How to get from Manila to Siargao

Why visit Siargao?

Siargao is the surfing capital of the Philippines — an island beloved for its chill vibe and laidback lifestyle. Its most popular tourist draw is Cloud 9, one of the top surfing sites in the world.

But this tear-drop-shaped island has a lot more to offer, to non-surfers too. With pristine beaches, an ethereal lagoon, a palm-tree-lined river, and a rapidly growing food and coffee scene, you cannot go wrong with a visit to Siargao.

There are 5 ways to travel the 762 kilometre (473 miles) distance from Manila to Siargao. You can choose between the direct flight, ferry, indirect flight via Cebu, indirect flight via Butuan and direct flight from Clark. The journey takes 3 hours 15 minutes to 1 day 11 hours and the quickest way is by direct flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by direct flight from clark with tickets starting at 3,710 PHP ($62).

The fastest and easiest way to get to Siargao is by taking a direct flight from Manila.

The flight takes about 2 hours, and while it’s the most convenient option, ticket prices can be quite high if you book close to your travel date.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

The easiest way to get to Manila Airport from anywhere in Metro Manila is by Grab car. Rates start from 230 PHP ($3.90) to Terminal 3 and 370 PHP ($6.20) to Terminal 2, depending on where you’re coming from. You can also hail a taxi from the street. Just make sure the driver turns on the meter!

If you want to pre-book your transfer, Klook offers private rides with prices from 1,170 PHP ($19.60) for a 4-seater.

Alternatively, UBE Express operates point-to-point buses to several locations across Metro Manila to Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Here are the ticket prices:

• 150 PHP ($2.50) – from Pasay, Parañaque and Robinsons Manila
• 200 PHP ($3.40) – from Araneta City and Alabang

Check out our guide for Manila Airport for more details.

Only Philippine Airlines and its regional brand, PAL Express, offer non-stop flights from Manila Airport to Siargao. Fares usually start from around 9,000 PHP ($150), and if you book just a few days before your flight, prices can go up significantly.

If you want to save money, we recommend planning a few months ahead.

PRO TIP: Make sure to book a window seat as the view from above with these small propeller planes is just magnificent!

Flights arrive at Siargao Airport, also known as Sayak Airport. This small airport is on the west side of the island.

From Siargao Airport, you can take a van to the town centre in General Luna for about 45 minutes. Fares start from 300 PHP ($5).

For more transport options, visit our page on Siargao Airport.

If direct flights are sold out or out of your budget, another option is to take an indirect flight from Manila to Siargao with a layover in Cebu.

Cebu Pacific and its subsidiary Cebgo no longer operate direct flights from Manila to Siargao, but you can still reach the island with a connecting flight via Cebu. Philippine Airlines also offers similar connecting flights.

The first leg from Manila to Cebu Airport takes about 1.5 hours. From Cebu, the connecting flight to Siargao adds another hour. Layover times in Cebu usually range between 1 to 5 hours, depending on your chosen flight.

Why a short stop in Cebu might be worth it

Booking the entire trip under one reservation keeps the transfer hassle-free. There’s no need to re-check bags or worry about missed connections if your first flight is delayed.

Even though this route adds a bit more time, it can save you money. Fares can start from around 5,100 PHP ($85), and you might find even lower prices during seat sales.

Note that when searching flights on Skyscanner, you’ll see both direct and connecting options. The cheapest ones are usually the flights with a stop in Cebu.

Another way to reach Siargao is by flying from Clark International Airport in Pampanga, which is about 111 km north of Manila Airport. It is quite far from the Philippine capital, but there are point-to-point buses that can take you here from Manila Airport.

Additionally, this offers a more affordable option compared to flights from Manila to Siargao.

You’ll find direct flights from Clark to Siargao with PAL, PAL Express, Cebu Pacific, and Cebgo. Sunlight Air also flies this route a few times a week, depending on the season.

If you’re coming from Manila, you can get to Clark Airport by taking a Genesis Transport Point-to-Point (P2P) bus. These buses depart from Manila Airport (NAIA Terminal 3) and Trinoma Mall in Quezon City.

Genesis Transport P2P Bus Schedule:

• From the Genesis P2P Bus Stop at NAIA Terminal 3: Buses run from 12:00 midnight to 22:30, every 1 to 2 hours. Fare is 450 PHP ($7.60).

• From the New Genesis P2P Bus Terminal at Trinoma: Buses run from 4:30 to 22:30, every 1 to 1.5 hours. Fare is 310 PHP ($5.20).

With a P2P bus, travel time from Manila to Clark Airport is around 2h - 2h 30m, depending on traffic. Keep in mind that you need to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before your flight, so plan accordingly.

The flight from Clark to Siargao takes about 2h 05m - 2h 35m, and fares start from 3,100 PHP ($52).

With several airlines operating the route, you have plenty of options to match your schedule.

PRO TIP: Cebu Pacific offers many “piso sales” annually. Keep an eye out for these promotions so you can book a cheaper flight for this route!

All flights land at Siargao Airport (Sayak Airport) on the island’s west side.

From the airport, it takes around 45 minutes by van to reach General Luna, the main tourist hub.

