How to get from Cebu to Oslob

Why visit Oslob?

Oslob is a coastal town on the Philippines’ Cebu Island popular for daily sightings of whale sharks (or butanding, as Filipinos call them). Sadly, these whale sharks are hand-fed every day just to keep them onsite and boost tourism. If you really love underwater life, you can find more ethical places to swim with whale sharks.

There are other things you can do in Oslob, though! At its town centre are remnants of the strong Spanish rule in the province, dating back to the 1700s. Outside town, you can either cool down at Tumalog Falls or heat things up at Mainit (Hot) Springs. And just 15 minutes away by boat from Oslob, you will find Sumilon Island — a beauty that will blow you away.

There are 3 ways to travel the 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Cebu to Oslob. You can choose between the bus, van and taxi. The journey takes 3 to 4 hours and the quickest way is by taxi. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 160 PHP (€2.60).

There are 2 bus companies operating from Cebu to Oslob: Ceres Bus and Sunrays. Their buses are available throughout the day, but there may be fewer departures at night.

Board a bus with a signboard saying: Bato via Oslob, Bato via Alcoy, or Samboan. We recommend asking the driver or conductor if they are indeed passing by Oslob.

Ticket prices from Cebu to Oslob start from 160 PHP (€2.60) for a non-aircon bus and 270 PHP (€4.40) for an air-conditioned bus.

Departure and arrival station

Buses depart from South Bus Terminal in Cebu centre.

These buses pass along the main road in Oslob. You can tell the driver or conductor beforehand where exactly you want to be dropped off. If you don’t have a specific landmark, you can just get off the bus at Oslob Public Market and then find your way to your hotel from there.

Public vans also operate from Cebu to Oslob. We don’t recommend them though if you’re a tall passenger and/or carrying a lot of luggage.

These shared vans are often packed and offer very little legroom. There’s a chance you’ll have to endure an uncomfortable ride for 4 hours.

A van seat from Cebu to Oslob costs around 160 PHP (€2.60).

Departure and arrival station

Vans bound for Oslob depart from GT Express Terminal, located within the perimeters of SM City Cebu.

You will be dropped off at Oslob town centre. From there, you can walk or take a tricycle to your accommodation. If your destination is located along the main road along the way, you can also ask the driver to just drop you off there.

Take a van including pick-up*

If you prefer a van that will pick you up from your hotel in Cebu and will go straight to Oslob Whaleshark Watching Center, you can also join a shared van transfer from Klook.

A seat costs 850 PHP (€13.70) for a one-way trip, but you can save a few dollars if you book a return trip with them. This van departs from Cebu at 03:30 in the morning. Be ready to be picked up about an hour before departure time.

*COVID-19 UPDATE: The last time we checked (July 2022), Klook van operations for the Oslob-Cebu route are unavailable. Please check the provided link to see if anything has changed.

A taxi is a great option especially if you are travelling in a group and are coming from Cebu Airport.

BookAway offers comfortable cars with professional drivers. Rates start from for a 3-seater car from Cebu to Oslob. You will be picked up at the airport or anywhere in Cebu City.

Travel time with a private transfer from Cebu to Oslob is around 3 hours to 3 hours 30 minutes.

You can also book a taxi to take you from Cebu to Oslob. We say “book” because taxi drivers do not use the metre for long-distance trips like this. They will quote you a fixed price, and you can negotiate.

We recommend asking for your hotel’s assistance in finding a trusted driver.

An acceptable rate when taking a taxi from Cebu to Oslob is 3,000 PHP (€48) to 3,500 PHP (€56).

Taxi options from Cebu to Oslob