What to expect when visiting Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines — an old city often disregarded by travellers who use it only as a gateway to the country’s more visually appealing islands. But if you have an extra day in your itinerary, we think Manila’s colourful history is a great way to kick off your trip.
Explore the walled city of Intramuros, Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church — all of which were first built in the late 1500s. Art and anthropology also attract many locals to Manila. You will find here the National Museum, a complex of three museum buildings that tell the story of the Filipinos.
4 ways to get from Siargao to Manila
There are four ways to travel the distance of 762 km (473 miles) from Siargao to Manila: by flight (2 hours), ferry (31h30m-33h30m), indirect flight via cebu (4 hours) and indirect flight via butuan (5h45m-6h45m). The journey takes between 2h - 33h30m and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from 1,590 PHP ($28.00) for the indirect flight via butuan.Where to stay in Manila?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Manila at the bottom of this page.
Siargao to Manila by Indirect Flight via Butuan
An adventurous and budget-friendly way to travel from Siargao to Manila is by taking a flight from Butuan City.
The entire journey goes like this:
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- Ferry from Siargao to Surigao (1 hour 30 minutes)
- Tricycle to Surigao Bus Terminal (15 minutes)
- Bus to Butuan Terminal (3 hours)
- Multicab to Butuan Airport (20 minutes)
- Flight to Manila (1 hour 40 minutes)
For this option, the total travel time is around 6 hours 45 minutes. We explain every step for this route below.
Step 1: Siargao to Surigao by Ferry
There are multiple ferry trips available at Dapa Ferry Terminal daily. These ferries can bring both passengers and cargo to Macapagal Port in Siargao.
The two main ferry operators for the Siargao to Surigao route are JP Shipping Lines Inc. and Evaristo & Sons Sea Transport Corp.
Dapa Ferry Terminal
The ferries from Siargao to Surigao City depart from Dapa Ferry Terminal. It is located in the southeastern part of the island.
This ferry terminal is a 40-minute tricycle ride from General Luna. The tricycle ride costs 300 PHP ($5.00), and it can fit up to 3 people with luggage.
Indirect Flight via Butuan options from Siargao to Manila
JP Shipping Lines Inc.
JP Shipping Lines Inc. has two ships plying the route daily: Fortune Angel 1 and 2. Both ships depart the terminal at 05:30.
The ferry trip takes 2 hours 30 minutes from Siargao to Surigao, with tickets costing 280 PHP ($4.90).
If you want to book your tickets with JP Shipping Lines in advance, you will need to call the numbers posted on their Facebook page.
Evaristo & Sons Sea
Evaristo & Sons Sea is another ferry operator with trips between Siargao and Surigao daily.
They offer fast craft ferries and RoRo (Roll On Roll Off) for both passengers and cargo for this route. However, the last time we checked (May 2022), only fast craft ferries are available.
Fast crafts take 1.5 hours from Siargao to Surigao. An economy class ticket costs 350 PHP ($6.00).
You may book with Evaristo & Sons Sea via the link on their Facebook page. Tickets are also available at the ferry terminal.
For this route, we suggest taking a fast craft ferry with Evaristo & Sons Sea for a shorter travel time. They also have multiple trips daily, so you have more options with departure times.
Step 2: Macapagal Port to Surigao Terminal by Tricycle
The ferries from Siargao dock at Macapagal Port in Surigao City.
From Macapagal Port, you need to take a tricycle ride to the bus terminal. This is where you can ride a van to the airport for your flight to Manila.
Outside the port, you can find tricycles and multicabs to bring you to Surigao Bus and Jeepney Terminal. A multicab would cost 10 PHP ($0.10), while a tricycle ride would cost around 20 PHP ($0.30).
Since the terminal is just 5 km away from the port, the ride would take around 15 minutes.
We recommend taking a tricycle if you have a lot of luggage and if you want a direct ride to the terminal.
