The commuter’s guide to airports is back, and now on into Visayas’ main hub, Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
Considered as the second international gateway by most Filipinos and travelers alike, Mactan-Cebu International Airport is located some more or less 20 kilometers away from downtown Cebu City, but sits in metropolitan urban sprawl of today’s Queen City of the South. Cebu is noted for its increase in tourism arrivals, beaches, fiestas and the so-called urban-rural tropical island living that has been attracting thousands of visitors.
Mactan Airport was opened sometime during the Marcos era, when the old Lahug Airport in mainland Cebu (now Asiatown IT Park) couldn’t be expanded anymore. The American military forces constructed the said airport as a secondary hub for Clark Air Base, after its utilization it was used by the public.
Now, since this is the second busiest airport in the country, shuttle services and taxicabs are not a problem in getting in or out of this airport. But for cash-strapped commuters, here’s what you can do:
- Yellow multi-cabs. This public transport system is so far the cheapest way to get in or out of the airport. Its loading-unloading slot is at the international departure gate when you are at the airport, or its near Mactan Marina Mall if you want to get in the airport. Its about 8 pesos minimum fare and usually the cabs go all the way to Opon marketplace (downtown Lapu-Lapu City) and you can connect to several destinations in the metro by the time you reach Mactan Marina Mall. But also be warned that it has a very small area therefore quite cramped. Not recommended for people bringing big luggages. You can take a jeepney from SM City Cebu to get into Mactan Marina Mall. Just look on the sign “Punta Engano/MEPZ/Pusok” or take a v-hire to Mactan Marina Mall in Ayala Center or SM City Cebu.
- Taxicabs. There are 2 kinds of cabbies here, one is the metered taxi which is found at the domestic departure gate (lined up) with a flagdown of 30 pesos, the consumed total fare plus ten pesos. Usually from airport to Ayala Cebu, that could cost you more or less about 150 pesos. The other one is a “contractual” one in which you have a fixed rate of more or less 300-600 pesos depending on where is your destination.
- Hotel Shuttle Service. Ask your hotel about this service. Most of the high-end or middle-end hotels have this service either included in your accommodation rate, charged seperately or for free.
