Getting to (and around) Masbate
Masbate sits at the crossroads of Luzon and the Visayas — three islands reachable by a short flight or a bus-and-ferry combination. This page gathers everything: flights, all ferry routes, the direct buses, the city terminal, and ready-made itineraries that combine them — last verified August 2026.
✈️ Flights
| Route | Days | Duration | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clark (CRK) → Masbate | Mon · Wed · Fri · Sun, dep ~07:20 | ~1h35 | from ~₱2,800 |
| Cebu (CEB) → Masbate | Mon · Wed · Fri, dep ~12:35 from MBT | ~1h10 | from ~₱2,850 |
Both routes: Cebgo (Cebu Pacific), ATR 72 turboprop. Masbate Airport (MBT) is in the city — tricycles reach downtown in minutes. Details on the flights page.
⛴️ Boats & ferries — all 9 routes
| Route | Operator | Duration | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pilar (Sorsogon) ↔ Masbate City (fastcraft) | Montenegro Shipping Lines | ~2h | ₱720 regular (student/senior discounts) |
| Pilar (Sorsogon) ↔ Masbate City (RORO) | Montenegro Shipping Lines | ~4–6h | ₱360 regular · vehicles from ~₱430 |
| Bulan (Sorsogon) ↔ San Jacinto (Ticao) | Barrun Sealines (MV Marilou) | 1–1.5h | low hundreds ₱ (last published ₱120, 2024) |
| Cebu City ↔ Masbate (overnight) | Trans-Asia · Cokaliong · Kho Shipping | 12–16h | from ₱1,080–1,560 (economy) |
| Pio Duran (Albay) ↔ Masbate City | Montenegro Shipping (also Santa Clara) | ~3h | ~₱410 |
| Pasacao (Camarines Sur) ↔ San Pascual (Burias) | Local outrigger boats | 2–3h | ₱200–300 |
| Pio Duran (Albay) ↔ Claveria (Burias) | Kho Shipping (also Santa Clara) | ~5h | ~₱420–540 |
| Masbate City ↔ Lucena (Quezon) | Starhorse Shipping | ~12h | ₱1,000–1,200 |
| Masbate City ↔ Calbayog (Samar) | Starhorse Shipping | ~6h | ~₱500 |
Full timetables (every departure time, contacts) on the boats & ferries page. Boats stay in port under storm warnings (roughly July–October).
🚌 Long-haul buses
| Route | Duration | Fare | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masbate City → Cubao (Manila) | ~21h (bus rides the ferry) | ₱950 economy · ~₱1,455 aircon · ₱2,200–2,450 sleeper | Departures 09:30 · 10:00 · 11:05 · 11:30 from Zurbito St. (pier site). Cubao → Masbate departs ~09:00. |
| Aroroy → Cubao | ~17h | ~₱1,300–1,800 | Departs 08:30. |
| Cataingan → Cubao | ~21h | ~₱1,250–1,600 | Departs 08:10. Cawayan branch also served. |
| Manila → Masbate City | ~15h | ~₱1,300 | Departs around noon. |
🚐 Getting around: the city terminal
Masbate City Integrated Bus & Jeepney Terminal
Beside the City Public Market, near the port. Vans (UV Express), jeepneys and Bicol Isarog local trips fan out to every mainland town from early morning to late afternoon — vans leave when full. Point-to-point van fares start around ₱108 (e.g. Masbate City → Mandaon ₱125).
Vans & jeepneys serve every mainland town:
Town-by-town departure times aren't published anywhere — we are collecting them locally and will post the full board here. Got a photo of the schedule? Send it in.
In town: tricycles, ₱10–15 per person (pay all seats for a private "special" run).
🧭 Ready-made itineraries
Manila → Masbate City
- Cheapest (~₱1,000–1,500, overnight): Bicol Isarog bus from Cubao (or any bus to Pilar, Sorsogon) + Montenegro ferry from Pilar (fastcraft 2h ₱720 / RORO ₱360).
- Fastest (half a day): bus or van to Clark (~2–3h) + Cebgo flight (Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun 07:20).
- All-bus: Bicol Isarog direct, the bus rides the ferry — ~21h, ₱950–2,450 by class.
Manila → Ticao Island (divers' route)
Bus to Bulan (Sorsogon) → Barrun Sealines boat to San Jacinto (08:30 / 12:30 / 15:30, ~1h). Most dive resorts arrange pickup in Bulan — ask when booking. Alternative: fly to Legazpi, van to Bulan.
Manila → Burias Island
Night bus to Naga → van to Pasacao→ morning boat to San Pascual (07:00 / 10:00 / 14:00, ₱200–300, 2–3h). Don't miss the 14:30 last return.
🗺 Route guides from Masbate
Full step-by-step guides — up to 3 itineraries each, mixing plane, boat and bus.