Cebu City South Bus Terminal and SM North Bus Terminal Guide

Is it safe to travel from Cebu SM North and South Bus Terminals between 1:00am – 5:00am?

Yes it’s perfectly safe to travel at dawn or early hours of the morning, both terminals are safe at those hours, terminal security are well located throughout the terminals, keep valuables by you at all times never leave valuables unattended especially camera equipment and smart phones

MyBus route passes through Talisay City, Cebu City, Mandaue City up to Mactan Cebu International Airport, which is the same as the route proposed in the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

MyBus stations can be found in SM Seaside Mall, SM City Cebu, Il Corso, City di Mare, Malacañang sa Sugbo, and Compania Maritima

Each MyBus vehicle can accommodate 42 to 90 passengers, including standing passengers

MyBus operates direct from Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) to SM North Bus Terminal, and vice versa, adjacent to SM City Mall Cebu City at the corner of S. Osmeña Road and Kaohsiung Street at the North Reclamation Area  (not 24 hours)

Sugbo Transit Express (Ceres Liner / Sugbo Tours), public buses to serve passengers and commuters from Mactan-Cebu International Airport and vice versa, including all stops to Cebu City South Bus and Cebu City North Bus Terminal

Just like the SM MyBus, the Sugbo Tours bus is PWD-friendly, GPS and CCTV-enabled making it a safe, secure and friendly transport service around Cebu with FREE WIFI

Each bus can can accommodate 42 to 90 passengers, including standing passengers
Sugbo Schedule: Buses operate every hour from 5AM to 6PM, daily

From Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB)

1. MEPZ 1 (Mactan Export Processing Zone 1), Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB)
2. Island Central Mall
3. Pacific Mall
4. SM North Bus Terminal, adjacent to SM City Mall Cebu City and MyBus Terminal at the corner of Sergio Osmeña Jr Boulevard and Kaohsiung Street at the North Reclamation Area
(short taxi ride away to Cebu Westown Lagoon, Bai Hotel Cebu, Maayo Hotel and Medical Center Cebu, Express Inn Mabolo, Sugbutel Family Hotel, Hotel Pier Cuatro, 5 minutes walk to SM City Mall Cebu, Radisson Blu Cebu and Bayfront Hotel Cebu)
5. Robinsons Galleria (short walk to Summit Galleria Cebu, short taxi ride away to Passenger Ferry Terminal for Cebu Pier 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
6. Fuente Osmeña (short walk to Fuente Osmeña Circle, short walk or short taxi ride away to Summit Circle, Rajah Park Hotel, Crown Regency Hotel & Towers, Pillows Hotel, Horizon’s 101 Cebu, Mango Square, Chong Hua Hospital, Vicente Sotto Hospital, Cebu (Velez) General Hospital, Ayala Center-Terraces, Seda Ayala Center Cebu, Mandarin Plaza Hotel, Quest Hotel and Conference Center, Cebu Parklane Hotel, Diamond Suites Cebu, Golden Prince Hotel and Suites, The Golden Peak Hotel & Suites, Harolds Hotel Cebu, Red Planet Cebu, Islands Stay Hotel at Archbishop Reyes Avenue, and Wellcome Hotel)
7. South Bus Terminal, Cebu City (short walk to Elizabeth Mall, short taxi ride away to One Central Hotel, La Gloria Residence Inn, GV Tower Hotel, Cebu Business Hotel, Colon Street, Cebu City Hall, Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu and Magellan’s Cross)

From South Bus Terminal, Cebu City:

