Wondering how to get to Dumaguete from Cebu City? In this guide, we wrote the step-by-step process on how to travel to Dumaguete City from Cebu City and some alternative options.
This is not just about how to get to Dumaguete from Cebu City, though. We also included how to get to Apo Island and Manjuyod Sandbar from Dumaguete in case you want to explore them.
In summary, this guide highlights the following:
- How to get to Dumaguete from Cebu City
- How to get to Apo Island from Dumaguete
- How to get to Manjuyod Sandbar from Dumaguete
Dumaguete is the capital city of Negros Oriental, a province south of Cebu and one of the four provinces that make up Central Visayas alongside Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor. Dubbed the “City of Gentle People,” Dumaguete is home to many expats in the Philippines and a favorite base among those who like to dive in neighboring Apo Island in Dauin and visit Manjuyod Sandbar in Bais City.
Cebu is known for its adventure activities like canyoneering in Badian, swimming with whale sharks in Oslob, and diving with millions of sardines in Moalboal. And because of its strategic location, most foreign tourists make Cebu their jump-off point to other tourist destinations in the Philippines, including Dumaguete City.
How to Get to Dumaguete from Cebu FAQs
1. Is There a Direct Ferry from Cebu to Dumaguete?
Yes, there is a direct ferry from Cebu to Dumaguete. Currently, Oceanjet and Cokaliong are traversing this route. Cokaliong Shipping has nightly trips to Dumaguete 6 times a week. Oceanjet has connecting trips to Dumaguete via Tagbilaran City. Get your ticket from Cebu to Dumaguete!
2. How Much Is the Ferry from Cebu to Dumaguete?
The ferry from Cebu to Dumaguete costs 480-1,700 PHP (~9-31 USD), depending on the type of craft you board. Cokaliong’s regular economy bed costs 480 PHP (~9 USD) per person. Meanwhile, Oceanjet’s ticket from Cebu to Dumaguete costs 1,700 PHP (31 USD) for a connecting trip (Cebu to Tagbilaran, Bohol to Dumaguete). Get your ticket from Cebu to Dumaguete!
3. How Long Is the Ferry Ride from Cebu to Dumaguete?
The total travel time of ferries from Cebu to Dumaguete is 5 hours and 20 minutes for Oceanjet (fastcraft) and 7 hours for Cokaliong (RORO). Although Oceanjet trips have a layover in Tagbilaran, Bohol, it is still faster than Cokaliong. Get your ticket from Cebu to Dumaguete!
How to Get from Cebu to Dumaguete
“What to ride from Cebu to Dumaguete?” you ask. You have at least three options to get from Cebu City to Dumaguete—via direct flight, ferry, and bus. Here’s how you can travel from Cebu City to Dumaguete City:
Option #1: Cebu City to Dumaguete by Plane
- Book your flight from Cebu to Dumaguete.
- Get to Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) Terminal 1 in Lapu-Lapu. If you are coming from mainland Cebu, you may take an airport bus at the MyBus Terminal at SM City Cebu to the airport. The fare is 50 PHP (~1 USD). Metered taxis from Cebu City to the airport cost around 250-300 PHP (~5-6 USD). The travel time is 30-60 minutes, depending on the traffic.
- Take the flight from Cebu to Dumaguete.
- Outside the arrival gate at Dumaguete Airport, different modes of transportation are available to get you to the town proper. The fare is 20-50 PHP (~0.5-1 USD). If you are going to Dumaguete Port (the port going to Siquijor), the fare may cost a bit more.
Option #2: Cebu City to Dumaguete by Ferry
- Book your ferry ticket from Cebu to Dumaguete. You have two options: Oceanjet fastcraft (5 hours and 20 minutes travel time) and Cokaliong Shipping (7 hours travel time). Check the Cebu to Dumaguete Ferry Schedule and Fare Guide!
- Get to Cebu Pier 1 in Cebu City. Metered taxis cost around 100-200 PHP (~2-4 USD) within city limits. If you are coming from Colon or Cebu South Bus Terminal, you may also take a jeep with route no. 02B passes by Cebu Pier 1. The fare is 12 PHP (0.2 USD).
- Check in at Cebu Pier 1 to Dumaguete Port.
- Outside Dumaguete Port, you can walk to your hotel if it’s downtown or take a tricycle. Fare is 20 (~0.5 USD) per person.
Option #3: Cebu to Dumaguete by Bus
- Get to Cebu South Bus Terminal. Metered taxis cost around 100-200 PHP (~2-4 USD) within city limits. You may also take a jeep with route no. 02B and 09F to get to South Bus Terminal. Check the exact location on Google Maps.
