagaytay first, see where to stay in Tagaytay for how the main strip compares with the quieter ridge road. Once you’re in, a Tagaytay day trip itinerary and the Taal Volcano tour cost breakdown cover what fills the day. For help fitting Tagaytay into a wider Luzon trip, talk to Robert.
Questions people ask
How long does it take to get from Manila to Tagaytay?
About 1.5-3 hours by bus or van; DLTB quotes about 2 hours, more in heavy traffic.
How much does the bus from Manila to Tagaytay cost?
Roughly ₱110-170 on DLTB's regular bus service, from the PITX or Buendia terminals.
Is the van (UV Express) faster than the bus to Tagaytay?
Not necessarily, UV Express fares run ₱180-250 with a travel time of 1.5-3 hours, a similar range to the bus, with departures from PITX, Buendia, Lawton or Cubao.
Is there a terminal near Alabang for Tagaytay?
Yes, a van route runs from the Alabang terminal near Festival Mall to Tagaytay's New Olivarez Terminal, fare around ₱120, running roughly 5am to 7pm.
Is there a bus option besides DLTB?
Jam Transit (Jam Liner) also serves Tagaytay, from a terminal at Taft Avenue corner Gil Puyat Avenue in Pasay, near the Buendia LRT station. Departures run roughly every 30 minutes from 4am to 10pm, fares around ₱80-90.
What's the cheapest way to get to Tagaytay from Manila?
The Alabang-to-Olivarez van route, at around ₱120, but it only helps if you're starting from that side of the city.
Should I drive to Tagaytay instead of taking the bus?
Driving gives you more flexibility for stops along the ridge, for about ₱251 in tolls one-way on SLEX and CALAX.
How much are the tolls driving from Manila to Tagaytay?
About ₱251 for a regular car: ₱207 on SLEX from Magallanes to the Greenfield/ABI exit via Autosweep, then ₱44 on CALAX from Greenfield to the Sta. Rosa/Tagaytay exit via Easytrip. You need a loaded RFID for both systems, or a unified One RFID tag, cash lanes aren't available at most plazas anymore.
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