1. South Bus Terminal, Cebu City (short walk to Elizabeth Mall, short taxi ride away to One Central Hotel, La Gloria Residence Inn, GV Tower Hotel, Cebu Business Hotel, Colon Street, Cebu City Hall, Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu and Magellan’s Cross)
2. Robinsons Fuente (short walk to Fuente Osmeña Circle, short walk or short taxi ride away to Summit Circle, Rajah Park Hotel, Crown Regency Hotel & Towers, Pillows Hotel, Horizon’s 101 Cebu, Mango Square, Chong Hua Hospital, Vicente Sotto Hospital, Cebu (Velez) General Hospital, Ayala Center-Terraces, Seda Ayala Center Cebu, Mandarin Plaza Hotel, Quest Hotel and Conference Center, Cebu Parklane Hotel, Diamond Suites Cebu, Golden Prince Hotel and Suites, The Golden Peak Hotel & Suites, Harolds Hotel Cebu, Red Planet Cebu, Islands Stay Hotel at Archbishop Reyes Avenue, and Wellcome Hotel)
3. Robinsons Galleria (short walk to Summit Galleria Cebu, short taxi ride away to Passenger Ferry Terminal for Cebu Pier 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
4. SM North Bus Terminal, adjacent to SM City Mall Cebu City and MyBus Terminal at the corner of Sergio Osmeña Jr Boulevard and Kaohsiung Street at the North Reclamation Area
(short taxi ride away to Cebu Westown Lagoon, Bai Hotel Cebu, Maayo Hotel and Medical Center Cebu, Express Inn Mabolo, Sugbutel Family Hotel, Hotel Pier Cuatro, 5 minutes walk to SM City Mall Cebu, Radisson Blu Cebu and Bayfront Hotel Cebu)
5. Pacific Mall
6. MEPZ 1 (Mactan Export Processing Zone 1), Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB)

Cost by cash per taxi one way Pesos ₱290 – ₱380 from Robinsons Galleria Cebu and SM City Cebu to Mactan-Cebu Airport (CEB)

By Taxi allow at least up to 60 minutes to reach Mactan-Cebu Airport (CEB) from Robinsons Galleria Cebu and SM City Cebu, we recommend this because of traffic congestion or ongoing road works, especially during peak travel time 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Cost by cash per taxi one way Pesos ₱350 – ₱460 from Fuente Osmeña Circle, Mango Sqaure, Ayala Center, Downtown Cebu City to Mactan-Cebu Airport (CEB)

By Taxi allow at least up to 60 minutes to reach Mactan-Cebu Airport (CEB) from Fuente Osmeña Circle, Mango Sqaure, Ayala Center, Downtown Cebu City and Talisay City, we recommend this because of traffic congestion or ongoing road works, especially during peak travel time 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) Transfer by Jeepney
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There are no direct Jeepney services that serve Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB), to or via Robinsons Galleria Cebu, SM City Cebu, Fuente Osmeña Circle, Mango Sqaure, Ayala Mall Center and Terraces, Downtown Cebu City, Uptown Cebu City and Talisay City. There are indirect Jeepney services, on average you would be expected to change 2 to 3 times to Cebu City or vice versa, depending on your location or route. Very few international tourists will ride a Jeepney for Airport Transfer from Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) to Cebu City, simply because there not familiar with the complex Jeepney network and interchanging Brgy (village) or stops

There is just one reliable Jeepney Service Number MI-05A, serving Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) for shorter routes and all stops towards Cebu-Mactan Ferry Terminal

22 minutes, every 5 minutes (10 stops)

1. Timex Philippines Incorporated, stop here for Mactan Marina Mall and further Jeepney Services around Mactan island, and connections towards Parkmall, Reclamation Area, Mandaue City and Cebu City

2. The Bellavista Hotel

3. Gaisano Mactan

4. PLDT Telecommunications

5. Lapu-Lapu City PUJ Terminal

6. Super Metro Gaisano Lapu-Lapu

7. Mantawe Road

8. B.M Dimataga St

9. Opon Plaza

10. Cebu-Mactan Ferry Terminal, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, the Philippines

However unless your destination is very near it’s not worth the hassle or effort for tourists, not to mention the inconvenience, extended journey time, space for luggage, or comfort, considering MyBus and Sugbo offer frequent bus services to or from Cebu City, directly outside Terminal 1 and 2 with modern seating and air-con at cheap prices (not 24 hours), therefore it’s far less appealing to ride a Jeepney from or to Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB)

​Jeepney Routes to SM City Mall Cebu and SM Seaside City Mall Cebu, V-Hire Terminal Routes from SM City Mall Cebu City

There is no reliable Jeepney that serves to or from SM Seaside City Mall Cebu, occasionally due to traffic congestion or traffic diversions, certain Jeepney numbers may convey towards SM Seaside City Cebu, but that’s not the regular route, MyBus is the only scheduled service to Ply SM Seaside City Mall Cebu, alternatively a metered white flagged taxi is the most convenient way to or from SM Seaside City Mall Cebu, in addition to Grab App taxi-car and Habal-Habal Scooter-Moped for independent hire or by App based Angkas Scooter-Moped for hire