- Take a Ceres Liner bus bound for Dumaguete. The bus fare is 380 PHP (~7 USD), while the ferry fare (paid separately at the port) is 120 PHP (~2.5 USD). Check the Cebu to Dumaguete Bus Schedule and Fare Guide!
- Most buses take the Bato Port to Tampi Port route. One bus daily takes the Liloan Port to Sibulan Port.
If you are in South Cebu (Moalboal, Badian, Oslob, Alegria, etc.), this is your best option. If you come from the southwestern part (Moalboal, Badian, Alegria, Malabuyoc, Ginatilan, etc.), just take any bus bound for Bato Port in Samboan.
If you come from the southeastern part (Oslob, Dalaguete, Sibonga, Alcoy, Boljoon, etc.), take any bus bound for Bato Port in Samboan and get off at Liloan Port in Santander.
Check out our Samboan to Dumaguete (Bato Port to Tampi Port) Ferry Schedule and Fare Guide or Santander to Dumaguete (Liloan Port to Sibulan Port) Ferry Schedule and Fare Guide.
How to Get to Apo Island from Dumaguete (Dumaguete to Apo Island)
- Take a tricycle to the jeep terminal right across Robinson’s Place or a bus at Ceres Liner Terminal near the cockpit. The jeepney fare is 20-50 PHP (~0.5-1 USD).
- From the terminal, take a jeep or bus to Malatapay. Tell the driver/conductor to drop you at the market (Malatapay Market). The fare is 25-35 PHP (~0.5 USD). The travel time is 30 minutes.
- Take the boat to Apo Island. There are several trips daily. The first trip is around 7:00 am, and the last trip is around 3:00 pm. The fare is xx PHP (~USD). The travel time is 45 minutes.
- Upon at arriving, proceed to the Bantay Dagat collector’s house to pay the 100 PHP (~2 USD) entrance fee for non-residents of Negros Oriental or 25 PHP (~0.5 USD) entrance fee for residents of Oriental.
If you are looking for a guided tour, you may also book a full-day Apo Island tour that includes lunch, snorkeling gear, environmental fees, and convenient transportation from Dumaguete to Apo Island.
How to Get to Manjuyod Sandbar from Dumaguete (Dumaguete to Manjuyod Sandbar)
- Take a Ceres Liner bus at the Ceres Bus Terminal (location) to Bais City. Tell the driver/conductor you will get off at Bais Bus Stop (location). The fare is about 60 PHP (~1.2 USD). The travel time is 1 hour.
- Charter a tricycle to Canibol Wharf (location). The fare is around 100 PHP (~2 USD). The travel time is 5 minutes.
- Charter a boat to Manjuyod Sandbar. Boat rental ranges between 3,500-5,000 PHP (~68-100 USD). The travel time is 10 minutes.
If you are looking for a guided tour, you may also get a dolphin watching and Majuyod Sanbar tour that includes lunch and convenient transportation from Dumaguete to Manjuyod Sandbar.
Where to Stay in Cebu City
- Horizons 101
- Cebu Parklane International Hotel
- Citadines Cebu City
- The Well Hotel
- Seda Central Bloc Cebu
Where to Stay in Dumaguete
- Coco Grande Hotel
- Star View Boutique Resort
- UNWND Boutique Hotel Dumaguete
- Wuthering Heights Bed & Breakfast by the Sea
- Casa Arrieta Hostel
Where to Stay in Dauin (near Apo Island)
- Vida Homes Condo Resort
- Mike’s Dauin Dive Resort
- Glamping Dome Dauin Beach + Dive Resort
- Pura Vida Beach & Dive Resort
- La Tortue Diving Resort Dauin
Where to Stay in Bais City (near Manjuyod Sandbar)
Best Things to Do in Dumaguete and Cebu
And that is how to get to Dumaguete from Cebu City. Are you preparing for your trip to Dumaguete? Check out our comprehensive list of the 10 Fun Things to Do in Dumaguete.
You might also want to check the 35 Best Things to Do in Cebu. It outlines all the must-do activities in Cebu such as canyoneering in Badian, swimming with whale sharks in Oslob, and diving with millions of sardines in Moalboal. We also named a few off-the-beaten paths if that’s your jam. So be sure to check it out for yourself!
If you have questions about your trip to Dumaguete, let me know in the comments. We’ll get back to you ASAP.
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