Quick route overview

Cebu City / Mactan Airport (CEB) → Cebu North Bus Terminal (CNBT) → Hagnaya Port → Ferry to Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island.
Typical travel time: ~5–6 hours door-to-door depending on traffic and ferry queues. Buses run frequently; ferries operate early morning to early evening.

Step 1 — Cebu City / Mactan Airport → Cebu North Bus Terminal

• From Mactan–Cebu International Airport (CEB), take a metered taxi/Grab to Cebu North Bus Terminal (CNBT) near SM City Cebu. ~30–60 minutes depending on traffic.

• CNBT is the jump-off for buses and vans to Hagnaya Port (San Remigio).

Budget & timing: Ceres buses to Hagnaya run frequently (about every ~20 minutes); listed fares generally fall in the ₱120–₱300 range and the ride takes ~3 hours (can be longer with traffic).

Step 2 — CNBT → Hagnaya Port (San Remigio)

Option A: Ceres Liner bus (most common)

• Board a direct Hagnaya bus. Many trips are “bus-on-ferry”: the bus drives onto the RORO at Hagnaya, crosses to Sta. Fe, then continues to Bantayan town—very convenient if you have luggage.

Option B: Shared van / private car

• Vans also run from CNBT to Hagnaya; private transfers are the fastest/most comfortable, especially for groups or late arrivals. (Allow 3–3.5 hours by car under normal conditions.)

Step 3 — Hagnaya Port → Sta. Fe (Bantayan Island) by Ferry

Two main RORO lines serve the route. Travel time is typically ~1.5 hours.

Island Shipping (Hagnaya ⇄ Sta. Fe)

• Sample daily departures include 01:00, 03:00, 05:00, 06:30, 09:30, 11:30, 13:30, 15:30, 17:30 (Hagnaya→Sta. Fe) and similar returns.

• Adult fare: around ₱320; site notes fares include terminal fee, though ports typically still collect ₱20–₱25 terminal fees in practice—bring small cash.

Super Shuttle Ferry (Hagnaya ⇄ Sta. Fe)

• Sample daily departures include 02:00, 04:00, 07:00, 08:00, 10:30, 12:30, 14:30, 16:30 (Hagnaya→Sta. Fe) and similar returns.

• Adult fare: typically ₱330–₱355 (published as including terminal fee). Another current listing pegs the regular passenger fare at ₱330; allow ~1.5 hours crossing.

Terminal fee

• Expect ₱20–₱25 per person at the port. (Some schedules list fares “incl. terminal fee,” but collection at the port is common—better to keep small bills ready.) Bantayan Island

🔎 Tip: Real-world departure grids vary by day/season and can change without notice. Always recheck posted times at Hagnaya or via operator/booking portals on your travel day.

Alternative Routes (handy during peak dates)

Kawit (Medellin) ⇄ Sta. Fe (Aznar Ferry)

• A great alternative north of Hagnaya with lighter queues for some travelers.

• Sample departures: 06:30, 10:30, 23:00 (Kawit→Sta. Fe) and 01:30, 08:30, 12:30 on the return.

• Adult fare: about ₱250.

Cadiz (Negros Occidental) ⇄ Bantayan

• Useful if you’re coming from Bacolod/Negros. Daily 10:00–13:00 passenger boat (non-aircon). Adult fare: ~₱700.

Arrival at Sta. Fe Port (Bantayan Island)

• Walk the covered path to the Tourism Office to register and pay the Ecological Fee (~₱30 per person).

• Transfers to your hotel: tricycles are readily available; typical short-hop fares are around ₱20–₱30 per person, or charter by distance.

Sample Same-Day Timeline (from Cebu City)

• 05:30 Depart hotel → CNBT

• 06:15 Board Ceres to Hagnaya

• 09:30 Arrive Hagnaya, buy ferry ticket + terminal fee

• 10:30 Board ferry (Island Shipping / Super Shuttle)

• 12:00 Arrive Sta. Fe, pay eco fee, tricycle to hotel
  (Adjust earlier/later depending on your flight/plan; during peak season, go earlier.)

Money-saving & sanity-saving tips

• Go early (first 2–3 morning ferries) to avoid queues and heat. Schedules vary and may shift; verify on the day.

• Bring cash & small bills for terminal fee (₱20–₱25), eco fee (~₱30), and tricycles—ATMs on the island can run out.

• Bus-on-ferry rides are convenient—no luggage lugging—and drop you past Sta. Fe if you’re headed to Bantayan town.

• Check live listings (ticketing portals/boards) for latest fares/times; published grids are guides and can change without notice.

• Same-day flight? Build cushion time: land travel + ferry commonly adds up to ~5–6 hours back to CEB depending on traffic and queues.

Quick Fare Reference (as of Aug 2025)

• Bus (CNBT → Hagnaya): ~₱120–₱300 (3–4 hrs).

• Ferry (Hagnaya → Sta. Fe): ₱320–₱355 adult; ~1.5 hrs. Terminal fee ₱20–₱25 collected at port.

• Eco Fee (Sta. Fe): ~₱30 per person (pay on arrival).

• Tricycle (Sta. Fe town hops): ~₱20–₱30 per person (typical short ride).

Travel Route

Discover the quickest way to Bantayan Island from Cebu City, including bus and ferry details for a smooth journey.

Location

Cebu North Bus Terminal, Mandaue, Cebu

Hours

8 AM - 6 PM

I was having the best island experience in Bantayan Island last year. The island has the best seafood I have tasted, with different varieties and sizes. I will defintely be back next year.

Dinzky Ichigo III

The hospitality of Bantayanons is the best. They helped me from the moment I stepped into the island, to the moment I left it. I was having the most unforgettable island experience in Bantayan Island.

Jordan Lee

★★★★★

★★★★★