Cebu to Bantayan Island: How to Get to Bantayan Island 2024

Not sure how to get to Bantayan Island? There are several ways you can travel to Bantayan Island from Cebu and other places.

If you are visiting Bantayan Island via Cebu City, Cebu airport (Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA)), Manila, Bacolod, or Iloilo, we got you covered.

Cebu City to Bantayan Island

Cebu Airport to Bantayan Island
Bacolod to Bantayan Island
Manila to Bantayan Island

Before that, check out our Bantayan Travel Guide 2023 if you’re getting ready for your Bantayan Island adventure!

WHAT'S IN THIS POST?

Cebu City to Bantayan Island: How to Get to Bantayan Island From Cebu City

If you are coming from Cebu City, there are three common ways to get to Bantayan Island:

Option #1: By Bus

Go to the NEW Cebu North Bus Terminal at the SM City Cebu parking area beside the MyBus terminal.

Take a Ceres Liner bus to Hagnaya Port in San Remigio. Fare is 165 PHP (~3 USD) for aircon and 140 PHP (~2.5 USD) for non-aircon. Travel time is about 4-5 hours.
Take a ferry to Santa Fe Port, Bantayan Island. Fare is 280 PHP (~5 USD) while terminal fee is PHP10 (~0.2 USD). Travel time is 1 hour.

NOTE: Ceres Liner operates 24/7. Buses depart from Cebu North Bus Terminal every 30 minutes. Read our Bantayan Ferry and Bus Schedule for the complete ferry and bus schedule and fare of Ceres Liner buses to the island.

Ceres bus from cebu city to bantayan island — Ceres bus from Cebu City to Bantayan Island (left) and from Bantayan Island to Cebu City (right) (Photo by Mario Manlupig / CEBU INSIDER)

NOTE: Buses in Cebu City leave as early as 2:00 am. Leave as early as possible. The first ferry trip from Hagnaya Port to Bantayan Island is 2:00 am and the last ferry trip leaves at 4:30 pm. The first ferry trip from Santa Fe Port, Bantayan Island to Hagnaya Port is 4:00 am and the last trip is 6:00 pm.

Upon arriving at the Santa Fe Port, tourists need to pay the Tourism Office 30 PHP (~0.5 USD) ecological fee at the exit gate.

Looking for activities in the island? Check out the 18 Things to Do in Bantayan Island!

Option #2: By Van

Go to the van terminal at SM City Cebu in front Bayfront Hotel.
Take a van to Hagnaya Port. Fare is 200 PHP (~4 USD). Travel time is 3 hours.
Take a ferry to Santa Fe Port, Bantayan Island. Fare is 280 PHP (~5 USD) while terminal fee is PHP10 (~0.2 USD). Travel time is 1 hour.

NOTE: Each van carries around 12 passengers, so it could get too tight inside. Vans don’t leave until they get full. Vans in Cebu City leave as early as 3:00 am. Leave as early as possible.

The FIRST ferry trip from Hagnaya Port to Bantayan Island is 2:00 am and the LAST ferry trip leaves at 4:30 pm. The first ferry trip from Santa Fe Port, Bantayan Island to Hagnaya Port is 4:00 am and the last trip is 6:00 pm.

Upon arriving at the Santa Fe Port, tourists need to pay the Tourism Office 30 PHP (~0.5 USD) ecological fee at the exit gate.

Option #3: By Chartered Taxi or V-Hire

Whether you come from Mactan-Cebu International Airport or anywhere in Metro Cebu, you can ask any taxi if they can drive you to Hagnaya Port. Each taxi can accommodate up to 4 passengers.

Chartered taxis to Hagnaya Port cost around 2,000-2,500 PHP (~36-54 USD) one way, depending on your haggling skills.

If you are a bigger group, a van for hire (V-Hire) can carry around 12 people. The best way to find vans for hire is at the van terminal at SM City Cebu.

You can ask van conductors or drivers directly. Vans for hire to Hagnaya Port cost around 3,000-3,500 PHP (~54-63 USD) one way.

Then take a ferry to Santa Fe Port, Bantayan Island. Fare is 280 PHP (~5 USD) while terminal fee is PHP10 (~0.2 USD). Travel time is 1 hour.

Upon arriving at the Santa Fe Port, tourists need to pay the Tourism Office 30 PHP (~0.5 USD) ecological fee at the exit gate.

Option #4: By Private Transfer

The most convenient way to get to Bantayan Island from Cebu City is through chartered vehicles with a driver. A private transfer from Cebu Airport or any point in the city to Hagnaya Port (jump-off point to Bantayan Island) costs 2,400 PHP (~45 USD). You have an option for bigger vehicles that can accommodate up to 10 people.

Cebu Airport to Bantayan Island: How to Go to Bantayan Island From Cebu Airport or Mactan

If you land at the airport in Mactan, you can either transfer to Cebu or charter a taxi or private plane.

Option #1: By Bus or Van

Get on MyBus just outside the arrival gate. This will bring you to the MyBus Terminal at SM City Cebu. Fare is 50 PHP (~1 USD). Travel time is 30-60 minutes. NOTE: MyBus operates between 6:00 am and 10:00 pm with 20 minutes interval.

Proceed to Cebu North Bus Terminal or van terminal located, whichever you prefer. Both are located a hundred meters away but on different directions.
If you prefer the bus, take a Ceres bus to Hagnaya Port in San Remigio. Fare is 165 PHP (~3 USD) for aircon and 140 PHP (~2.5 USD) for non-aircon. Travel time is about 4-5 hours. If you choose a van, fare is 200 PHP (~4 USD). Travel time is 3 hours.
Take a ferry to Santa Fe Port, Bantayan Island. Fare is 280 PHP (~5 USD) while terminal fee is PHP10 (~0.2 USD). Travel time is 1 hour. Upon arriving at the Santa Fe Port, tourists need to pay the Tourism Office 30 PHP (~0.5 USD) ecological fee at the exit gate. You can either walk to your hotel if it’s near or take a tricycle. Fare is 20-50 PHP (~0.5-1 USD), depending on the distance.

