First time commuting from Iligan to Davao by bus. Badly need advice on transfers, total cost, and tips.
Hey everyone! I’ll be heading to Davao City to attend the SPVM 2026 National Physics Conference at Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU).
Since I’m commuting by bus from Iligan City and haven't taken this route before, I’d love to ask for some first-hand advice on how to get there smoothly.
My general plan is to transfer via Cagayan de Oro:
Leg 1: Bus from Iligan to Bulua Terminal in CDO.
Transfer: Taxi/jeep across town from Bulua to Agora Terminal.
Leg 2: Ceres/RTMI bus from Agora to Davao Ecoland Bus Terminal via Buda.
Last Leg: Local Davao ride from Ecoland Terminal to AdDU (Roxas Campus).
A few questions for anyone who has traveled this recently:
Direct Bus: Is there a direct bus option passing through Iligan nowadays, or is transferring in CDO still the most reliable way?
Expenses: Roughly how much cash should I prepare for bus fares, the CDO transfer, meals along Buda, and the taxi/jeep to AdDU?
Travel Time: How long does the full journey usually take? Is an early morning departure or a night bus better?
Transit Tips: Any advice on stopovers, or what to keep in mind for the cold stretch along the Buda highway?
I’d really appreciate any tips or recent updates from locals and frequent commuters.
Thank you!