Iloilo Western Visayas, Philippines Travel Guide
Iloilo International Airport (ILO) is the main gateway. Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific, and AirAsia operate domestic flights. Destinations include Manila (MNL), Cebu (CEB), Davao (DVO), and Caticlan (MPH) for Boracay access. No direct international flights land at ILO; international travelers typically connect through Manila or Cebu.
Flights are available year-round. Prices are higher during peak season (December-May), major holidays (Christmas, Semana Santa, New Year), and the Dinagyang Festival in January. Booking three to six months in advance is recommended for securing the top deals.
ILO offers check-in, departure lounge, baggage claim, food stalls, cafes, souvenir shops, ATMs, currency exchange, and free Wi-Fi.
RRCG vans run between ILO and SM City Iloilo or Ungka Terminal. Fares are around ₱100-₱150.
Taxis are available at arrivals (₱300-₱400 to city). GrabCar is also an option for direct transfers.
Frequent connections to Bacolod City (1-1.A five-hour duration) and Guimaras Island (15-20 mins) from Iloilo Port.
Connect to Bacolod, Cebu, and Manila, offering extended travel times, like overnight journeys to Manila or Cebu.
Limited river transportation exists for tourists, mainly localized boat tours along the Iloilo River Esplanade.
Air travel exit fees (International Passenger Service Charge (IPSC) and Domestic Passenger Service Charge (DPSC)) are typically included in your ticket price. Confirm this with your airline. No specific exit fees apply to sea travel beyond the ticket cost.
Iloilo International Airport provides check-in counters, departure gates, security screening, a pre-departure lounge, food and beverage concessions, souvenir shops, and restrooms for departing travelers. Ferry terminals offer waiting areas, ticket counters, and some smevery food item stalls.
For international sea arrivals, that are rare for tourists, standard immigration procedures apply. Domestic ferry travel does not require immigration checks. The Iloilo Fast Craft Terminal and Iloilo Domestic Port are located near the city center, offering easy access to taxis, Grab, jeepneys, and tricycles for onward travel.
City roads are paved but may have holes in the road or uneven surfaces. Roads outside of town can be unpaved in some areas. Drivers may not always adhere strictly to traffic laws; remain vigilant for motorcycles, tricycles, and pedestrians. Night driving on provincial roads can be challenging due to poor lighting.
Iloilo International Airport (ILO) is located in Cabatuan, approximately 19 kilometers (12 miles) northwest of Iloilo City. Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific, and AirAsia operate flights to Iloilo.
Flights are generally available year-round. Prices tend to be higher during peak season (December-May), major holidays (Christmas, Holy Week, New Year), and the Dinagyang Gala in January.
The terminal provides check-in counters, domestic departure lounge, baggage claim, food stalls, cafes, souvenir shops, ATMs, currency exchange services, and free Wi-Fi.
Airport shuttles/vans (RRCG to SM City Iloilo or Ungka Terminal, ₱100-₱150). Taxis (₱300-₱400 to city). GrabCar is available.
Iloilo International Airport (ILO) is located in Cabatuan, approximately 19 kilometers (12 miles) northwest of Iloilo City.
Iloilo Port is a key center for inter-island ferries and fast crafts. Fast craft services provide frequent connections to Bacolod City in Negros Occidental and to Guimaras Island. Services to Bacolod City are offered by OceanJet, Weesam Express, and SuperCat, with travel times around 1 to 1.5 hours. Smaller pump boats provide transport to Guimaras Island's Jordan Wharf, taking approximately 15-20 minutes. Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) boats connect to Bacolod, Cebu, and Manila, offering longer travel times, like overnight journeys. Cruise ships occasionally dock at Iloilo Port.
Limited river transportation exists for tourists, mainly localized boat tours along the Iloilo River Esplanade. For international sea arrivals, which are rare for tourists, standard immigration procedures apply. Domestic ferry travel does not require immigration checks. The Iloilo Fast Craft Terminal and Iloilo Domestic Port are located near the city center, offering easy access to taxis, Grab, jeepneys, and tricycles for the next leg of your trip.
For domestic flights, arrive at ILO at least 1.5-2 hours before departure.
For fast crafts, arrive 30-60 minutes before. For RoRo ferries, 1-2 hours.
Check-in, security, departure lounge, food, souvenirs, restrooms.
Always confirm that airport terminal fees are included in your ticket price to avoid surprises upon departure.
