Ayala Avenue lights up with Christmas lights while a bus speeds by. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News.
The holiday season is right around the corner! It’s the season of going home to our families to honor those who passed away during Undas, to make more memories with those who are still here during Christmas, and to welcome the New Year with a bang.
There’s a reason why everyone calls this the “ber months,” because from September to December, the holiday spirit brightens the streets, malls, homes, and public spaces around the country. It’s a visual reminder to come home.
But with it comes heavy traffic.
Issues with Holiday Commutes
According to the TomTom Traffic Index in 2025, the Philippines has the worst traffic in Asia, with Manila and Davao City among the country’s most congested cities. It’s a familiar scene for every Filipino returning to the province: overcrowded terminals, long lines, fully booked buses, and last-minute schedule changes.
Travel stress and fatigue already hit you way before you board your bus, and a grumpy mood during travel is not an ideal way to start the holiday.
And with some bus operators reducing their trips amid rising fuel prices, planning your holiday ahead of time is more important than ever.
Commute Tips with Easybus PH
Fortunately, with Easybus PH, planning for travel becomes simpler and quicker through your phone. You won’t have to stand in long lines and get stressed over tickets anymore.
Here are things to consider when planning your holiday trip:
Book your bus reservation early
Holiday trips fill up quickly, especially from late October to December. Instead of waiting for the last minute, check available schedules as soon as you can once you have a plan to go home. Booking ahead of time matters more for your convenience and peace of mind, giving you more choices when it comes to trip schedules, bus operators, seats, and routes.
You can check easybus.ph for available trips to your hometown, along with other bus amenities that you want for your trip. Onboard toilet, sleeper bus, lazyboy seats — there’s one for everybody.
As of October, some bus operators have already opened their trip reservations up to November and December to cater for Undas and Christmas trips.
Check official social media pages
Even after booking your ticket, it’s important to stay updated because travel conditions can change during the holiday season. Follow Easybus PH’s social media pages and your chosen bus line’s official social media pages so that you’ll be informed of trip delays, cancellations, and other updates.
Easybus PH can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Save your digital ticket
Going home doesn’t need to be more complicated than it needs to be. Plan ahead, secure your seat early, and give yourself enough time to make your trip more comfortable. Start your trip home for the holidays with easybus.ph!
Your smartphone is one of your most important items for travel, so make sure the digital ticket you’ll get after booking is saved in your Gallery. Mobile data and signal can sometimes be weak in crowded terminals and on the road, so it’s better to have a copy of your ticket.
Before travelling, take a screenshot of the digital ticket and save it in a separate gallery album or your Favorites album. Also double-check the details on your booking, like the departure time and terminal, before leaving home.
Choose travel time wisely
Choosing the right departure schedule can make a major difference in how stressful your travel may be. Make sure that when you choose your trip schedule, you consider how long it might take you to reach the terminal too, especially during the holiday rush.
Try to arrive at least an hour or two before departure so that you have enough time for traffic delays, packing your luggage, and other preparations. If you are fortunate enough to have a flexible schedule, choose a trip schedule that’s around the off-peak hours instead so you can avoid the rush hours (6 am–7 am and 5 pm–7 pm). Early afternoons or late nights are better so that you’ll be able to arrive home earlier.
Bring snacks
Long-distance trips will take several hours, especially during holiday rush. There will be times when you’ll get hungry on the road, especially when the bus stopover is still kilometers away.
Bring simple snacks with you, like chips and biscuits, to nibble on throughout the ride. You can also bring your water tumbler so you can stay hydrated and to reduce plastic waste.
So, uuwi ka na ba?