If you are looking to explore the historic province of Quezon, heading to Lucena City is your primary gateway. Known as the "Cocopalm City of the South," Lucena serves as a bustling commercial center and the ultimate jump-off point for white-sand island getaways like Jomalig and Cagbalete, as well as the famous Pahiyas-hosting town of Lucban.

Because Lucena connects Metro Manila directly to the rest of the Bondoc Peninsula and Marinduque, bus transit along this route is highly efficient, frequent, and operates round-the-clock. In this guide, we detail the latest bus schedules, ticket fares, and alternative entry points from Manila to Lucena to make your trip completely stress-free.

About JAC Liner & DLTB Co.

Two heavyweights absolutely dominate the Manila-to-Quezon highway corridor:

JAC Liner Inc.: Universally recognized as the king of the Lucena route. JAC Liner (along with its sister companies LLI and Solid North) operates a massive fleet of distinct red and yellow air-conditioned coaches. They are widely praised for their 24/7 continuous dispatch system, robust mechanical reliability, and comfortable 2x2 seating configurations.
DLTB Co.: Recognizable by its sleek red, white, and gray coaches, DLTB is a major competitor providing premium alternatives. For 2026, DLTB has significantly upgraded its presence along this route by offering expanded Point-to-Point (P2P) and direct mall-to-mall express terminal services straight into Quezon.

Bus Schedule: Manila to Lucena City

Because the distance between Manila and Lucena is roughly 130 kilometers, travel time spans 3 to 4 hours, heavily dictated by traffic buildup along the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and the standard highway bottlenecks in Turbina, San Pablo, and Tiaong.

Lucena Grand Terminal

1. JAC Liner Schedule & Fares

JAC Liner runs 24-hour continuous operations out of its major urban hubs. You almost never have to wait long for a bus.

EDSA Kamias (Quezon City): Continuous 24/7 departures, with buses rolling out every 15 to 30 minutes during peak day hours.
LRT Buendia (Pasay City): Continuous 24/7 departures, strategically lined up for south-metro commuters.
Estimated Regular Fare: Around ₱270 to ₱310+ (varies slightly between the Buendia and Kamias origins).

Here is the updated ROUTE AND FARE GUIDE for the KAMIAS ⇄ LUCENA GRAND / DALAHICAN route.

🚀 POINT-TO-POINT (P2P)

Kamias to Dalahican / Lucena Grand

Regular: ₱420
Discounted (PWD / Senior / Student): ₱336

🚌 REGULAR ROUTE (STOPS EN ROUTE)

Kamias to Turbina, Calamba

Regular: ₱143 | Discounted: ₱114

Kamias to Sto. Tomas, Batangas

Regular: ₱162 | Discounted: ₱130

Kamias to Alaminos, Laguna

Regular: ₱197 | Discounted: ₱158

Kamias to San Pablo, Laguna

Regular: ₱221 | Discounted: ₱177

Kamias to Tiaong, Quezon

Regular: ₱259 | Discounted: ₱207

Kamias to Candelaria, Quezon

Regular: ₱292 | Discounted: ₱233

Kamias to Sariaya, Quezon

Regular: ₱324 | Discounted: ₱259

Kamias to Lucena

Regular: ₱356 | Discounted: ₱285

2. DLTB Co. Schedule & Fares

DLTB operates highly structured, direct express blocks daily out of its primary terminals.

LRT Buendia to SM Lucena / Dalahican Route: Scheduled target departures daily. High-volume weekend slots feature afternoon express blocks leaving at 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM.

Estimated Fare: ₱320 to ₱350.

OTHER BUS LINES & TRANSIT COMPANIES IN THE PH

If the bus company you are looking for is not on the list, SEARCH MORE BUSES HERE!

Terminal Drop-Off Points: Grand Central vs. Dalahican

When purchasing your ticket at the Manila terminal, pay close attention to the bus destination placard:

Lucena Grand Central Terminal (LGCT): Located in Brgy. Ilayang Dupay, this is the main transport terminal of the city. If you are heading to Lucban, Tayabas, or catching a van to the Bondoc Peninsula, drop off here. Jeepneys and tricycles are lined up 24/7.
Dalahican Port: Select buses from both JAC Liner and DLTB bypass the city proper and go straight to the Dalahican Port pier. Choose this specific route only if you are transferring directly to a RORO (Roll-On/Roll-Off) ferry or fast craft bound for the island province of Marinduque or Romblon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do I need to buy my tickets online in advance?

For standard weekdays, walk-ins at the LRT Buendia or EDSA Kamias terminals are completely fine because buses depart continuously. However, if you are traveling during long weekends, Holy Week, or the peak summer season, booking your seat online through official bus portals or partner booking apps is highly recommended to skip long lines.

If you want a guaranteed seat or ticket with Jac Liner or DLTB, you may book online.

Check Online Rates & Availability Here:

2. Does the Manila to Lucena bus make stopovers?

Yes. Most standard regular air-conditioned buses will make at least 1 or 2 brief stopovers at designated highway rest areas—typically in Turbina (Calamba, Laguna) or San Pablo City—for quick restroom breaks, snacks, and passenger boarding.

3. What is the best alternative if the main terminals are crowded?

If the Pasay or QC terminals are slammed with holiday travelers, head over to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX). Multiple regional bus liners run consistent provincial routes from PITX straight down to the Lucena Grand Central hub daily.

4. Are there any strict baggage limits?

Standard personal luggage (like backpacks, duffels, and standard suitcases) can be stored completely free of charge in the under-bus cargo compartments. If you are transporting massive bulk cargo or commercial goods to the province, you will simply need to settle a minor cargo fee with the conductor before boarding.

ATTRACTIONS TO SEE IN MANILA

Thanks to the round-the-clock availability of major carriers like JAC Liner and the direct express expansions of DLTB, making the overland trek from Manila to Lucena has never been easier. By leaving early to sidestep the SLEX rush-hour traffic and ensuring you pick the correct drop-off point between the Grand Central Terminal and Dalahican Port, your Quezon adventure will remain incredibly smooth. Pack your bags, keep this schedule handy, and enjoy the trip down south! Safe travels!