Includes step-by-step instruction on how to travel to Iloilo City from Cebu (and vice versa) and 2023 ferry, airplane and bus schedules and fare.
Cebu lies in the central part of the Visayas and is located to the east of Negros Island, which is separated from Iloilo by Guimaras Strait.
Cebu boasts of its several travel destinations, be it natural, manmade or historical and religious. Both Cebu and Iloilo share the same devotion to Santo Niño (child Jesus) and is depicted in the festivals – Cebu’s Sinulog and Iloilo’s Dinagyang.
There are three ways to get to Iloilo from Cebu and vice versa – airplane, ferry, and a combination of bus ride and ferry.
Detailed Travel Guide
Cebu to Iloilo
By Airplane
- From Cebu, take a plane through various commercial airlines including Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia. You can book your tickets via various authorized ticketing agents, the airline’s official website or third-party booking sites such as JetRadar, Traveloka and many others. To avail cheaper flights, consider booking early or watch out for airline promos. See the plane schedule below.
- Take a taxi or bus to Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Lapu-Lapu City. Arrive at least two hours before your departure time to allow ample time for check-in, security screening and other pre-flight procedures.
- Ready your travel documents (valid ID or passport and airline booking) and proceed to your check-in counter to check-in. Your boarding pass will be provided to you once you check-in. You can also check-in online via the airline’s official website.
- Find your gate and wait for boarding. Travel time from Cebu to Iloilo is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- From Iloilo International Airport, you can proceed to your next destination by taxi, shared van, or other transportation outside the terminal. Taxi ride from the airport to Iloilo City costs between P500 to P600 while shared van costs P100 per person. The van will take you to SM City Iloilo or can drop you to your destination if it’s along the way.
Take note that Iloilo International Airport is located outside the city, about 30 minutes car ride from Iloilo City.
By Ferry
- Take a taxi or myBus to Cebu Pier 1. You can book your ferry hours before the trip or book in advance to guarantee your desired accommodation. See below for transportation information and ferry schedule.
- Pay the terminal fee of P25 and wait for boarding time. Make sure to bring your food and water as these can be costly on board. Travel time from Cebu to Iloilo takes at least 12 hours.
- Upon arrival at Iloilo Port, you can take a jeepney or taxi to your destination.
By Bus and Ferry
Traveling to Iloilo through a combination of bus and ferry is cheaper than traveling via airplane and faster than direct Cebu to Iloilo ferry. It is not the most convenient though as you will need to transfer from bus to ferry to bus to ferry but if you are up for the challenge, then try it.
- At South Bus Terminal, take a bus bound for Toledo City.
Alternatively, you can also take a van from V-Hire station in downtown Cebu. See below for bus and van schedules and rates.
- From Toledo Bus Terminal, take a tricycle to Toledo Port and book your ferry to San Carlos. See below for ferry schedule and rates.
Pay the terminal fee of P20 and wait for boarding. Ferry ride from Toledo to San Carlos in Negros Occidental is between one to two hours.
- From San Carlos Port, take a tricycle to the bus terminal and take a bus to Bacolod City. Travel time is around two and a half hours. See below for bus schedules and rates.
- From Bacolod City, take a ferry to Iloilo. See our post on how to get to Iloilo from Bacolod City. It includes step-by-step guide and ferry schedules and rates.
Iloilo to Cebu
By Airplane
- Book your flight to Cebu through the airline’s official website, authorized ticketing agents or third-party booking sites such as JetRadar, Traveloka and many others.
- From any location in Iloilo, make your way to SM City Iloilo where you will find vans bound for Iloilo International Airport. A van leaves for the airport as early as 4:00 AM and travel time to the airport is around 30 minutes. Van ride costs P100 per person while taxi costs between P500 to P600.
- Arrive at least two hours before your departure time to allow ample time for check-in, security screening and other pre-flight procedures. Ready your travel documents (valid ID or passport and airline booking) and proceed to your check-in counter to check-in. Your boarding pass will be provided to you once you check-in. You can also check-in online via the airline’s official website.
- Find your gate and wait for boarding. Travel time from Iloilo to Cebu is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- From Mactan-Cebu International Airport, you can proceed to your next destination by taxi, myBus, or other transportation outside the terminal.
By Ferry
- Take a jeepney or taxi to get to Iloilo Port in Fort San Pedro Drive in Iloilo City proper.
