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For many travelers Manila is the first stop on a Philippines trip. How to get from Manila to Cebu City and Moalboal quickly and easily is what we have put together for you in this article.
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Manila to Cebu Guide
Between Manila on Luzon and Cebu there are about 600 kilometers as the crow flies and several island groups. In theory you could cover this route with a mix of overland travel and ferries, but for tourists only a domestic flight really makes sense.
The capital Manila is the largest city in the country and Cebu is the second most important place in the Philippines. Since both have their own international airport, it goes without saying that there are enough daily flights from Manila to Cebu.
For getting straight to Moalboal as well, the flight from Manila to Cebu is the fastest and best option. Below are all the connections on the most important travel route in the Philippines.
Airport & Flight Info
The Manila–Cebu route is served by all major Philippine airlines. Besides Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia also fly several times a day between the two cities.
There are about 50 flights a day at all hours, so the choice is large and seats are almost always available even at short notice. We recommend booking on Trip.com* or via Kiwi*, as that is usually where we find the best prices. With our price comparison you can also search local websites for tickets.
Manila Airport: An airport right in the city center. The country’s main hub. Flights to Cebu leave from Terminal 2, 3 or 4 depending on the airline. The best way from downtown to the airport is by taxi.
Cebu Airport: The Mactan Airport is the second-largest airport in the Philippines and sits just outside Cebu City on Mactan Island. The ride into the city center takes about 30 minutes.
Manila to Cebu City
Getting from Manila to Cebu City is basically three simple steps. First take a taxi from the city to the airport. Depending on your starting point and traffic that costs 450–950 PHP per taxi.
Then you fly to Mactan International Airport in Cebu. From there you again have several transport options to get into the city. The fastest and most comfortable is a taxi or Grab, though. The price is 250–500 PHP per vehicle and depends on traffic and your destination. Grab, white taxis and yellow taxis are available at Arrivals. You can also reserve an airport transfer in advance.*
Manila to Moalboal
To get from Manila to Moalboal you likewise first take a taxi from the city to the airport, which costs about 450–900 PHP per vehicle. Then you fly to Cebu Airport again.
Once there you can use Grab or local taxis to get to Moalboal. On the spot, though, your bargaining skills matter; prices are usually 2,500 to 3,500 PHP.
From our point of view the better option is to book a transfer in advance via GetTransfer*. Depending on the vehicle it costs around €55 to €85 – a perfectly affordable price for the roughly 2.5-hour ride. With GetTransfer you can also book minivans or SUVs, ideal for larger groups or travelers with sports gear such as dive equipment.
Alternatively you can combine taxi and bus. First take a taxi to the South Bus Terminal, then take the line to Bato/Barili. The bus runs 24/7 about every 30 minutes and costs only 150 PHP per person. More info on that here…
Travel Time Manila to Cebu
Options for getting from Manila to Cebu or Manila to Moalboal are fairly limited, but the trip is relatively easy and not very time-consuming. The many connections and solid setup in both places make for a fast, efficient transfer without losing a whole day. If you leave Manila early in the morning you should be in Moalboal by afternoon, as the total door-to-door travel time including waiting is only about 6–8 hours.
Getting to Cebu City is clearly faster; travel time to the hotel (door to door) should normally not be more than 4 hours.
We hope this guide to traveling from Manila to Cebu helps you, and we wish you a great trip!
Do you have any questions or additions? Feel free to leave a comment further down this page!