How do I get from Temple of Leah, Sirao & Tops to Mactan-Cebu Airport?
Short answer
From the Busay highlands above Cebu City it’s about 20-25 km back down to Mactan-Cebu Airport, usually 45-60 minutes by private car. That makes Temple of Leah, Sirao and Tops an easy half-day before a late departure, as long as you leave enough buffer for the city-side traffic and the bridge onto Mactan.
There’s no single public route linking the highland sights back to the terminal, and once you leave Tops or Sirao you still need the downhill drive, the city approach and the airport drop-off. A private car that stays with you for the loop is the simplest option, because the timing stays built around your flight rather than around finding a separate taxi back down.
Step by step: Cebu Highlands (Temple of Leah, Sirao & Tops) to Mactan-Cebu Airport (CEB)
- 1Choose your final highlands stop
Many travellers finish at Tops for the view, then head straight down once they have the sunset or café break they wanted.
- 2Descend the Busay road
The first leg is the steep downhill run from Temple of Leah, Sirao or Tops back towards the city side.
- 3Cross Cebu City and the Mactan bridge
From there the route continues across the city approach and one of the bridges onto Mactan island, about 20-25 km and 45-60 minutes in total.
- 4Arrive at departures with buffer
If you share your flight time in the quote request, the airport drop-off can be timed around the traffic window and the check-in buffer you want.
Ways to travel, compared
- Highlands loop + airport drop-off (what we arrange)~45-60 min down
Stay with the same private car and driver from the highlands straight to the departures area, timed around your flight. Fixed price - request a quote.
- Taxi / ride-hail (public)~45-60 min +
Possible if you can get a car at your final stop, but it still depends on finding a separate ride down from the highlands and leaves you with less control over the airport timing.
Cebu Highlands (Temple of Leah, Sirao & Tops) to Mactan-Cebu Airport (CEB): FAQs
How far is Temple of Leah from Mactan airport?
From the Busay highlands back to Mactan-Cebu Airport is roughly 20-25 km, usually about 45-60 minutes by private car depending on traffic through the city side and across to Mactan.
Can I do Temple of Leah, Sirao and Tops before a late flight?
Yes - it is one of the easiest half-day loops in Cebu for that. The key is to build in buffer for the downhill drive, the city approach and the bridge to Mactan, especially if you are aiming for sunset first.
Is there direct public transport from the Cebu highlands to the airport?
No. The highland sights are linked by steep winding roads, and there is no single bus or jeepney route from Temple of Leah, Sirao or Tops straight to the terminal. That is why a private car works so well for this airport-bound version of the loop.
Can you do the return trip, Mactan-Cebu Airport (CEB) back to Cebu Highlands (Temple of Leah, Sirao & Tops)?
Yes - the same private car and driver, Mactan-Cebu Airport (CEB) back to Cebu Highlands (Temple of Leah, Sirao & Tops) over the same ~20-25 km. Ask for both legs in one quote request and we price the round trip together.
Mactan-Cebu Airport (CEB) → Cebu Highlands (Temple of Leah, Sirao & Tops)
We run this route in both directions, with the same car and driver. Ask for both legs in one request and we'll price the round trip together.
We'll pre-fill Mactan-Cebu Airport (CEB) → Cebu Highlands (Temple of Leah, Sirao & Tops) on the form — just add your dates and details.
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