How to go to Cebu

Have you been to Cebu, Philippines?

You can go to Cebu via the following means of transportation:

BY AIR
Most major airlines have direct flights from your point of departure to Cebu or you may book a connecting flight via Manila if your airline does not have a direct flight to Cebu. Check out Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Air Asia, Tigerair, Jetstar Asia, Vanilla Air,  Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, or your country's major airlines.








BY BOAT
If you are anywhere in the Philippines, you can also visit Cebu by boat via Sulpicio Lines, 2GO, Lorenzo Shipping, etc. and travel time from Manila to Cebu is 22 hours or more. 

Boat Schedules (click on the link below for the boat schedules)
Sulpicio Lines 
2GO
Lorenzo Shipping

Magellan's Cross

The best means to go to Cebu is by air but if you have ample time, you can try visiting Cebu by boat. If you are anywhere around the world, some of your major airlines have a direct flight to Cebu but if you can't find one, book a connecting flight via Manila (the capital city of the Philippines).

ACCOMMODATION

In Cebu, if you are traveling by air, you will land at Mactan Cebu International Airport which is situated in Lapulapu City (another city in Cebu, the province). Do not be confused, Cebu is both the name of the province and the city, Cebu City is the capital city of Cebu Province. When booking an accommodation, please check the address, if it says Cebu City, it's far from the airport (about 35 to 45 minutes. So, if it says Lapulapu City or Mandaue City, it is near the airport. Some major hotels that are near the airport are Waterfront Airport Hotel & Casino Mactan, Bellavista Hotel, Plantation Bay, Shangri-La's Mactan Resort & Spa, Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort and Spa, etc. (Taxi cabs are very accessible around Metro Cebu). Find Places to Stay in Cebu | How to book an Accommodation in Cebu

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RECOMMENDATION

• If you are on a budget, there are a lot of guest houses (we call them here pension houses) and cheaper accommodations in Cebu. You can check them out using booking websites such as Agoda, TravelBook.ph, Trivago, Hostel World, Hostelbookers, Booking.com, etc. Just an advice though, before making a reservation, always check out the property's ratings and the photos [especially travelers' photos]. Read the guest's reviews (very important), if you see a lot of negative comments vs positive, leave it and check out other properties.
• If you only have a shorter stay in Cebu and love the beach, the beaches that are very near the airport are in Mactan Island in Lapulapu City, so you know where to book.
• If you want to roam around Cebu and experience some night life, the best place to book an accommodation is somewhere near uptown area, Ayala Center Cebu and SM City Cebu. There are several pension houses (guest houses) around uptown Cebu especially near Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu City. Check out my listings on where to stay in Cebu 
• If you intend to stay in Cebu for a week or so, go check out the beaches in the far north (Bantayan Island, Malapascua Island, etc.) and far south (Moalboal, Badian, Alcoy, etc.), they have the best beaches here in Cebu. Check out my list on top 10 things to do in Cebu

Downtown area is where Colon Street is and just like other countries, the downtown area is very crowded but you can also find cheapest accommodations and some tourist spots there. Basilica del Santo Niño, Fort San Pedro and Magellan's Cross are a walking distance to some hotels and pension houses. 

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Getting around Cebu 

Learn more about Cebu