- You can book your ferry hours before the trip or book in advance to guarantee your desired accommodation. See below for transportation information and ferry schedule.
- Pay the terminal fee of P25 and wait for boarding time. Make sure to bring your food and water as these can be costly on board. Travel time from Cebu to Iloilo takes at least 12 hours.
- Upon arrival at Cebu Port, you can take a jeepney, taxi or myBus to your destination in Cebu.
By Bus and Ferry
- Take a ferry to Bacolod City. See this post on how to get to Bacolod City from Iloilo. It includes step-by-step guide and ferry schedules and rates.
- From the port, proceed to Bacolod City South Terminal and take a bus bound for San Carlos. Travel time is around two and a half hours. See bus schedule and rate below.
- From San Carlos bus terminal, take a tricycle to the port and take a ferry to Toledo City, Cebu. Travel time from San Carlos to Toledo is between one to two hours. See below for ferry schedule and rates.
- From Toledo Port, take a tricycle to the bus terminal and make your way to Cebu City via van or bus. See bus and van schedule and rates below.
Plane Schedule
Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines have multiple direct flights everyday from Cebu to Iloilo. You can book direct through the airline’s official website or book via third-party sites such as WayAway.
Travel time is about one hour and 30 minutes and the fare vary depending on the season and date of booking. To enjoy cheaper fares, watch out for airline promos especially during Philippine holidays such as Independence Day.
Book your Flight to Iloilo
Ferry Schedule
Cebu City to Iloilo City
There are two shipping companies operating the Cebu-Iloilo-Cebu route: Cokaliong Shipping Lines and Trans-Asia Shipping Lines.
Cokaliong
Cokaliong sails to Iloilo and Cebu twice a week. Travel time is about 12 hours but it can be longer depending on the sea condition.
Trans-Asia
Trans-Asia used to have a daily schedule for its Cebu-Iloilo and Iloilo-Cebu trip but it currently sails once a week only.
Toledo to San carlos
There are various shipping companies plying the Toledo-San Carlos route. Travel time is around one to two hours depending on the type of ferry. Fast craft is, of course, faster than RoRo ferry.
Lite Shipping
Lite Shipping ferries not only carry passengers, they transport vehicles too. Travel time through Lite Shipping is two hours.
For inquiries, use the contact numbers below.
Toledo Office Contact Number
+63 917 631 5764
San Carlos Office Contact Number:
+63 917 631 5069
Find Ferry To San Carlos
FastCat
Like Lite Shipping, FastCat transport both passengers and vehicles as well. It is faster though as it’s travel time to San Carlos is only around one hour and 15 minutes.
For inquiries, visit their office or contact the numbers below.
FastCat Toledo Port:
Brgy. Poblacion, Toledo Public Market
Toledo City, Cebu
Mobile Nos.: 0961-755-8984
Email: toledo.port@fastcat.com.ph
FastCat San Carlos Port
S. Carmona Street. Brgy.6
San Carlos City, Negros Occidental
Mobile Nos.: 0969-313-5047 / 0915-581-2356
Email: sancarlos.port@fastcat.com.ph
EB Aznar
EB Aznar operates the fastcraft for Toledo-San Carlos route. Travel time is only around one hour.
Bus and Van Schedule
For the land portion of the travel, you may either take a bus or van.
Cebu City – Toledo
Cebu’s South Bus Terminal is open 24/7 but the first trip for Toledo City leaves at 3:00 AM and the succeeding trips every 20 to 30 minutes. The last trip leaves at 9:00 PM. The fare is P70 and P90 for non-aircon and aircon buses, respectively while the van should be around P120. Take note that the terminal for vans is at V-Hire South Terminal, less than one kilometer from South Bus Terminal.
Travel time is about two hours for bus and 1.5 hours for van, but can vary on road traffic.
San Carlos – Bacolod City
The first trip of bus for Bacolod City leaves San Carlos Terminal at 4:40 AM with the succeeding trips leaving every 40 minutes. The last trip leaves at 6:20 PM. The fare for non-aircon bus is P114, aircon bus is P140, and van is around P120. Travel time is 2.5 hours for bus and two hours for van.
Where to Stay and Eat in Iloilo
If you are looking for a place to stay and eat in Iloilo, check out this list of Iloilo restaurants and Iloilo hotels or book below .
Richmonde Hotel
J7 Plaza Hotel
Zuri Hotel
GT Hotel IloiloPublished in July 2023
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