SM City Mall Cebu is very well served by direct Jeepney and vice versa from almost anywhere in Cebu City and Mandaue City

There are two types of van hire in Cebu, V-Hire and Private Vans for hire, V-Hire vans are public passenger shared hire only, V-Hire Ply routes and popular Cebu resorts and sea ports to almost anywhere in Cebu
V-Hire Vans are stationed and available to board without a reservation at Cebu North and Cebu South Bus Terminal, SM City Mall and Ayala Center, Public Utility Vehicle Terminal (PUV), once the V-Hire fill up with up to 15 passenger, they will only depart, although they will stop anywhere to drop-off or pick-up more passengers, on the specific route heading Northbound or Southbound depending on the bus terminal or destination, they are relatively cheap and fast, but more often on longer journeys it can be very uncomfortable and cramped

Traffic Congestion in Cebu City

The Cebu Tourist will witness Cebu City increasing traffic congestion, it seems local Cebuanos have grown accustomed to, the never ending traffic jams, for the tourist, it can be forever frustrating, even for short distances around Cebu City and especially transiting to Cebu islands, and Cebu beach resorts north or south of Cebu City

Some progress has been implemented to lessen the traffic congestion around Cebu City, including better traffic management for traffic to and from CEBU costal road subway towards SM Seaside and South Road Properties (SRP), the new Underpass (2019) at Natalio Bacalso Avenue and Cebu South Road, near the F. Llamas intersection and ongoing repairs to main roads leading to bridges all over Cebu

If your heading south towards Tan-Awan, Oslob, Moalboal, Alcoy and Cebu beach resort along that route from Cebu South Bus Terminal on Natalio Bacalso Avenue and Cebu South Road, you will experience Cebu’s infamous traffic congestion after 7:00AM and up to 9:00PM, midweek at SM Seaside Cebu and South Road Properties (SRP), Talisay, Minglanilla, City of Naga, San Fernando through to City of Carcar, and although the distances are not great in terms of miles or km, the traffic will make your journey slightly less pleasant, specifically on the return journey back to Cebu City

Surprisingly the traffic in Cebu City is way less congested on weekends around Cebu City mainly because schools, colleges, business offices and call-center employees are having there rest days, although some colleges are still open on Saturday, you’ll unlikely avoid the traffic congestion, transiting to Cebu beach resorts north and south on weekends, especially on Sunday, make plans to leave early morning, In fact we recommend any journey in Cebu that is expected to take more than 3 hours to reach by road, to leave at around 6:00AM.

It’s worth mentioning that if your connecting by ferry or boat on the same day midweek or weekend, most ferry and boat services in Cebu operate on a specific timetable because of tide conditions, and you could potentially miss the last scheduled service by sea, because of Cebu’s unpredictable traffic congestion

Cebu City Rapid Bus Transit System Project Phase 1 and 2 and Cordova Link Expressway Bridge

Preparations are underway for the latest ground·breaking mass transportation, the Cebu City Rapid Bus Transit System.  The initial project has 2 phases, the first phase will span along Cebu South Road on N. Bacalso Avenue (located near the South Bus Terminal) up to the Provincial Capitol through the Osmena Boulevard. The second phase of the project, which traverses Bulacao, Talisay City (southern part of Cebu) to Talamban, (Northern part), and is targeted to be fully operational by March 2022
When completed, the Cebu BRT system will have 33 stations with 176 buses with buses passing each station every two to five minutes. more than 330,000 passengers are expected to use the BRT line every day.  The BRT line will be complemented by a modified jeepney network which will operate as feeders and complementary services to the BRT route.  Space will be made at BRT stations for interchanging jeepney routes.  The Cebu City Rapid Bus Transit System will mirror other modern big city automated transportation, similar to those found in Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore

The BRT Transit System infrastructure is designed to lesson the chaotic traffic around Cebu City.  The Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) is expected to integrate the BRT Transit System, since the Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway Bridge is expected for completion by the end of 2021.  The project will provide faster link between Mactan island and mainland Cebu, The Link Expressway Bridge facility is already designed to accommodate speeds of 60 to 80 kilometers per hour (kph)