Step 3: Surigao Terminal to Butuan Terminal by Bus
At Surigao Bus and Jeepney Terminal, there are vans and buses bound for Butuan City.
We recommend taking a bus for this route, as buses leave every hour. A van, on the other hand, would wait until it is full of passengers before departing the terminal.
Bachelor Express buses have hourly trips from Surigao to Butuan. It costs 270 PHP ($4.70) to Butuan Terminal. The ride takes around 3 hours.
The bus drops passengers off at Butuan City Integrated Bus Terminal.
Step 4: Butuan Terminal to Butuan Airport by Multicab
From Butuan Terminal, Butuan Airport is still 9 km away.
Outside the terminal, you can ride a multicab going to Butuan Airport. A multicab serves as a jeepney in this area.
This ride costs only 20 PHP ($0.30) and takes 20 minutes to the airport.
Step 5: Butuan to Manila by Flight
For the last leg of the trip, you have to take a flight from Butuan to Manila.
Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific also offer flights between Butuan and Manila. The flight can take around 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the airline.
Flights from Butuan to Manila are generally cheaper than direct flights to Siargao and indirect flights via Cebu. You can find tickets that cost around 1,000 PHP ($17.50).
For the cheapest flights, check out Skyscanner.
Siargao to Manila by Flight
If you want to travel directly from Siargao to Manila, then flying is the best choice.
There are two airlines that operate direct flights from Siargao to Manila:
- Philippine Airlines or PAL Express
- Cebu Pacific or CebGo
PAL Express and CebGo are subsidiaries of the two main airlines.
SkyJet was also another airline with direct flights for this route. However, they stopped operating during the pandemic and haven’t resumed any flights from Siargao to Manila yet.
Siargao Airport
Flights depart from Siargao Airport, also known as Sayak Airport. This small airport is on the west side of Siargao island.
If you’re staying in General Luna, you can easily take a van to the airport, which would take around 45 minutes.
Direct flights from Siargao to Manila
You can book tickets that range from 1,600 PHP ($28.50) to 2,700 PHP ($48.00). To avail cheaper tickets, it’s best to book your ticket in advance or during seat sales.
Philippine Airlines or PAL Express flights from Siargao to Manila take 2 hours. Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific or CebGo flights take a bit longer, around 2.5 hours.
Manila Airport
Flights from Siargao to Manila land at Manila Airport in Pasay City.
NAIA Terminal 2 is exclusive for Philippine Airlines and PAL Express flights. Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific and CebGo flights land at NAIA Terminal 4.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Siargao to Manila by Ferry
Traveling by ferry from Siargao to Manila requires more than one day of travel. It also involves multiple transfers.
This option involves these 3 steps:
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- Ferry from Siargao to Surigao (1 hour 30 minutes)
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- Ferry to Cebu (8 hours 30 minutes)
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- Ferry to Manila (22 hours)
It’s important that you plan each trip accordingly so that you won’t miss any of the ferries.
Step 1: Siargao to Surigao by Ferry
The first ferry for this option is a ferry from Siargao to Surigao.
There are two main ferry operators for the Siargao to Surigao route: JP Shipping Lines Inc. and Evaristo & Sons Sea Transport Corp.
Ferry options from Siargao to Manila
JP Shipping Lines Inc.
JP Shipping Lines Inc. has two ships plying the route daily: Fortune Angel 1 and 2. Both ferries depart Dapa Ferry Terminal at 05:30.
The ferry trip takes 2 hours 30 minutes from Siargao to Surigao, with tickets costing 280 PHP ($4.90).
When booking in advance, you will need to call the numbers posted on their Facebook page.
Evaristo & Sons Sea
You can also take a ferry with Evaristo & Sons Sea when travelling from Siargao and Surigao.
They offer fast craft ferries and RoRo trips daily for both passengers and cargo. However, the last time we checked (May 2022), only fast craft ferries are available, as they briefly stopped operations for RoRo passengers.
