How to get from Dumaguete to Zamboanga
The overland and sea distance between Dumaguete and Zamboanga is approximately 400 kilometres. As of this time, transportation options between the two destinations are a somewhat limited but not entirely impossible. You can fly from Dumaguete to Zamboanga with a layover in Manila or Cebu in around 3 hours. It's not exactly cheap though. One-way ticket will cost about PHP8,000 per pax on average. Alternatively, you can hop onto a ship and spend around 14 hours out in the sea for anywhere between PHP1,000 and PHP5,700 depending on your choice of accommodation.
Ferry from Dumaguete to Zamboanga
A good alternative to flying is to cross the ocean between Dumaguete to Zamboanga.
Note! 2GO sails from Dumaguete to Zamboanga on TUESDAY.
2Go has two vessels that regularly sails once a week leaving at 11.59 pm and arriving the following day at 2 pm. Both Saint Francis Xavier and St. Michael The Archangel have several types of accommodations.
If you are on a budget, you can book a bed in their Super Value Class section for only PHP900 or the Mega Value Class for just PHP950.
The Tourist Class is a slight upgrade at only PHP1,300 per pax.
Please know that only tickets for cabins and suits include meals and if you buy a ticket of any of the classes mentioned above, that mean you pretty much have to pay and queue for everything else like linens and pillows which are available for rent.
If traveling in a group, you can get the Cabin for 4 which is available for PHP2,200 but if money is not really an issue, then you can stay in the Stateroom for 2 (PHP5,300) or Suiteroom for 2 (PHP5,700). Both are reminiscent of actual hotel rooms with a private bathrooms and toiletries.
Flights from Dumaguete to Zamboanga
As mentioned above, there are only connecting flights between Dumaguete and Zamboanga offered by the country's budget airline, Cebu Pacific. There are 2 main options for a stopover: either Manila or Cebu with onward connections from Manila and Cebu respectively. Tickets can go anywhere from PHP5,600 to as much as PHP11,000 per pax.
Because of the layover, total flight time can be anywhere from 3 hours and up. The first flight usually falls in the morning and the connecting flight in the afternoon. If you include in the equation the possibility of flights getting delayed, you're looking at losing a day out of your vacation. On the positive side is that Cebu Pacific is known for running seat sales frequently and tickets often can be bought with a huge discount. Their promotions usually fall on a midnight of a national holiday and last for a few days so you might want to stalk the airline’s social networking accounts.
From Dumaguete to Zamboanga by ferry and bus
Besides 2Go’s vessels, you can also board ferries that ply the route from Dumaguete to Dapitan in Zamboanga del Norte. FastCat has several trips daily leaving at 6 am, 2 pm, and 10 pm. Travel time normally lasts approximately 3 hours. As of this writing, the economy fare is PHP400, premium economy costs PHP460, and business class is PHP520.
Once you get to Dapitan, make your way to Dipolog City which is around 14 kilometres away and from there, head towards Zamboanga which is around 8 hours away by bus. Rural Transit can get you there for about PHP500.