Budget Travel: Manila-Cebu and Vice Versa

Posted March 14th, 2009 by ceblogger 11 Comments »

Perhaps you’ve been a Manila boy or girl for as long as you remembered. And you have not really stepped outside Luzon, but heard of the beautiful of places in the islands south of where you are. Do you want to travel from Manila to Cebu but not sure if it is within your budget? This is your quick guide for a budget travel to Cebu on P5,000 budget for an overnight trip.


Plane fare – Normally, plane fares are between P1,200 to P3,000. So you have to watch out for the Cebu Pacific Promo flights and discounts and for the PAL promo flights. Last night I learned that Zest Air, (formerly Asian Spirit) is also selling promo flights to Cebu, on trips from April 1 to December 31, 2009 at P488 all-in bottom-rock prices. Say you got P1,000 round-trip ticket.

Terminal Fee – For the Manila and Cebu airports, terminal fee is P200.

Taxi fare – At the Cebu airport, you don’t actually have to ride a taxi. But if you have some extra money to spare, climb up to the departure area when you get out from arrival exit. Metered taxis are queuing there. To SM or to the Fuente Osmeña area, it will cost you between P150 to P200. If you want to ride a jeep, walk a little more to the drop off point of the departing passengers. Yellow multi-cab jeepneys are plying there but you have to wait a little longer. Then you drop off at the terminal and ride another jeep to SM. From airport and back to airport – budget is P400.

Lodging and Accommodation – I suggest you try the hotels near Fuente Osmeña like Shamrock Hotel, Sampaguita Suites, Apple Tree Suites, Cebu Pensionne Plaza, Palladium Suites, and the others. Budget is P800-P1,500. Or you may also try Sugbutel. Bed and Bath at P250/day.

Meals – The easiest to budget are the fastfood meals which you will spend at P100-150 per meal. In a 6-meal budget, that’s at most P900. I suggest you try Larsian, some barbecue stalls very near Fuente Rotunda. Your 100 goes a very long way.

Let’s make a recap. Plane fare – P1,000, Terminal fee – P400, Taxi fare – P400, Lodging – P1,500, Meals – P900. Only P800 is left for your other expenses. But some tourists’ attractions are a jeep ride away from Fuente. Of course if you travel in a group of three or four, the individual expenses go lower. Let your adventurous side drift you while in Cebu. You won’t get lost in translation, and you’ll always end up in your desired destination.

But just a caution here: Don’t get late for your flight. Penalties are higher than your ticket’s original cost.

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Related posts which you would also like to read:

  1. Cebu Sinulog 2009: Travel to Cebu
  2. Cebu Pacific (CEB) vs Philippine Airlines (PAL): Travel Cheap or Travel Comfortably?
  3. Free Cebu Pacific Airlines Tickets and Travel Vouchers
  4. Discover Camotes, Cebu
  5. Cebu Pacific Flight Promos and Discounted Fares

Tags: , ,   Posted in Cebu, Tourist Destination, Travel

11 Responses to “Budget Travel: Manila-Cebu and Vice Versa”

  1. Sonnie Says:
    March 19th, 2009 at 4:39 pm

    I hope I can bring my kids to Cebu in the near future… I missed the Lechon already.. he he he

  2. ceblogger Says:
    March 20th, 2009 at 3:15 am

    hi sonnie, promo fares to cebu is lesser than the price of 1 kilo of lechon.

  3. Ray Says:
    March 21st, 2009 at 12:27 am

    488 all in? Did they ever do maintenance on that plane? :D

  4. ceblogger Says:
    March 21st, 2009 at 6:25 am

    thanks for the visit Ray! check the zest air website at http://asianspirit.com. They have newly purchased A320 planes. Newly purchased doesn’t mean brand new though. But it should be safe.

  5. Ray Says:
    March 22nd, 2009 at 1:57 am

    I was just joking :) I am sure it is safe it is just so cheap. The first time I flew from Manila to Cebu was 1990 and it cost a lot more at that time. Of course at that time PAL was the only airline and had no competition so they could charge what ever they wanted.

  6. Panaderos Says:
    March 26th, 2009 at 11:36 pm

    I’d love to visit Cebu someday. I’ve heard so many good things about the place and yes, I need to see other places in my country other than Metro Manila. :D

  7. ceblogger Says:
    March 27th, 2009 at 7:35 am

    pan, i’m now slowly exploring Luzon. This side of the Philippines I haven’t really visited. I may go to Baguio anytime in the next 4 months.

  8. Doris Says:
    April 1st, 2009 at 11:15 am

    Cebu is the best place on earth! Just a 30-minute drive from the city and you’ve got sand in your shoes. Just love it!

  9. ceblogger Says:
    April 1st, 2009 at 1:40 pm

    yes, Doris! Cebu’s the best!

  10. Diana Says:
    April 30th, 2009 at 1:13 am

    Hi. Can you tell me if its possible to take a jeepney from the airport to Sugbutel Hotel. And if it is, how am I to go about it? Like which routes, which stops etc.? Thank you so much for your help. :)

  11. ceblogger Says:
    April 30th, 2009 at 4:35 am

    diana, it will probably take you three rides. when you arrive at the cebu airport, go to the departure area and wait for the yellow public utility jeeps. Then drop off at the MEPZ jeepney terminal. Ride another jeep to SM. From SM, go the exit where Goldilocks is. There’s another terminal for jeeps going to the Pier. Ask the driver to drop you off at Sugbutel (formerly old WGA building).

    hope this helps!