Mactan Cebu International Airport (CEB)

Flying from/to Mactan Cebu International Airport

Plan your journey from/to Mactan Cebu International Airport by finding out which transport links are available upon arrival—whether its an airport transfer by coach or a local train which gets you to where you need to be. We recommend booking your ticket with Omio.

Arriving at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB)

Known as "The Queen City of the South," Cebu is the first site of Spanish colonization in the country, sitting at the center of a complex history of Asian and European trade routes. Most locals speak Cebuano, Tagalog, and some English to accommodate the area's several million international tourists a year. Completed in 2018, Mactan-Cebu International Airport is a stunning display of Cebuano culture, from sweeping architecture to helpful airport personnel in brightly colored traditional dress. Terminal 1 serves domestic flights across the Philippines, and Terminal 2 serves all international flights. Both terminals are open 24 hours a day. Airlines offering connections to Mactan-Cebu Airport include Cathay Pacific, Emirates, EVA Air, Korean Air, and many others.

What's the best way to get from Mactan-Cebu International Airport to the city centre?

Between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. every day, Mycoach shuttles run in intervals of 20 minutes from Mactan-Cebu International Airport to SM City Cebu, Island Central Mall. Passengers hoping to catch coaches to other parts of the city can use the Mycoach Shuttle line, hopping off at the North coach Terminal ten minutes away. Taxis, normally in a rank outside the arrivals hall, are best suited to travellers wanting to be dropped off right at the door of their accommodations. Grab rideshare services are also available for those who prefer to book rides using their smartphones. 

How far is the city centre from Mactan-Cebu International Airport?

It's just over 9 miles (15 kilometers) to Mactan-Cebu Airport from the city centre, and Mycoach Shuttle trips generally take around 40 minutes. Departing from the SM City Cebu stop, the shuttles run from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., in the same 20-minute intervals as those departing from the airport. The ticketing counter is in the SM City Cebu mall. While yellow taxis are official airport taxis, there are also white taxis found throughout the city, and they're generally cheaper. travellers who opt to buy a local SIM card can order a rideshare or a private car using the Grab app from anywhere in the city.

What services are there at Mactan-Cebu International Airport?

Built to make the best possible first impression of Cebu to travellers, Mactan-Cebu International Airport stands as a glittering testament to the beauty of the island's culture. Among the panoramic arches with crushed mother-of-pearl inlay, passengers will find free WiFi, several airline lounges, a spa with massage services, ATMs from 11 local and international banks, and Curex currency exchange kiosks. Private rooms for nursing mothers can be found in the central departures area, and doctors and nurses staff the airport clinic's ER facilities 24 hours a day. The iKonnect coachiness center offers computer and internet access, a photocopier, prepaid phone cards, a fax machine, and other amenities. A duty-free shopping area, food court, bar, and traditional pasalubong center selling uniquely local Cebuano goods are house in the departures hall of the international terminal. Ibales Luggage Depository is open 24 hours for luggage storage.

How accessible is the route for those with limited mobility?​

Passengers requiring assistance are advised to contact their airlines 48 hours in advance or at the time of booking their tickets. By doing so, they'll have access to priority boarding, reserved seating, and early luggage storage for up to (but not exceeding) 12 hours before takeoff. All restrooms are installed with wheelchair-accessible stalls. Elevators and ramps were built into the design of the new Terminal 2 layout for maximum convenience. Airport personnel are available at several help points, and they can accommodate requests for wheelchair rentals, direct passengers to porters for luggage assistance, and answer any questions regarding accessibility.

Local tips: what to know before flying to Mactan-Cebu International Airport

travellers are advised to avoid taxis offering a fixed rate for a fare - they're often more expensive than metered fares, unless they're going to a particularly distant destination. Tap water is safe to drink in Cebu, so travellers can fill their water bottles at the water fountains in the airport before leaving for the city centre. Pasalubong (tinabuan in Cebuano) is a Philippine tradition of bringing gifts that cannot be obtained locally. The tradition differs from the western practice, in that pasalubong is meant to share a travel experience with others rather than symbolize a memory. There's a large pasalubong center in Terminal 2 of the airport for departing passengers, with regional goods ranging from delicacies to artisanal crafts. There's a small terminal fee that must be paid before proceeding to immigration upon departure, and travellers are recommended to check their tickets to see whether the Philippines travel tax was included in the price of the ticket or if it should be paid at the airport.