How to Get Around the Philippines

7,641 islands. Countless ways to get between them. Here's what works, what costs what, and what to avoid.

✈️ Domestic Flights

The Philippines has three main budget airlines. They all work — just don't expect luxury.

🟡

Cebu Pacific

$20-60 per flight

The biggest budget carrier. Most routes, most frequencies. Their yellow planes connect every major island. Book on their website or app — they have regular seat sales (piso fare promos) where flights drop to $5-15 plus fees. Baggage is extra — 7kg carry-on only with the base fare.

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AirAsia Philippines

$20-50 per flight

Good coverage, slightly older planes. Often cheaper than Cebu Pacific on the same route. Their app is terrible — use the website.

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Philippine Airlines (PAL)

$30-80 per flight

Full-service carrier. More expensive but includes 10kg checked baggage, a snack, and fewer delays. Worth the extra $10-15 on longer routes or if you're checking a bag (Cebu Pacific charges $15-25 for checked luggage).

Key Domestic Routes & Prices

Route	Duration	Price
Manila → Puerto Princesa (Palawan)	1.5h	$25-50
Manila → Cebu	1.5h	$20-45
Manila → Siargao	2h	$30-60
Cebu → Siargao	1h	$25-50
Cebu → Puerto Princesa	1.5h	$30-50
Manila → Caticlan (Boracay)	1h	$25-60
Manila → Coron (Palawan)	1.5h	$30-55

Book 2-3 weeks ahead for best prices. Last-minute flights can double. Cebu Pacific has the most frequent sales — follow their Facebook page for piso fare announcements.

⛴️ Ferries & Boats

For short hops between nearby islands, ferries are cheaper than flights and way more scenic. Here are the ones you'll actually use:

Major Ferry Routes

Route	Duration	Company	Price
Cebu City → Tagbilaran (Bohol)	2h	OceanJet	$8-12
El Nido → Coron	4h	Montenegro / Atienza	$25-30
Oslob (Cebu) → Dumaguete	30min	Local ferry	$3-5
Dumaguete → Tagbilaran	2h	OceanJet	$10-15
Surigao City → Siargao	1.5h	Local ferry	$5
Caticlan → Boracay	15min	Multiple	$2 + fees

OceanJet is the most reliable operator for major routes. Boats are air-conditioned, clean, and run on schedule. Book at the pier — online booking platforms add service fees and aren't always up to date.

In rough seas (June-October), ferries get canceled. Have a buffer day. Bring motion sickness pills for the El Nido → Coron route — that stretch of the Sulu Sea is notorious.

🚌 Buses & Vans

For overland travel on the larger islands, buses and vans are the way to go. Buses are cheaper and more comfortable; vans are faster but cramped.

🚌

Ceres Buses (Cebu & Visayas)

$3-5 per leg

The gold standard for bus travel in the Philippines. Yellow air-con buses connecting Cebu City → Moalboal → Oslob every 30-60 minutes. Clean, reliable, no booking needed — just show up at the terminal. The Cebu South Bus Terminal to Moalboal is $3 and takes 3 hours.

🚐

Shared Vans (Palawan, Siargao, Bohol)

$5-12 per trip

The standard way to get between towns on Palawan and smaller islands. Puerto Princesa to El Nido is a 6-hour van ride ($8-12). Vans leave when full (10-12 passengers) — you might wait 30 minutes at the terminal. They cram in as many people as possible. Pack light.

🛺

Tricycles

$1-5 per ride

The motorcycle-sidecar hybrid that's everywhere. Short rides within a town cost $1-2 (always agree on price before getting in). Airport/tourist area rides cost more ($3-5). Each tricycle fits 2-3 people. They're cheap, fun, and sometimes terrifying.

🏍️ Motorbike Rental: The Freedom Move

Renting a motorbike is the single best decision you'll make on most Philippine islands. It gives you total freedom — the best beaches, viewpoints, and local eateries are often off the main road.

What You Need to Know

Cost: $5-8 per day. Siargao and Bohol are on the cheaper end ($5-6), Boracay slightly more ($8).

License: In most places, they don't ask for an international license. They'll hold your passport as deposit. If you're uncomfortable with this, some shops accept a cash deposit ($50-100) instead.

Gas: $1-1.50 per liter. Sold at proper gas stations and roadside stalls (in 1L Coke bottles). A full day of exploring costs $2-4 in fuel.

Safety: Wear the helmet (even if locals don't). Roads are mostly paved and traffic is light outside cities. The biggest danger is sand on corners and stray dogs.

Best Islands for Motorbiking

Island	Road Quality	Difficulty
Siargao	Good — one main loop	Easy
Bohol	Good — mostly paved	Easy
Palawan (El Nido area)	OK — some dirt roads	Moderate
Boracay	Good — small island	Easy

🧭 How to Actually Plan Your Route

Here's the mental model that works: fly between island groups, ferry between nearby islands, motorbike once you're there.

❌ Don't: Fly Manila → Cebu → Bohol. Cebu and Bohol are a 2-hour ferry apart — flying makes no sense.

✅ Do: Fly Manila → Cebu. Ferry Cebu → Bohol. Fly Bohol (Tagbilaran) → Palawan (Puerto Princesa).

Golden Rules

1. Always have a buffer day. Flights get delayed. Ferries get canceled due to weather. One buffer day between islands prevents a domino effect of missed connections.

2. Book domestic flights on airline websites. Never use third-party booking sites (Kiwi, Trip.com) for Philippine domestic flights. They can't handle schedule changes and you'll be stuck at the airport with a useless booking.

3. Travel light. Every mode of transport in the Philippines involves hauling your own bag up stairs, onto boats, into vans. A 40L backpack is the sweet spot. Wheeled suitcases will make you miserable.

4. Download offline maps. Google Maps offline + Maps.me as backup. Cell signal is unreliable on the road between towns.