Budget Travel to Siargao

Updated August 26, 2018

I wrote this article in September last year. However, I just came back from another trip to Siargao and the landscape has totally changed. Hence, I have updated most of the details in this article.

My journey starts from Palo, Leyte. I will be taking the Bachelor's Bus to Southern Leyte then crossing to Surigao City by boat. A friend told me that this route I am taking is a waste of time and time is money. As I'm on a sabbatical, I do not think this is time wasted but time invested fully in myself. Other than the great views you get from long bus rides, it is also a great way to interact with the people you are traveling with. However, the greatest perk is reading a book, art journaling, or just having endless self-talks. If you are in a soul-searching mood right now, follow my travel itinerary.

This year, the naysayers joined me on the bus trip because they now agree with me that it is cheaper and more convenient.

Getting There and Away

Bus to Southern Leyte

Bachelor's Bus Line is located right next to Camella Homes along Maharlika Highway. It is just a short distance away from the McArthur's Park monument.

There is no need to book a bus in advance. You just pay 400Php (2017) 500Php(2018) directly to the driver for the four-hour trip. Buses leave at random times and will cross to Lipata, Surigao City via Benit or Liloan. Sometimes, if there are no passengers at all, the trip gets canceled. So please inquire beforehand and expect cancellations.

1. Get to Surigao City 

• Boat from Southern Leyte to Lipata, Surigao City. This is the crossing that connects Visayas to Mindanao.

• via Liloan - approx. 3 Hrs crossing 
• FastCat. everyday; 2Hrs; departs at 4am, 12nn, 8pm; 300-360Php
• Seamarine Transport Inc.  everyday; 6am, 5pm
• Super Shuttle Ferry. everyday; 6:30pm
• Maharlika Cinco. everyday; 1am
• Maharlika – everyday; 10pm,12pm

• via Benit - 1 Hr, 140Php (2017) 200Php (2018) + 5Php Barangay Fee + 10Php Terminal Fee
• Montenegro Shipping Lines. 4am, 8am, 12nn, 4pm, 8pm

• Boat from Cebu City

• Cokaliong - Leaves Cebu at 7pm and arrives in Surigao at 6am. Available every day except Sundays

• Medallion Transport Inc. M/V Lady of Love  - Leaves Cebu at 8pm and arrives in Surigao at 6am. Available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays only. The ticket is 825Php only for economy.

• Bus from Butuan City or Cagayan de Oro City

2. If coming from Lipata, ask the bus to drop you off at the Gateway and take a multicab to the Pier for 8Php

3. To get to Dapa, Siargao from Surigao City

• Plane. Cebu Pacific flies to Siargao from Cebu or Manila almost daily. If you are flying in from Cebu, the ticket will cost you around $100 or less. If you are coming from Manila, it will be around $130.

• Boat. All boats heading off to Dapa are regulated and departs from the Pier now. The trip lasts around three hours. The schedule is as follows:
•  Evaristo and Sons. Departs daily at 4am
• Premium 230Php
• Bucas Grande 200Php
• Economy 150Php
• LQP Express 5:30am
• M/V Yohan 6:00am
• M/V Sean Ferry 2
• 10:00am
• 3:30pm
• Dapa Express 11:00am
• Angel 1 11:00am
• Montenegro 11:00am

4. Get to General Luna from Dapa or the Airport:

• Individual fare on shared tricycle 100Php (2017) 150Php(2018)

5. From General Luna to Dapa, leave an hour to an hour and a half before the boat's departure time

• Individual fare on shared tricycle 200Php

6. From Dapa to Surigao

• 5:00am with Angel 1(Fast Ferry) 
• 5:00am with Montenegro (RORO)
• 6:30am trip takes only 1 hr
• 10:00am
• 11:30am with MV Yohan
• 12:00pm with LQP Express 
• 1:30pm

7. From Surigao to Lipata take a motorcycle from the Pier for 200Php
    *From Surigao to Cebu by boat take the Medallion Transport at 8pm every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday

8. From Lipata to Benit: 140Php + 17Php

• 10 am boat to Benit
• 12nn boat to Liloan

9. From Benit to Tacloban,be quick and  catch the bus at the port

• if you took the 10am boat from Siargao, catch the Bachelor Bus and pay 500Php to get to Tacloban

Overall, the transportation cost from Tacloban City to GL in Siargao transportation is as follows:

• Tacloban to Southern Leyte: 500Php
• Southern Leyte to Surigao: 140Php + 30Php Terminal Fee
• Gateway to Pier: 8Php
• Surigao to Dapa, Siargao: 200Php + 10Php Terminal Fee
• Dapa to General Luna: 150Php 
• General Luna to Dapa: 200Php
• Dapa to Surigao:  350Php +10Php Terminal Fee
• Surigao to Lipata by Tricycle: 200Php
• Lipata to Benit: 140Php +17Php Terminal Fee
• Benit to Tacloban: 450Php

TOTAL: 2405PHp

I will leave Tacloban at 8pm and will arrive in Siargao at 9am. That's a total of 13Hrs travel time.

Don't take my word for the schedule. You'll have to check them out yourself. Schedules may also vary depending on the weather.