Fast crafts take 1.5 hours from Siargao to Surigao. An economy class ticket costs 350 PHP ($6.00).
Booking is available on the link provided on their Facebook page. Tickets are also available at the ferry terminal.
For this route, we suggest taking a fast craft ferry with Evaristo & Sons Sea for a shorter travel time. They also have multiple trips daily, so you have more options with departure times.
Step 2: Surigao to Cebu by Ferry
Ferries from Siargao dock at Macapagal Port in Surigao City. This is also the port where you will take the second ferry for this trip.
There are three ferry operators with trips from Surigao to Cebu.
Ferry options from Siargao to Manila
Cokaliong Lines
Cokaliong Lines is the only company operating daily ferry trips from Surigao to Cebu. The ferry departs Surigao Port at 19:00 and arrives at Cebu Pier 1 at 03:30.
An economy ticket costs 1,100 PHP ($19.00) for an 8.5-hour trip from Surigao to Cebu.
You can buy your tickets at Cokaliong Shipping Lines office just outside Surigao Port.
Starlite Ferries
Starlite Ferries also offers ferry trips from Surigao to Cebu from Monday to Saturday. There are no trips on Sundays.
The ferry leaves Surigao Port at 09:00 and arrives at Cebu Pier 3 at 18:00. The trip takes 9 hours.
An economy bed costs 1,270 PHP ($22.00). A tourist bed with more features is also available at 1,750 PHP ($30.50).
If you want to book directly, you may also call them on the numbers indicated on their website. Tickets are available on BookAway.
If you prefer to book online, you can also do so via BookAway through the link below. Rates are at least $5 more expensive, but at least you won’t have to worry about your connecting ferry ticket from Cebu to Manila.
Medallion Transport
Another ferry operator is Medallion Transport, but they haven’t resumed their trips yet for the Cebu to Surigao route. Pre-pandemic, it used to operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
The ferry used to depart Cebu Pier 4 at 20:00 and would arrive at Surigao at 4:00. Ticket costs were around 830 PHP ($14.50).
Step 3: Cebu to Manila by Ferry
The final leg of your Siargao to Manila trip is a ferry ride with 2Go Travel.
With 2Go Travel’s new schedule, there are two direct trips in a week from Cebu to Manila:
- Tuesday 10:00-08:00 (22 hours)
- Friday 22:00-20:00 (22 hours)
Note that there are also trips from Cebu to Manila that make a stop in other cities. There’s a Tuesday trip with a stop in Butuan (43 hours) and a Saturday trip with a stop in Ozamis (31 hours).
We suggest that you avoid booking on these days and book a direct trip on a Tuesday or Friday instead.
A Mega Value class ticket costs 910 PHP ($16.00). Note that the fares depend on how early you book. This means that tickets can still get a lot cheaper if you book in advance.
You can book your ticket directly on the 2Go Travel website, but they are also available to book on 12go.Asia through the link below.
The ship departs from Cebu Port Pier 1 and docks at North Harbour Pier 4 in Manila.
Siargao to Manila by Indirect Flight via Cebu
Another option to travel from Siargao to Manila is by an indirect flight with a layover in Cebu. This option is usually an alternative if the direct flights are sold out.
Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific also offer indirect flights from Siargao to Manila. These flights make a stop at Cebu Airport. The flight from Siargao to Cebu takes 1 hour.
An indirect flight from Siargao to Manila costs around 3,400 PHP ($60.00). If you’re booking months in advance, you can find tickets that cost as low as 2,500 PHP ($44.50).
Note that indirect flights are available when you browse Siargao to Manila flights on Skyscanner. The results would show both non-stop or direct flights, as well as flights with stops in Cebu.
Layover in Cebu
The layover in Cebu between the two flights varies, but it can range from 1.5-5 hours. Try to book a flight that gives you enough time to check in in time for your connecting flight.
For the second flight, it takes 1.5 hours to reach Manila from Cebu.
