Public transportation
There is only one bus company that travels directly from Manila to Baler daily, departing from 12:00 midnight until 7:00 am. Travel time estimate is 5 to 5.5 hours.
Genesis Transport Bus, 704 EDSA corner New York St., Cubao, Quezon City. Telephone numbers: +63 2 709-0803.
The Joy (deluxe luxury) bus is the best option for an extremely comfortable overnight ride, arriving early in the morning in Baler. It departs from Metro Manila daily at 12:00 am and 1:00 am and costs Php 650 (~US$15).
Private transportation
From Metro Manila, enter the North Expressway (NLEX) in Balintawak, Quezon City, and then take the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) at the La Paz, Tarlac, toll gate. Follow the highway, which leads to Aliaga and then to Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija. There are two routes to Baler: the Canili-Pantabangan Road and the Baler-Bongabon Road.
A route map on the infographic shows the Manila to Baler route via NLEX, SCTEX, Mabalacat Exit, La Paz Exit, Tarlac City, Aliaga, Zaragoza, Sta. Rosa, Cabanatuan City, Palayan City, Bongabon, Rizal, Pantabangan, Maria Aurora, San Luis and Baler, with an alternate via Talavera, Llanera and San Jose.