Mactan Cebu International Airport (All You Need to Know)
WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE?
Mactan Cebu International Airport is located in Lapu-Lapu city. In the Cebu area, you can visit the Basilica of Santo Nino, do a quick trip Whale Shark Watching (Oslob), visit the amazing Tumalog Falls (Oslob) or Temple of Leah (Balamban), and see the Taoist Temple.
Mactan Cebu International Airport has two terminals: Terminal 1 is for domestic flights Terminal 2 is for international flights.
Find the most important information about Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB): Flights, Departures, Arrivals, In and Out of the Place, and many more. Plan your travel to Mactan-Cebu Airport with the information provided in this guide.
Traveling to Cebu for the first time? This detailed and curated travel guide will make it easy for you to navigate your way inside, save money, and maximize your time.
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How to get to Cebu —
Touchdown at Mactan Cebu International Aiport (MCIA), which serves flights from Manila (3 hours), Hongkong, Taipei, Seoul, Tokyo, New York, London & more. Flights are operated by Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, AirAsia, Scoot, Jetstar, and Singapore Airlines. Click below to see online prices on airport and city transfers.
🏷️10% OFF Private Mactan-Cebu Airport Transfers (CEB) for Cebu or Mactan
🏷️ 5% OFF 4G WiFi (MNL Airport Pick Up/Delivery) for the Philippines
🏷️10% OFF [SALE] Oslob Whale Shark Watching from Cebu City or Mactan Island
Always book your hotel early — Avail low rates and avoid fully-booked rooms by booking online as soon 2-3 months before your travel departure. Click below to compare discounts and read reviews by other travelers.
Check discounts and prices online — Save money by checking discounts on tours & airport/hotel transfers. Booking before you leave also saves you time & avoids the hassles of bringing large amounts of cash during your actual trip.
Cebu 3G/4G internet data sim card & pocket WiFi rental
🏷️12% OFF 4G/3G WiFi (MY Airport Pick Up) for Philippines
🏷️ 5% OFF 4G WiFi (MNL Airport Pick Up/Delivery) for the Philippines
Spend 2 days or more — While it’s possible to explore the highlights of the city in a day, consider planning at least 2 days to tour the island. Go for 4 days for a more relaxed trip.
Save More while Traveling — I’ve included a lot of money saving tips on this guide. You can actually save more when you do not include attractions that has entrance fees. You can achieve cheaper expenses by knowing where to find and book the attractions.
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Pre – Travel Guide
✓Available Transportation
✓ How to Get to the Airport
✓ Exact Location
✓ Services
✓ Lounges
✓ Levels
✓ Transfer between Terminal 2 and Terminal 1
✓ Departure (Travel Tax, Terminal Fee, Checking In)
✓ Arrival
✓ List of Operating Airports
✓ Contact Information
✓ Travel Must Haves
✓ Money-saving tips
Available Transportation
At Mactan Cebu International Airport you can use the following transportation options to downtown Cebu:
1. Bus : Cebu Airport provides a couple of bus transportation routes to and from the city centre.
- MYBUS – MyBus is a service that covers the route from Mactan Cebu International Airport to Cebu city centre.
- Schedule – It works every day from 06:00 am to 09:00 pm from city centre and leaves Mactan-Cebu from 07:00 am until 10:00 pm. Frequency: Every 20 minutes.
- Location – MyBus stop is located at Terminal 1 (Taxi Bay Area) and Terminal 2 (International Arrivals).
- Fares – PHP 50 for SM City Cebu to Airport. PHP 25 for Parkmall to Airport.
- SUGBO TRANSIT EXPRESS – Sugbo Transit Express is a bus that offers a route to Cebu city centre with several stops.
- Schedule – Buses depart every hour. From 05:00 am to 06:00 pm. Please note that there’s no guarantee on the time, given that they don’t count with a fixed departure schedule.
- Location – The service departs from Terminal 2.
- Fares – PHP 25 for 3 first bus stops & PHP 40 to south bus terminal.
- SHUTTLE SERVICES – There are some hotels near the airport that offer free shuttle service. We recommend contacting the hotel directly to know information about the service.
2. Taxi: It is possible to transfer within an hour to the city centre by taxi.
Transfer to downtown Cebu from the airport in an hour by taxi, since the driving distance is about 15 km.
- WHITE TAXI – There are white-local metered taxis authorized to work at Cebu Airport. Operating hours: 24/7.
- Location – Terminal 1: Domestic Arrival. Terminal 2: International Link Bridge Arrival.
- Fares – Starts at PHP 40 with additional PHP 13.50 for every kilometer. PHP 2 every two minutes.
- YELLOW TAXI – Another company authorized to work at Mactan-Cebu Airport. Operates 24/7.
- Location – Terminal 1: Domestic Arrival. Terminal 2: International Link Bridge Arrival.
