Bohol
How to Get to Bohol from Cebu: Ferry Schedule and Fares
Photo: Qaalvin, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Cebu and Bohol sit close enough that the only sensible way between them is a ferry, there is no flight connecting the two islands directly. The real choice is between a fast, pricier crossing and a slower, cheaper one.
How the route connects
- Cebu CitypierOceanJet fastcraft · ≈ 2 hr
- Tagbilaran City pierBohol mainlandTricycle · ≈ 20–25 min
- Panglao IslandAlona Beach and the airport
Times are from the tables below; the slower Lite Ferries RORO boat takes about 4 hours on the same crossing.
The fastcraft: OceanJet, about 2 hours
OceanJet runs the main fast ferry service between Cebu City and Tagbilaran, with sailings spread through the day from early morning to early evening.
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| Option | Fare | Travel time | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist / open-air class | ≈ ₱800-960 | ≈ 2 hours | Roughly 12-13 sailings a day, about 5am-6pm |
| Business class | ≈ ₱1,200-1,450 | ≈ 2 hours | Same sailings as tourist class |
Sourced against current OceanJet schedule and fare listings, last checked 11 October 2026 on pamasahe.com and bustickets.ph. A terminal fee of a few pesos is paid in cash at the pier on top of the fare. Confirm the current fare when you book.
OceanJet carries foot passengers only, no cars or motorbikes. Tickets can be bought online or at the pier, and the schedule includes a matching return grid from Tagbilaran to Cebu across roughly the same hours.
The slow ferry: Lite Ferries RORO, about 4 hours
Lite Ferries runs a roll-on roll-off boat on the same route, slower but noticeably cheaper, and it also carries vehicles.
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| Option | Fare | Travel time | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard / Tourist class | ≈ ₱370-520 | ≈ 4 hours | 2 sailings a day, around 1pm and 10pm |
Sourced against current Lite Ferries schedule and fare listings, last checked 11 October 2026. Check the current timetable for your day of travel before you plan around the 1pm sailing.
Which to pick
The OceanJet fastcraft is the obvious choice for most visitors, it runs often enough that missing one sailing costs an hour or two, not a day. The Lite Ferries RORO boat is worth it if the fare difference matters more than the extra two hours, or if you are bringing a vehicle across.
Where you end up
Tagbilaran City pier is on the mainland side, Panglao Island with its beaches and the airport is a short ride further on across one of two bridges, the Ambassador Suarez Bridge or the Jacinto Borja Bridge further east. I wrote the full breakdown of where to base yourself in where to stay in Bohol.
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| From the pier to | Distance | By tricycle | By bus (Southern Star) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alona Beach | ≈ 18 km | ≈ 25 minutes on a clear road | Not a direct stop |
| Bolod / Dumaluan | ≈ 14-15 km | Slightly shorter than to Alona | Not a direct stop |
| Panglao airport | ≈ 15.5 km | ≈ 20-25 minutes | ₱85, departures roughly 5:30am-7:00pm |
A full tricycle trip from the pier to Panglao runs ≈ ₱300-500, agree the fare before you set off rather than after. Source: panglao.ph, Tagbilaran to Panglao fares and travel times, checked 12 October 2026.
Before you book
Book a day or two ahead outside peak season, and further ahead around Christmas, New Year and Holy Week when sailings can sell out. A session with me is the fastest way to ask how this crossing fits into a wider Visayas trip, see also the Chocolate Hills, tarsiers and Loboc River tour and a 3-day Bohol itinerary.
Questions people ask
How do I get from Cebu to Bohol?
By ferry only, there is no direct flight between the two islands. OceanJet runs the fastest crossing, a fastcraft that takes about 2 hours from Cebu City's pier to Tagbilaran, Bohol's capital.
How much does the ferry from Cebu to Bohol cost?
Roughly ₱800-960 for tourist or open-air class on the OceanJet fastcraft and ₱1,200-1,450 for business class. The slower Lite Ferries RORO boat is cheaper, around ₱370-520.
How long does the ferry from Cebu to Bohol take?
About 2 hours on the OceanJet fastcraft. The slower Lite Ferries RORO boat, which also carries vehicles, takes around 4 hours.
Is there a flight from Cebu to Bohol?
No. Bohol-Panglao International Airport is mainly served by flights to and from Manila, not Cebu. Travelling between Cebu and Bohol means taking the ferry regardless of how you reached Cebu.
Which port do I arrive at in Bohol?
Tagbilaran City pier, on the mainland side of Bohol. From there it is a short ride to Panglao Island, where most visitors base themselves.
How far ahead should I book the Cebu to Bohol ferry?
A day or two ahead is usually enough outside peak season. Around Christmas, New Year and Holy Week, book further ahead since sailings can sell out.
How do I get from Tagbilaran pier to Panglao Island?
By tricycle for the full run, roughly ₱300-500 and about 20-25 minutes to Alona or the airport, agree the fare before you set off. The Southern Star bus to the airport costs about ₱85, departing roughly 5:30am to 7:00pm.
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