Submit feedbackSubmit feedbackComplete travel information for your February journey
February is a strong month to plan travel from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) thanks to typically drier weather in the Philippines and competitive off-peak fares. Expect 1–2 stop itineraries through hubs such as Manila (MNL), Hong Kong (HKG), Taipei (TPE) or Tokyo (NRT/HND). From SFO, leverage mid-week departures for lower fares and consider flexible dates to uncover deals. Nearby major departure cities frequently connecting into SFO include San Jose, Oakland, Los Angeles and Sacramento—plan ground transit accordingly. Book flights 6–10 weeks ahead for the best combination of price and schedule reliability, and add 2–3 hours of city travel time if originating from farther Bay Area destinations.
Baggage allowances depend on the airline and fare class. Full-service carriers such as Philippine Airlines, Cathay Pacific and EVA Air usually include one or two checked bags for international economy fares (23–32 kg per piece), while low-cost carriers like Cebu Pacific charge for checked luggage per kilo. Always verify your specific ticket, weigh luggage at SFO before check-in, and consider pre-purchasing allowance to save money.
February often has competitive fares because it lies within the dry season in the Philippines but before peak spring travel from the U.S. Airlines launch winter-to-spring sales and you can find fare sales especially for 1-stop itineraries via Manila, Tokyo, Taipei or Hong Kong. Use fare alerts, flexible dates, and search mid-week departures from SFO to uncover the best February savings.
February in the Bay Area can bring occasional rain and low clouds that may cause delays, but major weather-related cancellations are uncommon. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) maintains robust de-icing and delay-mitigation procedures, yet allow extra connection time if you have a tight layover, especially on itineraries routed through East or West Asian hubs.
SFO connects to BART (rapid transit), SamTrans buses, ride-hailing services, and multiple shuttle operators for San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and Silicon Valley. For early February international departures, factor in potential morning traffic and use BART or an airport hotel shuttle for reliable timing—especially if you're traveling from nearby major cities like San Jose or Sacramento.
There are typically no regular nonstop SFO–CEB flights; most itineraries involve one or two stops. Philippine Airlines often routes via Manila (MNL), while Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Airlines connect via Hong Kong (HKG), and EVA Air or China Airlines connect via Taipei (TPE). Seasonal schedule changes in February can affect options, so review airline schedules and look for reliable connections with reasonable layover times.
For international departures from SFO to CEB, arrive at least 3 hours before scheduled departure to complete check-in, security, and immigration pre-clearance steps if applicable. February travel can include holiday spikes like Lunar New Year in some years, so add extra buffer time during busy dates and use online check-in to speed up airport processing.
Arriving at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) in February offers favorable weather and excellent access to Cebu City, resort areas on Mactan Island, and ferry connections to Bohol and other Visayas islands. Expect smooth immigration lines for U.S. travelers outside peak festival periods; nonetheless, plan transfers ahead for Valentine’s and any regional holidays. Consider staying near Mactan for early morning boat departures and book island tours with operators that confirm sea conditions. If your itinerary includes major nearby cities such as Manila or Iloilo, domestic flight capacity from CEB is frequent—check schedules when booking round-trip international tickets.
U.S. passport holders traveling to the Philippines for tourism typically receive a visa-free entry for stays up to 30 days, provided they have a return or onward ticket and sufficient funds. Always ensure your passport has at least six months validity from arrival, check for any temporary travel advisories, and confirm entry requirements on the Philippine Bureau of Immigration website before traveling in February.
From CEB, metered taxis, ride-hailing apps, hotel shuttles and pre-arranged private transfers are the most convenient to Cebu City and Mactan Island resorts. For Bohol and other Visayas islands, take a taxi to Cebu City ferry terminals (e.g., Cebu-Port Pier) or book a fastcraft from the Mactan area; ferry schedules can be robust in February but book seats in advance during holiday weekends.
While Sinulog (Cebu’s largest festival) occurs in January, February can still host Chinese New Year festivities in Cebu City and romantic Valentine’s Day promotions that increase hotel demand, especially on resort islands. Nearby regions host events accessible from CEB: Panagbenga (Baguio Flower Festival) in Luzon sometimes spans late Feb–Mar and the Paraw Regatta in Iloilo is often in February. These events can affect domestic flight availability and ferry capacity, so check calendars and book accommodation and transfers early for February weekends.
