Banner photo: Screenshot of Mayon from the Official PNR FB Page & DOTR

Planning to travel to Bicol anytime soon? Train trips from Naga City to Legazpi City are back! In case you missed the news, the state-owned Philippine National Railways (PNR) has finally resumed operations along the Naga-Legazpi rail line on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, after six years.

PNR suspended operations on the Naga-Legazpi route back in April 2017 after two years of service because of the lack of train coaches and locomotives at the time. While I haven’t tried riding this specific route myself yet, I plan to the next time I visit my hometown Naga.

In case you’re curious and want to try a new out a different way of traveling around Bicol, here’s the train schedule from Naga to Legazpi, how much it costs to ride, detailed timetable from different stations, and other information you should know for reference.

PNR Route Map

The map below shows the entire PNR route from Caloocan to Bicol. However the red line is currently suspended. Routes from Caloocan to Calamba (Green), Naga to Sipocot (Yellow), and Naga to Legazpi (Blue) route are the only operational routes as of January 2024.

Back in the old days, Tutuban in Manila and the Bicol region used to be connected by the long haul route known as the Bicol Express, which is currently suspended due to aging rolling stock and devastation to the lines caused by typhoons. We got a chance to ride the overnight train again back in 2011 during a short-lived attempt to revitalize the train line, before services were stopped indefinitely again.

Here’s a closer look at the operational route from Naga to Legazpi. This covers a distance of 101 kilometers.

Naga to Legazpi Train Schedule

Starting December 27, 2023 onwards, there will be two trips from Naga City, Camarines Sur to Legazpi City in Albay per day, and two daily trips as well from Legazpi to Naga. Each train can accommodate about 250 passengers. 

NAGA-LEGAZPI

• DEP: 5:38 a.m. / ARR: 8:42 a.m.
• DEP: 5:30 p.m. / ARR: 8:34 p.m.

LEGAZPI-NAGA

• DEP: 5:45 a.m. / ARR: 8:49 a.m.
• DEP: 5:47 p.m. / ARR: 8:51 p.m.

Working Timetable from Naga to Legazpi

The proposed working time table below was shared in the comments section on the official PNR FB page coming from a PNR employee. However, it’s a bit hard to read. FYI, PNR regularly posts updates and changes/delays in the schedule on the Official PNR Facebook Page. Schedules may change without prior notice. Please check their Facebook page on the day of your trip.

Where are the train stations and stopovers located?

• Naga City
• Pili
• Baao
• Iriga
• Lourdes
• Bato
• Matacon
• Polangui
• Oas
• Ligao
• Travesia
• Daraga
• Bagtang
• Washington Drive
• Capantawan
• Legazpi

How long is the travel time from Naga?

• Naga to Sipocot: 45 minutes
• Naga to Legazpi: 3 hours, 4 minutes

How much do train tickets cost?

The minimum fare is P15 for the shortest leg, while it costs P155 per person for end-to-end travel from Naga to Legazpi. Below is the regular fare from Naga to Legazpi from Naga only. Here’s a complete list of the fare coming from different stations.

PNR honors the 20% discount for senior citizens, students, and persons with disabilities, as long as they present a valid ID.

How to ride the PNR Train

Passenger Journey Guide/Procedure:

• Step 1: Buy Ticket from Ticket Booth (5 seconds)
• Step 2: Show Ticket to gate inspector/conductor (5 seconds)
• Step 3: Board the Train (1 minute)
• Step 4: Travel to your destination (travel time varies, see timetable above)
• Step 4: Exit Train (1 minute)
• Step 5: Show Ticket to Inspector at station or destination (5 seconds)

Note: Always keep your ticket while inside the train before leaving the station of destination for inspection. Passengers found without tickets or short ticketed will be charged with the full amount of fare for the route.

Are there any priority coaches on the PNR train?

The first coach of the PNR is reserved for the elderly, PWDs, pregnant women, and passengers with children. The second coach is only for females.

What’s the view like from the train?

PNR shared a video clip of the view of Mayon Volcano from the train. This view can be seen from Kidaco Bridge in Daraga, Albay.

Do they allow bicycles on the train or provide bike parking in stations?

While the official guidelines (see prohibitions below) states that bicycles are not allowed inside the PNR Train and stations, this refers to full sized bicycles. According to new regulations, folding bikes are allowed inside trains, but passengers will be charged a fare equivalent to one person.

Back in 2020, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), through its Rail Sector, started installing bicycle racks at stations of the LRT-1, LRT-2, MRT-3 and PNR transit lines. Bike parking is free but cyclists have to provide their own padlock. Claiming of bikes is within operating hours.

The DOTr also said that: “Cyclists are also allowed to bring their folded bicycles inside the train car with a fare from origin to destination equivalent to one person.”

Hopefully, PNR will consider allowing full-sized bicycles on certain train coaches in the future, to encourage active mobility and lessen cars on the road. This could also be a big boost to tourism, especially for Naga-based cyclists who want to explore more of the Bicol region. It would be cool to go on a train ride + do a Mayon Loop by bike in one trip!

What is prohibited inside PNR trains and stations?

• Eating, drinking, smoking
• Being drunk or under the influence of drugs
• Guns, or any kind of weapons
• Balloons, balls, or any kind of firecrackers
• Paint, thinner, varnish & similar chemicals
• Bottled wine, fish sauce or patis, & similar articles unless properly packed or wrapped.
• Smelly food like fresh meat, fish, bagoong, & daing unless properly packed or wrapped.
• Bicycles, skateboards, and other similar objects that may harm or hamper passengers.
• Playing the radio or musical instruments that might otherwise produce noise.
• Live animals
• Big luggage exceeding 12″x18″x18″ in volume.
• Exception to the above luggage restriction are those uploaded in Biñan.

Sources:

• Official PNR website
• Official PNR Facebook Page
• Department of Transportation Philippines
• Rappler.com. Things to know as the train route from Naga to Legazpi reopens.