When going to Iligan you may do so by taking
one of the following ways:By Air.
There is no international airport in Iligan, even an airport taking domestic flights. So whether you are from Manila, Cebu or from Davao, by taking a plane you will land in Lumbia Airport that is in Cagayan de Oro City. Three domestic airlines cater for Cagayan de Oro City. The Philippine flag carrier, Philippine Airlines, the budget airline Cebu Pacific Air, and the sister company of PAL, Air Philippines Express who is slowly taking back what Cebu Pacific is taken from its mother company, PAL. Airfares may depend on prevailing promotions of each airline companies.
By Taxi Cabs.
Upon landing at Lumbia Airport, there are two options to reach Iligan City. First, you can take a taxi cab from the airport and have it all the way to Iligan, but expects an enormous cost for fare. Taxi cabs that offers a straight door to door delivery collects from P1, 700.00 to P2, 500.00 depending if you are in a group or a single individual or may depends upon on negotiations. After all convenience has a price.
However, Warning!!! Once you are in Iligan City, DO NOT take taxi cabs or you might feel being robbed...where drivers collects P60.00 to P100.00 depending on the distance and sometimes when you do not first negotiate the driver of how much you will pay, you may be charged more and even got mad if you do not agree. So, if you cant help but to take a filthy non-air-conditioned taxi, negotiate the fare first, or you may contact your accommodation receptionist to provide you with a taxi cabs.This is an honest to goodness advice and its based on experienced. It may even smart to take "habal-habal" a local single motorcycle rides around Iligan which you can arrived at your destination faster like a flash and you can pay P15.00 to P50.00 depending on the distance of the rides and upon meeting of minds in a way of negotiations. On the other hand, thousands of jeepneys are in the streets everyday and are at very much cheaper rates at P8.00.
By Bus
Originating from Lumbia Airport, another option is you can take a taxi cab ride for P250.00 to P300.00 to the Agora South Bound Bus and Jeepney Terminal in Cagayan de Oro City or you might want to try our jeepney ride which will only cost you less than twenty (20) pesos, but it would be a two rides adventure. First, you will ride a jeepney from Lumbia Airport going to the down town, when you arrive at the downtown you can ask the driver on where you can get down where you can fetch another jeepney going to the Agora terminal, but if you have a heavy carriage I discourage you to do this.
From the south bound terminal in Cagayan de Oro City you can choose between Super 5 Transport and Rural Transit, air conditioned or non. Now, in my travel I always opt Super 5 Transport. You may ask why? Well, it has something to do with integrity, conscience and for safety. Super 5 transport air-conditioned buses are five (5) stops which mean they only stop when there are disembarking passengers. This further means that they do not stop along the way too many times that I believe will prevent bad guys along the way to ride and most importantly it saves time. Their buses are new and excellent in condition and very clean and pleasing. On the contrary, Super 5 buses are “alas puno” which simply means that the buses will only travel once the seats are fully seated. Therefore, you may not actually save time, because sometimes it takes time for a bus with almost a hundred seating capacity to be occupied.
On the other hand, Rural Transit is considered to be, the mass transport of the present time. They have a lot of non-air-conditioned buses with only 15 minutes travel interval. The disadvantage of taking Rural Transit is that it stops a lot along the way. However, in good times they may offer a P50 pesos fare fee compared to the actual P145.00 depending on their mood. For some, it’s advantageous, but for some, who are righteous enough and conscientious enough, do not buy out that offer. In many instances passengers may even demand that they should only pay 50. I remember once when I was with a group going to Initao and we decided to take Rural Transit, one passenger was arguing the conductor upon knowing that they collect the regular mandatory fare of P145.00. The woman was arguing that before she got inside the bus she did asked how much they are collecting and the person whom he asked told her that they will collect P50, so the woman was mad why she has to pay the P145.00. Well, whatever I heard and knew that day remains at the back of my mind. At the end of the day, it’s up to each of us what bus we should take…
By Ship
I wonder, if there are still people who are afraid of the heights, just like taking a plane ride. Anyway, most people from the neighboring islands such as Cebu, Ozamiz, Siquijor and Domaguete, even as far as Manila are still opting to ships like Cokaliong Shipping Lines, Cebu Ferries, Negros Navigation, and Super Ferry. Among these shipping lines my favorite is Cokaliong...asks why, because, their ship that travels to Iligan and from Iligan to other destinations are very clean, well painted, well maintained, and the ship crews are very friendly and accommodating. As far as I know this shipping line won a lot of awards as the cleanest ships in many years now. Well you can have a try for you to know.
