Cebu and Bohol Together: Getting Between the Islands

Getting between the islands: Cebu City port to Tagbilaran by fast ferry

Cebu and Bohol are neighboring islands in the central Philippines. The standard way between them is the fast ferry from Cebu City's port (Pier 1) to Tagbilaran, the main city on Bohol. Both the Cebu and Bohol guides put the crossing at about 2 hours.

The catch is that the airport and the port are in different places. Mactan-Cebu airport (CEB) is on Mactan Island, and the drive to Cebu City takes about 40-90 minutes depending on traffic. Bridge traffic gets heavy at rush hour, so leave plenty of time before your sailing.

Check fares and schedules with the official ferry operator. Ferries often sell out on weekends and holidays, so book ahead. Flights between the two islands aren't covered in these guides, so check the official source.

• Ferry: Cebu City port (Pier 1) to Tagbilaran, about 2 hours
• Mactan airport to Cebu City: about 40-90 minutes by car
• On Bohol, Tagbilaran and Alona Beach are both a short drive from the airport (about 20-30 and 15-25 minutes)
• Fares, schedules and availability: check with the official operator

• Cebu travel guide →
• Bohol travel guide →

How many days: day trip or split stay

A Cebu-only trip usually runs 5 to 6 days, and a Bohol-only trip 4 to 5 days. If you want both islands, there are two main approaches.

The first is to stay in Cebu and visit Bohol as a day trip. With about 4 hours of ferry time for the round trip, you need a very early start, and the day ends up focused on mainland sights such as the Chocolate Hills and the tarsier sanctuary.

The second is to split your stay. To give Bohol's island-hopping (dolphin watching, Balicasag, Virgin Island) and its countryside tour a day each, plan at least two nights there. Add Cebu's resort time, island hopping and city sights, and the trip naturally gets longer, so also budget a spare day for cancellations.

Suggested order: arrive in Cebu, finish in Bohol

Many flights into Mactan-Cebu (CEB) arrive late at night, so a simple plan is to rest at a Mactan resort near the airport (about 15-30 minutes) first, do your Cebu days, then take the ferry to Bohol.

Bohol has its own Bohol-Panglao International Airport (TAG). For the way home, you can look for a flight out of Bohol, or ferry back to Cebu and fly from there; compare schedules and fares before deciding. If you plan to ferry back, being in Cebu the day before your flight home is the safer choice.

• Day 1: late arrival, check in on Mactan
• Day 2: morning island hopping and snorkeling, afternoon rest
• Day 3: Cebu City — Basilica del Santo Niño, Magellan's Cross, Fort San Pedro, then Tops Lookout at night
• Day 4: ferry from Cebu City port to Tagbilaran, check in at Alona Beach
• Day 5: early island-hopping (dolphin watching, Balicasag, Virgin Island)
• Day 6: countryside tour (Baclayon Church, tarsier sanctuary, Loboc River cruise, Bilar Man-Made Forest, Chocolate Hills)
• Day 7: fly out of Bohol, or ferry back to Cebu (a spare day is recommended)

• Seoul Incheon to Cebu flights →
• Seoul Incheon to Bohol flights →

Where to stay in Cebu

For a beach holiday, Mactan Island resorts are the easiest choice: close to the airport, with private beaches and pools, and near island-hopping departure points. If you land late at night, booking a pickup ahead is reassuring.

For your ferry day, a night in Cebu City is worth considering. Ferries leave from Cebu City's port, so you avoid crossing the bridge from Mactan early in the morning. In the city, Cebu IT Park has restaurants, cafés and hotels and is relatively comfortable at night, and the areas around the big malls are convenient and good on rainy days.

Where to stay in Bohol

First-timers usually pick Alona Beach on Panglao Island, with hotels, restaurants and dive shops, easy boat-trip departures and the liveliest evenings. For quieter resorts, look along the Panglao coast outside Alona, though you may need a ride to restaurants.

Tagbilaran City has no beach vibe, but its malls and port make it handy for ferries to Cebu; staying there just the night before a ferry back is an option. The inland area around the Loboc River suits travelers who want a quiet stay in nature close to the Chocolate Hills and the tarsier sanctuary.

Weather and cancellations: plan for days when boats don't sail

On both islands, the December-May dry season is best, especially January-April when the seas are calmest and clearest. June-November is the wet season with frequent showers. The Cebu guide notes that typhoons in September-November can cancel boat trips, and the Bohol guide says typhoons, mainly July-October, can stop ferries and flights. Taken together, be especially generous with inter-island plans from July to November.

Island-hopping boats can also be cancelled in bad weather, so reschedule rather than push it. Don't put the ferry right before your flight home; a spare day is the most reliable safeguard. Recheck ferry schedules and the weather before you set off.

Budget and pre-trip checklist

Daily budgets per person in Cebu range from about 1,800 PHP (guesthouse, local eateries, jeepneys) to about 5,000-7,000 PHP (hotel, restaurants, island hopping) and about 15,000 PHP+ (resort, private tours). For Bohol, the guide gives about 2,000-3,000, 5,000-8,000 and 15,000+ pesos per day. Check ferry fares with the official operator.

Small shops, tricycles, jeepneys and taxis need cash (pesos) and often lack change, so carry small notes. Bohol island-hopping can involve separate marine sanctuary fees, so check what your tour includes.

• Korean MOFA travel advisory: Cebu City Level 2 (avoid non-essential travel), Mactan Island and Bohol Level 1 (exercise caution); some other regions of the Philippines are Level 3-4.
• Entry requirements and online arrival registration: check official Philippine government sources before you travel
• In crowded spots such as old town, markets and jeepneys, keep your phone and wallet in front of you
• Drink bottled water, not tap water, and use sun protection
• Don't stand on or touch coral, and keep your distance from sea turtles

FAQ

Related reading

TipsTraveling Southeast Asia in the Rainy Season: When It Rains Where, and What to PackRainy seasons differ by country and even by coast. Here's when it rains in Bangkok,…ComparisonAirport to City: Train, Bus, Taxi or Transfer? A Practical ComparisonCompare the five ways to get from the airport into town, with tips for late-night…TipsTravel Insurance Checklist: Coverage That Matters, Exclusions and How to ClaimDo you need travel insurance? What coverage matters most, how to read the exclusions,…

All articles →