Option #2: By Chartered Taxi or V-Hire

Whether you come from Mactan-Cebu International Airport or anywhere in Metro Cebu, you can ask any taxi if they can drive you to Hagnaya Port. Each taxi can accommodate up to 4 passengers.

Chartered taxis to Hagnaya Port cost around 3,500 PHP (~60 USD) one way, depending on your haggling skills.

If you are a bigger group, a van for hire (V-Hire) can carry around 12 people. The best way to find vans for hire is at the van terminal at SM City Cebu.

You can ask van conductors or drivers directly. Vans for hire to Hagnaya Port cost around 3,500-4,500 PHP (~60-85 USD) one way.

Then take a ferry to Santa Fe Port, Bantayan Island. Fare is 280 PHP (~5 USD) while terminal fee is PHP10 (~0.2 USD). Travel time is 1 hour.

Upon arriving at the Santa Fe Port, tourists need to pay the Tourism Office 30 PHP (~0.5 USD) ecological fee at the exit gate.

Option #4: By Private Transfer

Option #5: By Chartered Plane

The easiest way to get to Bantayan Island from Cebu airport is to rent a plane.

Air Island Tours offers a direct charter flight from Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Lapu-Lapu to Bantayan Island. The chartered flight from Mactan to Bantayan costs 23,000 PHP (~410 USD). Travel time is 40 minutes.

For more information, contact them at (+63) 976 044 8822.

Manila to Bantayan Island: How to Get to Bantayan Island From Manila

From Manila, fly to Cebu via Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay. Travel time is 1 hour.

Get on MyBus just outside the arrival gate. This will bring you to the MyBus Terminal at SM City Cebu. Fare is 50 PHP (~1 USD). Travel time is 30-60 minutes. NOTE: MyBus operates between 6:00 am and 10:00 pm at 20 minutes intervals.
Proceed to Cebu North Bus Terminal or van terminal located, whichever you prefer. Both are located a hundred meters away but in different directions.
If you prefer the bus, take a Ceres bus to Hagnaya Port in San Remigio. Fare is 165 PHP (~3 USD) for aircon and 140 PHP (~2.5 USD) for non-aircon. Travel time is about 4-5 hours. If you choose a van, fare is 200 PHP (~4 USD). Travel time is 3 hours.

Take a ferry to Santa Fe Port, Bantayan Island. Fare is 280 PHP (~5 USD) while terminal fee is PHP10 (~0.2 USD). Travel time is 1 hour. Upon arriving at the Santa Fe Port, tourists need to pay the Tourism Office 30 PHP (~0.5 USD) ecological fee at the exit gate. You can either walk to your hotel if it’s near or take a tricycle. Fare is 20-50 PHP (~0.5-1 USD), depending on the distance.

Malapascua Island to Bantayan Island: How to Go to Bantayan Island From Malapascua Island

You have two options to get to Bantayan Island from Malapascua Island — by ferry and bus, which is more budget-friendly, and by outrigger boat (“bangka”), which is faster and more expensive.

Option #1: By Ferry and Bus/Van

Take a boat from Malapascua to Maya Port. Fare is 200 PHP (~4 USD). Travel time is 30 minutes.
From Maya Port, take a tricycle to take you directly to Hagnaya Port. Fare is 200 PHP (~4 USD). Travel time is 1 hour.
Alternatively, take a tricycle to Don Pedro Junction in Bogo City. Fare is 50 PHP per head or 200 PHP (~4 USD) to charter the tricycle. Travel time is 30 minutes. From Don Pedro Junction, wait for a bus/van going to Hagnaya Port. Fare is 40 PHP (~0.8 USD). Travel time is 20 minutes.

Get on the ferry to Santa Fe Port. Fare is 305 PHP (~6 USD). Travel time is 1 hour.

NOTE: The first boat trip from Hagnaya Port to Santa Fe Port is 2:00 am and the last is 4:30 pm. The first boat trip from Santa Fe Port to Hagnaya Port is 4:00 am and the last is 6:00 pm.

malapascua island port — The new port in Malapascua Island (Photo by Mario Manlupig / CEBU INSIDER)

Option #2: By Chartered Boat

Ask your hotel’s front desk where you can charter a boat from Malapascua Island to Bantayan Island. You can also ask locals.

Chartered boats from Malapascua Island to Bantayan Island can cost 2,500 PHP (~50 USD). Travel time is about 2 hours.

You can get a cheaper price if you are with other passengers. Boats can take up to 6 people.

Better leave in the morning when the wind and water are calmer.

Bacolod to Bantayan Island: How to Get to Bantayan Island From Bacolod

Take a Ceres bus to Cadiz City. Fare is 100 PHP (~2 USD) for non-aircon. Travel time is 1 hour.
At the Ceres Liner Terminal, grab a tricycle to bring you to Cadiz City Port or commonly known as Banquerohan Port. Fare is 30 PHP (~0.5 USD). Travel time is 8 minutes.
Take a big outrigger boat bound for Bantayan Island. Fare is 700 PHP (~13 USD). Travel time is 3 hours.

Upon arriving at the Santa Fe Port, tourists need to pay the Tourism Office 30 PHP (~0.5 USD) ecological fee at the exit gate.