Getting to Cebu

This post is also available in:

You want to travel to Cebu and are looking for a detailed guide on how to get there? Then you are in the right place. In this article you will learn how best to get from the airport onto the island, which ferry connections there are, and how to reach Cebu from the neighboring islands. Let’s start with this complete guide to getting to Cebu.

Arriving via Cebu Mactan International Airport

The Mactan Airport is Cebu’s international airport and sits on the island of the same name, which is connected to the main island by a bridge. The airport is an important hub for domestic and international flights and is served by many airlines. You can either fly to Cebu from Europe with a stopover, or go via Manila or other Asian cities. Depending on the route, the journey takes between 15 and 22 hours.

From Europe, Singapore Airlines, EVA Air, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines fly to Cebu with one stop at their respective hubs.

Another option is Thai Airways via Thailand, though this cannot usually be booked as a single ticket and requires a separate ticket from Bangkok. There is a wide choice of connections; the best place to check current routes and fares is our flight search or Trip.com* or Kiwi*.

If you are already in the Philippines, you can fly to Cebu directly from pretty much every major airport in the country. Fares for domestic flights are often low, typically in the range of €15 to €50 per leg. Depending on where you start, the flight is almost never longer than 1-1.5 hours.

From the Airport into the City / to Your Destination on Cebu

From the airport you can take the bus, a taxi or a private transfer into Cebu City. The bus stop is on the right as you leave the arrivals hall. The official airport buses run about every 20 minutes to SM Cebu City in the city center. From there you can continue to your accommodation by taxi or jeepney. The bus costs about 25 pesos (around €0.50) and takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic.

Alternatively, you can take a taxi straight from Cebu Airport. The taxi stand is directly opposite the bus stop. The difference between the yellow and white taxis is the flagfall: Yellow Taxis start at 70 pesos (around €1.40), White Taxis at 40 pesos (around €0.80). A ride into the city costs between 200 and 350 pesos (about €5 to €10) and takes around 20 to 30 minutes.

There is also the Fast Transit Service, which is essentially a fixed-price taxi. Fares into the city are 675-1,300 PHP per vehicle, so clearly more expensive than White and Yellow Taxis. Fast Transit staff are usually the most persistent, approaching you as soon as you leave the building and trying to talk you into a transfer.

If you would rather book a private transfer, you can do that online through various providers. Prices start at about 500 pesos (around €10) for a car for up to four people. The advantage is that you pay in advance and have a fixed price, regardless of traffic or the exact route. The driver is also already waiting for you, which makes things much more pleasant. Especially with a lot of luggage, this is the most comfortable kind of airport transfer.

Private transfers will also take you to other destinations on the island and to the ferry terminals for onward travel. That way you can travel comfortably to Moalboal, Oslob or the ferry piers in Medellin.

Tip: With GetTransfer* you can book vehicles in all categories at a good price, including a driver. This is an ideal option for a stress-free onward journey to the tourist spots on the island.

Getting to Cebu by Ferry

Cebu is also reachable by ferry if you are arriving from another island or doing a multi-island trip. Cebu’s main ferry port is Pier 1, near Fort San Pedro. From here you can take ferries to various destinations in the Visayas and Mindanao, such as Bohol, Siquijor, Negros, Leyte or Camiguin.

Tip: You can check departure times conveniently online at 12Go.asia*. You can also reserve your ferry ticket there in advance, which can save you a lot of stress and waiting on the ground.

The ferries vary in size, speed and comfort. There are large passenger ships as well as smaller fast crafts. Prices vary by route, duration and class. You can usually choose Economy, Tourist or Business Class. Economy is the cheapest option, but also the least comfortable. You sit on simple wooden benches or plastic chairs in a large room without air-conditioning. Tourist Class offers a bit more comfort, with padded seats and air-conditioning. Business Class is the most expensive option, but also the most comfortable. You have a reserved seat in a separate area with more legroom and service.

Travel times vary by destination and type of ferry. For example, Cebu to Tagbilaran on Bohol takes about two hours by fast craft or four hours by passenger ship. Cebu to Siquijor takes about four hours by fast craft or six hours by passenger ship.

You can buy ferry tickets either online via 12Go* or directly at the port. We recommend booking in advance, especially in high season or on public holidays, because the ferries are often full. You should also be at the port at least an hour before departure to check in and go through security.

Ferry Connections from Neighboring Islands to Cebu

If you want to travel to Cebu from one of the neighboring islands, you have several options. Here are some of the most popular routes:

• From Bohol to Cebu: You can take a direct ferry from Tagbilaran to Cebu, which takes about two hours by fast craft or four hours by passenger ship. Prices start at around 500 pesos (about €10) for Economy Class. Alternatively, you can take a ferry from Tubigon to Cebu, which takes only about an hour but is a little farther from the center of Bohol. Prices start at around 300 pesos (about €6) for Economy Class.
• From Siquijor to Cebu: You can take a direct ferry from Larena to Cebu, which takes about four hours by fast craft or six hours by passenger ship. Prices start at around 800 pesos (about €16) for Economy Class. Alternatively, you can take a ferry from Larena to Dumaguete on Negros, which takes only about an hour, and then a bus to Bato Port, which takes about two hours. From there you can take another ferry to Cebu, which takes about three hours. Combined costs start at around 600 pesos (about €12) for Economy Class.
• From Negros to Cebu: You can take a direct ferry from Dumaguete to Cebu. The trip takes about six hours by passenger ship. Prices start at around 700 pesos (about €14) for Economy Class. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Bato Port, about two hours, and then a ferry to Cebu, about three hours. Combined costs start at around 400 pesos (about €8) for Economy Class.
• From Leyte to Cebu: You can take a direct ferry from Ormoc to Cebu, which takes about three hours by fast craft or five hours by passenger ship. Prices start at around 600 pesos (about €12) for Economy Class. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Hilongos Port, about two hours, and then a ferry to Cebu, about four hours. Combined costs start at around 500 pesos (about €10) for Economy Class.
• From Camiguin to Cebu: You can take a direct ferry from Balbagon to Cebu, which takes about six hours by passenger ship. Prices start at around 900 pesos (about €18) for Economy Class. Alternatively, you can take a ferry from Benoni to Balingoan on Mindanao, about one hour, and then a bus to Cagayan de Oro Port, about two hours. From there you can take another ferry to Cebu, about eight hours. Combined costs start at around 1,000 pesos (about €20) for Economy Class.

Verdict: Getting to Cebu

There are many ways to get to Cebu. The most comfortable and fastest is undoubtedly by plane. But the ferry can also be a good option if you are already on one of the surrounding islands.

You will find many more detailed reports on arriving and traveling onward on Cebu in our info section.

Do you still have questions about getting to Cebu? Leave us a comment — we will do our best to help.