Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB), sometimes shortened to MCIA, is the main airport for the Visayas region of the Philippines. If you want to go to Cebu, Bohol, Moalboal, Malapascua, Siargao, and other regions in the central parts of the country, MCIA is the most convenient gateway.
The airport is located on Mactan Island in Lapu-Lapu City, about 15 km from Cebu City's central business districts. Three bridges connect Mactan Island and Cebu Island, allowing travel times from the airport to many areas of Cebu of under 45 minutes.
Mactan-Cebu Airport is the second-busiest airport in the Philippines after Manila’s Ninoy Aquino (MNL). It welcomes around 11-12 million passengers per year.
Major Airlines - Cebu Pacific
Domestically, six airlines operate the majority of flights:
Cebu Pacific: The largest airline in the Philippines by fleet size and the dominant low-cost carrier in the country. In addition to various domestic routes, the airline also offers budget-friendly flights to regional destinations.
CebGo: A wholly-owned subsidiary of Cebu Pacific that offers additional domestic coverage.
Philippine AirAsia: Flies low-cost to some of the Philippines' busiest airports, with limited international service, mainly to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Philippine Airlines: Only offers feeder flights to the capital, Manila, which is its low-haul hub.
PAL Express: A subsidiary of the flag carrier, which connects Cebu with over a dozen domestic destinations.
Sunlight Air: Offers flights to Busuanga, Siargao, and Siquijor.
Internationally, Cebu is the second most important airport in the country after Manila. It receives flights from the largest tourism markets (South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and others) as well as several world hubs such as Dubai and Doha.
The most prominent foreign airlines to fly to Mactan-Cebu are Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, EVA Air, Emirates, and Qatar Airways.
Check out all the airlines at Mactan-Cebu International Airport here.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Cebu Airport has two separate terminals:
Terminal 1 handles all domestic flights and is the older terminal. Has 6 gates.
Terminal 2 handles all international flights after opening in 2018. Has 7 gates.
Both terminals follow a layout standard for a modern airport - Departures, Check-in, and passport control on the upper floor and Arrivals and Baggage reclaim on the lower floor.
The terminals are right next to each other, requiring roughly 500 meters of walking. There is also a 24/7 free shuttle bus that runs between the two terminals every 15 minutes.
The airport remains open 24/7.
Connecting Flights and Transit
Cebu has become a very useful connecting airport because it allows you to bypass Manila.
The airport offers a service called “Cebu Connect,” which allows all transit passengers to use one of the 8 transfer desks/counters. They are located a short walk after disembarking and have signs leading up to them. There, you can drop your baggage and/or receive a new boarding pass, then proceed directly to the departure level.
The minimum connecting time for domestic transfers is 60 minutes.
The minimum connecting time for international transfers is 90 minutes.
Note that if you’re transiting between a domestic and an international flight, you need to change terminals, which takes around 15 minutes.
Free Wi-Fi and other services
Free WiFi is available throughout both terminals. Select “MCIA Free WiFi” and follow the on-screen instructions to connect. It is not limited in duration or bandwidth.
You can buy a local SIM card from Globe Telecom or Smart Communications, both of which have desks in Arrivals of either Terminal.
Other passenger services at CEB include:
ATMs: Available near White Taxi Bay in Arrivals of Terminal 1 and at the Terminal Link Bridge in Departures of Terminal 2.
Currency exchange: Curex and Lulu Money have exchange bureaus in both terminals.
Lost and Found: The office is located near White Taxi Bay in Arrivals of Terminal 1. Also houses the luggage storage facility.
Clinic: Medical care is available in both terminals. Other medical facilities include a Nurses Station, a Doctors Consultation Room, and two ER Beds.
- Baby care rooms:
In Terminal 1, it’s in the North Wing.
In Terminal 2, it’s in the Departure Terminal Link Bridge.
Prayer rooms: One in each terminal.
Water fountains: available throughout both terminals.
Find out the best things to do in Cebu City!
Lounges at MCIA
Philippine Airlines has a lounge in the Domestic Terminal - the Mabuhay Lounge. It is open to business class ticket holders and other elite members. The lounge is located near Gate 7 and is open from 4 AM to 9 PM.
Also within the Domestic Terminal is a Plaza Premium Lounge, which passengers of any airline can enter for a fee of 37.80 USD for a 2-hour pass. It is located right opposite the Security check.
The International Terminal also has a Plaza Premium Lounge near Gate 20, which includes a full-service dining area, showers, WiFi, workstations, children's playground. The entrance fee is the same - 37.80 USD for a 2-hour pass.
