The standard way to reach Baguio is the six-hour bus ride from Manila. Victory Liner, Genesis, and Joybus run frequent departures from terminals in Pasay, Cubao, and Avenida; the Joybus first-class buses (reclining seats, blankets, WiFi) are worth the small premium for an overnight ride. The road climbs Kennon, Marcos, or Naguilian — three separate mountain routes — depending on weather and conditions, with the steep final ascent through pine forest taking about an hour.
There are no commercial flights to Baguio's airport, which lies at high altitude and has limited operating conditions. The closest major airports are Manila (NAIA, 250 km south) and Clark (200 km southwest).
Private cars or vans take four to five hours from Manila in light traffic; on a Friday evening, a long weekend in the dry season, the same drive can take eight hours or more.