The BRT Transit System infrastructure is designed to lesson the chaotic traffic around Cebu City.  The Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) is expected to integrate the BRT Transit System, the Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway Bridge which opened April 2022, the project will provide faster airport transfer links between Mactan island and mainland Cebu City, The Link Expressway Bridge facility is already designed to accommodate speeds of 60 to 80 kilometers per hour (kph)
Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway Bridge will stramline direct airport transfer saving at least 40 minutes into Cebu City and vice versa, compared to the conventional route via M.L. Quezon National Highway and the two older bridges connecting Mandaue City, this area is more prone to traffic congestion at peak times

Airport transfer times into Cebu City and Ayala Center area Hotels from Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB)

Route via Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway Bridge into Cebu City and South Road Properties (SRP)

off-peak 40 to 60 minutes

peak 60 to 80 minutes

Conventional route via M.L. Quezon National Highway and the two older bridges connecting Mandaue City into Cebu City

off-peak 45 to 60 minutes

peak 80 to 120 minutes

Cebu SM North Bus Terminal

SM North Bus Terminal, adjacent to SM City Mall Cebu City and MyBus Terminal at the corner of Sergio Osmeña Jr Boulevard and Kaohsiung Street at the North Reclamation Area

SM City Mall Cebu, address:

Juan Luna Avenue, Cebu City, 6000

At Cebu SM North Bus Terminal you can take any bus that goes to, Maya Port for Malapascua island, Hagnaya Port for Bantayan island, Bogo and all other Northern parts of the province, no reservation is required just turn up to the terminal and board the bus, the conductor will take cash payment only in Philippines PESO around 40 minutes into the journey

We recommend for tourist the more modern air-con Bus, some have WIFI (not reliable) and tv-movie or music

If you are concerned about the return journey by bus from north or south, back to Cebu City or scheduling from seaports in Cebu, buses are conveniently lined-up in the parking area very near to disembarkment point, you will notice and hear the bus conductors, and they will direct you to there bus, all buses will be making the same route back to Cebu City, some bus routes may convey to SM North Bus Terminal.  Most buses depart within 30 minutes once enough passengers are onboard, buses are also very frequent back to Cebu City from south and north Cebu beach resorts and tourist attraction, in fact during peak travel there is a bus every 30 minutes from pick-up points transiting to Cebu City

At Cebu SM North Bus Terminal, you can take any bus that goes to Bogo, Maya port for Malapascua island, Medellin, San Remigio, Hagnaya Port for Bantayan island, among other destinations in the Northern part of the Cebu Province

Malapascua Island Hopping 

Island Hopping to Kalanggaman remote Island with seafood and meat buffet lunch, is on most tourist wish-list, and you will see why on the 1 hour 30 minutes journey by island Hopping from Malapascua island
Kalanggaman Island is surrounded by pristine white sand on one side and smooth rocks on the other, making it the perfect snorkeling spot during high tide

To reach Malapascua island from Cebu North Bus Terminal, board any Ceres air-con bus bound for Maya Port, connect to Malapascua island by a commuter boat at Maya Port, frequent daily departures not 24 hours

It is quite easy to spot the bus that goes to your destination because they put up sign boards right in front of the bus or drivers screen, the terminal staff are helpful and will assist you

Bus and Ferry bound for Bantayan island from Cebu SM North Bus Terminal;

You can take Ceres Bus that goes to Hagnaya Port which connects Bantayan island, Hagnaya port is where you can take a island shipping ferry or super shuttle ferry to Santa Fe Wharf (frequent departures, not 24 hour service), the journey time by ferry is 1 hour 20 minutes

Air-con Bus by cash payment ₱240-₱260 Pesos
Bus Terminal Fee Entrance ₱10 Pesos
Ferry Cost ₱195 Pesos
Port Terminal Fee Hagnaya ₱20 Pesos