- Fares – Flag down/Starting rate PHP 70.00 and PHP 4 succeeding 300 meters.
- GRAB – Grab is a good option if you want to save money. It is a ridesharing app service. Grab is the popular app in Southeast Asia. You need internet connection to book a taxi.
- TRANSFERS – If you want private transportation to go to your destination, you can book one below.
🏷️10% OFF Private Mactan-Cebu Airport Transfers (CEB) for Cebu or Mactan
How to Get to the Airport
1. BY BUS
- MYBUS – MyBus is a service that covers the route from SM CEBU/SM SEASIDE to Mactan Cebu International Airport.
- Location – MyBus stop is located at SM CEBU MALL or SM SEASIDE MALL or PLAZA INDEPENDECIA.
- Schedule – It works every day from 06:00 am to 09:00 pm
- Fares – PHP 50 for SM City Cebu to Airport. PHP 25 for Parkmall to Airport.
- SUGBO TRANSIT EXPRESS – Sugbo Transit Express is a bus that offers a route to Mactan Cebu International Airport centre with several stops.
- Location – Catch it at South Bus Terminal.
- Schedule – Buses depart every hour. From 05:00 am to 06:00 pm. Please note that there’s no guarantee on the time, given that they don’t count with a fixed departure schedule.
- Fares – PHP 25 for 3 first bus stops & PHP 40 to south bus terminal.
Related Article | 101 Things to Do in Cebu
2. BY TAXI
- WHITE TAXI – There are white-local metered taxis authorized to work at Cebu Airport. Operating hours: 24/7.
- Location – Anywhere!
- Fares – Starts at PHP 40 with additional PHP 13.50 for every kilometer. PHP 2 every two minutes.
- YELLOW TAXI – Another company authorized to work at Mactan-Cebu Airport. Operates 24/7.
- Location – Anywhere but can’t be seen.
- Fares – Flag down/Starting rate PHP 70.00 and PHP 4 succeeding 300 meters.
- GRAB – Grab is a good option if you want to save money. It is a ridesharing app service. Grab is the popular app in Southeast Asia. You need internet connection to book a taxi.
🏷️10% OFF Private Mactan-Cebu Airport Transfers (CEB) for Cebu or Mactan
- TRANSFERS – If you want private transportation to go to your destination, you can book one below.
Exact Location
Mactan Cebu International Airport isn’t situated within the metropolitan area. It is located on Mactan Island.
The complete address is Lapu-Lapu Airport Road, Lapu-Lapu City.
Services
1. Aerotel Cebu
There is a hotel located on Level 1 of Terminal 2. It is open 24 hours a day. And has lots of services such as TV, towels, water, and air conditioning. For more information: rsvn.ceb@myaerotel.com.
2. Tourism office
In Terminal 1 there is located a tourism office by The Department of Tourism.
3. Prayer Room
In the airport, there is a Chapel and a Muslim Prayer Room. They are both located in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
4. Other Services
- ATMs
- Lost and found
- Duty-Free and shops
- Currency Exchange
- Drinking Water
- Duty-Free & Shopping
- Food & Drinks
- Massage Services
- Post Office
- Pharmacy
- Baggage Carts
- Automated Teller Machine
- Smoking Area
- Trolleys
- Groceries and stores
Lounges
- Mabuhay PAL Lounge: Terminal 2. Open from the first departure to the last one. Services: Newspapers, magazines, TV, Wi-Fi, food, among others.
Terminal 1. Open from the first departure to the last one. Services: Newspapers, magazines, TV, WiFi, food, among others.
- Plaza Premium Lounge: Terminal 2. Service hours: From 05:00 am to 10:30 pm. Services: Newspapers, drinks, showers, children’s area, TV, Internet, among others.
- Heroes’ Lounge: Terminal 2. Service hours: From 07:00 am to 11:00 pm. Services: Newspapers, TV, snacks. This lounge is for Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) members and their families.
– Terminal 1. Service hours: From 7:00 am to 11:00 pm. Services: Newspapers, TV, snacks. The lounge is for the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Levels
Cebu Airport Terminal 2 consists of the following levels:
- Arrivals area
- Pre-Departures Area
- Departures Area
Related Article | 101 Things to Do in Cebu
Transfers between Terminal 2 and Terminal 1
There is a shuttle bus service to transfer between The Domestic and The International Terminal. The service is available 24/7. Frequency: Every 15 minutes. It is free!
Departure (Fees, Checking in)
Here are some of the things you have to keep in mind if you’re flying out from Cebu.
1. Philippines Terminal Fee
As of Jan 2, 2020, the terminal fee is paid at the airport ONLY for international flights departing from Clark and Puerto Princesa which means that the terminal fee in Cebu is already included in the ticket price.
You don’t need to pay the terminal fee if your flight is within the Philippines, as it is already included in your booking.
