Naval Biliran to Tacloban City: Quick Travel Tips

Traveling from Naval, Biliran, to Tacloban City offers a range of options for commuters and private vehicle owners.

While you can catch a ride on the highway along the route going to Tacloban, it won’t guarantee you a seat since the van or bus can be fully booked.

This guide covers everything you need to know, from shuttle services and schedules to estimated fares and travel times.

Transportation Options

There are three main ways to travel from Naval to Tacloban City: shuttle vans, buses, and private vehicles. Here’s a breakdown of each option:

1. By Shuttle Vans

Shuttle vans are the most popular choice for those traveling from Biliran to Tacloban.

In Naval, the primary shuttle providers are Van Van Tours, Duptours, and VS GRAND Tours, with additional smaller operators near the Public Terminal.

Van Van Tours – Located along Vicentillo Street near Ballesteros Street, just next to Brodeth Marketing.
Duptours – Situated between Henry Lhuillier and J&F Department Store on Abad Street.
VS GRAND Tours – GRAND Tours terminal is located along Vicentillo Street, east of Kanto Nueve.

These three are the biggest transport service providers in Leyte and the whole Eastern Visayas Region.

Pro Tip:
If the main shuttle services are fully booked, you can also check for other operators nearby for availability.

2. By Bus

Provincial buses heading to Manila from Naval pass through Tacloban City, stopping at Abucay Terminal.

While buses don’t enter the city center, you can get off at the terminal and catch a jeep or tricycle to downtown Tacloban.

Pros: Often more affordable than shuttle vans.
Cons: Departs once a day and has plenty of additional stops along the way.

3. Private Vehicles

If you prefer a more direct route, using your own car or motorcycle is an efficient option.

This allows for a quicker journey, as shuttle vans and buses typically stop frequently to pick up passengers and pass through their company checkpoints.

Map location of Duptours Terminal, Van van's Tours Terminal, and VS GRAND tours Terminal.

Travel Duration

The journey from Naval to Tacloban City covers approximately 120 kilometers and takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on the mode of transportation.

You will also pass the iconic Biliran Bridge which is about 25 minutes from Naval.

Per my experience, here are their estimated travel times:

Van Van’s Tours: Takes about two hours and thirty minutes. We made three stops to pick up passengers. Their vehicle also manages 120 kph (or 74.5 miles per hour) on the freeway.
Duptours: It was more than 3 hours. We had about 10 stops, including their three or four mandatory checkpoints/ selfies.
Private Vehicles: Private cars or motorcycles can complete the trip faster since they don’t stop as frequently. The estimated travel time is around 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on traffic and speed.

Route Map showing the distance and travel duration for the trip Naval Biliran to Tacloban City.

How much is the fare?

Shuttle Vans: The standard fare from Naval to Tacloban City is Php 200. If you need a drop-off at the airport, expect to pay Php 250.
Buses: Bus can be a budget-friendly alternative if you’re not in a rush.

Tickets for two issued by Duptours for Naval to Tacloban trip.

Shuttle Van Schedules

For most of these shuttle vehicles (Van Van’s, Duptours, and Grand Tours), the first trip is around 4:00 to 4:30 in the morning.

When the vehicle is full of passengers, the van leaves instantly. After that, the crew follows their time schedule before setting off for another trip.

Day Trip Schedules

For Van Van’s, they require seven passengers before they can leave for Tacloban. At least, this is what the guy said.

For Duptours, they require five. But there were only two of us when we left around 07:00 am after waiting for two and a half hours!

I heard Grand Tours work on a scheduled basis, so I think theirs is a good choice, too.

For the provincial bus, they usually leave at around 7 am.

Insider Tip:
If you’re told the van will “leave shortly,” be aware that this might mean a long wait. Walk around and check with each service to find the van closest to departure for Tacloban.