Our favourite places to stay in Manila
Manila is a bustling metropolitan city that can be slightly overwhelming at first. Not just because of the busy streets and towering skyscrapers, but also because of the number of hotels to pick from. There are a lot!
No matter your price range, we’ve found some great places to stay in the best locations so you don’t have to do that research.
Before you start reading about our favourite stays, it’s good to know a bit about the best areas to stay in Manila. That way, you’re picking the best accommodation in the area that’s right for you.
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- Makati is our favourite area to stay in Manila, and where most of our favourite stays are. It’s one of the most upscale areas in Manila and is known for its shopping malls, restaurants, and nightlife.
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- Bonifacio Global City (BGC) is a newer development in Manila and is known for its modern architecture, restaurants and shopping centres.
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- Malate is a lively area known for its bars, nightclubs and restaurants. It’s also close to several tourist attractions, such as Rizal Park and Intramuros.
Somerset Central Salcedo Makati - Treating Yourself
Area: Makati City centre — approx. 10-minute walk to shopping malls and business centre
As soon as you step into Somerset Central, you forget about the hustle and bustle going on outside the doors. Inside the hotel you’re met with luxury, relaxation and a chance to rejuvenate yourself in the gym or outdoor pool.
The grandeur of the hotel continues in the rooms, decorated in a stylish and modern design. The highlight of the room are the beds. They’re huge and super comfortable, guaranteeing you a great night’s sleep.
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Gym
- A la carte restaurant
- Continental breakfast included
Double rooms start from $50 per night
Hotel 101 Manila - Mid Range
Area: Along Mall of Asia complex — approx. 10-minute drive to shopping malls and airport
Hotel 101 Manila has everything you could ask for from a city hotel. It has a refreshing outdoor pool, a delicious on-site restaurant and it’s close to the airport — perfect if you’re flying in or out of Manila.
The rooms are large, comfortable and exceptionally clean. With their incredible hospitality, the staff make you feel like you’re staying in a 5-star hotel.
- Outdoor swimming pool
- On-site restaurant
- Amazing staff
- Great and convenient location
Double rooms cost $30-$50 per night
Hop Inn Hotel Makati Avenue - Budget Friendly
Area: Makati City centre — approx. 5-minute drive to nearest shopping mall
Only passing through Manila? Hop Inn Hotel is perfect for those spending just a few nights in the busy city. It’s clean, modern and has all of the basic amenities that you could possibly need.
Modern minimalism would be a good way to describe this place. Plus you won’t be spending too much time in your room as you’re located in Makati, one of the best neighbourhoods in Manila.
- Clean and modern rooms
- Great location
- Air conditioning
- Helpful staff
Double rooms cost $15-$30 per night
Frequently Asked Questions about Siargao to Manila
What is the distance from Siargao to Manila?
The distance from Siargao to Manila is 762 km (473 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Siargao to Manila?
The fastest way to get from Siargao to Manila is by flight and takes 2 hours.
What is the cheapest way to get from Siargao to Manila?
The cheapest way to get from Siargao to Manila is by indirect flight via butuan with ticket costs starting from 1,590 PHP ($28.00).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Siargao to Manila. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
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Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Abby is a writer who finds joy in mountains, beaches, and road trips. She considers her solo backpacking trip to the rice terraces of Bontoc one of the most fulfilling moments in her life. She’s loyal to the islands of her home country, the Philippines, but Thailand’s beaches also have a special place in her heart.
Hello! I just have some clarifications regarding the ferry schedule Manila – Siargao and vice versa..
Yung port ba for example ng Cebu 2go travel, doon na rin yung port terminal para maka transfer ka naman ng papuntang Surigao City?
Thank youuu!
Hi Mariah!
That’s a really good question. Cebu has a number of ports and it could be quite confusing. Luckily, 2go Travel drops off passengers in Pier 1. This is the same port for Cokaliong Lines’ ferries going to Surigao. No need for you to transfer to another port!