The fee is mostly PHP 850.00.
Related Article | 101 Things to Do in Cebu
2. Philippines Travel Tax
The Philippine travel tax is a fee imposed by the government for Filipinos traveling abroad. The full travel tax is PHP 1,620 for passengers on economy class plane tickets and PHP 2,700 when flying first class. As stated by Presidential Decree 1183, Philippine citizens have to pay the appropriate travel tax, regardless of the place where the airline ticket is issued or the form of payment.
You need not worry about the travel tax if you’re a foreigner traveling in the Philippines on a short visit or simply transiting as this fee only applies to citizens of the Philippines, permanent resident aliens and non-immigrant aliens who have stayed in the Philippines for a period of not less than one year.
These individuals are also exempted from the travel tax: Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), infants (2 years and below), and Filipino permanent residents abroad whose stay in the Philippines is less than one year. You can check TIEZA’s website for the full details on PH travel tax exemptions and reduced fees.
3. Philippines Travel Tax Online Payment
Selected airlines including Cebu Pacific offer the option of paying the Philippine Travel Tax online on their website. This is highly recommended if you want to skip lining up at the airport. You can also pay the travel tax online on the TIEZA Online Travel Tax Payment System (OTTPS) website.
4. Services
There are ATMs and stores before entering the departure hall. Similarly, there are many of these services available inside as well including money exchange stalls.
5. Shopping and Dining
There are many shopping and dining options in Mactan-Cebu International Airport. Foodies will find options for fast food and casual dining, and there’s even a bar at Terminal 2! As for shopping, apart from souvenir stores, there are also electronic and cosmetic shops in the airport.
6. Checking in
Here are the steps to a hassle-free check-in.
Step 1. Make sure you have a valid ID or a passport (for international travel) and a copy of your ticket.
Step 2. After going through the barricade you have to submit to an initial security check. All your baggage and carry-on luggage go through a scanning machine. Put everything that is metal away before you go through the metal detector.
Step 3. Make your way to the counter and line up to be checked in so you can get your boarding pass, which will contain important details like your boarding gate number and seat number.
Alternatively, you can check yourself in, as some airlines allow this on the website or in self-check-in kiosks.
Step 4. Now you have to go through a second security check. Do the same procedure as the first security check. Make sure you don’t bring any liquids outside of the amount allowed as they will be confiscated.
Step 5. The waiting lounge and gates have a lot of seating and places to charge your gadgets. Always make sure to check the screens around the lounge area so you don’t miss your flight!
Step 6. Barring any delays, airlines allow boarding 15 minutes before the actual flight time. They will usually announce any delays or gate changes in advance. Make sure you have your boarding pass and a valid ID or passport.
Related Article | 101 Things to Do in Cebu
Arrival
Some of the services and facilities available in the arrival hall including money exchange services, ATMs, and food kiosks.
Tourist necessities like maps and SIM cards are available here. There are metered taxis available for those who need a ride right away.
Take note, if you’re not coming in from an international flight, you can go directly to the baggage claim.
If you are coming in from an international flight, ou need to line at the immigration area for verification.
List of Operating Airports
- Philippine Airlines
- Cathay Pacific
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- Silk Air
- Asiana Airlines
- Korean Air
- Cebu Pacific
- Emirates
- Eva Air
- Xiamen Air
- Pan Pacific Airlines
- Jin Air
- AirAsia
- Busan Air
- China Southern Airlines
- Lucky Air
- Jeju Air
- T’way Air
Contact Information
If you have inquiries or concerns, you can call (+632) 494-7000 to speak with one of their Customer Service Representatives.
They also have a direct inquiry form on their website.
Travel Must-Haves
✓ Google Map App – A life-saver for me because without it, I might get lost.
✓ Google Translate – Super powerful app. Translate anything.
✓Gps-Guided App – Tour the city like a local with this app.
✓ Sunscreen – Protect yourself from sunburn or much worse – Cancer.
✓ Pocket Wifi or Sim Card – The convenience of searching for anything is a go-to. Please don’t forget this baby. It is a life-saver for me though.
🏷️ 5% OFF 4G WiFi (MNL Airport Pick Up/Delivery) for the Philippines
🏷️12% OFF 4G/3G WiFi (MY Airport Pick Up) for Philippines
Money Saving Tips
Get a good map and explore the city on your own tour — You can tour the city at your own pace plus you can choose from a variety of options. There are a lot of awesome things to do in Cebu that don’t cost a dime.
Drive a motorcycle — This is the cheapest way to get around.
Stay at hostels or Airbnb — If you are traveling alone or by a group of 3, hostels are best for you. But, if you are traveling in groups of 4 or more, then Airbnb is best for you. I have calculated the difference and Airbnb ones are best for groups of travelers.
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Always remember to “Develop your One Days to Day Ones!“
XOXO,
