Flights from Cebu to Manila, Philippines

As the capital city of the Philippines, Manila is a bustling place that is both lively and energetic. Manila also makes a great base for seeing all the other sights in the area, including some excellent beaches. The popular destinations for tourists tend to be the Enchanted Kingdom theme park and Rizal Park. For vacationers who want to hit the nightspots, the Roxas Boulevard is the place to be. The walled quarter of Intramuros is a little taste of history, while one of the more prominent districts in the city is Binondo, home to Chinatown where the largest population of Chinese immigrants live and work.  

Flying to Manila

1. Which airports serve Cebu to Manila?

The airport for Cebu City is actually located in Lapu Lapu City but is within a reasonable travelling distance. This is the Mactan-Cebu International Airport which handles all international flights to the Cebu region as well as domestic flights. Flights to Manila will land either at Ninoy Aquino International Airport or Subic Bay International Airport.

2. Which airlines operate flights from Cebu to Manila?

Cebu Pacific is the main airline operating direct flights between Cebu and Manila, and the flights are offered frequently. Air Asia Zest also offers direct flights, while Philippine Airlines offers an indirect flight via Lumbia.

3. How long is the flight?

A direct flight takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes, but if you opt for an indirect route this time can more than double as you wait for connecting flights. Cebu and Manila are in the same time zone.

4. Climate changes between Cebu and Manila

The climate in Cebu and Manila is very much the same, with temperature ranges in both cities throughout the year at 27 to 30°C. Both cities are prone to heavy rain and the humidity is high.

5. Culture differences and need-to-know

As these cities are in the same country, there is no difference in currency – both use the peso. There is a slight difference in language, with Filipino being the main language in Manila, but in Cebu the language is Cebuano. In terms of culture, life is very much the same in Cebu as it is in Manila. No visa is required to enter the Philippines provided you are visiting as a tourist for 30 days or less. If you are visiting for longer or for business purposes, then a visa will be required.

Manila Information

Built by the Spanish when they ruled the Philippines, Intramuros, located on the south bank of the river that cuts through the city, is truly a must-see place for anyone who is interested in history. There are several attractions to visit there but one of the most prominent and interesting is Fort Santiago.

You can also head to Tondo, which is one of the city’s oldest areas, it is largely undeveloped and is where many of the city’s slums are located. It is worth a visit though because hidden there are some unique attractions like Plaza Morga. Head to the beaches, in particular the resort of Cavite, where the water is crystal clear. If you enjoy scuba diving one of the best places to be is Anilao, while one of the best entertainment areas is Ermita, packed with great shopping, restaurants and cultural attractions.