An adventurous and budget-friendly way to travel from Manila to Siargao is by an indirect flight via Butuan.

The entire journey goes like this:

1. Flight from Manila to Butuan (1 hour 40 minutes)
2. Van to Surigao Bus Terminal (3 hours)
3. Tricycle to Macapagal Port (15 minutes)
4. Ferry to Siargao (1.5 hours)

The total travel time is 6 hours 25 minutes to 6 hours 55 minutes. We explain every step for this route below.

Flights from Manila to Butuan are usually cheaper than direct flights to Siargao or those with a layover in Cebu. You can find tickets for as low as 3,100 PHP ($52).

Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific both operate daily flights on this route. The flight takes around 1h 40m, depending on the airline.

You will arrive at Butuan Airport in Agusan del Norte, just a few hours away from Surigao City and Siargao. This airport is also known as Bancasi Airport. For the cheapest flights, check out Skyscanner.

Right outside Butuan Airport, you will find vans heading to Surigao City. The van ride can take around 3 hours and costs 460 PHP ($7.70) per person.

These vans will drop you off at Surigao Bus and Jeepney Terminal.

If no vans are available at the airport, you can take a jeepney, multicab, or tricycle to Butuan City Integrated Bus Terminal. The ride would take around 20 minutes. From this terminal in Butuan, you can take vans or buses going to the Surigao Terminal.

From the bus terminal, you can take a multicab or a tricycle to Macapagal Port in Surigao City. The terminal is just 5 km away from the port, and the ride would take around 15 minutes.

A multicab ride costs 15 PHP ($0.30) per person. If you’re carrying a lot of luggage or prefer a more direct trip, a tricycle is a better option. The fare is about 20 PHP ($0.30) per person, but you can also ask the driver about paying for the whole tricycle for more space and convenience.

Upon arrival at the pier, prepare to pay a port fee of 20 PHP ($0.30).

There are multiple ferry trips available at Macapagal Port daily. These ferries can carry both passengers and cargo, and they arrive at Dapa Ferry Terminal on Siargao Island.

The main ferry operators on this route are JP Shipping Lines Inc. and Evaristo & Sons Sea Transport Corp.

• Evaristo & Sons runs fast crafts that reach Siargao in about 1.5 hours. They have several departures each day, and you can easily book tickets online through BookAway.
• JP Shipping Lines offers two morning trips daily. Their ferries take around 2 hours, and an economy seat costs 400 PHP ($6.70). To book in advance, you will need to call the phone numbers listed on their Facebook page.

You might also find other ferry operators at the port, but if you want to save time and avoid the queue, booking a fast craft with Evaristo & Sons online is your most convenient option.

Taking a ferry all the way from Manila to Siargao requires almost 1.5 days of travel. While it’s not the most practical option, we wanted to include it for adventurous travellers or those on a tight budget.

To get from Manila to Siargao without flying, you’ll need to follow these three steps:

1. Ferry from Manila to Cebu – around 22 hours
2. Ferry from Cebu to Surigao – between 5.5 to 10 hours, depending on the operator
3. Ferry from Surigao to Siargao – about 1.5 hours

This route is popular among locals who prefer to travel by sea. 2Go Travel is the most trusted ferry operator for the Manila to Cebu route. Here are the schedules:

• Sunday: 09:00 – 07:00 (22 hours)
• Tuesday: 05:00 – 05:00 (24 hours)
• Wednesday: 21:00 – 19:00 (22 hours)
• Thursday: 11:00 – 10:00 (23 hours)

Most travellers go for Tourist Class, which costs around 2,290 PHP ($38.50), but prices can vary depending on how early you book. If you’re after a bit more comfort and privacy, it’s worth upgrading to a Business Class bed.

You can book your tickets through the 2GO Travel website or with 12Go.Asia.

The 2Go Travel ferry departs from North Harbour Pier 4 in Manila and docks at Cebu Pier 3.

From Cebu, you need to take a ferry to Surigao.

• OceanJet offers the fastest option, with travel time around 5 hours and 30 minutes. They use high-speed, passenger-only ferries that are ideal if you want to get there quickly and don’t need to bring a vehicle. Ticket prices start from 2,310 PHP ($39).
• Starlite Ferries is a more budget-friendly option. They operate RoRo ferries (roll-on, roll-off) that carry both passengers and vehicles. The journey takes about 10 hours, but fares are cheaper, starting from 1,310 PHP ($22) on BookAway.
• Cokaliong Lines is another company operating daily ferry trips from Cebu to Surigao. You’ll need to buy your tickets at the ticketing outlet or through accredited travel agencies listed on their website.

The last leg of this journey is taking a ferry from Surigao to Siargao. You have two main options: Evaristo & Sons Sea Transport and JP Shipping Lines.

Evaristo & Sons operates fast craft ferries that complete the trip in about 1.5 hours. They have multiple trips daily, and you can book your tickets online via BookAway.

JP Shipping Lines operates two daily trips from Surigao to Siargao with its vessels Fortune Angel 1 and Fortune Angel 2. Their ferry takes around 2 hours, and ticket prices start at 400 PHP ($6.70) for an economy seat. If you want to book with JP Shipping Lines in advance, you will need to call the numbers posted on their Facebook page.