Cavite to Subic (SBMA)

Starting point for this trip would be Bacoor Cavite. From Bacoor take Coastal road going to Macapagal Avenue and then EDSA. From EDSA just look for a sign that indicates the entrance to NLEX (North Luzon Expressway), Drive the whole stretch of NLEX existing in Dau. From Dau there will be road signs leading to SCTEX (Subic Clark Tollway Express or Something like that) drive the whole length of SCTEX going to Tipo Highway. The exit of Tipo Highway leads to Subic. The trip is roughly about 3-4 hours with moderate traffic on EDSA and the usual stopovers. Toll fees are expensive but seeing the road condition and noticing that there is no traffic, the fees are worth it.
Written Mar 16, 2009

Getting to Subic (SBMA) via Public Transport

Hop on a Victory Liner Bus from Cubao and make sure to ask if there's an available bus that will use the SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway), the sign board in front of the bus would say Olongapo via DAU-SCTEX to cut about a half to an hour travel time to Subic but if theres none available, just take the regular Olongapo-San Fernando bus, which will exit at San Fernando, Pampanga, go thru several Pampanga and Bataan towns, including the Olongapo-Gapan highway before getting to Victory Bus Station in downtown Olongapo City. Buy the ticket from the ticket counter and check your seat number. Fare one-way for the Olangapo-San Fernando route is 200 pesos while the Olangapo-Dau-SCTEX route costs 225 pesos including the 5 pesos travel insurance (these prices are as of March 1, 2009). When you get off at the Victory Bus Liners Terminal in Olongapo City, walk towards the main road where there is a Jollibee store and a statue in the middle of the road. Hop on a yellow colored jeepney with Sta. Rita and Gate words written on its side across Jollibee or in front of Cyndys Bakeshop. Fare is 7 pesos one way. Get off in front of Olongapo City Mall and walk towards Subics main gate. Use the covered walk to get inside Subic. On your left side after passing thru the gate, youll see an area where stores like Mini Stop,7 eleven and Wimpys are located. This is also the terminal for Winstar Taxis if you would want go around the area. To get on a free shuttle bus for Royal Subic Mall, walk towards the parking lot in the middle of all these stores and board a white bus with yellow and blue stripes at its lower bottom sides. There would be a sign in front of the bus that would say Free Shuttle for Royal Subic Mall Shoppers. This is a free shuttle and will take you directly to the Royal Subic Mall. After shopping just fall in line in the free shuttle bus waiting area and get off at the same parking lot where youve started. Get out of SBMA by following the same covered walk way that you have used when you entered the base. Walk towards the side of the road facing the base and get on the same yellow jeepneys with Sta. Rita and Gate signs. These jeepneys will bring you back to downtown Olongapo City or the Victory Liner Bus Terminal again. Fare is 7 pesos.
Written Mar 1, 2009 Phone: (02) 727-4534 Website: http://www.victoryliner.com/

Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX)

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It used to be that going to Subic freeport is a hassle since you will be passing the gapan-olongapo road in the San Fernando Exit of NLEX and it takes 2-2 /12 hours to get to Subic from here and this is tiring! Until they inagurated the spanking new SCTEX, built with a 27 billion dollar grant from Japan, is is a 94 kilometer 4 lane all weather road that connects subic bay, clark field and tarlac city. the 55 km clark to subic portion is now open (i heard that the 39 km clark to tarlac portion will be opened in july) and 500 meters after dau exit of NLEX, you will see a flyover that points to the SCTEX and just follow it and viola you are now at the north clark interchange entrance. The view is spectacular of rolling hills, mount pinatubo, rice fields and hills cut by the expressway. It is a 4 lane all weather road and the toll to Subic is 112 pesos from clark (you exit at the Tipo interchange of Subic and then pay another 18 pesos for the Subic Expressway). the driving time to subic is about 45 minutes. Written Jul 16, 2008

SCTEX - Fastlane from Clark to Subic

Going to Subic from Manila, Pampanga or Tarlac is now hazzle-free with the opening of the SCTEX (Subic, Clark, Tarlac Expressway). It only took us 45 minutes (cruising at an average speed of 90kph) to reach Subic (Tipo Exit). Toll fee from Clark to Tipo is P112. This really is a big convenience for visitors to Subic. The road cut into several hills and provided a wonderful view while on the road. If you are coming from Balintawak thru NLEX (North Luzon Expressway), take the exit after DAU with the sign of "SCTEX". Roughly 500m away, you will reach the entry to SCTEX. The courteous staff at the toll booth will give you toll card which will be surrendered at the exit. The staff will tell you to have a safe trip. PROS - Convenience (no traffic, no bus who frequently stop to pick up and drop off passengers) and the time saved CONS - Toll fee is a little bit high Written Jun 12, 2008

Trip around SBMA!

Subic is a 1.5 hours trip from Pampanga. Transportation to this area is not accessible to public transport, so better gets your own car or hired a van to get you there and around or you can ride a Victory Liner (Bus) or FX in San Fernando to go to Olongapo City. In the City, if NYC has an icon of a yellow cab, here you can ride in a yellow jeep, to go to SBMA)
Updated Apr 28, 2008

15 pesos vs 450. You choose.

I had an interesting experience this morning. I was trying to make my way the 25 or so km around Subic Bay to visit Ocean Adventure (see tip http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/t/1c0ba7/4/150fbd/0/). On the way, I dealt with trike and taxi, both of whom wanted to 'maximize profit'. The trike driver was an out-andPage 2 of 3

out liar so I renegotiated on the spot when he left me far short of the goal. The taxi was fair, but a tad expensive. If I had paid what they had asked the sum total would have been 600 pesos, or about US$15. Not too bad - if you're in the US! I ended up shelling out 450. On the way back, it was a different story. I asked some of the locals how they would do it and they suggested a two-step jeepney trip that brought be just about to my door, for a total of 15 pesos. True, it took about an hour and a quarter instead of an hour and it was a bit packed. But a great experience and quite a savings.
Updated Mar 25, 2008

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