How to get the ferry from Cebu to Bohol, Philippines. Travelling by ferry in the Philippines is super easy, and you can book most tickets in advance. When I was staying in Cebu, I decided to take a day trip by ferry to the neighbouring island Bohol. Bohol is where you can see the Chocolate Hills and the incredibly cute Tarsiers. Read on for how to get the ferry from Cebu to Bohol, Philippines.
Remember to buy travel insurance for your trip. Receive a 5% discount on Heymondo travel insurance.
Read: How to See Tarsiers in Bohol, Philippines
How do I Book Ferry Tickets from Cebu to Bohol?
You can buy ferry tickets from the ticket offices at the port on the day, which is the cheapest option. But note that you risk tickets being sold out as this is a very popular route. I booked my ferry tickets from Cebu to Bohol in advance via the 12Go ticket booking website.
Which Port in Bohol Should I Choose
If you are planning to visit the Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary at Corella then I recommend booking ferry tickets from Cebu to Tagbilaran City in the south of Bohol. If you are visiting the Chocolate hills then either Tagbilaran City or Tubigon would work.
How Far is Bohol From Cebu?
The ferry from Cebu to Bohol takes 2 hours. You also need to allow for an additional hour to check in etc. The ferry terminal at Cebu can get quite busy as there are quite a few different services departing from there.
What Else do I Need to Know?
Ports in the Philippines charge “terminal fees”, which are completely separate from the ferry ticket. These are fees charged by the port authorities themselves, not the ferry company. So make sure that you have coins or small notes on you. The terminal fee at Cebu is ₱25 and the terminal fee at Tagbilaran City on Bohol is ₱30. There will also be additional fees if you have excess luggage with you. These fees vary depending on the amount of luggage.
To sum up, you need:
- Ferry ticket
- ID
- Cash for terminal fee
- Cash for excess luggage if applicable
What are the Ferry Terminals Like?
When you enter the ferry terminal you need to put your bag through the x-ray machine for security. Once inside, there are gates with seating where you can wait until boarding time. There are also a number of food vendors selling drinks and snacks. The ferry terminal at Tagbilaran City is quite small (only 2 gates) but the terminal at Cebu is quite a bit bigger.
When you exit the ports (both in Cebu and on Bohol) there will be a crowd of taxi and tuk tuk drivers outside shouting at you. This can be a bit overwhelming, especially at Cebu. If you’re arriving in Cebu after dark I recommend using the rideshare app Grab and you can book your ride and wait inside the terminal gates. Grab drivers are allowed to come inside the terminal parking area to pick you up, but they will ask you to pay the ₱10 entrance fee for them, which is only fair.
Book your ferry tickets from Cebu to Bohol in advance here.
Practical Information for Visiting the Philippines
As well as describing How to Get the Ferry from Cebu to Bohol, Philippines, I’ve also included some more general practical guidance for visiting the Philippines below:
Money in the Philippines: (PHP)
If you’re visiting the Philippines you’ll need Philippine pesos (PHP). To get PHP at the best rates, I highly recommend getting a WISE card before you go. This allows you to convert money into Philippine pesos (or any other currency!) at the best rates and then spend on your Wise card as though it were a local bank card or withdraw cash in the Philippines without hidden fees. Wise is a UK-based financial services company (available in most countries worldwide) and is highly regulated in the various regions it operates in (in the UK it is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority).
Note that almost all businesses in the Philippines are cash only. There are plenty of ATMs but almost all of them charge a pretty hefty fee. Consider bringing cash with you to the Philippines.
Get your WISE card here.
Best Travel Insurance Providers for the Philippines
A non-negotiable for me is making sure that I have adequate travel insurance for the duration of my trip. Here are two excellent travel insurance providers that I highly recommend for solo travelers or families visiting the Philippines:
1. Heymondo Travel Insurance
I personally use Heymondo for all my trips, and it’s one of the easiest and most reliable travel insurance options I’ve found. Their app is incredibly user-friendly, allowing you to access your policy, make claims, and contact support directly from your phone. Heymondo offers excellent coverage, including medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost baggage, and more. I highly recommend it for anyone planning to visit the Philippines.
