Cebu to Iloilo — Tickets & Schedules (12Go)
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Getting from Cebu to Iloilo by ferry takes about 14h0m / 14h30m, run by Trans-Asia Shipping Lines. This is an overnight crossing between the two largest cities of the Central and Western Visayas, not a quick hop — treat it as a sleep-through leg of your itinerary rather than a same-day connection. Here is the schedule, the ports involved, and how to book.
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At a glance
| Operator | Departures | Crossing |
|---|---|---|
| Trans-Asia Shipping Lines | 18:00 | 14h0m, 14h30m |
Schedule valid as of 2026-06-23 — check 12Go for current times.
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Ports and location
- Departs: Cebu Pier 3 — Cebu, Central Visayas
- Arrives: Iloilo Port — Iloilo, Western Visayas
Confirm the exact terminal on your ticket; in larger ports (Cebu, Tagbilaran) more than one pier operates. Cebu Pier 3 is one of several piers along Cebu City’s port area, a short taxi or ride-hailing ride from downtown hotels and Mactan-Cebu International Airport; Iloilo Port lands close to the city’s downtown and the Iloilo River Esplanade.
What to expect
Trans-Asia Shipping Lines is the main operator on this route, departing from Cebu Pier 3 in Cebu, Central Visayas and arriving at Iloilo Port in Iloilo, Western Visayas. Fares are not published online for this route; book ahead on weekends and holidays when the popular departures fill, and confirm the exact terminal and time on the day — schedules shift in low season and during weather advisories.
This corridor has linked the Central and Western Visayas since the Spanish and American colonial periods, when Iloilo’s sugar and textile trade earned it the old nickname “Queen City of the South” — a title that shifted to Cebu as the region’s commercial center moved over the 20th century. The RORO service still carries that trading legacy forward: cargo trucks and private vehicles load alongside foot passengers, so you’ll be sharing the crossing with the freight that keeps goods moving between Cebu and Panay.
Save room for a bowl of La Paz batchoy once you land — the noodle soup with pork organs, crushed pork cracklings, and a rich beef-bone broth that originated at Iloilo’s La Paz public market and is now the dish locals point to first when asked what to eat in the city. It’s an easy, inexpensive first meal after a long overnight sailing.
How to book
- Open 12Go and search Cebu to Iloilo.
- Pick your date and a departure that fits your plan.
- Choose your class and pay for instant confirmation — on an overnight sailing like this one, decide upfront whether you want a cabin, a berth, or open seating, since the higher classes sell out first.
- Save or print your ticket — smaller operators do not always accept phone screens.
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Tips
One honest caveat — weather: the June–November monsoon window brings delays and the occasional cancellation; most operators reschedule free, but keep onward plans flexible. Arrive 60–90 minutes ahead and carry small bills for the terminal fee.
On a crossing this long, cabin class is worth paying up for if it’s offered — open economy seating on RORO ferries is communal and not designed for real sleep. Life vests are stowed under or beside passenger seating on Philippine-flagged vessels under MARINA safety rules; take a minute to find yours early rather than assuming you won’t need to.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Cebu to Iloilo ferry take?
About 14h0m / 14h30m, depending on operator and conditions — an overnight sailing rather than a same-day crossing, so most passengers sleep through a large part of it. Check the live timetable on 12Go for your date.
Where does the Cebu to Iloilo ferry depart from?
From Cebu Pier 3 in Cebu, Central Visayas, arriving at Iloilo Port in Iloilo, Western Visayas. Confirm the pier or terminal on your ticket.
Who runs the Cebu to Iloilo route?
Trans-Asia Shipping Lines. Trans-Asia Shipping Lines carries the most departures, and its RORO vessels also carry vehicles and cargo alongside passengers, which is standard on this trade corridor.
How much is the Cebu to Iloilo ferry?
Fares are not published online for this route; book for the live price on 12Go. Cabin and berth classes typically cost more than open economy seating, the usual pricing structure on Philippine RORO ferries for overnight routes like this one.
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Cebu’s city piers and terminal fees are administered by the Cebu Port Authority; confirm your pier and current port charges there.
Schedules, ports and fares reflect operator-published information via 12Go as of 2026-06-23. cebu.tips earns a commission on bookings made through 12Go partner links at no cost to you.