Port Terminal and Eco Fee Santa Fe ₱40 Pesos

The journey time from Cebu SM North Bus Terminal to Hagnaya Port, and onwards by ferry to Bantayan Santa Fe Wharf is 4 hours to 5 hours and we recommend an earlier departure time of 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM.  The bus will make at least one very short rest stops of just 15 minutes for passengers to buy food & drink or use the restroom, you should expect to reach Bantayan Santa Fe Wharf at around 12:00PM to 1:00PM, including the Bus journey from SM North Bus Terminal and ferry service to Santa Fe Wharf

Don’t be tempted to leave SM North Bus Terminal towards Hagnaya Port for Bantayan islands after 1:00PM, because the ferry services at Hagnaya Port do not operate 24 hours daily and your likely to miss the last ferry, alternatively rent a car or hire a taxi one way for up to 4 passengers from Cebu City to Hagnaya Port, estimated at ₱1800 to ₱2600 per taxi

Missed The Last Ferry to Bantayan island

You may still be able to reach the island, local boat owners or fishermen will nearly always be willing to take you to Bantayan island

Occasionally, weather conditions will cause the authorities and the shipping companies to suspend ferry operations for passenger safety, If this happens and you find yourself stuck at Hagnaya Port, don’t worry, there are a couple of resorts nearby;

Hagnaya Beach Resort and Restaurant only five minutes away from the port via taxi, San Remigio Beach Club Hotel is also close by

Cebu South Bus Terminal

New Automated fare system at South Bus Terminal in effect on April 15 2021
The Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT), Cebu’s largest public terminal, now features an automated and cashless ticketing system, for buses bound south of Cebu City and southern provinces

The new modern smart card ticket-less system implemented by The Cebu Provincial Government and designed by Topline Hi-Tech Synergy Corporation.  The new contact-less technology is for departing buses from Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBS), which aims to streamline the old-school style ticket issuance by the onboard conductor, which often created a longer dispatch delay.
Cebu’s biggest bus terminal has started shifting to the use of “QR code tap cards” as it veers towards being fully cashless.  The ticketing system includes the use of re-loadable tap cards, which can be reloaded at various outlets including  7-11 stores, which mostly operate 24-7

Cebu South Bus Terminal Cebu City

All Buses depart from South Terminal for jouneys heading southbound at:

N. Bacalso Avenue, Cebu City, 6000 Cebu

V-Hire South Terminal Cebu City

All V-Hire shared vans depart from V-Hire South Terminal for jouneys heading southbound at:

39 Junquera St, Cebu City, 6000 Cebu

Cebu South Terminals serves passengers who are bound for the Southern part of Cebu Province (including Carcar City, Dumaguete City, Tan-Awan, Oslob, and Negros Oriental,)

For those who are not familiar about the province Negros Oriental it belongs to another province but some buses take that route

Facilities & Services at Cebu South Bus Terminal

Air-conditioned pre-departure or waiting lounge

Food and snack outlets
Souvenir shops
Restrooms or toilets (washrooms)
Arrival and departure info
Organized boarding gates

BUS ROUTES

Main routes from Cebu South Bus Terminal at N. Bacalso Avenue, Cebu City and V-Hire South Terminal Cebu City at 39 Junquera St, Cebu City

East Coast Destinations:

The East Coast Destinations from this terminal will bring you to the following places (cities and municipalities)
Talisay City, Minglanilla Municipality, Naga City, San Fernando, Carcar City, Sibonga Municipality, Argao Municipality (66 km), Dalaguete Municipality (85 km), Alcoy Municipality (95 km), Boljoon Municipality (103 km), Tan-Awan-Oslob Municipality (117 km), and Santander Municipality (134 km)

West Coast Destinations:

Toledo City, Pinamungahan Municipality, Aloguinsan, Municipality, Barili, Dumanjug, Ronda, Alcantara, Moalboal, Badian, Alegria for (Kawasan Falls), Malabuyoc, Ginatilan, Samboan and Santander

Southern Beach & Resort Destinations​

Locals and foreign travelers prefer Argao Beach Resorts and Alcoy Beach Resorts, the Whale Shark Watching in Tan-Awan, Oslob Municipality is one of the most visited attractions to the south of Cebu City

In the West Coast, the most prominent and popular destination among beach lovers, divers and vacationers include Moalboal Beaches, Resorts, Dive Center, including Dolphin, Shark Watching, Sea Turtle and the Sardine Run

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