Usual Route from Cebu City to Bantayan Island

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 from 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.)

🔎 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.

• You can bring your cars with you to the island. The best form of comfort, indeed.

Cadiz (Negros Occidental) ⇄ Bantayan

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

• Balt Bep Express is operating this route, and the boat is only intended to carry passengers. Cars cannot be brought to Bantayan Island through this route.

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).