Using Low Cost Airlines 101

1. A Philtranco bus/ shuttle has a regular schedule to and from SM Megamall and DMIA at Clark. The fare from SM Mega costs 300. There are four trips according to the boking andcreservation office of Philtranco - 6am, 7am, 11am, and 12 pm. There was an 1130 trip, however, when I arrived at the waiting area for the shuttle at SM. Reservations are recommended and can be made by phone at 851-8077 to 79. There were a lot of available seats though. I rode the 1130 am trip even when I was reserved for 12 pm. I thought I'd rather be early. There are no signages at the waiting area and no Philtranco personnel. I only got to confirm that I was at the right spot from the SM guards and from the other people who were already sitting at plastic benches when I arrived. The waiting and pick up area is located behind SM Megamall Building A, right across BPI and Watsons. It is along the same line as a row of FX taxis parked and waiting for passengers. The whole trip from SM Mega to DMIA took more than an hour and a half but less than two hours.

2. DMIA has an outdoor waiting area located at the far end of the building right beside the road corner and the sidewalk with street lights. This road is also where departing buses of Philtranco and Partas park and wait for passengers. Tickets for these buses may be obtained at tables set up by the bus companies at the arival area. Partas catersvto passengers that go to Northern Luzon, particularly Laoag. Passengers going to Baguio are dropped off at the Sison, Pangasinan stop of Victory Liner. Passengers pay separately for each bus line. The ticket obtained at the airport pays for the Partas trip from Clark to Sison.