Travelling to Ilocos via Florida Sleepers Bus.

We are heading to Narvacan Ilocos Sur (a municipality an 1 hour and 30 minutes south from Vigan City), the location makes it non practical to take a plane via Manila-Laoag so we opted to take a bus. Florida sleepers bus in particular since we will be travelling after work and is anticipating a busy hours upon arrival.

 

I called the bus company (Florida Bus) and booked two beds (just right on time because they only have two seats left), it is very much advisable to book a ticket at least two days ahead to secure a slot and be able to select your desired seat. The fare cost us Php700.00 each, the bus is departing at 10 – 10:30 PM with an expected 7-8 hours travel time.

Saturday night and we head to the bus station with very little expectations. We arrived a minute before 10 as we were caught in a 30 minute traffic jam along España Boulevard that worries me a little thinking that we might be left by the bus. Luckily we were able to catch our ride and boarded immediately. I told the personnel of our destination and desired stop, leaving our baggage to their care.

The bus interior is very neat and clean, no bad smells and the seats or beds are not new but are in a very good and well taken care condition. I was on the top window side which pleased me so much contrary to what some says that it is more comfortable on the lower deck. I personally hate closed space and I don’t like being passed by every now and then so the back side, upper deck is very much convenient for me not minding climbing down a few steps to the comfort room.

I love the fact that the bus departed ahead of time – 10:10PM to be exact. The travel was smooth and I was able to read few chapters from the paper back I brought with me, then, after I took a nap which later becomes a sleep. Not noticing that it is merely minutes to go before 4am on my watch – a sound 4 hours or less of restful sleep. I am munching some snacks that we bought from the terminal when the bus stopped and the personnel signaled us that we just arrived in our destination. The travel time is 2 hours less than what we expected – real fast but never furious.

Generally, our experience was beyond my expectation. I love the trip, the bus personnel who only asked us once about our destination and immediately picked it up and the extended effort of memorizing which baggage we have to get from the compartment is impressively amazing. This justify that expertise in all aspects of your job create a huge difference on customer experience.

Commentary: I just hope they can take some reservation and pick up on the places like Narvacan. Our way home is quite devastating, we opted to take an ordinary air-conditioned bus which cost less than a 100 bucks from what we have paid for the sleepers bus ticket since Florida only stop in a terminal located Vigan City. The travel time all in all (Narvacan-Cubao) takes 9 hours and 25 minutes (seems forever). The smell of the bus is very unpleasant for the price, good thing my nose easily adjusted to it after a couple of hours. Wew! What an experience to remember. ;)

Friendly reminder: don't forget to bring your blanket and pillow :)

For your guidance here is the Florida bus Published Rate and Schedule (may change without prior notice)

(G.V. FLORIDA TRANSPORT, INCORPORATED)
ORIGIN:	TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN
DESTINATION	DEPARTURE	TYPE
CUBAO/SAMPALOC	6:00PM	DE LUXE
CUBAO/SAMPALOC	6:30PM	SUPER DE LUXE
CUBAO/SAMPALOC	7:00PM	DE LUXE
CUBAO/SAMPALOC	7:15PM	DE LUXE
CUBAO/SAMPALOC	7:30PM	SUPER DE LUXE
CUBAO/SAMPALOC	7:45PM	DE LUXE
SAMPALOC	8:00PM	SUPER DE LUXE
CUBAO/SAMPALOC	8:20PM	DE LUXE
CUBAO/SAMPALOC	8:40PM	DE LUXE
SAMPALOC	9:15PM	SLEEPER BUS
SAMPALOC	9:30PM	SUPER DE LUXE
ORIGIN:	SAMPALOC, MANILA
DESTINATION	DEPARTURE	TYPE
CAGAYAN	6:30PM	DELUXE
CAGAYAN	7:30PM	DELUXE
CAGAYAN	8:30PM	DELUXE
CAGAYAN	10:30PM	DELUXE
CAGAYAN	7:00PM	SUPER DELUXE
CAGAYAN	9:15PM	SUPER DELUXE
LAOAG	10:00PM	SLEEPER
LAOAG	8:45PM	DELUXE
ORIGIN:	EDSA CUBAO TERMINAL
DESTINATION	DEPARTURE	TYPE
CAGAYAN	3:00PM	DELUXE
CAGAYAN	8:00PM	DELUXE
CAGAYAN	5:00PM	AIRCON
DESTINATION	BUS TYPE	FARE
VIGAN	DELUXE / SLEEPER	700-800
LAOAG	DELUXE / SLEEPER	700-850
CAGAYAN	DELUXE / SLEEPER	750-1000

G.V. Florida Transport Incorporated Terminal and Contact Numbers

Barangay West Kamias, Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila
Telephone No: +63(2)3525393
FLORIDA BUS

Lacson Avenue Corner Earnshaw Street, Manila, Metro Manila
Florida Bus Co., Manila
(02) 743-3809; 912-5354
Telephone No: (632) 781-5894

Florida Bus Terminal in Tuguegarao City by G.V. Florida Transport, Inc.
Location: Diversion Road, Pengue-Ruyu Tuguegarao City Cagayan Valley
Contact Numbers:
+63 (078) 846 4259; (078) 846-2265