Both Plaza Premium Lounges also accept Priority Pass, DragonPass, LoungeKey, and various premium credit card programs.
Dining Options at Mactan-Cebu Airport
With over 60 places to choose from, you’re certain to find the food you’re craving. This includes famous international fast food chains, coffee shops, and restaurants serving local Filipino food such as rice meals, noodles, Cebuano pork lechon, adobo, pancit, and others.
The Domestic Terminal 1 generally offers more options than the International Terminal. Many dining options are within the so-called Airport Village, located on the second floor of the terminal, directly in front of the Arrivals. Some of the popular eateries there include:
Ayer's Lechon: Try the famous Cebuano lechon. Open 24/7.
Leylam: One of the largest shawarma chains in the Philippines. Open 24/7.
Cebu Ho Ngohiong: Offers Chinese-Filipino food. Open 24/7.
Bo’s Coffee: A famous coffee chain in the Philippines. Open 24/7
Harbour City Dimsum House: Dimsum. Open 24/7.
BreadTalk: Pastries and sandwiches for grab&go.
There are also several places to eat on the concourse, both in the South and North wings. Notably, Llaollao for frozen yogurt and Tim Sha Tsui for Chinese food are in the North Wing, while Thirsty for juices and the famous Jollibee can be found in the South Wing.
Within the International Terminal 2, you can find:
Burger King: Open 9 AM to 5 PM.
Asian Kitchen
Bahn Mi Kitchen
Bonchon Chicken
Cabin Bar: Open 24/7.
Denny’s: an American diner in Arrivals open 24/7.
Nippon Ramen
Ribshack
Transport to and from the airport
The most useful public transport option is MyBus. which connects the airport with SM City Cebu, from where you can transfer to other local transport to reach other parts of the city. These buses are air-conditioned and very reliable, running between 6 AM (first bus from the city) and 10 PM (last bus from the airport), costing only 60 PHP.
MyBus doesn’t run during the night, though the Philippines' most recognizable form of transport does - the jeepneys. Serving MCIA are a more modern rendition of jeepneys - ones with a higher ceiling and air conditioning - but the concept is the same - a communal type of fixed-route minibus/pick-up trucks. From the airport, most jeepneys go to the Lapu-Lapu City Public Market with fares around 15-20 PHP - pay the driver at any time during your journey by passing the money forward until it reaches him.
Taxis present a more convenient way to reach your destination directly, but also cost considerably more than public transport. At MCIA, there are three types of taxis on the ranks outside of the Arrivals area:
White taxis: The standard Cebu taxis. The starting fare is 50 PHP plus 13.50 PHP per kilometer and 2 PHP every two minutes. Can be hailed in any direction (to or from the airport).
Yellow taxis: Taxis accredited by the MCIA, which can only be hailed from the airport. The fare is 70 PHP to begin, plus 4 PHP for every 300 meters.
Premium taxis: Larger and more luxurious vehicles by companies such as Innova, Montero, Fortuner, and Grandia. Fares are 50-60 PHP to begin, then 17.50-20 PHP per kilometer and 2.50-3 PHP per two minutes.
Grab is the dominant ride-hailing app in the Philippines. It’s very easy to book a ride to or from the airport, and rates are generally a little cheaper than regular taxis.
While driving in the Philippines is not the easiest, it may be worthwhile if you want to explore several places in Cebu at your own pace without relying on public transport. You can rent a car directly at Cebu Airport from one of the six local and international rental car companies with desks in both terminals.
Parking at MCIA
The general parking lot is located directly in front of the terminals.
Car rates are 50 PHP for the first hour and 25 PHP for each additional hour, up to a daily maximum of 350 PHP.
Motorcycle rates are 10 PHP per entry or 150 PHP for overnight parking.
Hotels near Mactan-Cebu Airport
There is an airport hotel within Terminal 1 - the Sakura Capsule Hotel. It’s located on the ground floor, landside, near the baggage reclaim area. It offers Japanese-style, air-conditioned male and female dormitories with single pods, making it a perfect choice if you’re in transit and on a budget.
In the International Terminal 2, there is the Aerotel Cebu, located on Level 1. It’s also very suitable for layovers or early departures, especially international ones. The rooms are small, but you get the privacy you wouldn’t otherwise have in the capsule hotel in T1.
Outside the terminal, the nearest option is the Waterfront Airport Hotel & Casino Mactan, mere meters from the airport. As a 4-star, full-service hotel, it is a magnificent choice if you seek a more luxurious stay.
There are also numerous beachfront properties on Mactan Island, all within a 20-minute drive of the airport. Big names include the Shangri-La Mactan Cebu and Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu.
Cebu City, Philippines