February is one of the best months to fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB). It falls within the Philippines' dry season with lower rainfall and good visibility for diving, beach activities and island hopping. While January can be busier due to Sinulog festival crowds, February often offers more stable hotel availability and attractive flight sales—making it an excellent combination of pleasant weather and reasonable prices.
There are seldom nonstop flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB); most travelers choose connecting itineraries. Connecting flights typically route through Manila, Hong Kong, Taipei or Tokyo. Benefits of connecting flights include lower fares and more schedule options, while drawbacks are longer total travel time and potential for missed connections. For February travel, prioritize single-ticket itineraries to protect against disruptions and aim for longer layovers during winter months to reduce risk of delays caused by regional weather.
Philippine Airlines: Offers through-ticketing from SFO via Manila to Cebu with generous baggage on many international fares; preferred for fewer ticket transfers. Cebu Pacific: Budget-friendly for domestic Manila→Cebu segments but often requires separate booking when combined with other international legs—watch baggage fees. Cathay Pacific: High-quality service via Hong Kong with smooth connections to Cebu; good lounge access for premium passengers. EVA Air and ANA: Provide reliable transpacific segments to Taipei or Tokyo respectively, with onward hop options to Cebu. Compare total price including baggage and seat fees, and favor single-carrier itineraries where possible during February travel.
February travel from San Francisco to Cebu benefits from generally dry, pleasant weather—pack lightweight fabrics, reef-safe sunscreen, a light rain jacket for unexpected showers and comfortable walking shoes for city exploration. Bring copies of important documents, an unlocked phone for local SIM or eSIM, and consider sea-sickness remedies if you plan multiple ferry transfers. Check recommended vaccinations well before travel and carry a small first-aid kit. For luggage, limit bulky winter wear and plan space for local purchases such as woven textiles or souvenirs.
There are typically no nonstop flights between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB). Expect total travel times of roughly 14–22+ hours depending on routing and layover length. Common one-stop hubs include Manila (MNL), Hong Kong (HKG), Taipei (TPE), and Tokyo (NRT/HND), while two-stop routings may add layovers in Los Angeles, Seoul or other Asian hubs. February schedules can be slightly denser on full-service carriers offering through-ticketing to Cebu via Manila, so optimize by choosing shorter, reliable layovers and booking on a single carrier where possible.
To secure cheap flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) in February, start monitoring fares 8–12 weeks ahead. Use fare alerts, compare one-stop routings through Manila, Taipei, Hong Kong or Tokyo, and be flexible with departure days—Tuesdays and Wednesdays often yield lower fares. Consider low-cost carriers for segments (e.g., Manila→Cebu on Cebu Pacific) but factor in baggage and seat fees to compare total cost. Booking connecting flights on one ticket reduces the risk of missed connections covered by the carrier.
February is generally part of the Philippines' dry season with pleasant temperatures and relatively calm seas, making it ideal for island hopping and diving around Cebu and nearby Bohol. However, brief rain showers can occur; check local weather forecasts and ask operators about sea conditions before booking boat transfers, especially for trips to smaller islands like Siquijor or Sumilon.
Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB) offers immigration, baggage claim, duty-free shopping, currency exchange, ATMs and multiple SIM card vendors in the international arrivals area. For visitors coming from San Francisco, note that ground transport and tour desks are available just outside arrivals; if you need assistance, many hotels provide pickup services—reserve them in advance for February travel.
February is outside Cebu's biggest festival month (Sinulog in January), but it can still coincide with Chinese New Year celebrations in some years and Valentine’s Day hotel promotions that increase demand on weekends. Book airport transfers and accommodation early for holiday dates or long weekend travel, and monitor flight schedules for possible seasonal adjustments.
From CEB, easy connections lead to Cebu City, Mactan Island resorts, Bohol (Tagbilaran), Dumaguete, Iloilo and even Manila via frequent domestic flights. Many travelers use CEB as a hub to explore the Visayas — including Siquijor, Bantayan Island and Moalboal — so plan internal transfers in advance, especially for February island-hopping itineraries.