Why choose Heymondo?
- Comprehensive coverage: Offers medical, cancellation, and baggage coverage.
- User-friendly app: Manage your policy easily from anywhere.
- Global assistance: 24/7 emergency assistance available.
👉 Purchase Heymondo travel insurance here.
2. SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
For digital nomads, long-term travelers, or those planning an extended stay in the Philippines, SafetyWing Nomad Insurance is an excellent choice. It’s specifically designed for globally mobile individuals, and their flexible plans can be tailored to suit your travel style. SafetyWing covers medical expenses, emergency evacuation, trip interruptions, and even COVID-19-related issues—making it ideal for travelers who need long-term protection.
Why choose SafetyWing?
- Flexible plans: Ideal for long-term travelers or digital nomads.
- COVID-19 coverage: Includes coverage for COVID-19-related disruptions.
- Affordable pricing: Competitive rates for extended travel coverage.
👉 Find Out More About SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
Plan Your Trip to the Philippines: Useful Travel Resource Links
🌞 Useful Travel Resources & Essentials 🌞
By using the following links, you can support Call of the World at no additional cost to yourself
HEALTH & INSURANCE
🚨 TRAVEL MEDICAL INSURANCE: To ensure peace of mind while travelling or living abroad, we recommend getting health insurance. SafetyWing offer Nomad Insurance with globally mobile individuals in mind. Find out more here.
🏥 TRAVEL INSURANCE: Insure your trip with Heymondo, your trusted travel companion. They offer single-trip, annual and long-stay travel insurance. App with 24-hour medical support. (Call of the World readers get 5% off your travel insurance policy using my link)
BANKING & CURRENCY EXCHANGE
💶 FOREIGN CURRENCY CARD: To pay by card and withdraw cash at the best rates, get a WISE card before your trip. This allows you to convert money into any other currency at the best rates and withdraw cash without hidden fees. WISE is a UK-based financial services company (available in most countries worldwide) and is highly regulated in the various regions it operates in (in the UK it is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority).
FLIGHTS & TRANSPORT
✈️ FLIGHTS: I always use SKYSCANNER to book my flights. It shows you the best deals and allows you to be flexible with dates. Feeling adventurous? Try out the “explore everywhere” feature.
🚂 BUS, TRAIN & FERRY TICKETS: Book your bus, train and ferry transportation in advance online using 12Go.
🚘 AIRPORT PICKUPS: Ensure peace of mind by booking your airport pickup with Welcome Pickups. Highly recommended if arriving late at night in an unfamiliar location.
TOURS & ACTIVITIES
🗺️ DAY TRIPS & CITY TOURS: Book your tours and activities with Viator. Viator partner with local guides and businesses to offer you the very best travel experiences available. Browse tours here.
🌏 ETHICAL GROUP TOURS: If you fancy joining a group tour, I can highly recommend G Adventures. Not only do G Adventures offer amazing group tours all over the world, but they really put the effort in to do good in the communities they visit. Browse tours here.
STAYING CONNECTED
📳 eSIM: AIRALO: Sort out an eSIM before your arrival with Airalo. Having an eSIM allows you to connect to local network data as soon as you arrive – super useful for Google Maps and rideshare apps!
📳 eSIM: HOLAFLY: Likewise Holafly also offer a convenient eSIM service. They offer unlimited data plans at multiple destinations – perfect whether you’re a remote worker or just want unlimited data for Insta Stories! Call of the World readers get 5% off using the code “CALLOFTHEWORLD”.
📳 eSIM: SAILY: Another eSIM provider is Saily, by the creators of NordVPN (see below), so security is a top feature. Call of the World readers get 5% off using the code “SPECIAL5”.
💻 NordVPN: Remote worker and need a secure network? Or do you simply want to keep up-to-date with your favourite tv show from home? Having a VPN like NordVPN allows you to access the internet securely via an encrypted connection, making the use of public wifi spots much safer.
💻 ExpressVPN: Likewise, ExpressVPN also offer a reliable secure connection using their VPN service, enabling you to protect your privacy when connecting to the internet overseas.
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